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Posted: Oct 27 2009 12:37 pm

(Note: this could fit in both Movies and Reading, but since I'm covering both topics I'm just posting it here to avoid annoyingly similar multiple threads. If any of the mods have a problem, obviously move as you see fit.)

Okay, so there are two parts of my nerducation that I'm severely lacking in: comic books, and anime. I'm wondering if I can get any tips from those familiar with them as to the best way for a relative newbie to get knowledgeable.

In terms of anime: I've seen almost none. Feel free to throw some good, relatively n00b-friendly stuff at me. I particularly like stories that are either sci-fi or very mythology-based (not necessarily REAL mythology, just that kind of feel), for what that's worth. Can be TV series, movie, whatever. If its available on Netflix, bonus points.

Comics: I REALLY don't know where to start here. I don't know any way to read them without spending a lot of money. Not that I OBJECT to spending money once I understand what I'm getting, but since I don't, I'm very wallet-shy right now. I'm looking to start with some of the very basic heroes I think: Spiderman, Superman, Captain America, X-Men, etc. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good story arc for any of those guys that I could pick up fairly easily and for a non-ball busting price?

Thanks for the help all y'all. Cheers!

Posted: Oct 27 2009 02:34 pm

As far as anime goes. Start with the basics. Akira, Ghost In The Shell, Fist Of The North Star, Project Ako, Appleseed, Bubblegum Crisis, Golgo 13, Crying Freeman, Perfect Blue, etc.

See which of those you enjoy most, and then we can point you to more of that style.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

the thing that got me into anime was galaxy express 999. I highly recommend it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_Express_999#Movie_version

hit a censored up on aim sometime and I'll think of more.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 02:48 pm

Anime - Weiss Krues, Hellsing, umm...I'd have to think about it cause it's been a while since I watched any and I'm trying to just think of really good ones.

Comics - Trade paperbacks are gonna be your best friend for this one. For stuff that requires no prior knowledge: Watchmen, Ultimates 1 and 2, Global Frequency, The Boys. Stuff that requires at least a basic understanding of some of the heroes: Kingdom Come, Civil War, Identity Crisis, Marvels, Hush (Batman story). There's plenty more, but that's some stuff to start with. Once they came out in trade, I also definitely recommend Irredeemable, Unknown, and Kick-Ass.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 03:26 pm

Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Vampire Hunter D (both Movies), Fist of the North Star, Ninja Scroll, Dagger of Kamui, Jin-Roh, Death Note, Lodoss War, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Samurai 7, Full Metal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Berserk, Claymore, Akira , Prince of Egypt (underrated), Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi and if you want some really weird shit Excel Saga.

Really any of these on this board are great suggestions, personally if I Had to start with one series /Anime it would probably be Cowboy Bebop. As far as comics unless you want to read story arc descriptions to get a brief idea online, the only other alternative is stuff like this http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Spider-Man-Complete-Comic-Collection/dp/B000HKIM7Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1256671526&sr=8-3 not sure how many comic types these collections are available for.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 03:33 pm

In addition to what's been said already, for sci-fi anime I'd like to add:

Mobile Suit Gundam (original)
Macross (original)
Megazone 23
Bubblegum Crisis

If you like the former two, there are sequels and AU's worth getting into, but don't worry about that for now.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

anyone say full metal panic yet?

Posted: Oct 27 2009 05:09 pm

Can't go wrong with Studio Ghibli.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 05:13 pm

Oh, Full Metal Alchemist and Noir.

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

Perfect Blue was fucking amazing. Hard.

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

I'm not a big anime fan sorry.

As for comics Jeebus has it, TPB are the way to go, you can usually find them at affordable prices on ebay or amazon or others. I also hear that some people obtain them in dishonest ways and look at them with Comic book reader programs.

Also if you like superhero books you should Umbrella Academy pretty entertaining especially considering the writer.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 05:46 pm

joshwoodzell wrote:

Perfect Blue was fucking amazing. Hard.

I watched that in 2001, that movie fucked my head up something fierce after the first view.

Joined: Jul 06 2008 Posts: 142

it's not scifi but ping pong club is kind of fuck up in its own little way you should also check out serial experiment lain

UsaSatsui's Youtube Channel · Posted: Oct 27 2009 07:45 pm

Excel Saga is one of the most bizarre things you can watch. You won't get half the jokes, but you won't care.

I haven't seen a whole lot of anime to be honest...Ramna 1/2 is a good starting point. If you can get your hands on the non-dub Sailor Moon, definitely go with that (the English Dub of the first few seasons is awful). Goldenboy is hilarious if you can look past the juvenile humor. Magic Knight Rayearth mixes a couple of genres well. And Slayers is probably my personal favorite of the ones I've seen.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 08:14 pm

Thank you so much for all the advice guys! Can't wait to get started tracking some of these down.

