Guide to the Top 10 Trade Paperbacks

These are my personal favorite comics and supporting works, I hope you enjoy.

1. Sandman

I remember seeing the comic around. I never paid them any mind, assuming that it was something I wouldn't like. It's hard to remember why not, but my biggest gripe was that, "It has a lot to read." Meaning it isn't just pictures with supporting text. It's a shame it took me so long to finally read what was in the bubbles. Years have passed since I first saw some creepy kid reading the Sandman on the front of some stoop lost in a world I was missing out on. I was unaware of just how much the comic was a part of my life. Roseanne had Sandman posters on Darlene's walls, posters which I now have on mine. The Dark Spider-Man comics I had always loved were a direct result of the Sandman. My favorite Spawn story just happened to be written by Neil Gaiman, although now I don't really like it. My original reason for liking it was the brooding Spawn, which I now know was just written like The Sandman character.

I joined the science fiction book club, a normal decision for people like me wanting cheap books with a great introductory offer. They have a section dedicated to comics. I forget the name at the moment. I always even to this day go to that section. I had to fill my offer and I was getting tired of buying Spider-Man novels (Not true but its sounds better than "I randomly decided."). It was the last of my obligation so I bought: Death: The High Cost of Living, The Dark Knight Returns, and Death: The Time of Your Life.

I then realized once home I owned a Sandman Book it was "Sandman Presents: Merv Agent of Dream." I loved it and here it was part of something much better. I would still consider it the best investment I've ever made. I read them all on a road trip to Richmond, a three hour drive. I didn't even notice I had to piss nor my ass going numb. I was in a better place far from conventional comic reading. I didn't know comics could be like this, for years I had been reading crap.

The ride home I read them again. When I got home I had no idea who these people were. Believe it or not I didn't have a computer much less internet access until I was 16. So the information I sought wasn't easy to come by. Looking through old Wizards I found an interview with Neil Gaiman the author of the Death books. In it he blasted Marvel for being hard to work for, and talked about the Sandman. That book I always overlooked in the store.

I started picking up the Trades one after another sometimes two at a time, I'd read them straight through not even wasting time until the next one. I've read the Sandman all the way through 5 times now. I'll be going for the 6th very soon.

I didn't want to be a lawyer anymore, to the dismay of my mother, I wanted to write comics. Neil Giaman had done it he had created a perfect 10 in everyway. The comic which has no single artist only has Super-Heroes once, shifts from an EC style horror comic to an epic fantasy with ease and in between just stories about people.

I can't think of anything that could be number one-ever. The Sandman is the greatest comic ever written I say this with no opinion or vested interest what I state is fact. Telling you about the book would be worthless, you either want to read it, already have, or never will. I myself will always be reading it, I know it almost verbatim but I can't stop.

Related Works Highlight:

Death: The High Cost of Living (1993)

Death: The Time of Your Life (1996)

The Sandman Book of Dreams (1996)

The Dreaming (1996-2001)

The Sandman Presents (1999-2001)

Sandman: The Dream Hunters (1999)

The Sandman Companion by Hy Bender (2000)

The Little Endless Storybook (2001)

Lucifer (2001-present)

Sandman: Endless Nights (2003)

Death: At Deaths Door (2004)

More than this, but this is all I have energy for.

2. Watchmen

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodies"

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons 1986 masterpiece about Golden-Sliver Age heroes living in the real world. The story is self contained and exists in its own universe, but you can see the parallels that can be drawn right away. This comic paved the way for more adult oriented stories in mainstream comics. This is the comic.

The comic starts in the present (well it's present the 1980s) with the death of the comedian. We then follow the story of each member of the Watchmen back and forth through time. The plot is very complex and I really don't have the space or time to get into it. All I can say is you must own this comic.

It's just nice to see superheroes as real people with or without their costumes. You really start to relate to the characters and feel for them in a way that hasn't been done very much in comics. It's the 1980s and those damned reds are getting ready to push us into WW3. Who would want to be a hero then? All 12 issues have been collected by DC in one Trade paperback.

3. Batman Dark Knight Returns

Batman's end. Sure his life has lasted longer than a normal human life, well here is how it ends. Frank Miller FRANK MILLER reminds us why he's the man through 1985-86-FOREVER.

Bruce is 55 and hasn't been Batman for ten years he's finally living the playboy life he always pretended. In reality he's unhappy and alone just as he was as Batman. Bruce walking home one night after having a drink with Gordon gets a tad lost and brings himself to the spot where his parents were killed. It hasn't changed much and he is nearly robbed by the mutant gang.
He goes home and flipping through the channels comes across "The Mask of Zoro" the movie he saw with his parents the night they were murdered. He decides that it's ok to watch it; he tries then turns the channel, becoming upset. Each channel is another awful thing happening to the city because of the mutant gang. Batman is born again.

