Recommend me something

[HarryTrotter]

I dont know what to read,so can somebody recommend me something?Any comic you thought was good,just preferably something a little shorter?

[bearded]

link to some free golden age comics:
http://digitalcomicmuseum.com/

[BentonGrey]

Ohh man, I've got plenty of great titles I could recommend, but what do you mean by "shorter"?  Would, say, a mini-series be what you're after, or would something like, 20-30 issues be okay?  Ha, I don't want to overwhelm you with suggestions.  Let's see, off the top of my head and something that is definitely short:

=Pulp Characters=

King's Watch: A great mini-series with the King Feature's newspaper characters, The Phantom, Flash Gordon, and Mandrake the Magician.  It tells a neat, self-contained story about Ming the Merciless invading Earth and these classic heroes banding together to resist his attack.  It is continued in a new set of stories that are debuting now if it grabs you, but the story it tells is complete.  I really enjoyed it and found it a good, ripping adventure yarn.

Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist:  Oh man, this book was really great.  It's another retelling of the Flash Gordon story, but mixed into the backdrop of WWII, with Hitler becoming an agent of Ming.  The art is fantastic, the story is good, and the design aesthetic of the book is quite beautiful.  They take a lot of inspiration from the classic movie, and the world feels REALLY well realized.  This one is totally worth a read, and it's completely self-contained. 

The Rockeeter/Spirit: Pulp Friction:  Another great pulp tale, this one featuring two very different but equally loveable rogues.  These two characters play off of each other in really delightful ways, and the mini-series has a great pace and a good story.

Atomic Robo:  Anything and everything Atomic Robo, in fact.  You can't go wrong with any given story, but I'd say read them all.  They're undoubtedly some of the best comics being written today.  They're routinely fun, funny, and exciting.  I always get my money's worth from this book.  Best of all?  It's a series of mini-series, for the most part, and almost everything can be read on its own.  I especially recommend anything with Dr. Dinosaur.  He's the best! 


=Superheroes=

Astro City:  See Atomic Robo, ha.  Anything and everything from THIS series of mini-series is also worth reading.  I absolutely recommend the first two volumes, and the second, Confessions, is one of my favorite comic stories ever.  If you don't know about Astro City, effectively it's a set of stories set around a city, rather than a team or a character, and it is really something like a more hopeful, positive version of the Watchmen (I'm actually writing a paper to that effect one of these days).  They often tell the stories of average people in a world where the fantastic is possible, and they have created an incredibly well-realized setting, full of a myriad of amazing characters who, all too often, we only get a glimpse of before we're whisked away into another tale. 

The Batman Adventures:  It might be hard to believe, but this set of kid-accessible Batman comics, based on the near-perfect Batman:TAS, contains some of my favorite Batman stories.  They are routinely strong, and occasionally truly great.  It's a relatively short run, 36 issues in the first series, 26 in the second (renamed Batman and Robin Adventures).  The art may make you think the stories are a bit childish, being in the animated style, but the series constantly rises above its station, and I'm a big fan.

TMNT:  It isn't a short series, up to somewhere near 50 issues now, but IDWs new TMNT series is nothing short of fantastic.  I'd be willing to defend it as, hands down, the best version of TMNT, period.  A good part of that excellence is their willingness to pull anything and everything that is awesome from any version of the Turtle's long and illustrious history, tweak and improve it, and then find a way to integrate it into the story they're telling.  Along with Atomic Robo and Larry Hama's G.I. JOE, every month of these books I read some of the best comics I've ever read.

[HarryTrotter]

I meant a miniseries or something like 20-30 issues,or at least something finished.
Okey,thanks for all the suggestions,im gonna check them out.
So few dumb questions:
-Is there something like Thunderbolts?Or at least with that good team dynamic?
-Is there a story focusing on Ai Apaec?I mean just him?
-Never really fealt like starting them,but are Authority and Stormwatch good?

[Cyber Burn]

I've always enjoyed the original "Stormwatch" series, it's probably the only Image Comics title I've re-read in all the years I've had it. As for the newer versions of the series, I haven't read any  of them, so I can't comment there.

One of my all time favorite stories is DC Comics "The Golden Age". It's a 4 issue Elseworlds title, and I can't begin to count how many times I've read it. Definitely worth checking out.

[HarryTrotter]

I actually planed on checking out TGE,so If I can find I deffinitly will.

[President Raygun]

Warren Ellis' Planetary is excellent and at 27 issues it's just the right length to catch one's attention without dragging on interminably.
Brian K. Vaughn's first Runaways run is also great and if your in the mood for something a little longer his Y the Last Man is awesome.

[DrMike2000]

Yeah, Planetary is one of the best comics ever written in my opinion. I found the first trade a bit of a slog, but it lifts up dramatically after that.

Also by Ellis, I highly recommend Nextwave. Its quite different, an all out action urine-take of superhero conventions, but with some incredible ideas thrown around. Very very fun.

