“I’m almost finished with Watchmen. What else should I be reading?”
I got that question this Saturday — and I am sure there quite a few out there that have been asked this kind of question recently as well. I have to say, I both love and fear that kind of question — it’s such a responsibility to answer, you know? Here you have the opportunity to bring someone into comics, possibly for the first time in years, maybe the first time ever. And, as you well know, the past eight years or so has been an excellent time in comics, which makes it actually harder to recommend something because there’s just so many good books on the shelves right now.
I haven’t responded to him yet, partly because I am still thinking about it and partly because I figured it would be a great way to involve you, the iFanbase. We’re talking about a very smart guy, a successful actor, a voracious reader, and is honestly interested in checking out cool comics. So, I know he’d like some edgier stuff, some next generation kinds of stories, but then I hesitate a bit… like, it’s one thing to recommend All-Star Superman… quite another to suggest he read the recently released Braniac story from Action Comics, you know?
So, I pull back a bit. One of the aspects of comics that I have been really digging these days is just how many different kinds of books are out there. Whenever someone asks me about comics, I actually discuss costumed superhero books last, because I kind of want to disrupt their preconceived notions about the genre and partly to show, quite honestly, that being a comic book fan doesn’t mean that I am a turbo nerd like the guy on The Simpsons or The Forty Year Old Virgin. Let me rush — immediately — to say that, in reality, I am quite like those guys (well, I don’t collect the toys) in my inner life, but I’ve found that people are more likely to listen to me talk about comics when I am a bit more closeted in my geeky prattling. This all changes, of course, if the person I am talking to actually reads comics — even trades — and I find it much easier to rattle off a series of titles not to read, but to actually jump onto; which is a totally different conversation.
And that’s the crux, right? “I’m almost done with Watchmen” necessarily implies, for the most part, that we are talking trades here. Trades are just easier for the casual reader: they have a beginning, middle and end, they are easy to carry around, and you can get them in almost any bookstore. Let me hasten (lots of rushing around in this article) to add that I do indeed suggest that, if they do happen by a comic book store, that they should, by all means, go in and ask around for suggestions, but, honestly, I think comic book stores can be a bit intimidating for the casual reader who got their copy of Watchmen from Borders.
I’ll be honest: it’s my intention, whenever anyone asks me what books to read, to get them hooked. I’m like a dealer — I’ll give you the best upfront so you’ll never leave me, baby! (Aside: I did this a bit when I was first dating my wife Whit. She made the mistake of saying that she thought she might like watching Star Trek and I unleashed on her all of the best episodes — she is now doing the same to me with Buffy!)
And now… it’s no longer, “What else should I read” it’s more like “Here the books that I recommend, that I am saying are the best examples of the genre, the stories that are defining this new era in comics, books that you will want to keep forever.” A mighty responsibility, to be sure, and one that I hope you can help me with.
So, I break it down in categories. I usually start my “best of comics” plan with more realistic comics, mystery stuff, that kind of thing. So, I was planning on suggesting the Criminal trades, starting with volume one, just to whet the appetite. I figure the stories are disarmingly intense, the art way different from someone’s stereotypical image of a comic book page, the tone darker and grittier than one might expect. Plus, it’s a surprise suggestion, to recommend a book about the “bad” guys and not superheroes, going a long way to highlight just how many different kinds of stories are being told these days.
Then, depending on how edgy the person is, I dive right into more non traditional comics. I really like sticking Ex-Machina on folks, especially the first trade. I tend to go,”You know how Lost sucked for awhile and then got all good again? The guy who wrote this is the guy who took away the suck.” I also like to recommend DMZ if I am talking to a particularly jaded New Yorker type who thinks comics are all about black and white, good and evil.
But, you know, at some point it has to come down to superheroes, but even then I wanna offer up DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke, especially for people who grew up reading old school superheroes. We all know how great the art is, yet the story, while deeply rooted in the Golden Age stylings, the story addresses some very modern themes. I think New Frontier is a great way to get people both explore new work while reminiscing about comics they used to read. (And, if they like that a lot, I can always point them to the Masterworks and other reprint series…)
Finally, I go to what the questioner was probably thinking about all along: Batman, Superman or Spider-Man — the heroes from the movies. Here, I find myself focusing a lot on really good art with more modern storytelling, and I gotta say, Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s work really shines here. Whether you are talking Batman:The Long Halloween or Spider-Man: Blue, this is another great way to rekindle a comic book fan’s interest. I will always recommend Superman for All Seasons and Superman: Secret Identity just to make sure I cover Superman, as well. Batman: Year One comes to mind as well, especially if we’re talking about Batman… but, oddly, I wonder… do I suggest The Dark Knight Returns? (And yes, I would recommend All-Star Superman, just because it is truly inspiring to see what can be done with a character readers think they know.)
