There’s a time to stay, and a time to go. As NIU (our campus companions in Dekalb) Class of 2026 graduates head out into the great unknown, so should we all reflect: Why am I still doing this? There’s nothing here for me. I don’t enjoy it. I’m doing it just for the sake of doing it. I have nothing invested in this anymore.
That thing?
Reading superhero comics.
That’s not to say there aren’t some great superhero books out there (I’m looking at you most of Absolute DC line) The reason I’m thinking about this right now is because of graduation. And Lobo.
Yes, you’ve probably seen Lobo’s back (hey now!), and if you’re of a certain age, that’s great! If you’re a comic reader between the ages of ** and **, there’s something truly fun, naughty, and necessary there. Same with Deadpool. A character that successful can’t be wrong, or a misstep, or any other negative connotation. Deadpool IS cool, at a certain age, a rite of passage.
But how many Deadpool #1s are there? “And why is it they seem to tie roughly to a new generation of readers each time?” asked Andy Rooney. Could it be that there’s a crop of people who at a certain time and certain place…graduate from those books?
Yes. I’m not even putting a theory out there; I’m just telling you this is what happens. You graduate. All natural, just like a granola bar before 1980. Instead of being down about the state of superhero comics, I thought I’d pass along some essential reading instead, INCLUDING SUPERHERO COMICS
Watchmen
The top of the heap, the super hero comic to end all comics, the one that will make you believe conspiracies are all true, people in power can’t be trusted, and those who proclaim themselves most righteous have already told you they’re criminals. Alan Moore’s earliest effort at that thing he does of taking other people’s characters and using them in ways they’d never have been intended to be used. (Charlton Comics would like a word, Alan). One of the best comics, ever, and recognized as a great novel in its own right for a reason.
PS-I recommend the full-sized edition.
Top 10
Alan with Moore great super hero comics, this time crossing over with a police procedural. Nearly a noir, this is LA Confidential meets Hill Street Blues meets Gotham Central. Moore’s characters might follow archetypes, but they are fully original and will hook you from the beginning. The artwork by Gene Ha and Zander Cannon will make you ask ‘Which one did which part? And why does none of their individual artwork look remotely like this on any other title?’
Saga Of The Swamp Thing
Golly, let’s see who worked on this…ok Alan Moore again? Must be a coincidence. Alec Holland was once a man. Now, he’s not. What he IS is redefined through six volumes of horror and romance that will have you cheering against humanity. The great part about this being a title from the 80’s is that the environmental issues presented here have all been solved, never to face mankind again, because we all wanted a safer, cleaner Earth. Drop the ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner, boys!
The Invisibles
What if the world you know ISN’T real? What if there are TWO yous, one in a real world you can’t see, and one trapped in a simulation? Sounds a bit familiar, eh? Well this came first, Matrix fans, and if those films weren’t released by the parent company of DC comics, they’d probably have won a lawsuit or three over the content. You’re probably assuming this was written by Alan Moore, and you’d be right.
Wait, no, I’m being told this is written by a… Grant Morrison? That’s can’t be right, that guy wrote Batman. Fun fact about The Invisibles- Morrison was avatar-ed by the team leader, but as bad things happened to the character, they’d happen to Morrison as well, to the point where they had the character step down after surviving mirroring lung issues. Just couldn’t risk it anymore.
Invincible
A secret long form cosmic family drama wrapped inside super hero trappings so convincingly, for two years you’ll think you’re reading the great Spider-Man replacement every publisher has been hoping for. Very few modern comic creators have come to the table with years of material already in their noggin, but Robert Kirkman did it twice with this and The Walking Dead. Just fantastic, but always better with Ryan Ottley drawing.
And Lastly
Preacher
Much like the religious component to Kevin Smith’s work, Garth Ennis does seem to believe that people of genuine faith can do good things for the world, but those who work in God’s name? Not so much. This is for sure a challenging, violent, sacrilegious series. It’s not for everyone, but it might help you trust people. Or at least A person, if they write you a letter, find you on horseback, or die to get you back from the dead. A case could be made this is actually a final exam moving you TOWARDS graduation, but we won’t split hairs.
So there you have it. Congratulations throw those caps in the air, give the finger to AI, and get down to the grown up work of reading comics.