There is no way I can convey to you how awesome this story is. I could go through the plot and the characters, etc. It doesn't do justice to it at all. There is only one way to know about this story and that is to read it. It's the best Batman story ever told.

Many people don't like this story because it makes Batman to powerful, almost like he's without flaws. I think it's just about a man who gave up being a man for something bigger and wouldn't settle for less. No compromising in any way, its Batman's way or nothing...nothing is not an option.

This is the way these characters should be written as real people in real life. This is the perfect Batman. The Dark Knight Strikes Again came out in 2001 a sequel. It failed to bed good, and it looked like ass.

4. Batman Year One (Batman # 404-408)

Frank Miller should write Batman for the rest of his life. Sin City was not put on this list because one Frank's work on Batman will outshine anything he ever will do. Say it with me people FRANK MILLER remember it. Once you read this comic you'll get my point.

For those who grew up on a steady diet of cartoons and superheroes, which I assume a great deal of you did, you will at some point in your lives worshiped Batman. I use the word worship because there is something we all more than like about Batman, it's the pleasure of ability, any of us could be Batman. It is that amazing quality that appeals to us in our youth. It's been drilled into our head all of our lives if we work hard we can do anything. What better example of this is there than Batman?

Batman has no powers yet is considered one of the greatest heroes in the comic universes. How can this simple man compare to mutants, monsters, legends, and gods? By definition there are far more power forces on earth than him yet they all bend to his will, there is nothing that Batman can over come. Because he is a man possessed with a mission maybe it's justice, or revenge. I don't think it matters Batman is justice is all that he does because he defines himself as such. Are you going to tell the Dark Knight he's wrong?

Forget everything you saw in the movies, or you read in the 60s. This isn't Adam West's Batman its Batman in its purest form. This is the story of how Bruce Wayne faded into the background and became a mere prop for Batman. Bruce returning from studying abroad is finally read to set his plan into action. At the same time a young honest Lieutenant named James Gordon has just moved to the corrupt Gotham City. Both men's lives will be intertwined and will never be the same again.

Originally published in Batman #404-408 written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzuchelli. Can be found in trade paper back by DC. Cue the Bat Signal.

5. Powers (All)

One word Brian Michael Bendis...okay purists, three words. Regardless of the number of words in his name Bendis is a force to be reckoned with. Any comic he writes is an instant classic. Powers is no exception. Bendis filling in all the bubbles with Michael Avon Oeming creating fantastic art this comic is a step in the right direction for the Superhero genera.

Centered on Detective Christian Walker he is a homicide detective specializing in Powers, people with super powers. Each story is a mystery waiting to be solved and you are along solving it. Teamed up with Walker is Detective Dena Pilgrim the two offset each other well. Walker being the professional, straight laced, vet and Pilgrim being the head strong, quirky, relatively new to the entire ordeal.

While each story is separate they build on one another leading to surprising information and amazing twists. I don't want to tell you anything about any one story because that would give any important facts you should get while reading. If you have been living in a cave or haven't had the time due to your coma then you should run out and get powers right away.

This is better than 6-10 because you never want to put it down. It lives in your head and you start to long for the next issue. Soon you're addicted just like the comic clerk said you would. Now you're turning two dollar tricks just for powers money but it's all worth it when you get that fresh issue once a month...

Originally at Image the comic has moved to Marvel/ Icon where it suffers awful print quality. Everything is very dark and the bubbles are hard to read. The Image comics tell one entire story if you down want to suffer through the Marvel/Icon crap. It's still a good comic it just looks worse than it did.

"Powers" by Image #1-37

"Powers Annual" by Image #1

"Powers Coloring & Activity Book" by Image #1

"Powers" by Marvel/Image #1- 9 (On going)

The entire Series including extras is published by Image vol. 1-5 and Marvel/Icon 6-7.

The comic could become a movie in the near future so be on the lookout.

6. Preacher (#1-66)

Writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon kick ass with an examination of the American identity...through the travels of a preacher looking for god. The Preacher is Jesse Custer, no relation to the infamous Indian killer, who is possessed by the spawn of an angel and a demon. Just to add to the fun his best friend is a vampire, his girlfriend is a hit woman, and he talks to John Wayne.

Jesse is a cowboy and with the kick ass attitude equal to that of the dead man he talks to. Forced into a personal hell by his evil grandmother Jesse is raised fire and brimstone style. He escapes to meet Tulip they're young; they fuck, steal cars, and fall in love. His grandmother finds him and drags him back; if he does that shit again they'll kill Tulip.

