In a much less mainstream comic vein, I just read the second issue of Serenity Rose again. It's awesome. I think you can probably still read the first two issues online at [link] and you should. Then go buy the issues in book form. Also, the third book is now out as well. I'm about to read it. Which makes me happy.

ETA: Yes, you can read them online. Click the yellow flower.

I also bought Robin: Year One to jump back into something you people talk about more.

I also bought Robin: Year One to jump back into something you people talk about more.

Wee Dick! So needy and determined and.... and...

t slaps self on wrist

I'm trying to stop. Honest.

Looked at Batman in the 40s tonight a little, but my tummy got upset so I had to put it away.

I found myself thinking "Maybe I should just skip ahead to something more recent - something darker."

With Spiderman, I get through the old stuff because it's funny and because I identify with Peter Parker. But, I'm not so much an orphaned wealthy socialite, so I think I need a more compelling storyline to get me involved.

All the same, I may spend some time at the store tomorrow or Monday or some other day reading through that book, when I feel less pressed for time, and less tummyachey.

...I also saw the Fray TPB but didn't buy it as I have 1-6 and so only need 2 issues.

I haven't really read comics since I was young, but Fray made me curious and then 1602 made me very interested (though not in the Marvel-verse oddly enough) and yesterday I started Gotham Central (bought the first TPB) and wow is it addicting. I just have too much backstory to catch up on; it's making me dizzy.

I'm right with you, Mala. A friend has been working on me for a few years, lending Astro City and Powers (Retro Girl) and Planetary and Watchmen, but I still wasn't a regular at the comic store until Fray and 1602. Now I'm back to being hooked again.

I found myself thinking "Maybe I should just skip ahead to something more recent - something darker."

Um. Well, if you really think you want to try reading Batman linearly from "the beginning"... well, I'll try to visit you in the loony bin when your brain implodes from all the crack.

In other words: I'm also an anal-retentive completist, and am quite enjoyably jumping around in canon, content to catch up on major events. Because the other way lies insanity.

Powers (Retro Girl)

That was my very first comic book. Well, probably not technically, but officially. It's what my pusher started me off on.

See, I was a HUGE Batgirl fan, and would buy anything with "Bat" in the title as a kid, just in case she was in it. (Yes, even Man-Bat). Then I dropped comics completely for years and years. My pusher started me out on Astro City; Retro Girl was a bit more experimentation after the gateway comics.

Um. Well, if you really think you want to try reading Batman linearly from "the beginning"... well, I'll try to visit you in the loony bin when your brain implodes from all the crack.

Yes, I do plan to skip around some.

Because you see I don't have enough time to read all the comics I want to read.

...so tired...

Retro Girl was a bit more experimentation after the gateway comics.

Ah, see, Powers was my gateway comic, and since my pusher was a Bendis whore, he also got me on Daredevil (and I made him cry for liking the Kevin Smith arc more than Frank Miller's The Man with No Fear) and Alias (now The Pulse). 100 Bullets, Fables, and Ultimates for good measure, along with some diversions like The Killing Joke and Dark Knight Returns. He gave me Watchmen for graduation.