Comics have been a very popular form of entertainment for decades. Over time, tens of thousands of comic books have been released, which can make it an overwhelming hobby to get into.
However, there are some places to start reading that aren’t too difficult. From stories that are already completed to stories that are just beginning, here are some of the best places to start reading comics.
Marvel’s Ultimate Universe (2023-Present)
From 2000 to 2015 Marvel ran the “Ultimate Universe.” Set on Earth-1610, the universe was a reimagined and modernized take on the publication’s most iconic heroes.
The comic line ended in 2015 with “Secret Wars”, an event that ended the world and sent its omnipotent character, “The Maker” (Reed Richards), to the original Marvel Universe (Earth-616).
While the original Ultimate Universe started by updating the origins of the Marvel Universe in a then-modern but recognizable Earth-1610, the Ultimate Universe (Earth-6160) features entirely new interpretations of Marvel characters set in a radically altered status quo caused by The Maker.
The flagship comic line is “Ultimate Spider-Man” by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto. It stars an adult Peter Parker who has two kids and is married to Mary Jane Watson before becoming Spider-Man.
The comic line is perfect to get into now and follow. Only 16 issues have been published, but you can purchase the first 2 volumes, which feature issues 1-12, for around $20 per volume.
Each of these volumes can be easily purchased on digital websites like Amazon, or in-store at locations like Barnes and Noble.
Invincible (2003-2018)
Invincible, a comic series and television show, has risen to more and more popularity consistently since its release.
The franchise revolves around Mark, a high school student as he becomes the superhero known as Invincible. He’s guided by his father, Omni-Man, who is the strongest superhero on the planet.
The Invincible television series premiered in March 2021 on Prime Video, and has garnered a lot of attention and love from superhero and comic fans.
The original comic series was written by Robert Kirkman. The first issue was released in January 2003, and ran 144 issues before the story concluded in February 2018.
Thankfully, it’s very easy to get into and read as the entire story has already finished.
Invincible has been split into three collections of issues called compendiums. These compendiums each have over 1000 pages in them, for a total of over 3000 pages.
Each of these compendiums can be easily purchased on digital websites like Amazon, or in-store at locations like Barnes and Noble. This can get quite expensive, as you’d likely have to spend over $150 to get the whole collection.
Luckily, there are alternative ways to read these collections for cheaper.
Libraries are the best way to access these comics for cheap. Local libraries may have the physical compendiums available to checkout.
There are also some apps, such as Hoopla, where you can access the full digital versions of the compendiums as long as you have a library card, which is completely free.
DC’s Absolute Universe (2024-Present)
The Absolute Universe is the newest imprint in the DC Universe. The comics are intended as a reimagining and modernized version of DC’s most iconic heroes.
The Absolute Universe serves as an alternate universe somewhat connected to Earth 0 (the main DC universe line), but instead of running off of hope as embodied by Superman, it runs off of despair as embodied by Darkseid.
The Absolute Universe line is conceptually inspired by Marvel’s Ultimate imprint: the origins and dark tone of this universe mirrors the renewed Marvel Ultimate universe.
Darkseid created the Absolute Universe to be a world where heroes were the underdogs and lacked the advantages their Earth 0 counterparts had.
As such, the Absolute Universe started their new line with their most popular hero, Batman.
In the Absolute Universe, instead of being born into wealth, Bruce Wayne was born into an impoverished working-class family in Crime Alley. He was born in 2004 in Gotham City to social worker Martha Wayne and elementary school teacher Thomas Wayne.
This fresh take on The Caped Crusader strips him of his wealth and social status and allows the character to display his ingenuity and genius intellect using boxes of scrap from his garage
The Absolute line is fresh, like straight off the stove fresh. There are no official volumes currently and you would have to collect single issues of these famed characters which run at around six dollars per issue.
Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern all have current runs going on, with issues releasing monthly.
DC’s Watchmen (1986-1987)
Watchmen is another comic series that has since been adapted into a television series, as well as a movie.
The comic series was written by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics. It was a limited run that went only 12 issues from September 1986 to October 1987.
The story is set in 1985, and follows American history as it was changed majorly because of the presence of superheroes.
The series was critically acclaimed and performed well commercially. It was even recognized by Time Magazine in their list of the top 100 novels since 1923.
The comics are very easy to read, as all 12 issues have been collected into a single graphic novel, which amasses to less than 450 pages.
The series follows a linear story, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on any extra context or details.
You can purchase the collection of all issues online for less than $15 using sites like Amazon. You can also rely on your library or digital library apps like Hoopla if you have a library card.
Following this short comic run, there have been many adaptations and spin offs made for the franchise.
Watchmen was adapted into a live-action film, which was released in 2009 and received mixed reviews from audiences. There were also two animated films released in 2024 which retold the story of the comics.
In 2019, a Watchmen television series was released on HBO, and served as a sequel to the original comic run that took place 34 years after the events in the comics. It received positive reviews from audiences.
