Western Comics

I thought this may be the best place for this kind of conversation, since I couldn't find it elsewhere but I will delete it if it's inappropriate for this subforum.

Do you guys read American comics as well? Sorry if that's not the right term for them but I admit I can't think of any other (changed now to "western comics" which works much better). I've personally got quite a large comic collection (with some manga thrown in, but not quite as much) and love to chat about them and make recommendations and what not.

My fave series by far is the old Hellblazer comics, not trying to brag but I own every single TPB containing all 300 issues and a whole load of the specials. For those unfamiliar those are the comics John Constantine started in and while there have been attempts at reboots and reimaginings, there's something about the original run that will never leave my heart.

For any one interested that may have never have read them I suggest just checking out the TPB "Freezes Over" for a quick taste of the tone and dark humour most these books contain.
Now, like most american comics there is a revolving door of artists and writers that have tackled the series over the time it was being created, so not every issue is a winner (the tail end of the series is particularity horrible in writing, and the art in the story arc "Hard Time" is some of the worst I've ever seen in print) but overall I do think the series as a whole is worth a look at by any one who enjoyed the golden age of Vertigo Comics and takes their comics without spandex or gamma rays.

The best place to post this might be in Movies, Series and Tv (i think)

I haven't read many Western comics yet. Of course, there's the Marvel comics that everyone has read, but other than those I haven't really read anything Western.

I'm generally interested in dark humour, so I might check out TPB Freezes Over. So, thanks for the recommendation lol

If I were to enjoy Freezes Over, what other reads would you recommend?

17-05-2020, 11:42 PM

xEthereal Wrote: The best place to post this might be in Movies, Series and Tv (i think)

I haven't read many Western comics yet. Of course, there's the Marvel comics that everyone has read, but other than those I haven't really read anything Western.

I'm generally interested in dark humour, so I might check out TPB Freezes Over. So, thanks for the recommendation lol

If I were to enjoy Freezes Over, what other reads would you recommend?

In the Hellblazer series I would recommend "Highwater" for sure but since dark humour is my jam I would also suggest the "House of Mystery" comics, also published by vertigo, wherein an inter-dimensional pub takes stories as currency for drinks and there is such a great range of tales told, many of which have a humourous edge to them and "Transmetropolitan" which is a dark-future sci fi that sharply critiques relevant political issues, modern media and isn't afraid to laugh at itself here and there.

I also have a great collection of Lovecraft inspired short stories, some which are serious and grim and others that have a bit of fun with themselves. If this is against the rules I will delete it immediately, but here's my fave from the bunch.

I've never actually read any Western comics outside of a couple of issues that I am now forgetting, unless you count newspaper comic strips haha
Probably because I've never seen any Western comics as anything more than like, superheroes and shit. I also don't have the funds to buy comics and I'm more drawn to the style of manga.
I'd be open to some suggestions if you have some, though.

18-05-2020, 12:11 AM

Sui Wrote: I've never actually read any Western comics outside of a couple of issues that I am now forgetting, unless you count newspaper comic strips haha
Probably because I've never seen any Western comics as anything more than like, superheroes and shit. I also don't have the funds to buy comics and I'm more drawn to the style of manga.
I'd be open to some suggestions if you have some, though.

Absolutely! Can you tell me a bit about what you like? Horror and humour are my usual go to but I've been into this stuff for a loooong time now so I can usually find something to recommend outside of those.

If you like romantic/gamer/humour "Scott Pilgrim" is a great read, and it's also a short, completed series.
For sci-fi "Saga" is fantastic, although I admit I've only read up to issue 32
If you'd like a grounded, stylish look at superheroes outside of their tights Matt Fraction's run on "Hawkeye" super lovely and fun.
If steampunk is your thing I always suggest "Five Fists of Science"

I don't want to overwhelm you with random recommends, so by all means let me know where your interests lie! I have a lot of scans of my comics as well, so if you'd like I can always post previews on imgur and link them too

I'm not quite sure what you mean by that, since there are both good and bad comics and manga and that both can come in colour or in b&w. As for there being many volumes, although western comics do change hands a lot in terms of writing/art teams as I mentioned above there were over 300 issues in the original Hellblazer run so the lengths can vary.
I was flipping through my digital collection while making dinner and I have a ton I could share (they're in .cbr format) if you guys would be interested. If you would, let me know what you'd like to see and the best way for me to share them with you and I'll gladly oblige.

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Sorry to double post (that may happen in this thread so I won't apologize for it past here) but it's time for Almost Human's Western Comic Showcase!

Since many people equate Western comics with the brightly coloured, spandexclad super heroes that dominate the comic shop shelves, I wanted to start you guys out with a book that is the complete opposite of that in every way.

