Stand up for comics

Jose J. Santos

The urge came on quickly, making the 24-year-old me behave like a

child anxious for that huge present under the Christmas tree.

Three years later, I remember that exact moment I decided to

resurrect my childhood passion for collecting comic books.

I was sitting in a movie theater, suffering through trailers for

some teen flicks. Then something happened. A preview for Bryan

Singer’s “X-Men,” the big-budget adaptation of the perennially

successful Marvel comic, hit the screen.

The sight of Hugh Jackman as the dark and brooding Wolverine

popping his adamantium claws on the spikes of Lady Liberty’s

headdress sent me spinning.

Next stop, comic book shop.

I’ve read hundreds of comic books since then, and have seen more

of my childhood heroes grace the big screen. There was “Spider-Man,”

“Daredevil,” and my personal favorite, “Hulk.” Even movies like Tom

Hanks’ “Road to Perdition” and the indy fave “Ghost World” were based

on comic books.

Despite the rise in popularity because of successful movie

adaptations and the quantum leap in quality of today’s comic book

stories, I still can’t seem to shake the queasiness that occurs

whenever I tell someone I’m an avid reader.

I always assume people’s perception of me morphs into the Comic

Book Guy from “The Simpsons.” (“Worst In Sight ever!”)

But there is nothing wrong with my passion for the medium. I think

more people should pick up comic books.

First, the intellectual reasons: Sequential art is one of the most

primal forms of storytelling. There are words and there are drawings,

a method that has existed since man first drew on the cave walls at

Lascaux. The writer and artist rely on these two basic actions to

relate concepts sometimes profound and other times amusing. Comics

generate modern mythologies, allowing people of all ages to share in

either a laugh, a shock or a cry. It is clear reminder that a simple

narrative can connect people from different backgrounds, cultures and

creeds.

Then there are the not-so-intellectual reasons: The stories can be

read quickly, the books are relatively cheap (when’s the last time

you paid $2.25 for a movie ticket or CD?), and you’ll be the life of

the party when Hollywood makes that next big comic book flick.

There really is a comic for everybody. Just walk into the comic

book store near you and ask for some help. Tell them what you like,

and they’ll point you in right direction.

Nothing beats that elation of wondering what happens to my

favorite character and then finding out as the stories unfold month

after month. It’s like Christmas every Wednesday.

Big 5

Here’s a rundown of what today’s comic scene looks like:

Marvel Comics (www.marvel.com)

Identity: “The House of Ideas” and the most popular comic

publisher today. Its canon of characters was born in the mind of the

legendary Stan Lee and continues to be a force in pop culture.

Popular characters and books: Spider-Man, Fantastic Four,

Daredevil, the Hulk, the X-Men, Captain America, the Punisher

Recommendations: “Ultimate Spider-Man” by Brian Michael Bendis and

Mark Bagley (Imagine if “Smallville” was about Spider-Man) and

“X-Statix” by Peter Milligan and Mike Allred (A colorful, amusing

satire on society disguised as an X-Men spinoff)

D.C. Comics (www.dccomics.com)

Identity: The other of the “Big 2” in the comics industry. Its

superhero line is very traditional and includes the two heroes

synonymous with the art form, Superman and Batman. It also offers

many more genre imprints than its friendly rival.

Popular characters and books: Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Justice

League of America, Flash, Hawkman, Shazaam

Recommendations: “Batman” by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee (the current

12-issue run is making big waves with readers) and “Promethea” by

Alan Moore and J.H. Williams III (In my opinion, the best comic being

published today)

Image Comics (www.imagecomics.com)

Identity: A group of independent writers and artists who generate

comics based on their own creations. Image is host to many different

kinds of stories.

Popular characters and books: Spawn, Savage Dragon, Witchblade,

Liberty Meadows, G.I. Joe, Powers

Dark Horse Comics (www.darkhorse.com)

Identity: A publisher that specializes in releasing books created

by industry veterans, linked to movie franchises or written about

topics that aren’t associated with conventional hero books.

Popular characters and books: Hellboy, Madman, Sin City, Star

Wars, Spy Boy, Aliens Vs. Predator, Concrete

CrossGen Comics (www.crossgen.com)

Identity: Short for “Cross Generational,” the company’s name

refers to its goal to create a universe without conventional

superheroes. The tales are set in different times throughout history

and span genres.

Popular characters and books: Crux, Sigil, Mystic, Meridian, Ruse,

Way of the Rat

Tangled Web

Check out the following Web sites for more information.

News and gossip: www.newsarama.com, www.comicon.com

Industry buzz: www.comicbookresources.com

Movie news: www.superherohype.com