cdrigney@uokvax.UUCP (12/25/85)
<You don't have to be evil to read this, but it doesn't get in the way.>
Paul (dub@pur-phy.UUCP) asks for "elite" comics to recommend to a
new reader who's not interested in the usual superbeing stuff.
Note that most of these are at elite prices, unfortunately.
Another disadvantage is that the early issues of all of these
sell for outrageous prices; it's nice to see quality appreciated
properly, but sad if you missed them the first time 'round.
Since this may be of interest to others, may I suggest:
NEXUS = Space Ghost done right, and magnificent art.
There's a softcover collection of the first 3-4
Black & White issues, for those who missed them
the first time around and aren't independently
wealthy.
MAGE = A modern fairy tale, with Grendel as a bonus
back up feature; also with nice art.
The first 10 issues have been bound in softcover
as Magebook I and II, which is a very nice way
to catch up on the series without taking a second
mortgage on your home.
ELEMENTALS = has declined some since the awesome first issue,
but still worth checking out. There will be
a number 5, apparently.
MIRACLEMAN = THE superhero book; absolutely not to be missed.
Ideally you should read issues 1-6 in one sitting,
to get the full impact.
POWER PLAYS = A fresh and funny look at superheros; issue 1 is
much better than issue 2; if in doubt, buy two
copies of issue 1, if you can find it.
Dub already mentioned Swamp Thing; in general anything by Alan
Moore is worth looking at. The Swords of Cerebus softcover
collections are good; the more recent Cerebus's require extensive
pre-knowledge before they make sense, so there's little value in
reading the current series unless you're interested in acquiring
the last 3 years' worth or so. It's also very expensive for such
a thin B&W comic that makes such heavy use of the xerox. (Boy,
is this going to get the Earthpig-lovers steamed - am I gonna get
flamed, or what? :-) ).
There are other books worth checking out, but you may or may not
like them - tastes vary. It's probably best to look at several
issues, to make sure the one you pick up is not just an off day
for the writer/artist. Look for Jon Sable Freelance, Grimjack,
Badger, Stig's Inferno (expensive but funny, if you have a
sufficiently twisted sense of humor), and The Vegenauts (by
Harlan Ellison; it's neat, they have little weapons that fit in
their hands, and everything).
Oh yes, anything with toy robots on the cover has to be good -
buy it! :-)
--Carl Rigney
USENET: {ihnp4,allegra!cbosgd}!okstate!uokvax!cdrigney
"You needn't thank me for telling you all this, the havoc created shall
be my reward."
-- a quote from Stig's Inferno, as is the line at the
beginning of this article.