She wants Jesse to be a preacher and he finally gives in and becomes one in some shit town. While here he reads a good portion of the books in the library which aides his examination of the American identity. Then one day Genesis, the spawn in paragraph one, comes and takes hold of Jesse also killing the congregation.

Meanwhile Tulip fucks up a hit and has and runs straight into the Vampire Cassidy. He gives her a lift and they evade the police. One dead church and some travel time they all meet up. Here is the kicker Jesse has the voice of God. He can say things and you have to do them. The best example is, "Go fuck yourself." You can see how this is a very cool power and anyone like me would become supreme ruler of the world. Not ole Jesse he's pissed and sets out looking for the high and mighty.

There is the exposition now go read it you'll live longer.

There are ten Trade Paper Backs available from DC that collect the entire series.

The movie is still trapped in production hell and will probably never get made.

7. V for Vendetta (#1-10)

Alan Moore and David Lloyd created something that you really can't define. I sat here looking at the screen racking my brain for words that could fit and nothing does. It just is V for Vendetta. Originally published in The Warrior Magazine between 1982-83, until the Magazine went under. The Series was finished at its new home (DC) in ten issues in 1988-89.

The Cold War finally wasn't so cold and in a limited nuclear exchange England is left unharmed. A fascist government takes hold and starts rounding minorities into camps, controlling the media, and 24 hour surveillance which is all enforced by the secret police. All who oppose are taken away in the night.

V is mysterious and is never seen without his Guy Fawkes mask on. V is a terrorist slowly picking the government apart in order for the people to regain control. His campaign of terror is ruthless, violent, and brilliant. What little we do learn about V is that he was in one of the camps and was the subject of awful medical tests which left him unstable.

V rescues from the police a young woman named Evey whom becomes his apprentice in his actions. The story is told through her eyes and the point of view of those who would like to stop him.

A thinking mans story where every panel and phrase could have a double meaning. No matter who many times you read it you always pick up on something new. Alan Moore is a good writer we know this it's not hard to guess that this would be good, but the way he writes you really feel connect to the characters even V whom you know nothing about. Everything seems so real as if this is the way it would all play out.

A personal favorite of mine because it sticks with you and makes you think. It would be higher if not for the art and the massiveness of the work. It sometimes is to heavy even during the light moments. If you have a brain in your head you'll run out and buy it.

Collected in Trade Paperback form by DC/Vertigo

A movie version is in the works staring Natalie Portman is slated for 2005-6. From the looks of it they've changed a lot so it should suck royal. I'll still go because V is my boy.

"Remember, remember the fifth of November..."

8. Kingdom Come (#1-4)

Oil paints each panel, picture, and cover Alex Ross did the whole bit with the writing talent of Mark Waid this comic will always stand out as a masterpiece. It's the near future and the Justice League has disbanded and the children of the superheroes and villains are running rampant without anyone to guide them.

The is told by a minister named Norman McCay who is asked by the Spectre

to pass judgment on the superheroes. The reason for a large withdraw of the active heroes we all know and love is that Superman finally quit his battle for truth and justice. This hole is filled by a new generation of heroes who have little or no concern for public safety.

Everything goes to shit when the Justice Battalion lead by Mogg attacks the Parasite who tears Captain Atom apart causing a nuclear explosion to destroy most of the mid-west including Kansas. Wonder Woman goes to Superman now in self imposed exile pretending he's back on the farm in Kansas. It's all generated by computers, but it's his dream and he really is a farmer at heart.

Diana tells Clark about the disaster he pretends to be unmoved then once she leaves he goes to the Tvs. The world has only gotten worse, hundreds of TV all clatter at once with bad, horrible news. In Metropolis a cable car nearly goes over a bridge, caused by some random battle, then he appears and everyone stops. Afterwards he goes to the United Nations building and announces that the Justice League is open for business once more. The heroes quickly rally behind Superman, but Batman does not.

Norman senses that the impending doom of the superheroes is fast approaching and feels helpless to stop it. If you love Superheroes then read this book, if you like good books read this book, if you like great art read this book, if you like thinking about your mother during sex seek help then read this book.

That's all you get bitches now go read the books. Originally published in four issues in 1996 is laced with tensions of the time. If you remember Image was steady Mobbin' a good portion and saying that the traditional Silver Age hero was a thing of the past. This can be seen by the Mogg character who is of the Image ilk, fighting for what is right whatever he feels that is, and doing so in a chaotic, violent manner. Mogg with his golden helmet is a reference to the Bibles golden calf. Superman played as a christ like figure walking on water (Batcave), a carpenter, and the "Second Coming of Superman." Also all the references to the end of the world are a dead giveaway that this is a close relation to the bible.