The Authority is good too, especially once Mark Millar took over. Its not for kids, and full of "Oh my god, are you allowed to do that in a comic?" moments - an incredibly inventive take on superheroes. Stormwatch I found a bit so-so. Ellis had some good ideas, but it often didn't really grab me.

[Jimaras8]

Joss Whedon Astonishing X-men. pretty standalone run, 24 issues. Fits your description

[HarryTrotter]

Planetary was great,so thanks guys. 
I just read volume 1 of Astro city,it seams interesting.
IDWs TMNT is also pretty good,Old Hob is a nice addition. 
The Golden age was okey,but it just isnt my cup of tea.Im not a huge Elseworld fan in general.

[SickAlice]

Not grasping your preferences short of team dynamic. I also see your avatar which indicates a possible interest in horror and maybe the supernatural? Have you ever the Nocturnal's Black Planet TPB? Not really as long as your asking for but I think it may appeal to you. Definitely worth reading as are Brereton's other trades (Giant Killer, The Psycho).

[HarryTrotter]

Avatar is cuz I like Helspont,but Iv read everything about him.
I generaly just like action,but I like supernatural too.Im also big on mythology(any) and anti-heroes.I hope that describes my tastes a bit better.

[SickAlice]

Okay, yeah then I think you like Black Planet for sure. I knew that was Helspont, I made a mesh of him. Sorry I should've clearer. I was thinking of the kinds of themes his character represents and how that might relate to what flavor of story you ultimately prefer.

[Starman]

I meant a miniseries or something like 20-30 issues,or at least something finished.

Here are some random comics that are heavy on action and finished:

* Preacher
* Fear Agent
* Scalped
* 100 Bullets
* Punisher MAX
* Rising Stars
* The Boys

Here are some random comics that are team-based and finished:

* James Robinson / David S Goyer / Geoff Johns run on Justice Society
* Grant Morrison / Mark Waid's run on Justice League
* Power Company
* John Ostrander's Suicide Squad run
* Warren Ellis and Mark Millar's run on The Authority and Stormwatch
* Alan Moore and Joe Casey's run on WILDCats
* Agents of ATLAS
* The Superior Foes of Spiderman
* COPRA
* Strikeforce: Morituri
* Pete Milligan's X-Statix
* Alan Moore's Top Ten

Here are some mini-series:

* Red Ten
* The American Way
* Black Summer
* Deathmatch
* The Fallen
* The Twelve

[bdrake]

the mighty    the end league  and wildguard were all good mini series

[BentonGrey]

Haha, ohh my, so many great books mixed with so many that I dislike.  It's rather disconcerting, really.

I really need to give the rest of Planetary a shot, I suppose.  I was really unimpressed by the first trade, though I wonder if my particular literary ethos will be compatible with the whole.

Spade, I'm glad you found Astro City interesting.  DEFINITELY give vol. 2 a read, as I'd argue it's the strongest of the bunch (though that's really a hard call).  It's definitely the most conventional superhero story. Tarnished Angel is also particularly strong.

How far are you into TMNT?  If you've liked the first arc, what comes next is going to blow you away.  That series really ramps up as it goes along, and by the late teens/early 20s, it is really great!

In terms of further recommendations, I can't believe I didn't think of this before, but I've got another one for you:

Justice: If you haven't read this mini-series yet, you definitely need to.  It is just great, classic superhero fun.  If you're a DC fan, this book, which features the Satellite Era JLA taking on the Legion of Doom, is a must.  The art is by Alex Ross, so it is breathtakingly gorgeous, and the story is by Jim Krueger.  It's got some great twists and turns and is in my top three favorite JLA stories.

[HarryTrotter]

Punisher MAX and WildCAT Iv read,most of the others I didnt.
Im around #16 TMNT issue.Microseries,Villans and Secret history of the Foot clan were great.
Also,from AC,Astra miniseries was fun.It really capitalised on a good idea from Youngbloods thats superheroes would be treated as celebrities.
And Benton,you should really check out Planetary.At first glance its about 3 people investigation mysteries,but its really anything but.And the way everything comes together in the end is just amazing.

[SickAlice]

Looking at Starman's list I would say Preacher is an essential read for every comic book enthusiast.

The Boys, while a well done story and at times especially later on and in some of the side stories is poignant and multi-layered stuff but one should be warned it can represent the uppermost echelon of Garth's well known lack of tact and sensitivity to issues and at times surprise one with borderline pornography as some of his other works are known to do (The Pro), so mind that step if considering the option. The content is not for everyone.

[HarryTrotter]

After The Slavers storyline,almost nothing can suprise me any more...

[SickAlice]

I had to Google that. Someone sent a page of it and I ended up avoiding it because...YEEESH! So probably. The again The Boys: Herogasm is...well judge a book it's cover I'll say that for it. No false advertizing there though maybe it needed a fold out barf bag or Surgeon Generals Warning in addition.