There are no heroes in this story, our protagonists are pretty average,gangly teens with no superpowers. There are no speeches about the power of friendship, no magical macguffinsto save the day and no "hero's journey"
And that's because this story is 100% true.

Welcome to...




For those that know who Jeffery Dahmer is, that cover reveal probably carries a bit more weight.
For those that don't; Dahmer was an American serial killer who engaged in murder, cannibalism, rape and necrophilia,killing16 young men starting in the 70's and carrying on through to the early 90's.

This is a true account told by one of his high school friends.

Now I'll start out by stating the obvious; this is not the best drawn book in the world. In fact it's pretty ugly most of the time, but for the subject matter it deals with it that actually feels appropriate to me.
It's an ugly story about an ugly man who became an ugly monster and I find the tale it tells in all it's unapologetic truths to be fascinating. The author doesn't set out to make you feel sympathy for Dahmer, or to paint things as better or worse than they were. He's simply recounting his time in high school and coming to terms with the fact that the weird kid in their group of friends could be capable of some utterly unspeakable acts.


For those interested I've uploaded the entire prologue here but be warned, it does start out with some cartoon-ish animal gore

Oh my, if my double posting keeps getting joined with my last this whole thing could be quite long because the comic I'd like to show you guys today iiiiissssss:



I've mentioned this earlier but I do love me some house of mystery, wherein patrons of an inter-dimensional pub pay for their food and drink through stories.
Again, like a lot of western comics, the writers and artists switch up a lot on these but there is a story that runs throughout the series, although more behind the scenes than anything. It in itself is wonderful but here is a taste of the first story presented in this iteration of the title.

Intrigued? Check out the first story present here (be warned, as everything I post there is adult content read at your own risk).

This run is fairly short by comic standards, but should you have a taste for more the house of mystery comes with siblings in The House of Secrets and The House of Whispers.

21-05-2020, 04:23 AM

viceltv Wrote: I don't really do comics though, but I love amine alot
Perhaps you'd say that

Ah well maybe this thread will change your mind?
If not there are plenty of anime threads to chat about that in. If you don't wish to chat and are just shitposting I do ask that you do it outside of this one thread, since I would like to keep it clean forthe silent few who would like an introduction to western comics.

18-05-2020, 12:20 AM

AlmostHuman Wrote: Absolutely! Can you tell me a bit about what you like? Horror and humour are my usual go to but I've been into this stuff for a loooong time now so I can usually find something to recommend outside of those.

If you like romantic/gamer/humour "Scott Pilgrim" is a great read, and it's also a short, completed series.
For sci-fi "Saga" is fantastic, although I admit I've only read up to issue 32
If you'd like a grounded, stylish look at superheroes outside of their tights Matt Fraction's run on "Hawkeye" super lovely and fun.
If steampunk is your thing I always suggest "Five Fists of Science"

I don't want to overwhelm you with random recommends, so by all means let me know where your interests lie! I have a lot of scans of my comics as well, so if you'd like I can always post previews on imgur and link them too

Sorry, I read this but forgot to reply to this LOL

I've seen the movie Scott Pilgrim but I've never read it. I really like the art style so I think I should start reading the series, at least because of this quarantine. Saga looks like a pretty nice series too. You can send me some previews if you'd like, I'd be interested in looking at them.

Do you have any series that are comedies or "slice of life"? Those are usually the type of manga I read besides the typical action manga series.

21-05-2020, 04:36 AM

Sui Wrote: Sorry, I read this but forgot to reply to this LOL

I've seen the movie Scott Pilgrim but I've never read it. I really like the art style so I think I should start reading the series, at least because of this quarantine. Saga looks like a pretty nice series too. You can send me some previews if you'd like, I'd be interested in looking at them.

Do you have any series that are comedies or "slice of life"? Those are usually the type of manga I read besides the typical action manga series.

No worries!
I can hook you up with Scott Pilgrim, should your heart so desire and I will very gladly set you up with a saga preview. I'm going to start part of the way into the first issue because Imgur apparently doesn't like me posting "suggestive" content and it's TOUGH in Saga not to post violence or tits.
But I did my best here.
Try not to judge the writing too harshly based on what I posted, it's much better when you aren't cutting out chunks so your image hosting doesn't flip its shit, haha!

Slice of life is a bit difficult simply because the situations vary so widely but I love to recommend "The Unemployment Adventures of Aqualung." but if you prefer something a bit more dramatic you can't go wrong with "Transmetropolitan" I can provide you with previews or full comcis of both. I think. I have them both in print but vodka prevents me from remembering if I have them in .cbr version, haha!
Fables is also very great but I don't know if it fits into the category or not...

I shall return later with some comedy recommends or previews!