Btw....what's a trade paperback? Embarrassed

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

joshwoodzell wrote:

Perfect Blue was fucking amazing. Hard.

everythign by this guy is great. millenium actress is fantastic too.

2010 SLF Tag Champ Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 12294

SoldierHawk wrote:

Thank you so much for all the advice guys! Can't wait to get started tracking some of these down.

TPBs are those books that you see in borders and barnse and noble that are basically an entire story arc or whatnot compiled into one book for convenience. I would say it's a good way to read some comics if you aren't going to torrent them. some guys here could probably send you some comics or something, I know alex and myself trade them every now and then, for example.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 09:53 pm

FNJ wrote:

SoldierHawk wrote:

Thank you so much for all the advice guys! Can't wait to get started tracking some of these down.

TPBs are those books that you see in borders and barnse and noble that are basically an entire story arc or whatnot compiled into one book for convenience. I would say it's a good way to read some comics if you aren't going to torrent them. some guys here could probably send you some comics or something, I know alex and myself trade them every now and then, for example.

1. Thank you for the answer

2. As a hopeful published author-to-be, I don't torrent (almost) ever.

3. Please don't double post. You've been around long enough to know better.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 10:13 pm

Excellent thread idea Hawk, I am in the same boat with Anime, I just have had no idea where to start.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 10:28 pm

Oh yeah, I'll second Umbrella Academy, totally forgot about that. Dallas was only alright, but Apocalypse Suite was really good.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 11:07 pm

Okay, so I've decided to look into the Marvel: Essential series, since that looks like a good place to start for a lot of my favorite superheroes. Looking or maybe order Marvel Essentials: Vol. 1 for Iron Man, Captain America, and X-Men. Then maybe more depending on what I like, etc.

Here's my issue: Marvel Essentials are all black and white. Is there a similar compilation out there that has superheroes origin stories/some early adventures, PLUS in in color? I'd be on that like white on rice.

Will also take recommendations for specific book compilations of Spiderman, Superman, Iron Man, Batman, X-Men and Captain America if you got 'em.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 11:30 pm

While I'm sure they're not without their charm, the essentials may not be the best thing for someone from our generation just starting out. The alternate to the essentials are the Marvel Masterworks series which are extremely expensive (I believe they average $50 for a hardcover compiling 10 issues). Of course, they're very, very cheap compared to the individual issues, but not like the $10-20 that most trades are. Also, the origin stories have all been done a million times, so you don't have to read the originals as they, as far as I can tell, are campy and kinda poorly drawn by today's standards. Anyway:
Spider-Man: Spider-Man Reign is fantastic, though it takes place in the future, almost like a "What If" title, Death of the Stacy's
Iron Man - Armor Wars, Extremis
X-Men - Age of Apocalypse, The Phoenix Saga
Captain America - I'd just read the entire current run by Ed Brubaker (Issues 1-600+...is jumps from like 52 to 600 though, cause Marvel's weird like that)

Couldn't begin to tell you for Superman, although if you're looking for origins, Geoff Johns is currently writing Superman: Secret Origins right now. Issue #2 comes out tomorrow, actually. Johns is basically the golden boy of DC. Everything he writes is phenomenal, and of all the origins of Superman out there, it looks like this one is going to be the canon version.

A few other miniseries to look into as well:
1985
Bullet Points
War Heroes (Only 3 of 6 issues are out so far)
Planetary (After 3 years, the last issue finally came out!)

There's a LOT of good stuff out there.

UsaSatsui's Youtube Channel · Posted: Oct 27 2009 11:30 pm

While it's not a superhero comic by any stretch of the imagination, Usagi Yojimbo is one of the best ones ever. And that's not just a personal bias talking.

Posted: Oct 27 2009 11:45 pm

Jeebus, that was exactly the kind of guidance I was looking for. Added a bunch of books to my amazon wishlist for payday. Any Batman recommendations? Or more non-dystopic Spidey stories heheh? My first buys are going to be the two Iron Man and X-Men: Age of Apocalypse. Can't wait!

Usa, gonna check that out right away. I hadn't even considered Yojimbo. Must look now.

Joined: Feb 16 2008 Posts: 832

Some of my favorite anime that are really light and fluffy, perfect for 'noobs'

Outlaw Star is a fantastic sci-fi anime that's as good if not better then cowboy bebop. (i thought it was more memorable personally)
Saint Seiya is also fantastic too.