In 1999 a slew of spin-offs titles, that aren't very good came out, including:

1. Kid Flash #1

2. Nightstar #1

3. Offspring #1

4. Son of the Bat #1

5. Planet Krypton #1

6. The Kingdom #1-2

Both Kingdom Com and the spin-offs The Kingdom have been collect in trade paperbacks and are available.

9. Strangers in Paradise

Terry Moore is the writer, artist, publisher, and I'm sure he makes his own coffee. The series is about a very complicated, yet pretty normal love triangle. Francine Peters, Katina Choovanski (Katchoo), and their friend David Qin. David loves Katchoo who loves Francine. Fairly standard for real life, but is only made worse by the fact that Francine doesn't know how she feels about Katchoo who doesn't know how she feels about David.

Katchoo also has a secretive past working as a top grade call girl. Katchoo's mistress in this case Darcy Parker would blackmail the people who called upon her services to control some politics in her favor. No one in her life knows any of this until later.

The comic has under gone some changes throughout time. In 1993 it started as a three part miniseries (Volume 1). Then Moore started Abstract Studios and published thirteen issues (Volume2). After that it moved to Image's Homage imprint for eight issues then returned to Moore's Abstract Studios where it remains until this day (Volume 3).

This is a person favorite because nothing is this true it really reflects life. It's also funny to note how much things change and this changes with it. If you want something funny I mean real funny then this is the comic. I think anyone comic reading or not can get something out of this book.

For being a Black and white comic it has done some amazing things first off just having a readership of mostly women, a huge deal in the fan boy world we all live in. It is published in eight languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Finnish, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian.

Awards

2003 Inkpot Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comic Arts

2002 YALSA/ALA selection for Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

The GLAAD Media Award for Best Comic Book in 2000

1996 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Serialized Story

Collected Work

1. The Collected Strangers in Paradise, Volume 1 (#1 - 3)

2. I Dream of You, Volume 2 (#1-9)

3. It's a Good Life, Volume 2 (#10-13)

4. Love Me Tender, Volume 3 (#1-5)

5. Immortal Enemies, Volume 3 (#6-12)

6. High School!, Volume 3 (#13-16)

7. Sanctuary, Volume 3 (#17-24)

8. My Other Life, Volume 3 (#25-30)

9. Child of Rage, Volume 3 (#31-38)

10. Tropic of Desire, Volume 3 (#39-43)

11. Brave New World, Volume 3 (#44-48)

12. Heart in Hand, Volume 3 (#50-54)

13. Flower to Flame, Volume 3 (#55-60)

14. David's Story, Volume 3 (#61-63)

15. Molly & Poo, Collected (Vol. 2 #14, Vol. 3 #49,46, 73)

Hard Back Total Collections

1. The Complete Strangers In Paradise, Volume 1 (#1-3)

2. The Complete Strangers in Paradise, Volume 2 (#1-13)

3. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 1 (#1-12)

4. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 2 (#13-25, 93298)

5. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 3 (#26-38)

6. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 4 (#39-46, 49)

7. The Complete Strangers In Paradise, Volume 3, Part 5 (#47-48, 50-57)

Other Issues

1. Strangers In Paradise, Volume 2 "Molly & Poo" #14

2. Strangers In Paradise "Songs and Lyrics" #93298
3. Strangers In Paradise Source Book

10. The Maxx (Issues 1-35)

Written by Sam Keith and with William Messner-Loebs published by Image Comics in 1993. The Maxx is the day to day in and outs of a homeless man named Maxx. When he isn't thinking he is a Superhero, he actually is in the dream world of the outback. A person who shares this world with him is Julie Winters a social worker who tries to help Maxx out as best she can. The two become friends in the real world and in the outback Julie is Maxx's queen. Some how connected to all this is a man named Mr. Gone who is going around killing people with small creatures called Isz.

During the comic glut of the early 90s where everyone and their brother had a comic company, speculation and over production of comics made prices skyrocket it was nice to see something against the norm. Comics at this time were all about getting them out faster with nicer art. This in tern made reading comics for about five years pretty painful. The Maxx which was labeled as a superhero comic at the time was looked over until a small following latched on then MTV produced an animated series which covered half the comic.

I love the Maxx for its creepy art, wonderful art, and sense of humor when there shouldn't be one. I consider it one of the best comics produced in the 90s and would tell anyone to read it.