But how about other stories? Like, as much as I love Y:The Last Man, I can’t suggest “just” that first trade. I really need to recommend books that do not necessarily require reading the next volume (you could argue that Ex Machina requires this, but I think, or at least seem to think, that the first trade stands pretty well on its own).
Interestingly, as I think about what to recommend to my friend, not once do I think about recommending current comics. Let’s face it, being into comics is a commitment that most people cannot maintain. If I had a friend that used to be into single issues and wanted to go to the store with me and get a pull list, that’s one thing, but when it comes to someone looking to rediscover comics, the trade is the way, I think.
How about you? What do you when someone goes, “Hey — that Dark Knight movie — I liked it a lot. You like comics — what should I get?”
It’s a question we should all be ready to answer.
Mike Romo is an actor in LA who tries not to think about how much money the people who read comics in trades are saving. He can be facebooked and twittered… but be gentle. Emails go to mike@ifanboy.com.
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I like to ask what people like in other media; so let’s say I have a friend who asks me about books. If I know this person loves procedural police shows I’d be like "Well, you could check out Powers, or Gotham Central or Top Ten" or if they like romantic comedies I’d say "There’s Shenanigans, Love Fights maybe Scott Pilgrim or something like that"
I’m not sure what to recommend if they like both.
Spider-Man Blue sucked so bad. I’ve read every Amazing Spider-Man, Ultimate, etc. and Spider-Man Blue is the WORST Spider-Man story I’ve ever read. So freaking bad. Do not give it to a new reader, unless you want them to hate Spider-Man.
Marvel Kinghts Spider-Man #1-12 is the best Spdier-Man story I could suggest to a new reader. Even more so than Ultimate Spider-Man since MKSM is finite. It’s found easily in paperback on Amazon.
Pride of Baghdad….also by the master
Did anyone else notice the DC freebie in their comic bags last week entitled "After Watchmen…What’s Next?" A pretty good marketing idea since they pretty much blew it after Dark Knight Returns.
http://www.afterwatchmen.com
A week before Watchmen came out a friend told me he ahd a gift card to Barnes and Noble and was going to pick up Watchmen. He asked if he should also get The Dark Knight Returns. I advised that he pick up Batman: Year One because I enjoy it much more and becuase Dark Knight Returns is to similar to Watchmen and I wanted to trick him into going in another direction.
One of the trades I have recommended lately is Local. I think it is an edgy but relatable read that most people will appreciate and see that comics aren’t just about the men and woman in tights.
I have to say it has been awhile since I read Spiderman:Blue but I don’t remember it being the worst. Have people forgotten just how bad JMS’s run on Spiderman was?
This is a really interesting article. My roommate from college actually asked to read some of my trades and the first ones I recommended were non-superhero ones. He loved Y the Last Man, and it was a good thing I had more than one trade. Then DMZ. Finally, I ventured to hand him the first volumes of Invincible, and I was surprised to see that he loved them. Unfortunately, he really is the epitome of a casual reader and had no intention of even buying trades for himself. However, I’m still proud that I was able to demonstrate to him the validity of this medium as a great way of conveying fantastic stories.
DC is doing its part to be its own Recommender. I just bought a $1 copy of Transmetropolitan #1 with "AFTER WATCHMEN" scrawled all over the cover.
By the way, I feel like The Recommender should be a supervillain.
I second that motion!
the ALWAYS RECOMMENDED books
Charles Burns – Black Hole
Gotham Central
MARVELS
Stray Bullets
DMZ
and Elephantmen
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. That’s my default recommend.
"I don’t remember it being the worst. Have people forgotten just how bad JMS’s run on Spiderman was?"
You young sir do not know good Spider-Man. I can see by the looks of your avatar that you are a mere 7 year old child with Spider-Man face paint. So by that logic, you would like something like Spider-Man Blue and not appreciate the excellence of the Straczynski Amazing Spider-Man. Which is the best run since Stan Lee’s. The Ezekiel/Morlun stuff is some of the best ever.
