what is a comic and how do I get one- a master post
So Iām aware that getting into comics is super hard, itās really hard to figure out where to start and what do you mean detective comics started in 1937? Iām hoping this post will give some clarity, itās obviously not exhaustive but Iāve done my best to explain the core process of getting your hands on something you want to read.
Please explain the number/title situation!
Most comics are first released in a single issue format, these are the skinny floppy books that you get from the comic book shop each month.
Theyāre numbered sequentially starting from 1 at the start of the series but longer series (think Batman, action comics, Harley Quinn) will be broken up into runs of a writer/artist team. You donāt have to start at the beginning of a series you can start at the beginning of a run on these longer series. So using detective comics as an example the current run starts at issue 1090, way easier than starting at 1! Look for a change in writer and and start there!
These runs and storylines are then compiled into slightly thicker books called trade paperbacks that you can pick up at some bookshops as well as the comic book shop. Theyāre often titled based on the storyline rather than on the numbers of the issues but theyāll also be numbered sequentially, so trade 1 might contain the first 5 single issues of a series. These are also called trades, tpbs, and volumes.
After that you get into omnibuses which will contain a full run or storyline and are the size and price of a small house. Definitely less practical to read but cool to have for sure. Traded and omnibuses are both collected editions on different scales, the blurb should specify whatās included.
Titles can also be a little complicated so make sure youāre paying attention to the year next to the name. For example the current batman run is Batman (2016-) but theyāll be a new batman series starting autumn this year also called batman but itāll be Batman (2025-).
How do you get single issues?
The best way to get these monthly is to set up a standing order or pull list with your local shop (or an online alternative). This is a list of the upcoming titles you are interested in and intend to buy. The shop will order in your single issues and bundle them together for you to collect or ship them out to you.
How do you set up a standing order?
Shops arenāt always the best at advertising this service so if in doubt reach out to the shop via email (or in person) and ask how to set one up. For most shops you can make your requests in person or over email and theyāll take care of the rest. Some shops have other systems such as online forms but asking is your best bet always. Then you let them know which series youād like and if youād like any variant covers. Theyāll order you the standard (or A) cover unless you specify otherwise.
Variant covers?
Pretty much all single issue comics will have an alternative cover available to order, theyāre just a fun little bonus thatāll cost you a little more (unless you get a special one, then it cost you a little more than that, itāll definitely cost less than getting it second hand though).
You can check out the variant covers on leagueofcomicgeeks, in monthly solicitations (basically a catalogue of new stuff thatāll come out a few months from now from the big publishers), or from any particular artists you follow (the more cool artists you follow the more cool variants youāll see). Variants are usually listed by letter so to request them you ask for [comic name] [issue number] [variant letter (or artists name] eg. Batgirl 5B.
Some variants will be listed as 1:25, 1:50 etc. These are incentive variants, and this means that for every second number the shop orders theyāll get 1 of this particular cover. This means these are usually more expensive than the other variant covers and some smaller shops might not be able to get them unless itās a super popular run.
Sometimes thereās also shiny ones (foil variants)!
How do I know whatās coming out?
League of comic book geeks has a calendar that you can sort by publisher and click around in which is super helpful. The more you read the more youāll know which writers and artists you love and theyāll be posting about their upcoming projects so itās worth giving them a following wherever they are.
If youāre intending to read DC or Marvel keep an eye out for DC Connect or the marvel equivalent (I canāt find a name SORRY). Bleeding Cool will usually post these as and when they come out. Iām a big believer in polygonās comics (and book) articles, theyāre pretty rare but they almost always get put straight on my list.
Thereās no shop near me! Help!
Your first port of call should always be to try to find a local independent shop but not everyone is lucky enough to have one! Check if your nearest shop does online orders postal for single issues, and follow their instructions. If youāre in the UK and donāt have a local check out https://okcomics.co.uk if youāre anywhere else I simply donāt have a personal recommendation but when possible try to shop from a smaller independent. Also check your local library, you never know what theyāve got! Mine is extremely well stocked in queer independent comics for reasons only I understand.
Is there a digital alternative?
