Literature for Ladies: 5 comics necessary for survival by Lady Historian

March begins the convention season and with that I shall be doing a media blast non stop until the season once again draws to a close.  I will be running several pieces that address the confusion one might have being a newb to the comic/anime scene and this article kicks off the series: Newb 101: what to know so you can participate in excellent conversations.  My dear friend Lady Historian, graciously offered her opinion on 5 comic titles that a newb should read before they die and I heartily concur.  Relax and enjoy...let the information wash over you and tuck you in like a comforting blanket...

There may be women who, contrary to popular belief and stereotypes, have followed comics religiously for their entire literate lives. They could argue, passionately, about the relative merits of DC versus Marvel comics and the underappreciated contributions of other publishers such as Vertigo, Dark Horse and other similarly dramatic-sounding companies. This list is not for those women. While I respect them and, in a way, envy them, I do not have the background to discuss the finer points of comic book lore. Rather, with so many friends entrenched in comic book fandom, I decided a few scant years ago to dabble in the wonderful worlds illustrated fiction had to offer.

As a new initiate into the fold, going into a comic book store was startlingly intimidating. I imagine many women who enter the realm of comics feel similarly as they seek common ground with boyfriends, friends, or others with encyclopedic knowledge of comics. To help take the edge off the intimidating height, breadth, and depth of the shelves stacked with monthlies, TPBs, crossovers and God-knows-whats, the following selections are my choices for women who enjoy a good story—regardless of the medium. As a fringe benefit, they all happen to be comics and can bridge that gap of “nerdiness” between yourself and your beau or friend.

Fables (published by Vertigo comics)—Your mother always told you not to believe in fairy tales but what if that world really did exist? In Fables stories we know and love are ‘real’ people, places and events (in what you could equate with DC's 52 Earth's) with an evil overlord, also known as the ‘Adversary’, begins taking over these alternate dimensions the fable characters flee to the "not-worth-taking-over" world we live in. Based in New York City, the story arcs follow various characters as they struggle to exist in the modern era and, eventually, try to free their homelands from oppression. Though it sounds shallow and childlike, it is anything but that. The characters are incredibly endearing and engaging, The plotlines, which have a bit of a Sherlock Holmes feel/knock off, are spectacular. They all have long-reaching consequences for characters and represent a dash of humanity despite the non-human origins of the characters. Minor characters are not simple plot devices, but individuals that the reader is invested in.

If you like fantasy, drama with a splash of reality, read this series. I would especially recommend the storylines of ‘The Good Prince’ and ‘The Keep at World’s End’.

Astro City TPB ‘Confessions’ (published by five million different people but the one you are most likely is Wildstorm)— Out of the many Astro City compilations, Confessions is literally awesome. As in: fills one with some serious awe. All of the Astro City stories are great, but this one is not to be missed.  Although it is your basic ‘mysterious hero with a shady past works to solve a mystery with a teen sidekick’, surpasses the used plots that should come with it. Even though the narrator never particularly engaged me, the payoff at the end of the story was worth slogging through the angst-y, ego-centric Robin clone. The skillful handling of the climax made me cry. Granted, that is not terribly difficult to do, but my tears did not come from some superficial ‘that’s so sad’’ place. Rather, I found my inner voice complaining, “It’s just not fair!” and genuine frustration with the authors boiled in me for the spectacular conclusion of the story.

            If nothing else, the caliber of this series should impress you when I say that the forward to ‘Confession’ is not to be missed. Not even the real comic, but the commentary on it. It is the definition of greatness it takes classic plots and still manages to inspire a consideration of the ‘grander issues of life’ in your mind without being preachy and it manages to do it in a way that doesn’t beat you over the head or try to be confusingly avant-garde.

Booster Gold, especially the TPBs ’52 pick up’ and ‘Blue and Gold’ (published by DC comics)— I have to warn you that you might need a little back story for this one. It’s useful to know about the history of Justice League: International (which is great if you’re in the mood for dry, sarcastic wit) before diving in. Otherwise, you run the risk of  the greatest moment of the Booster Gold series falling flat. I imagine reading the 52 series would help fill in some blanks, since this is a 52 pick up, but I didn’t and suffered no ill consequences that I know of. In a super-girly way, I will admit that the biggest draw of this comic comes from its focus on the relationship between Booster Gold and the second Blue Beetle, Ted Kord. Not a yaoi thing weirdos, a friendship, strictly platonic. 

In this series, Booster has become a bona-fide hero, cleverly disguised as a goofy, attention-hogging "hero". As payment for his thankless work, he demands that he be able to save the life of his dearest friend, Ted Kord, from the villainy of Max Lord. This quest sets up a series of events that show the reader the best of humanity. It remind us of what really matters in a time when pessimism and egocentricity rule and many people believe that love is something that can only exist between romantically involved partners. Booster Gold proves that there is a place for compassion, devotion, and loyalty (all characteristics of love) among friends. It’s a book that makes you feel like there is hope for humanity—bet you never thought you’d think that about Booster Gold!

Will Eisner’s The Spirit (by Darwyn Cooke) Book Two (published by DC)—I really like Darwyn Cooke’s work. I’m not going to lie. To that end, don’t let the reboot of the ‘The Spirit’ in movie form deceive you. It was a travesty unto mankind. This detective comic, by the incredibly talented Cooke, is the way a re-imagining should be. Updated, but not…stupid.  That is not to say that Spirit doesn’t have its goofy moments. That is part of its charm. It's not a serious drama and retains that sarcasm and chauvinistic wit that made the original work as long as you had a sense of humor. Between the shallow commentary,this story has nuggets of social commentary embedded for those with the mental wherewithal to see it. It also has characters that are forces of good without losing or being consumed by their insecurities. It has a female character who is often abused as a sex object in various incarnations (even in this version at times with visiting writers and/or artists), but who proves eventually to be everything a woman can realistically hope to become in personality and character. It manages to take a character originally portrayed as racially typecast comic relief and makes him relevant, charming, and realistic.

 Blue Beetle (published by DC)— In terms of a reboot series this one is probably the best, with the added fringe benefit of giving you just enough information about the previous incarnations of the Blue Beetle to make you look smart. It manages to make a cliched character, your average high school student bestowed with magnificent powers, actually interesting. The trials that the new Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes, endures are approached with a simplicity that is charming without being naive.

            The eternal conflict of ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is the center of the Blue Beetle story. If you’ve ever read a heroic story of someone in extraordinary circumstances (e.g. people who actively risked their lives to work against Hitler’s diabolical plans from within the Third Reich) and wondered if you would react similarly or if you would roll over complacently, this is the book for you. As with so many other great stories, the newest Blue Beetle faces challenges from super-powered villains that provoke thoughts about our own internal weaknesses and motivations. Oh, and it’ll make you laugh. That’s always a bonus.

That concludes my top five must read list and I hope this helps guide you on your journey to finding great comics.  Now I am off to discover new treasures for my mind!

Yours always in comics, 

Lady Historian