Recommended Reading…
We highly recommend anything by Atlantic Comics. They’re great!
But, here’s a recommended reading list from other publishers:
If you want to make comics:
-Understanding Comics by Scott McCLoud: I can’t oversell this book. Having not read every book about making comics, and, truthfully, having only read this and parts of a few others, I think I can say with a fairy high degree of confidence that: this is the best one out there! Period. The insights into communication and how our minds work are invaluable. And, I don’t think, that information is in other books about making comics. If I had a large sales force, I’d make them read it. Because, it would make them better sales people. Get the print version.
Superheroes:
-Golden Age Batman Volume One. The Batman as we know him today. Except, a simpler version, with less gadgets. This book contains, literally, all the best Batman stories until the 1970s. As by the end, you see, the beginnings of the more neutered approach, that reigned, well into the 1960s.
-Superman Chronicles Number One: A fun read because these comics were made before the superhero formulas were more settled. Superman finds himself in all kinds of situations, he would never find himself in today. Some of which, seem very small, compared to what you are used to. Also, this Superman is a little more human and less Godlike then the Superman of today. And, interestingly, has a more sadistic bent with the bad guys.
-Daredevil Frank Miller Omnibus: Except, get the version where they break it in two. (Those gigantic books are impractical) It starts out good but doesn’t get great until Frank takes over the writing. Having said that: I’m sure that Marvel didn’t neatly split it like that. Got to make money, right?
War:
-Garth Ennis War Stories Series: Possibly, the best writer in the history of War Comics. Definitely, a strong candidate.
-Classic DC War Comics: Sgt. Rock, The Haunted Tank, The Unknown Soldier, and Enemy Ace are my favorites. Especially, The Tank. But, I think all four are great. I also recommend: the non-iconic character short stories, by long time DC Comics head War Comic writer: Robert Kaniger. Those stories are also among the best War Comic writing ever. All in all, for the most part, it’s hard to go wrong with the classic DC War Comics.
Horror:
-From Hell by Alan Moore: A technical masterpiece, all the way around.
-30 Days of Night: Art wise, more on the expressionistic side than I would usually go for, but, it works very well here. I also recommend 30 Days of Night: Red Snow.
Check back, from time to time, as there will be updates to the list.