Respectfully: I’ve been skimming the Amazing Spider-Man complete collection DVD-ROM this week, and I think you would be hard-pressed to beat those issues from about 395-420. I’m not even kicking the Clone Saga while it’s down. Take a gander at anything from 1997, 1998 or so; it’s like someone dropped a quality-seeking hydrogen bomb and wiped out the whole area. I’d also argue that "Sins Past"/"The Other" make Spider-Man: Blue look like Shakespeare.
My basic recommendations are Y-The last Man, Invincible, Fables/Jack of Fables*, Planetary, Transmetropolitan, Powers*, Sandman and Criminal. It depends on the person.
If the person is interested in regular superhero work then I give Batman:Year one, Arkham Asylum, DKR, Gotham Central, Planet Hulk. If the person is really interested, I give them Understanding Comics, which is at worst a most entertaining read.
*I give these to everyone.
Preacher. Lot of bang for your buck and it’s unpatriotic to not like it. That’s a fact.
The JMS run was some of the best and worst Spider-Man Comics of all time. It was either the best thing you ever read, or some of the worst that you read. So basically, just your typical JMS. Although Jimski, i think that 418-about 436 was some of the best stuff. The elecrto issues, the doc-ock issues, and the Black Tarantula issues were some of my all time spider-man favs.
@jimski: Your "quality-seeking hydrogen bomb," are the plans available? I’m working on a bass-seeking cruise missile to deal with some neighbors and their new car stereo system.
People hate "Spider-Man: Blue"? *sad*
How come?
Just had to log on really quickly and say how awesome these recommendations are…I will admit that I haven’t read "Blue" since it came out but I really don’t remember hating it–I will re-read as penance and do a Blue/Yellow/Grey as a build up to White article..
right on,
m
For the non comic reader "Fun Home" Is good.
I liked Spider-Man: Blue. You want bad Spider-Man? I suggest Chapter One. Or maybe Mackie’s run after the reboot, the one with the flaming skeleton and the evil Superman transsexual as villains. How does that grab you? I might be tainted by my like for Blue but I’m thinking "evil Superman transsexual" in the battle for crappiest Spidey stories takes Blue and beats it over the head with an evil transsexual crowbar for victory.
SPIDER-MAN: BLUE is excellent.
I have recommended Fables to all of my friends and so far none of them have hated it. I think its a great series to hook readers with especially if they don’t want to read anything dealing with tights and capes.
@kickass That is my 4 year old son and I stopped reading Amazing because of JMS. I have really liked some of his other work but I couldn’t hang. I’m not saying he was the worst of all time but it got bad for me quickly. When you compare it to how Spiderman is now it is night and day and there is no way Blue was that bad. This was before everyone thought Jeph Loeb lost whatever magic he seems to have had.
JMS started out amazing, then it became a jms.
@KickASS-how the hell can a 7-year old type?
I usually recomend finite series.
I too have had this conversation with a few friends recently. I thnk Y: The Last Man may be the best comic crack there is. I just handed out the first two trades of Criminal to a friend. Spider-Man Blue was a huge hit with another friends.
Sadly I was shocked that New Frontier was a bit of a dub with the same friend. Too old fashion I guess.
I think Identiy Crisis is another good "He is a super hero book"
For the record, Spider-Man: Blue is flipping great. I got a little misty at the end….
If someone says "Comics are for kids" I show ’em the Killing Joke to shut them up. I think Bone is a good one since they made that omnibus. All-Star Superman is another one I know people like. I know Long Halloween is what brought me back to comics and Daredevil: Yellow is also cool if you can deal with a pre-Millerite Daredevil. Fell and Criminal are really good to try on fans of crime stuff as well.
"The Ezekiel/Morlun stuff is some of the WORST ever"
There we go, now it makes sense.
You can’t answer this without a clarification question: "What do you like about Watchmen?" or at least, "What kinds of stories do you like in other media?" Both of these are critical in determining what to recommend to any potential reader.
I loved ‘Spider-Man: Blue’ because it was so much about Gwen, and as somebody who wasn’t familiar with the comics in the era she was in, I really enjoyed getting to know her. I think it’s a great Spidey recommendation for newer readers. I also really liked the "Son of the Goblin" trade, which collected a bunch of stories about Harry Osborn over the years, and did a really good job of putting in text material to bridge the gaps and explain what happened. So those are my favorite Spider-Man books.