Spin Offs/Other Mediums

Friends of Maxx (Nov. 1996, Issues 1-3)

MTV Oddities Presents The Maxx (TV Series, 13 episodes)

Darker Image (1993 Maxx Card)

Gen 13 Maxx (1995)

Maxx 3-D Edition (1998)

Maxx ½ (June 1993)

Trade Paperbacks are now being published by DC and Wildstorm

1. Sandman

I remember seeing the comic around. I never paid them any mind, assuming that it was something I wouldn't like. It's hard to remember why not, but my biggest gripe was that, "It has a lot to read." Meaning it isn't just pictures with supporting text. It's a shame it took me so long to finally read what was in the bubbles. Years have passed since I first saw some creepy kid reading the Sandman on the front of some stoop lost in a world I was missing out on. I was unaware of just how much the comic was a part of my life. Roseanne had Sandman posters on Darlene's walls, posters which I now have on mine. The Dark Spider-Man comics I had always loved were a direct result of the Sandman. My favorite Spawn story just happened to be written by Neil Gaiman, although now I don't really like it. My original reason for liking it was the brooding Spawn, which I now know was just written like The Sandman character.

I joined the science fiction book club, a normal decision for people like me wanting cheap books with a great introductory offer. They have a section dedicated to comics. I forget the name at the moment. I always even to this day go to that section. I had to fill my offer and I was getting tired of buying Spider-Man novels (Not true but its sounds better than "I randomly decided."). It was the last of my obligation so I bought: Death: The High Cost of Living, The Dark Knight Returns, and Death: The Time of Your Life.

I then realized once home I owned a Sandman Book it was "Sandman Presents: Merv Agent of Dream." I loved it and here it was part of something much better. I would still consider it the best investment I've ever made. I read them all on a road trip to Richmond, a three hour drive. I didn't even notice I had to piss nor my ass going numb. I was in a better place far from conventional comic reading. I didn't know comics could be like this, for years I had been reading crap.

The ride home I read them again. When I got home I had no idea who these people were. Believe it or not I didn't have a computer much less internet access until I was 16. So the information I sought wasn't easy to come by. Looking through old Wizards I found an interview with Neil Gaiman the author of the Death books. In it he blasted Marvel for being hard to work for, and talked about the Sandman. That book I always overlooked in the store.

I started picking up the Trades one after another sometimes two at a time, I'd read them straight through not even wasting time until the next one. I've read the Sandman all the way through 5 times now. I'll be going for the 6th very soon.

I didn't want to be a lawyer anymore, to the dismay of my mother, I wanted to write comics. Neil Giaman had done it he had created a perfect 10 in everyway. The comic which has no single artist only has Super-Heroes once, shifts from an EC style horror comic to an epic fantasy with ease and in between just stories about people.

I can't think of anything that could be number one-ever. The Sandman is the greatest comic ever written I say this with no opinion or vested interest what I state is fact. Telling you about the book would be worthless, you either want to read it, already have, or never will. I myself will always be reading it, I know it almost verbatim but I can't stop.

Related Works Highlight:

Death: The High Cost of Living (1993)

Death: The Time of Your Life (1996)

The Sandman Book of Dreams (1996)

The Dreaming (1996-2001)

The Sandman Presents (1999-2001)

Sandman: The Dream Hunters (1999)

The Sandman Companion by Hy Bender (2000)

The Little Endless Storybook (2001)

Lucifer (2001-present)

Sandman: Endless Nights (2003)

Death: At Deaths Door (2004)

More than this, but this is all I have energy for.

2. Watchmen

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodies"

Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons 1986 masterpiece about Golden-Sliver Age heroes living in the real world. The story is self contained and exists in its own universe, but you can see the parallels that can be drawn right away. This comic paved the way for more adult oriented stories in mainstream comics. This is the comic.

The comic starts in the present (well it's present the 1980s) with the death of the comedian. We then follow the story of each member of the Watchmen back and forth through time. The plot is very complex and I really don't have the space or time to get into it. All I can say is you must own this comic.

It's just nice to see superheroes as real people with or without their costumes. You really start to relate to the characters and feel for them in a way that hasn't been done very much in comics. It's the 1980s and those damned reds are getting ready to push us into WW3. Who would want to be a hero then? All 12 issues have been collected by DC in one Trade paperback.

3. Batman Dark Knight Returns

Batman's end. Sure his life has lasted longer than a normal human life, well here is how it ends. Frank Miller FRANK MILLER reminds us why he's the man through 1985-86-FOREVER.

Bruce is 55 and hasn't been Batman for ten years he's finally living the playboy life he always pretended. In reality he's unhappy and alone just as he was as Batman. Bruce walking home one night after having a drink with Gordon gets a tad lost and brings himself to the spot where his parents were killed. It hasn't changed much and he is nearly robbed by the mutant gang.
He goes home and flipping through the channels comes across "The Mask of Zoro" the movie he saw with his parents the night they were murdered. He decides that it's ok to watch it; he tries then turns the channel, becoming upset. Each channel is another awful thing happening to the city because of the mutant gang. Batman is born again.

