Comic books are more than what the average person sees today as a repetitive and superhero-based industry (if the average person is generous enough to call the business an “industry”). They aren’t just a prototype to be made into a more publicly appealing product in a feature-film adaptation. These so-called “funny books” are a medium of storytelling that has the ability to stand on the same ground as any other kind of media like it, including prose books and television shows.
I first got into comics when I was around 8 years old. In a brief origin story before that, my dad had been reading and collecting comics for nearly his whole life, so I can imagine his eager anticipation of the day that he would hand me my first comic. That day is a bit of a haze for me (as I’m sure it is for most people recalling memories when you have to remember one from 13 years ago when one was 8), but I can still remember the initial moment. For those who aren’t familiar with the release schedule of comics, new issues come out every Wednesday (titles vary). Being the avid comic fan that my dad is (continuing into today), he went every week that day as a ritual. I wish I could say I would dig through his bag each week, being amazed by the incredible imagery at hand that just felt uncanny. That wasn’t the case, though (it would’ve been too sentimental, anyway). What happened was, to the best of my memory, my dad came home one day with his usual stack of comics in the same white plastic bag the cashier would always give him. He then took one of his many issues out of that bag, said something to the extent of, “This was at the comic store today. I’d thought you’d like it,” and handed me my first comic; Spongebob Comics #1.
As with any kid who grew up in the 2000s, Spongebob Squarepants was just the show I watched. It didn’t matter how many episodes were playing on any given morning on Nickelodeon, or how many times I had watched them before. Once Spongebob stopped playing after its morning marathon run, I would either switch the channel or turn the TV off (I remember T.U.F.F. Puppy being an exception, but other than that, I would move on. Believe it or not, I wasn’t allowed to watch The Fairly OddParents as it was deemed “too violent” for me. Yet, I was allowed to watch Tom and Jerry, so…). I remember Spongebob always having an odd release schedule when it came to new episodes, which seemed consistently inconsistent. What started becoming consistent, however (and without me knowing it) was the comic book’s release schedule, which told original stories in it, not ones from previously-aired episodes. I was practically hooked from then on.
With the superhero market of movies continuing to be relatively popular today (with Deadpool and Wolverine being a massive hit), comics continue to be a hidden market themselves when it comes to piquing interest in the general public. With every adaptation that’s made out of a novel, I understand that not everyone is going to read said novel before or after the movie comes out, but novels are still a regular form of entertainment today. What makes comics different? The main reason (used to be argued more in the past) could be that the actual comic itself is meant for a younger audience, and seeing the story in motion on screen can be enjoyed more by the public. That may be true for superhero movies from Marvel and DC, but look at shows like The Walking Dead or Invincible. Those comics started as a product for teens and adults, and their adapted shows reflect that same audience, if not being watched by younger people as well (if they’re able to avoid the parental controls on their devices, if applicable).
Another common reason people may feel a barrier to starting comics is where to start. With a manga, there is better sequencing for pretty much every series, as it starts with Volume 1 and keeps going. With comics, there are many different versions of a Volume 1 of Batman and Spider-Man, for example. While there is not one correct way to start with either character (as their origin stories are told through multiple stories), it comes down to recommendations. “Try this one, I’d think you’d like it.” “I started out with this one.” “This one doesn’t require any prior reading.” Phrases like that. There are a plethora of lists and videos online of where to start. Starting with superhero comics, Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (2024) and Batman: The Killing Joke come to mind. Both stories are accessible, unique stories that haven’t been adapted yet into a feature film (live action, at least).
The last reason I’ll cover about the supposed “barrier” to comics is the way to read them. This blog will never make you decide how to spend your money over life or entertainment. The best place to start out reading comics is your local library. As small as some of these sections are, chances are, they’ll have a book for you. Comics can be told in any genre, not just through superheroes. There’s adult sci-fi/fantasy in Saga, political drama told through animals in Animal Pound, or existential horror in Ice Cream Man. Yes, that’s the real name of the book along with its genre. Curious yet?
Liam Jarot – Asst. Prose Editor & Blogger: Liam is a Senior at Lewis University, majoring in English with a concentration in writing. His hobbies include watching movies, reading comic books, and listening to music. Some of his favorite authors include Charles Soule, Stephen King, and Brian K. Vaughan. After graduating, he plans on working with organizations through technical writing while pursuing creative writing on the side.