What'd be good for someone who is interested in comics but can't really get into them because she doesn't like the boxes that make it feel like the story is struggling to break free?

Understanding Comics, by Scott McCloud.

Ha, yes, I suggested that.

I don't think the problem is that I don't understand. I recognize and appreciate their attributes. I consider my lack of enjoyment of comics to be a failure on my part, not the comics' part. I'm just too impatient and attentionally-challenged to get into most of them. I don't rule out ever enjoying comics, which is why I still pick them up every now and then. And I do enjoy them once in a while. I just don't enjoy them nearly as much as many other things, so I tend not to spend my time or money on them if I know there are other books/shows/whatever I can be indulging in that I'd lose myself in and like more.

William Shatner Presents!

Zomg.

"I had no choice. At least that is what I convinced myself."

What?

"The trap you set for yourself is always the most lethal. Especially if you keep taking the cheese."

...What?

"Gomez's crucifix alluded to a church..."

Okay, this one might be the artist's fault, but that's a cross, not a crucifix, and that's not what "alluded" means.

What'd be good for someone who is interested in comics but can't really get into them because she doesn't like the boxes that make it feel like the story is struggling to break free?

Thorazine? (Sorry, but it was there.) I don't understand if the stuff about boxes is referring to captions/narration or if it's the entire format. If it's the latter, I don't know if that something a recommendation will fix.

I think it's more helpful to know what kind of stories someone likes in other media, and recommend things based on that. Like, there's not much point in telling someone to try Torso if they loathe procedurals.

Ah, and I just saw your second post. I think my questions still are, what kinds of stories does she like in other media, and is that what she's read in comics? If yes, then it seems like a fundamental problem.

She's a huge Neil Gaiman fan, so she read 1602 and thought it was okay. I also know she's fascinated by superheroes and finds Superman much more interesting than I do. All Star Superman, maybe? That may be too cracked-out.

Some of her favorite TV shows include Buffy, Chuck, Gilmore Girls, Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, Dexter and Doctor Who.

P-C, if she's a Gaiman fan, has she tried Sandman? Bone might be a good choice, too. Of course, you could just hand her The Umbrella Academy ...

(Why yes, I AM wearing my UA school blazer today. I keep catching sight of the school crest and giggling.)

Sandman seems like a more obvious starting point than 1602. (Or: what Jilli said while I was still typing.)

Based on the TV shows, it seems like offbeat is good, and slightly dark is also. So depending on how dark and how weird she likes her reading, I'd take her to a shop and show her Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, Hellboy, Transmet, Battle Royale, & Preacher. See if any of those look at all appealling.

Oh, and Why I Hate Saturn. It's kinda in between "book with illustrations" and "comic," which might actually be a selling point for her.

P-C, if she's a Gaiman fan, has she tried Sandman?

I think she tried a little but couldn't get into it. Or else she hasn't attempted it. But I know she's lamented that she can't get into what is often considered his greatest work.

Of course, you could just hand her The Umbrella Academy ...

Hee. If she was not in New York, I would hand her stuff. Right now, I'm trying to see whether there's anything I could buy at my comic book store's sale that she might actually like. She's an Orthodox Jew, so she can never participate in Free Comic Book Day (and she doesn't have any stores conveniently located), so I was going to send her the free comics I picked up. And possibly include a TPB she might like.

So depending on how dark and how weird she likes her reading, I'd take her to a shop and show her Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, Hellboy, Transmet, Battle Royale, & Preacher. See if any of those look at all appealling.

Ooh. Although see above, re: taking her to a shop. I think she liked the Hellboy movie. I still haven't read the comics.

Oh, and Why I Hate Saturn. It's kinda in between "book with illustrations" and "comic," which might actually be a selling point for her.

Ooh, I haven't heard of that one.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm starting to think that there's no good comic I can just buy tomorrow and hope she likes. I did show her a David Mack Kabuki spread that she said was pretty, so I was considering one of his Daredevil books, since his art is unlike anyone else's, as is his painting/collage style when he does his own book. If anything, it doesn't have those boxes.

I'd recommend Superman: Identity for someone who has a fondness for the character. Immonen's painting style in that might ease her past any objections to the comic format, and it's a great read.

Or, depending of the degree of stylization she likes in her drawing, something like Elektra Assassin.