There is no way I can convey to you how awesome this story is. I could go through the plot and the characters, etc. It doesn't do justice to it at all. There is only one way to know about this story and that is to read it. It's the best Batman story ever told.

Many people don't like this story because it makes Batman to powerful, almost like he's without flaws. I think it's just about a man who gave up being a man for something bigger and wouldn't settle for less. No compromising in any way, its Batman's way or nothing...nothing is not an option.

This is the way these characters should be written as real people in real life. This is the perfect Batman. The Dark Knight Strikes Again came out in 2001 a sequel. It failed to bed good, and it looked like ass.

4. Batman Year One (Batman # 404-408)

Frank Miller should write Batman for the rest of his life. Sin City was not put on this list because one Frank's work on Batman will outshine anything he ever will do. Say it with me people FRANK MILLER remember it. Once you read this comic you'll get my point.

For those who grew up on a steady diet of cartoons and superheroes, which I assume a great deal of you did, you will at some point in your lives worshiped Batman. I use the word worship because there is something we all more than like about Batman, it's the pleasure of ability, any of us could be Batman. It is that amazing quality that appeals to us in our youth. It's been drilled into our head all of our lives if we work hard we can do anything. What better example of this is there than Batman?

Batman has no powers yet is considered one of the greatest heroes in the comic universes. How can this simple man compare to mutants, monsters, legends, and gods? By definition there are far more power forces on earth than him yet they all bend to his will, there is nothing that Batman can over come. Because he is a man possessed with a mission maybe it's justice, or revenge. I don't think it matters Batman is justice is all that he does because he defines himself as such. Are you going to tell the Dark Knight he's wrong?

Forget everything you saw in the movies, or you read in the 60s. This isn't Adam West's Batman its Batman in its purest form. This is the story of how Bruce Wayne faded into the background and became a mere prop for Batman. Bruce returning from studying abroad is finally read to set his plan into action. At the same time a young honest Lieutenant named James Gordon has just moved to the corrupt Gotham City. Both men's lives will be intertwined and will never be the same again.

Originally published in Batman #404-408 written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzuchelli. Can be found in trade paper back by DC. Cue the Bat Signal.

5. Powers (All)

One word Brian Michael Bendis...okay purists, three words. Regardless of the number of words in his name Bendis is a force to be reckoned with. Any comic he writes is an instant classic. Powers is no exception. Bendis filling in all the bubbles with Michael Avon Oeming creating fantastic art this comic is a step in the right direction for the Superhero genera.

Centered on Detective Christian Walker he is a homicide detective specializing in Powers, people with super powers. Each story is a mystery waiting to be solved and you are along solving it. Teamed up with Walker is Detective Dena Pilgrim the two offset each other well. Walker being the professional, straight laced, vet and Pilgrim being the head strong, quirky, relatively new to the entire ordeal.

While each story is separate they build on one another leading to surprising information and amazing twists. I don't want to tell you anything about any one story because that would give any important facts you should get while reading. If you have been living in a cave or haven't had the time due to your coma then you should run out and get powers right away.

This is better than 6-10 because you never want to put it down. It lives in your head and you start to long for the next issue. Soon you're addicted just like the comic clerk said you would. Now you're turning two dollar tricks just for powers money but it's all worth it when you get that fresh issue once a month...

Originally at Image the comic has moved to Marvel/ Icon where it suffers awful print quality. Everything is very dark and the bubbles are hard to read. The Image comics tell one entire story if you down want to suffer through the Marvel/Icon crap. It's still a good comic it just looks worse than it did.

"Powers" by Image #1-37

"Powers Annual" by Image #1

"Powers Coloring & Activity Book" by Image #1

"Powers" by Marvel/Image #1- 9 (On going)

The entire Series including extras is published by Image vol. 1-5 and Marvel/Icon 6-7.

The comic could become a movie in the near future so be on the lookout.

6. Preacher (#1-66)

Writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon kick ass with an examination of the American identity...through the travels of a preacher looking for god. The Preacher is Jesse Custer, no relation to the infamous Indian killer, who is possessed by the spawn of an angel and a demon. Just to add to the fun his best friend is a vampire, his girlfriend is a hit woman, and he talks to John Wayne.

Jesse is a cowboy and with the kick ass attitude equal to that of the dead man he talks to. Forced into a personal hell by his evil grandmother Jesse is raised fire and brimstone style. He escapes to meet Tulip they're young; they fuck, steal cars, and fall in love. His grandmother finds him and drags him back; if he does that shit again they'll kill Tulip.

She wants Jesse to be a preacher and he finally gives in and becomes one in some shit town. While here he reads a good portion of the books in the library which aides his examination of the American identity. Then one day Genesis, the spawn in paragraph one, comes and takes hold of Jesse also killing the congregation.

