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A Beginner's Guide to Comic Books

Comic books have always been a popular medium, but they are increasing in popularity nowadays due to the re-emergence of superhero movies.  The comic book community can be an insular one, and it can be intimidating for a person who has never read them to get into the hobby.  I just started seriously reading comic books about 6 months ago, and I am hooked!  But I remember when I first started reading them how unsure I was about what to pick and what I woud like.  This guide is for anyone who would like to start reading comic books.

Get to know your local comic book store

This is one of the best resouces for any comics fan, beginner or veteran.  Don't be afraid to visit the store!  Most store owners are kind and talkative and would love to introduce a new fan to their favorite series.  If you like any series or movies, tell the owner about it.  On the other hand, if you have no idea what you like, tell them what you would want to see in a comic book or try giving them the names of regular books that you like to read.  The owner should be very knowledgeable about comic books and would be more than happy to recommend some books he or she thinks you will like based on your preferences.  Even if you like a more estoric series of books, they can special order those books and put them in a box for you to come in and purchase when they arrive. 


Don't judge all comics by older books

The first comic books I read were pretty old!  I think they were maybe from the 80's or earlier.  I didn't like the cheesy dialogue at all.  However, the newer comic books are a lot different.  There are more references to pop culture, and in my opinion the dialogue is more realistic.  So if you read Uncanny X-Men and decide you hate it, don't write off the entire X-Men franchise!  Many characters appear in several series, so if the style of the older books turn you off but you like the characters, look into the newer series.  You'll probably find something you like!

Look for comics at your local libraries

Comic books can be very expensive.  If you like to read comics but don't want to spend too much money, check your local library!  Many libraries carry comic book series now.  Most of the time, the comics are located in the Young Adult section.  If you can't find them, check with the librarian and find out if the library carries the books or not.  This is a great way to read books without having to buy them.  You can also check out new books that you haven't read before to get a feel for the series and decide if you would like to further explore it.

Buy trade paperbacks to save money

Another way to save money is to buy trade paperbacks.  A trade paperback is a collection of several issues of comic books in a bigger book.  The advantage is that you get more material for a cheaper price, and trade paperbacks are also more durable than single issues.  The disadvantage: you have to wait longer for them to come out!  If you can wait it out, I recommend waiting and buying a trade paperback instead of collecting single issues.  If you want to catch up on series without spending a lot of money, trade paperbacks are an excellent choice.

THANK YOU for reading my guide!

Thanks for taking the time to read my guide.  I hope you feel more confident about exploring the wonderful world of comic books now.  Please be sure to vote on my guide if you found it helpful.


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