[Silver Shocker]

Though it was mentioned earlier in the thread, since you're such a huge Thunderbolts fan, I would recommend Superior Foes of Spider-Man. Very short run, very entertaining book. Some overlap with T-Bolts due to the appearances of Speed Demon, Boomerang, Shocker and Mach.

Ai Apaec first appeared in the mini series Osborne, so if you haven't read that, you might want to check it out. I haven't read it myself, so I can't speak to the quality.

[HarryTrotter]

I didnt read Superior Spiderman,so will I be missing something in Superior Foes?

[Silver Shocker]

Heck no, it's mostly a marketing based title. That iteration of the Sinister Six (the titular "foes") appear in the first issue of Superior and that's it. It does explain why they're one member short (the sixth member was The Living Brain, a robot, but Doctor Octopus stole it and kept it for himself). Other than that the only other tie-in that I can recall is a short story during the fil-in issues.

[SickAlice]

Foes get's my vote as well. One of the best series I read by Marvel recently. And the funny moments were so genuine I was literally on the floor. Like Silver Shocker said it's self contained and only mentions Superior in bits and even then only in the frame of it's own story.

[Starman]

The Boys, while a well done story and at times especially later on and in some of the side stories is poignant and multi-layered stuff but one should be warned it can represent the uppermost echelon of Garth's well known lack of tact and sensitivity to issues and at times surprise one with borderline pornography as some of his other works are known to do

SickAlice, have you read Crossed? THAT is Ennis just thinking up the craziest, most depressing stuff possible without the subtext or politics that he usually injects into his work

I had to Google that. Someone sent a page of it and I ended up avoiding it because...YEEESH! So probably.

Garth Ennis' run on Punisher MAX is one of the best action comics I've ever read, one of Ennis' most well executed comics and easily the best Punisher run. Don't avoid it! You should check it out! Start with the trade paperback "From First To Last", then read them in order. "The Slavers" has a single disturbing piece of art otherwise it's just The Punisher doing his thing to the worst of the worst (human slave trading is, IMO, one of the most straight-up inhumanly evil criminal enterprises).

[HarryTrotter]

^Nobody cried for Punisher enemies,thats sure.But that was probably darkest storyline in a mainstream comic.
Little update:
-After watching Wolverine and X-men it was easy to pick up Astonishing.Similar line-up and feel.
-Stormwatch volume 1 is very 90's.Bulging muscles,impossible female figures,boxy weopons and names like Killgore...kinda cute,actually.Also,Fuji is VERY,VERY Japanese.

[SickAlice]

@Starman: Kinda veering OT but I think you misunderstood me. I looked up Crossed and don't think I would like it. I don't actually like reading a bunch of nasty things despite the writing being good. I think peoples like Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Mark Millar and such actually show their best writing when they avoid the over the edge tropes usually associated with them. Like for Ennis my favorite is Hulk Smash, a story about a solider who is confronted by a rampaging Hulk. As a Marvel book it's dialed back yet this gives Garth more rope with which to work the actual emotion and meaning of the story in. Likewise for me with Ellis it's Frankenstein's Womb which is more an intellectual and poetic tribute to Mary Shelley than anything else (though the reasonably graphic Supergod is close to my tops for him). Oddly for Bendis it was Scarlet for me though more for the political landscape and grit. A bit of exploitative gore can be fun I think but too much can detract from strong story telling (using the examples I gave for contrast). Also I get physically ill when I read or watch about defile. Not a denial of it's existence but I could fare better with it not being in my entertainment or at least left as far of panel as possible and only alluded to. I can get the picture through the emotions shown over the act without having the act shown (The Hills Have Eyes remake comes to mind). Not to knock anyone's preference but this is just how mine sums up. I have a line drawn for the level of " maturity " I will find entertaining and how much of it I can absorb in a single work.

[Starman]

@SickAlice, what I meant was that Crossed represents "the uppermost echelon of Garth's well known lack of tact and sensitivity to issues and at times surprise one with borderline pornography" more so than The Boys. I'd never recommend Crossed to anyone ... it is way too extreme and pretty boring and repetitive in terms of plot.

I'm the opposite ... I think Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Mark Millar, Grant Morrison, etc produce good work for mainstream comic publishers but a lot of it is more shallow than their creator-owned stuff or their work for publishers like Avatar Press and mature imprint labels like Marvel MAX and Vertigo.

[SickAlice]

Oh okay, then you read me loud and clear. I feel the same with most of them. Occasionally they get gems in with the big two though. I feel it a lot with Bendis though. I think he works much better when creating a world based in his style as opposed to trying to inject his style into an already established one.

Oh and I'll toss in a second for X-Static as well, didn't noticed that there before. Solid book all the way.

[HarryTrotter]

Small update:
-Kings Watch was great