One of the hardest things about reading comics is knowing where to start. Comics shops carry hundreds of titles and get dozens of issues in every week on new comic-book day. On top of that, many comics have complex mythologies and backstories that make it hard to just pick up any random issue and have a clue what is going on.
That’s why Heroic Girls recommends comics every week that are excellent “jumping on” points for new readers. Grab these issues and you won’t be lost — we guarantee it. Without further ado, here are our picks for the week of November 5, 2014.
Amazing Spider-Man #9
Marvel is launching one of their giant events with this issue, The Spiderverse. When a supernatural force of evil is killing every spider-themed character across multiple dimensions, “every Spider-Man ever” bands together to fight the menace. And my every Spider-Man, we also mean “every Spider-Woman.”
One of the teases for this series introduced “Spider-Gwen,” from an alternate universe where Peter’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy was bit by the radioactive spider and became Spider-Woman. She was such a hit that Marvel caved to fan pressure and announced that she will be getting her own series.
While not a true number one, we’re guessing that most people are familiar enough Spidey’s background to make this an enjoyable read.
Elektra Vol. 1 – Bloodlines
This trade paperback collects the first five issues of the recent Elektra reboot. While a bit violent for younger kids (she is an assassin), this is one of the most beautiful books you will find on the shelf. Artist Mike Del Mundo creates gorgeous layouts and designs with a painterly feel. Writer Haden Blackman creates a wonderful world of killers where every moral choice is a different shade of grey.
It’s a world that gives us license to root for someone like Elektra. A world where she can be a hero. The story is quite good, but we’d secretly buy this just for the art. I’d say this is a PG-13 book — but flip through it and make your own judgment if buying for a kid.
Fairy Quest Outcasts #1
Outcasts tells the story of Red and Mister Woof. In Fablewood, all the stories that have ever been told live side by side. But it is an evil land, ruled over by the the cruel despot Mister Grimm and his footsoldiers the Think Police. Red and Woof want to escape to a place where their friendship is not forbidden, but the path leads through the foreboding Dark Forest.
A passion project for Paul Jenkins and Humberto Ramos, the creative team behind Spectacular Spider-Man, this Kickstarter-fueled series has the feel of modern stories such as the excellent Fables or Once Upon a Time on television.
Penny Dora & The Wishing Box #1
Once upon a time, on the day before Christmas, a young girl named Penny Dora found a mysterious box on her front doorstep. A magic box with the power to grant wishes. But what she’s about to learn is the true (and creepy) meaning of ‘be careful what you wish for.’
Building from the foundation set by modern fantasy tales such as Harry Potter and Coraline, and starting with the basic premise of Pandora’s Box, writer Michael Stock and artist Sina Grace have created an inviting new series for kids (and adults) of all ages.
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