I'd go with the Sandman comics over Fray, myself. The Sandman grabbed me on a fairly complex and literary level, whereas I think Fray is like a mediocre episode of Buffy set in the future. When I was starting to read comics again, I also found myself drawn to anything by Alan Moore. My wife, who disdains most of the comics I read, really loves Moore's Promethea series on America's Best Comics. I liked the deconstruction of the superhero myth in The Watchmen.
My work's illegal, but at least it's honest.
Mal ,'Shindig'
Other Media
Discussion of Buffy and Angel comics, books, and more. Please don't get into spoilery details in the first week of release.
Hayden - Nov 27, 2002 10:38:15 am PST #122 of 10000
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
Steph L. - Nov 27, 2002 10:39:38 am PST #123 of 10000
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe
Well, I didn't know if she wanted Jossverse or not.
Non-Jossverse: I'm a HUGE fan of Ultimate Spider-Man. And you can't go wrong with V for Vendetta.
Madrigal Costello - Nov 27, 2002 10:40:39 am PST #124 of 10000
It's a remora, dimwit.
I'd definitely recommend Sandman, though I'd suggest starting with "Preludes and Nocturnes" since it gives the backstory and introduces some major characters. I tried to start right in the middle and just got very muddled.
Hayden - Nov 27, 2002 10:41:23 am PST #125 of 10000
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
I'm sorry, Teppy; I wasn't meaning to be critical. Ignore me. I'm grouchy today.
I was trying to answer the question of what to read when getting back into comics, rather than what Jossverse comics should one read.
Am-Chau Yarkona - Nov 27, 2002 10:42:08 am PST #126 of 10000
I bop to Wittgenstein. -- Nutty
I was heading for Buffyverse as a way of reading comics without having to get into a new verse. But I'm open to suggestions.
Hayden - Nov 27, 2002 10:42:37 am PST #127 of 10000
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
With the Sandman, I started closer to the middle (A Game of You) and then went back to catch up, which I recommend to anyone who thinks exactly like me. Otherwise, Madrigal's right: start at the beginning.
Steph L. - Nov 27, 2002 10:44:40 am PST #128 of 10000
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe
I'm sorry, Teppy; I wasn't meaning to be critical. Ignore me. I'm grouchy today.
No apologies necessary, hayden -- I thought *I* was being short-sighted.
I was trying to answer the question of what to read when getting back into comics, rather than what Jossverse comics should one read.
Right on.
Hayden - Nov 27, 2002 10:44:56 am PST #129 of 10000
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
For context, I didn't read comics between the ages of 12 and 29, when my buddy convinced me that a) comics can be written for adults, and b) aging punk cred is the same thing as aging comic book guy cred: i.e. nothing but shades of the same geekiness.
Hayden - Nov 27, 2002 10:45:32 am PST #130 of 10000
aka "The artist formerly known as Corwood Industries."
No apologies necessary, hayden -- I thought *I* was being short-sighted.
I don't believe that's even possible.
Amber B. - Nov 27, 2002 10:47:23 am PST #131 of 10000
I'm beginning to understand this now. It's all about the journey, isn't it?
With the Sandman, I started closer to the middle (A Game of You) and then went back to catch up, which I recommend to anyone who thinks exactly like me. Otherwise, Madrigal's right: start at the beginning.
I also started with A Game of You, which worked well for me because parts of Preludes and Nocturnes are so unrelentingly grim and horror-movie like that I might not have continued on if I didn't know how good it would get.
Jossverse wise, I might recommend Tales of the Slayers over Fray. First of all, because it's a complete work in one volume, and second of all because some of the stories are wonderful, especially Joss' Medeival Slayer.