I wish I had other things to add with the recommendations, but honestly, Mike’s list looks great. I’d recommend almost all those things, so it seems like he’s doing a pretty good job!
I always recommend trades, more stuff to read the more likely they get addicted.
Depending on there tastes and what got them interested, I have a bunch of stuff I swing between. Some the reasons why.
1. Y: The Last Man – For comic skeptics
2. Strangers in Paradise – Relationship stuff
3. Ultimate Spider-Man – For beginners wanting marvel super-heroes
4. All Star Superman – For beginners wanting DC super-heroes
5. WE3 – Sci-fi fans
6. Walking Dead – Horror, Zombie and Survival fans
7. The Losers – Military/Spy story fans
8. Dark Knight – Wanting the NEXT BIG thing, next to Watchmen
9. Queen & Country – Spy junkies
10. Green Lantern and Corp – Sci-fi DC fans who want a fun challenge
It changes all people are different but those are my basic goto books. Some of my favorite but for the most part people can get in on them in the ground floor. I usually always recommend larger stories rather then short ones, I want something someone can go back too.
What got me reading comics again…
DAREDEVIL : THE DEVIL INSIDE AND OUT VOL 1 – absolutely loved this.
I LOVE the Son of the Goblin trade. It has my favorite Spider-Man issue EVER in Best of Enemies where you see Harry as this manipulative, psychological threat that his dad would eventually be when he came back. That story made Harry my favorite Spidey supporting character.
I usually recommend Y: the Last Man to my friends. I love the series (although it’s not my favorite or the best). All of them have become instantly hooked and have continued to read every single issue of the series. I think Y: the Last Man works very well because it’s very much like a movie or an episode of Lost. Almost every issue ends with a major cliffhanger that keeps you wanting to comeback. The characters are easy to fall in love with. New comic book readers find it easy to jump into Y because it’s a rather simple story. Although the source of the plague and the final issue are more complex, the rest of the series is extremely accessible. New comic book readers might be put off by the more bizarre works of some of my favorite writers like Grant Morrison. Brian K. Vaughn’s work is much more accessible, especially to a Lost-generation.
Although I don’t think Watchmen is a good first comic for someone who has never read comics, I would push people to read more Alan Moore.
From Hell
V for Vendetta
If they are more superhero inclined . . .
Swamp Thing
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Promethea
While there are a lot of great comics writers currently, Moore is still the god.
Outside of Moore, I recommend my favorite series:
Transmetropolitan
Lucifer
But my first question before a recommendation is, "What kind [genres] of movies or books to read?"
Then you go from there, cuz comics got it all.
I think that the key factor in successfully recommending comics to a newbie is taking their personality into account. Some others said earlier that they recommend certain titles or genres based on people’s interests — and that is a good way to go.
With an open-minded individual, I recommend all kinds of stuff that may or may not have commonalities. This is method I use when recommending things to the girlfriend. She gives damn near anything a chance. She is also honest and intelligent in her comic critiques.
One day while I was cleaning up the bedroom, she was relaxing and I recommended that she read DMZ. I put a stack of the comics (that were previously on the floor) into her lap. I explained the basic premise of the book and she got into it pretty quickly. Though, I noticed that it took her a little while to adjust to reading a comic. At first, I think that somewhat took away from her enjoyment. Following along with the pacing, panel layout and dialog balloons in a comic is natural for me, but initially wasn’t for her.
Once I knew she was really into DMZ, I got her all the back issues and started buying two copies of each it month (one for me and one for her). At some point, I know that she read my copy of Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall and wanted to get into the regular series. At the Wizard World Chicago convention last year, I bought her the first two Fables trades – which she ended up loving. Since then, she has read through and gotten every available Fables TPB. (She likes the trades for convenience sake, but says that the monthly issues of DMZ give her street cred. Haha.)
I think three things were important in making a comics reader out of her.
I now have a new problem. The floodgates have effectively been opened. She frequently makes jokes about swiping certain books from me and already has a pretty huge wishlist. Hands off the merchandise, woman. Let’s see if I can come up with a list of stuff she is reading/has read…
Ongoing
DMZ
Fables
Scalped
Standalone
We3
Demo
New York Four
Batman: Year One
Black Hole
On deck
Super Spy
Essex County Trilogy
Pride of Baghdad
Yeah I’ve had the "just finished Watchmen" question a few times, and my answer’s been Y: The Last Man.