Meanwhile Tulip fucks up a hit and has and runs straight into the Vampire Cassidy. He gives her a lift and they evade the police. One dead church and some travel time they all meet up. Here is the kicker Jesse has the voice of God. He can say things and you have to do them. The best example is, "Go fuck yourself." You can see how this is a very cool power and anyone like me would become supreme ruler of the world. Not ole Jesse he's pissed and sets out looking for the high and mighty.

There is the exposition now go read it you'll live longer.

There are ten Trade Paper Backs available from DC that collect the entire series.

The movie is still trapped in production hell and will probably never get made.

7. V for Vendetta (#1-10)

Alan Moore and David Lloyd created something that you really can't define. I sat here looking at the screen racking my brain for words that could fit and nothing does. It just is V for Vendetta. Originally published in The Warrior Magazine between 1982-83, until the Magazine went under. The Series was finished at its new home (DC) in ten issues in 1988-89.

The Cold War finally wasn't so cold and in a limited nuclear exchange England is left unharmed. A fascist government takes hold and starts rounding minorities into camps, controlling the media, and 24 hour surveillance which is all enforced by the secret police. All who oppose are taken away in the night.

V is mysterious and is never seen without his Guy Fawkes mask on. V is a terrorist slowly picking the government apart in order for the people to regain control. His campaign of terror is ruthless, violent, and brilliant. What little we do learn about V is that he was in one of the camps and was the subject of awful medical tests which left him unstable.

V rescues from the police a young woman named Evey whom becomes his apprentice in his actions. The story is told through her eyes and the point of view of those who would like to stop him.

A thinking mans story where every panel and phrase could have a double meaning. No matter who many times you read it you always pick up on something new. Alan Moore is a good writer we know this it's not hard to guess that this would be good, but the way he writes you really feel connect to the characters even V whom you know nothing about. Everything seems so real as if this is the way it would all play out.

A personal favorite of mine because it sticks with you and makes you think. It would be higher if not for the art and the massiveness of the work. It sometimes is to heavy even during the light moments. If you have a brain in your head you'll run out and buy it.

Collected in Trade Paperback form by DC/Vertigo

A movie version is in the works staring Natalie Portman is slated for 2005-6. From the looks of it they've changed a lot so it should suck royal. I'll still go because V is my boy.

"Remember, remember the fifth of November..."

8. Kingdom Come (#1-4)

Oil paints each panel, picture, and cover Alex Ross did the whole bit with the writing talent of Mark Waid this comic will always stand out as a masterpiece. It's the near future and the Justice League has disbanded and the children of the superheroes and villains are running rampant without anyone to guide them.

The is told by a minister named Norman McCay who is asked by the Spectre

to pass judgment on the superheroes. The reason for a large withdraw of the active heroes we all know and love is that Superman finally quit his battle for truth and justice. This hole is filled by a new generation of heroes who have little or no concern for public safety.

Everything goes to shit when the Justice Battalion lead by Mogg attacks the Parasite who tears Captain Atom apart causing a nuclear explosion to destroy most of the mid-west including Kansas. Wonder Woman goes to Superman now in self imposed exile pretending he's back on the farm in Kansas. It's all generated by computers, but it's his dream and he really is a farmer at heart.

Diana tells Clark about the disaster he pretends to be unmoved then once she leaves he goes to the Tvs. The world has only gotten worse, hundreds of TV all clatter at once with bad, horrible news. In Metropolis a cable car nearly goes over a bridge, caused by some random battle, then he appears and everyone stops. Afterwards he goes to the United Nations building and announces that the Justice League is open for business once more. The heroes quickly rally behind Superman, but Batman does not.

Norman senses that the impending doom of the superheroes is fast approaching and feels helpless to stop it. If you love Superheroes then read this book, if you like good books read this book, if you like great art read this book, if you like thinking about your mother during sex seek help then read this book.

That's all you get bitches now go read the books. Originally published in four issues in 1996 is laced with tensions of the time. If you remember Image was steady Mobbin' a good portion and saying that the traditional Silver Age hero was a thing of the past. This can be seen by the Mogg character who is of the Image ilk, fighting for what is right whatever he feels that is, and doing so in a chaotic, violent manner. Mogg with his golden helmet is a reference to the Bibles golden calf. Superman played as a christ like figure walking on water (Batcave), a carpenter, and the "Second Coming of Superman." Also all the references to the end of the world are a dead giveaway that this is a close relation to the bible.

