Up, up and away (from superhero comics)!
Comics are so much more than superheroes
While having a casual conversation with friends a couple of weeks ago, one of them mentioned that he thought comics were only about superheroes going on adventures. I believe this is far from the truth, but I’m an avid reader of these stories. It made me realize that for a general audience who mostly follows (or at least has heard of) the Marvel Cinematic Universe, comics are about superheroes. Even popular shows like Invincible or The Boys that bring a fresh premise to the genre exist within the genre.
Therefore, I had some friends from comic book Twitter get me some recommendations on comics that go beyond the limits of not only the superhero genre; but classic storytelling in general. Comics that get strange and wild, giving the reader a different and enriching experience. Here are some of them!
God Hates Astronauts by Ryan Browne, suggested by @DeviantPorg
I can’t even describe what this book is about because I think any previous knowledge coming into the book could potentially ruin the experience. It is strange, has fast-paced action, and has unique characters. And on top of it, it is hilarious. Allow me to show you what can you find in the book at your own risk:
One of the characters is a tiger eating a cheeseburger, whose name is Admiral Tiger Eating a Cheeseburger:
And his father’s name? King Tiger Eating a Cheeseburger.
Another character is in love with a chicken and performed a surgery to give the chicken a woman’s body:
This is just the tip of the iceberg, but it is the type of crazy shenanigans you will find here. But don’t worry, everything makes sense. It is not a bunch of jokes thrown together to form a story. Or maybe it is? Perhaps that’s the beauty of it all…
God Hates Astronauts isn’t for everyone, but if you like the first issue it will hook you and quickly become your next favorite comic.
Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, suggested by @Stovepost
Another unique and horny book. It is about Suzie and Jon, a couple that can stop time when they have sex. And they use this ability to rob banks. But they are not the only ones who can do this, and there is a whole police division designed to stop these criminals.
The world-building is beautiful, and the story ranges from a funny romantic comedy to a complex mystery epic tale. It is about relationships, love, and the role of sex in our everyday lives. In that sense, it doesn’t treat sex as a taboo but wants to inform people about it while criticizing how little we teach and discuss this relevant topic with each other.
This book hooks you with the sex and the jokes but makes you stay for the story and compelling characters.
Blue in Green by Ram V and Anand Rk, suggested by @InsertNameINC
This book is the story of a young musician and his pursuit of success. He is haunted by the memories of his predecessor, who also sought success but failed. It is a very human book, revolving around expectations, ambitions, family, and working towards your goals without letting them consume who you are.
Following the book's main topic, creative passion, the comic itself is an artistic experience. The art and the colors are beautiful. Every page is pure passion and detail. But don’t take my words for it; let me show you:
If you have a passion for something that can be considered art, it is impossible that you don’t get inspired after reading this one.
Conclusion
One of the pillars of this Substack is that comics are for everyone. Because of my years reading comics, I honestly believe there's a story and type of art for each reader. And most importantly, fresh books come out weekly to embiggen the reach of comics. Nevertheless, it may be hard for newer audiences to find them. I’m hoping to do my bit by giving the spotlight to some of them. Of course, these three stories are just the beginning.
Hey guys! Thank you for being here! I had a blast reading about these books; they are comic book masterpieces. I have a few more in store as I’m planning that this article spawns a series of recommendations of stories that defy the superhero genre in comics and the craft in general. So if you like to see more similar books, or if you have any suggestions on wild stories, let me know in the comments!
June will be a busy month, as I’m cooking something awesome for San Diego Comic-Con, including *spoiler alert* my comic book writing debut! I’m excited. So I’m hoping to post something more here before that, but I’m not entirely sure.
So, until we see each other again, stay awesome and go read something.
Woo! Thanks for the shout-out, Oscar!