The 60 issues thing is a bit of a stretch and they’ve been hestiant about that, but so far, everyone I’ve recommended it to has bought the first trade, and dug it enough to continue. And that’s the thing with Y, you do want to consume it all immediately.
this actually happened to me recently, one of my friends wanted to get into comics and wanted my suggestion, i asked him he wanted to read DC or Marvel and he wanted marvel, so i told him if he didnt want to have to really know the back history to anything and still get a lot out of the book i suggested The Ultimates or my personal favorite Age of Apocalypse, he chose AoA, and he loved it and then went and got all The Ultimates and he loved that too.
I think from the snootiness of his comments above that I officially don’t like KickAss. Maybe I read it incorrectly and he was just being sarcastic…idk
My recommendations are kinda predictable. Blankets, Scott P, Runaways, Long Halloween, Supes For All Seasons. These recommendations though were solely based upon my friends interests. It all depends on the personality of the reader. I agree with @Crucio’s list above
i am plannin on starting Ex Machina, DMZ, 100 bullets, and Fables.
mmm…
The Plain Janes ’cause it’s good and a quick and fun read and self contained.
Super Shloomper to anybody but especially kids – a collection of strips made about a child superhero – very smart and funny with great art.
Buba – don’t know if I spelled it right and if you’ll find it but it’s a character in a series of books regarding religious texts and it is nice for everybody but especially kids. Not over your head or preachy. Funny.
Box Office Poison – down to earth story, great use of the black and white format, long but easy to read and nice.
Zoola #1 – also for kids but good for everyone – a story about two rival thieves who are cats and it involved the ugly duckling who grew up to be a reader, Falafel Man #1 – the same, a superhero that shoots falafel balls with hot oil – the second was really bad and I didn’t get the chance to read the third issue (lack of money and libraries with comics sucks).
Eddy bulugun (u as ah – means "Eddy mess/Mess") – for kids but good for everybody. About a trouble making kid with a three friends – a collection of strips in a hc book. Reminds me of Dennis the Menace. Mitzi Kitzi Meow – not as good, by the same creator, about a town of cats that’s about to get destroyed. It was done more hurriedly ("Eddy" was done in seven years I think from an interview with the creator I read- a strip a month or so) and a lot is in the facial expressions and it requires attention to enjoy.
Tzachy and Shlomo break the fourth wall #1 – great fun issue.
"The bold adventures of Halalnick" – (halal means space so I guess he can be called "Spacenick" or something…) sci-fi. great for kids but good for everyone. There was a second one released but I haven’t got to read it yet, and there is another book by the publication about a different character but I didn’t read it yet – they translated it to English and it’s called "Billy Acres and the Goldminers’ Treasure". They call it an interactive comicbook but I have no idea what that means.
Thoughts of Darkness – something like that, about a dying man’s thoughts.
Who’s There?! – about the grandparents of the creator. There was a sequel but I didn’t get to read it.
Comic Book Comics.
Heavy Metal – but I would need to give them issues myself because some issues aren’t that good. There are some good stories and art there and some don’t even mention genitals! Also it’s a collection of short comics and a long one which seems like a good format to get a taste.
JLI, Ghost World, Mad Magazine.
Piposh and other vegetables – a collection of strips about a bad actor with a giant ego, Asterix and Obelix, Soulfire SC – perhaps…, King of Hell, Dombi the ancient man – about an inventor in cavemen time – old guy and it’s a funny comic, Ruv Sha’anan and the son of Godzilla – something like that… about a Conan the barbarian type guy that needs to save the world – also funny and weird…
Of course it depends on the genre they seek and the type of thing they want – downer, funny, long, short etc. I got my hands on some loot so I might have more recommendations in the future. Hopefully people will be willing to use the local mailing system as a third party which is available for a small fee I am willing to pay (used comicbooks sellers suck…).
correction: "it involves the ugly duckling who grew up to be a rapper", "libraries without comics suck", "with three friends".
a lot of them are in hc.
@TopGun – thanks. I forgot to mention Runaways – a fun and quick read. The hc with the first 18 issues is nice. And it doesn’t seem to me KickAss was serious about dissing *looks up* JasonB35… When people created the interent they wanted many people to be able to communicate and share info so they chose text, getting rid of tone altogether. I’m too lazy to check in Wikipedia if they are dead yet.