In 1999 a slew of spin-offs titles, that aren't very good came out, including:

1. Kid Flash #1

2. Nightstar #1

3. Offspring #1

4. Son of the Bat #1

5. Planet Krypton #1

6. The Kingdom #1-2

Both Kingdom Com and the spin-offs The Kingdom have been collect in trade paperbacks and are available.

9. Strangers in Paradise

Terry Moore is the writer, artist, publisher, and I'm sure he makes his own coffee. The series is about a very complicated, yet pretty normal love triangle. Francine Peters, Katina Choovanski (Katchoo), and their friend David Qin. David loves Katchoo who loves Francine. Fairly standard for real life, but is only made worse by the fact that Francine doesn't know how she feels about Katchoo who doesn't know how she feels about David.

Katchoo also has a secretive past working as a top grade call girl. Katchoo's mistress in this case Darcy Parker would blackmail the people who called upon her services to control some politics in her favor. No one in her life knows any of this until later.

The comic has under gone some changes throughout time. In 1993 it started as a three part miniseries (Volume 1). Then Moore started Abstract Studios and published thirteen issues (Volume2). After that it moved to Image's Homage imprint for eight issues then returned to Moore's Abstract Studios where it remains until this day (Volume 3).

This is a person favorite because nothing is this true it really reflects life. It's also funny to note how much things change and this changes with it. If you want something funny I mean real funny then this is the comic. I think anyone comic reading or not can get something out of this book.

For being a Black and white comic it has done some amazing things first off just having a readership of mostly women, a huge deal in the fan boy world we all live in. It is published in eight languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Finnish, Portuguese, Dutch and Italian.

Awards

2003 Inkpot Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comic Arts

2002 YALSA/ALA selection for Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

The GLAAD Media Award for Best Comic Book in 2000

1996 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best Serialized Story

Collected Work

1. The Collected Strangers in Paradise, Volume 1 (#1 - 3)

2. I Dream of You, Volume 2 (#1-9)

3. It's a Good Life, Volume 2 (#10-13)

4. Love Me Tender, Volume 3 (#1-5)

5. Immortal Enemies, Volume 3 (#6-12)

6. High School!, Volume 3 (#13-16)

7. Sanctuary, Volume 3 (#17-24)

8. My Other Life, Volume 3 (#25-30)

9. Child of Rage, Volume 3 (#31-38)

10. Tropic of Desire, Volume 3 (#39-43)

11. Brave New World, Volume 3 (#44-48)

12. Heart in Hand, Volume 3 (#50-54)

13. Flower to Flame, Volume 3 (#55-60)

14. David's Story, Volume 3 (#61-63)

15. Molly & Poo, Collected (Vol. 2 #14, Vol. 3 #49,46, 73)

Hard Back Total Collections

1. The Complete Strangers In Paradise, Volume 1 (#1-3)

2. The Complete Strangers in Paradise, Volume 2 (#1-13)

3. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 1 (#1-12)

4. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 2 (#13-25, 93298)

5. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 3 (#26-38)

6. The Complete Strangers in Paradise Volume 3, Part 4 (#39-46, 49)

7. The Complete Strangers In Paradise, Volume 3, Part 5 (#47-48, 50-57)

Other Issues

1. Strangers In Paradise, Volume 2 "Molly & Poo" #14

2. Strangers In Paradise "Songs and Lyrics" #93298
3. Strangers In Paradise Source Book

10. The Maxx (Issues 1-35)

Written by Sam Keith and with William Messner-Loebs published by Image Comics in 1993. The Maxx is the day to day in and outs of a homeless man named Maxx. When he isn't thinking he is a Superhero, he actually is in the dream world of the outback. A person who shares this world with him is Julie Winters a social worker who tries to help Maxx out as best she can. The two become friends in the real world and in the outback Julie is Maxx's queen. Some how connected to all this is a man named Mr. Gone who is going around killing people with small creatures called Isz.

During the comic glut of the early 90s where everyone and their brother had a comic company, speculation and over production of comics made prices skyrocket it was nice to see something against the norm. Comics at this time were all about getting them out faster with nicer art. This in tern made reading comics for about five years pretty painful. The Maxx which was labeled as a superhero comic at the time was looked over until a small following latched on then MTV produced an animated series which covered half the comic.

I love the Maxx for its creepy art, wonderful art, and sense of humor when there shouldn't be one. I consider it one of the best comics produced in the 90s and would tell anyone to read it.

Spin Offs/Other Mediums

Friends of Maxx (Nov. 1996, Issues 1-3)

MTV Oddities Presents The Maxx (TV Series, 13 episodes)

Darker Image (1993 Maxx Card)

Gen 13 Maxx (1995)

Maxx 3-D Edition (1998)

Maxx ½ (June 1993)

Trade Paperbacks are now being published by DC and Wildstorm