YES! DC and Marvel both have dedicated comics apps with paid subscriptions, DC Universe Infinite is in two tiers of 6 months delay on current releases or 1 month for their ultra subscription, Marvel Unlimited only has the one option of 3 months delay. Your local library is likely to give you access to something like hoopla, libby, or borrowbox all of which have comics! Yippee! Comixology is an option but is owned by Amazon so thereās that. Thereās an app coming late summer called sweetshop which seems really promising and currently looks to be debuting with comics from image and tiny onion.
You can also buy comics (trades and single issues) digitally on a one off basis, itās definitely worth checking the publishers website to see if you can buy directly from them. If not look where you usually buy your ebooks.
How do I find community?
Following artists and writers you like and follow the artists and writers they like and youāll cultivate a good social media feed to start with. Follow any fans you think are funny is always a good start. If youāre interested in DC I recommend following Alex Jaffe on bluesky, he knows everything there is to know but BE REALLY NICE TO HIM. If youāre interested in Marvel follow Kim Hu on bluesky, she doesnāt post about the comics very much sheās just really funny and loves Taskmaster (the marvel character not the comedy show). Be nice to her also.
If youāre lucky enough to have a local comics shop ask if they have any events, a comic book club or anything like that. Some shops have designated time for women and people of marginalised genders and if thatās you that could be a great place to find community. If not, check if your local university has a comics society and if youāre not a student find out if membership is available to non-students or if they have any events youād be able to attend. Hopefully youāll be able to find something! Or get all your friends into comics and start something! The world is your oyster slurp it down.
But where do I start?
People always say to just pick something you like the sound of and start there which is good advice but scary so I will give you more specific answers because Iām cool like that. Bear in mind that wherever you start you might feel like youāve turned your brain into a fried egg, the more you read the more youāll understand and then youāll start a new series and your brain is an egg again. I think thatās normal (I hope thatās normal).
DC started a new initiative called all in so any of those books are a good place to start. The full list of All-In books is available online in all sorts of places, give it a look and pick a name that sounds familiar from movies! Or if you like a detective story start with The Question: All Along The Watchtower, itās a short series and the main character is a messy lesbian, need I say more. The absolute books are a fun place to start, theyāre not in continuity (the main storyline of the universe) so you donāt have to worry about anything that isnāt happening right in front of you. The conceit is that these heroes have found their start without the advantages that made them heroes to originally, an AU! Super fun! Start with issue 1 of Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, or Absolute Wonder Woman.
Iām less familiar with whatās going on in Marvel right now (sorry) but the Ultimate Spiderman series is supposed to be extremely good so check that out from issue 1. I loved the current Deadpool run (Deadpool (2024)), if you followed my advice to follow Kim Hu youāll see a familiar face there. Itās a really fun family dynamic and youāll fall in love with Princess and Ellie extremely fast (and Tony). Also start with issue 1.
Iād also recommend The Power Fantasy by Kieron Gillen, if you like to think about the moral and physical hazard superpowers would actually posit OR if you just love a bit of drama. It looks beautiful and it reads beautiful. (Againā¦ issue 1ā¦ or get the first trade)
If you want something FREE get yourself on webtoon and read Wayne Family Adventures, extremely fun and lighthearted but season 3 has Serious Plot. Itās extremely easy reading and familiarises you with even some extremely tertiary members of the batfamily (Batman and his children and associates). EXTREMELY RECOMMEND THIS!!!
Marvel also has a fantastic FREE webcomic on the marvel unlimited app called Avengers Academy infinite. I had no idea who almost any of those characters were when I started but now I love every single one. The art on this is also ASTONISHING.
Ultimately my main advice is follow your heart, follow and talk to people whoās taste you enjoy and follow their hearts also.
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I hope this has been helpful, Iāve basically written the advice I wanted when I got into comics a couple of years ago. If you have any questions you can ask me here or on bluesky at @worstreads.bsky.social
(This post edited by the immensely powerful and big brained Izzy, thank you for keeping my egg uncracked and being essentially the guinea pig for this post. It works folks, Iām that good.)