I always recommend Bone and Blankets. They’re my two favorite comics ever, and though I haven’t gotten too many people to try Bone. Everyone I’ve let borrow Blankets has agreed that its a fantastic story that they still think about to this day.
Well, if they are new to comics and are not already familiar with super-heroes, I’d try and stay away from recommending super-hero comics for a bit. However, if they enjoyed Watchman, I’d want to recommend something similar in tone (dark, gritty), fairly complex/written well with good art. The next obvious suggestion would be Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. It was written around the same time and similar in tone to Watchman.
I had a poll going with several of my comic friends, and on evey list except one was Watchman and The Dark Knight Returns. I think they’ll continue to be high watermarks for years to come.
After Dark Knight Returns though, I’d start to broaden the reading field, still staying away from super-heroes for a while. I’d recommend:
Maus–Art Spiegelman
Barefoot Gen–A Cartoon Story of Hiroshima –Neiji Nakazawa
Our Cancer Year–Harvey Pekar/Joyce Brabner–also mentioning the movie American Splendor, and if they seem to enjoy that I’d also recommend some more Pekar, perhaps an anthology of his collected stories.
V For Vendetta, Swamp Thing, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen–Alan Moore, this ties in nicely with Watchmen, as it’s the same writer. I’d omit From Hell for a newbie to comics, a bit too convoluted and detailed.
Marvels & Kingdom Come–start to slip in super-hero comics with these, if they don’t care too much for super-hero, then the Alex Ross art will knock them off their feet, and perhaps maybe want to discover more, after all Watchmen was about super-heroes, so it’s not that much of a leap.
Xenozoic Tales–Mark Schlutz–a great run, I don’t know if these are still available in most stores, but should be. I still think the art and stories are great adventure, and very much a recommendation for someone wanting to discover something in comics.
Moonshadow–JMDeMatteis, Jon Muth, Kevin Nowlan–again great art, and a nice coming of age storyline, which has a beginning, middle, & end, and should satisfy a beginning reader.
Palookaville: It’s A Good Life If You Don’t Weaken or the ongoing Clyde Fans–I think most people outside the comic world would enjoy this as well.
Sandman–Neil Gaiman–another high watermark for comics with great storytelling, mythos, great art, and if they enjoy the first volume, look how many more volumes there would be to read.
Peepshow!–Joe Matt–the graphic novel of short strips by Joe Matt, funny, and well worth reading.
Sin City: Frank Miller
Concrete: Paul Chadwick
Once you can establish that comics aren’t just for kids or fans of super-heroes, and if they show more interest in comics, particularly super-heroes, you can continue recommending more books.
My super-hero recommends would probably be:
Batman: Year One, Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum
Daredevil: Born Again
Doom Partol: Crawling From the Wreckage
Conan–several books, Roy Thomas is a good writer
Crisis on Infinite Earths
X-Men: Phoenix sage, God Loves, Man Kills, perhaps more if they’re mutant, team book minded
By this time, they should have a clue as too what they enjoy reading in comics and are well on their way…
I got alot of my friends to read watchmen before it came out and now a few have wanted to read more so I’ve been recommending batman stories (since he’s the most popular comic character among non-readers) such as the killing joke, nine lives, year one and dark knight returns. After that I’d recommend Superman: Red Son, Starman and Marvels
Bone seems to work with one of my sisters. It is getting translated to Hebrew in chunks – the color one. I haven’t read Bone yet since I want to read it in black and white and in English. I got her the second translated book and hopefully they won’t stop and sales will be good enough to translate the whole thing so it won’t be like the x-men and rocketeer and other series that get several issues translated to Hebrew and that’s it. I’m getting her number one and it should arrive shortly hopefully, so it seems Bone is a good choice. My other sister is devouring Buba which is in Hebrew and it’s about jewish religious texts – the bible etc, without being preachy or over your head. It’s a nice comedy series that teaches in plain Hebrew what all those religious texts mean. They are both around 13 years old.
I gave them Asterix and Obelix and a Tintin book in Hebrew and I’ll see how much they fare and if my other sister likes Bone. Pretty cool – seeing manga titles and comicbooks in book stores – Sandman and several teaching books, but they are too expensive for me – don’t seem to be that different from the LCS prices but no LCS discount and sales. Regardless I doube I’ll get to buy new books anytime soon – trying to get as much books for my money. Yay Chaos Comics, yay Chyna.
I already gave up on them reading books…