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Non-superhero comics

arthwollipot

Observer of Phenomena, Pronouns: he/him
arthwollipot
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
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So since getting an iPad I've been getting more into comics than I ever was as a kid. I'm on the lookout for new and interesting comics, but I hate superheroes. It seems a large percentage of the comic industry is dedicated to superheroes of various stripes, so it's been a challenge finding comics that I like. I'd love some people with more experience in the market to recommend some for me.

The Sandman and Letter 44 are examples of comics that I've been enjoying. I like science fiction - especially space opera - and swords-and-sorcery. I also don't like having a lot of backstory that isn't contained within the current issues themselves - so I'm not looking for reboots of older comics, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Also, any recommendations should be available through Comixology (or similar electronic services) to be any help. I'm not into paper comics.

Any ideas?
 
If you like Sandman you'll probably like Lucifer, which focuses on what he does after he gives up hell to Dream, along with some other interesting characters he meets along the way...
 
Are you just interested in digital editions of printed comics? Or would you interested in Webcomics too? (Some of which are selling printed versions too.)
 
Brian-M said:
Are you just interested in digital editions of printed comics? Or would you interested in Webcomics too? (Some of which are selling printed versions too.)
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Yes, I follow quite a few webcomics, but they're not what I'm referring to.

Giraffe107 said:
Not sure if The Walking Dead would appeal to you, my husband likes them
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The first issue is free on Comixology, so of course I have read it. I think the zombie genre is a bit overdone, personally (not as bad as the vampire genre though (don't bother recommending any vampire comics)), but it seems okay. It didn't hook me though.
 
Saga is amazing. Written by Brian K Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples. That's my number one recommendation.
 
arthwollipot said:
It seems a large percentage of the comic industry is dedicated to superheroes of various stripes, so it's been a challenge finding comics that I like.
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Does this mean you're only looking at American comics?

Japanese comics are out of the question?
 
Fables is excellent.

Girl Genius - although it could be classified as a hero comic and is available as a web comic is also one that I can recommend.

Depending on how broadly you classify the term "superhero", you could add IDW's run of GI Joe - where Cobra is presented more as a terrorist/organized crime organization with slightly more realisitic characters.

There is also "Kill Shakespeare" (premise, Shakespeare's characters are real, and some are working to trying an hold political power in a world while others are trying to overthrow them). I've also met the artist and he's a really nice guy.

"Red Star" presents an alt world Soviet Union where ther are some superpowers, however it does have a very compelling storyline.
 
I recommend trying to locate digital downloads of pre-code horror/science fiction comics: essentially pre-1955 before the self-imposed Code pulled the teeth from creative, violent, intelligent and just damn awesome stories and artwork. You've probably heard of TALES FROM THE CRYPT as this is the most famous pre-code horror comic from the now legendary EC Comics (which would publish MAD in a comic form for 24 issues before moving to magazine size because the Code couldn't enforce censorship). EC's other titles such as WERID SCIENCE and WEIRD FANTASY had some great Ray Bradbury adaptations which could also be found in their horror titles. There is much drek in pre-code titles to sift through but EC is a good place to start.
 
Lord Running Clam said:
I recommend trying to locate digital downloads of pre-code horror/science fiction comics: essentially pre-1955 before the self-imposed Code pulled the teeth from creative, violent, intelligent and just damn awesome stories and artwork. You've probably heard of TALES FROM THE CRYPT as this is the most famous pre-code horror comic from the now legendary EC Comics (which would publish MAD in a comic form for 24 issues before moving to magazine size because the Code couldn't enforce censorship). EC's other titles such as WERID SCIENCE and WEIRD FANTASY had some great Ray Bradbury adaptations which could also be found in their horror titles. There is much drek in pre-code titles to sift through but EC is a good place to start.
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I assume you are a member of one of the clans.........
 
Wormwood Gentlemen Corpse
Chronicles of Wormwood. Not related
If you can find it, GrimJack is a good read, setting is a nexus of realities.
Transmetropolitan
 
I should mention that I'm not much into horror elements or dark humour. Sandman is an exception in that regard.

Keep it up. I'm going to make a list and review it when I get a couple of free hours.
 
ShadowSot said:
Wormwood Gentlemen Corpse
Chronicles of Wormwood. Not related
If you can find it, GrimJack is a good read, setting is a nexus of realities.
Transmetropolitan
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Seconded Transmet.

Maus is also good, I hear. Not a pleasant read, but a powerful one.

Sluggy Freelance has a few hard copy books out.
 
Depending on how you define "superhero", V For Vendetta is probably the finest comic ever published.

Shade The Changing Man was good when I read it in the 90s. A couple of years ago I tried reading it from the beginning of the Peter Milligan run, and it didn't really grab me at the start and I kind of lost contact with it, but the stuff I read as part of the Vertigo imprint was very good. Looking on Wikipedia, it seems that it got good, from my perspective, with the third incarnation of Shade, although I've not read anything featuring the second, female, incarnation.

Sticking with Peter Milligan, The Enigma is a great 8-shot series. It's the only comic I've ever read where the artwork reflects how much the reader knows - the first issue is very rough and hard to make out but, as more of what's actually going on is revealed, the artwork becomes cleaner and more beautiful. Opinions vary as to whether the ending is cruel or genius, and I'm firmly in the latter camp.

Garth Ennis' Goddess was another great 8-issue miniseries. Whether a goddess counts as a superhero or not is up to you to decide. Lots of comic-book ultraviolence (for example, at one point one character pokes another in the eyes and drags him along by his bottom eyelids).
 
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