Warning, about wall of text. The important part is the last paragraph:

Despite being a geek that plays D&D, Spends hours on the computer and builds cardstock terrain...I have never really read comic books. This is due to not living near a comic shop as a kid and having ease of access to shows like X-Men and such in order to satisfy my need for the realm of superheroes.

Occassionally, a day like today will happen. A day where I wonder into a comic shop and mull around looking at covers of various comics but feeling overwhelmed with the decades behind each character and storyline. Usually the store is too busy or the employee is unhelpful. I then either leave empty handed or with some novelty item or comic purchased for the image of Rogue or Gambit on the cover (it is a thing between the wife and I).

Today was different. I walked into a store that is newly open and hasn't even had their grand opening yet, as half the store is under construction. I was able to steal a few minutes from the owner and talk about getting into comics. I have also been interested in Deadpool as well as various members of the X-Men and he ran with that and handed me a couple issues of Deapool and another Deadpool Cable one.

He said that over the next month or so I will be seeing basically a rebirth of the X-Men and it is the first time in 15-20 years something like this has happened. I was informed that this is a great time to pick up the arc and that the next time I come back, he would help me find something a little less mainstream (and maybe even a decent steampunk comic).

Needless to say, I had a good experience and plan to go back (especially for the free comic day coming up) and might even try to attend the comic con coming up since I have never been to anything like that (and this one has Felicia Day...).

Assume that I know nothing of comics. Do any of you comic-geeks out there have any advice for me on questions to ask for next time I go back and maybe even a few comics I should look into? The ones I picked up are issues 18 and 19 of Deadpool and issue 25 of Deadpool Cable.

Thanks for the help

Oh man, I know that feeling about comic book stores.
There's a comic book and rpg store right around the corner from where I live. Still, whenever I want to buy any comics or rpg books, I take the tramway (probably 15 to 20 minutes all in all) to get to another store a bit further away, simply because the people there are so much nicer and more helpful than those in the next door place.
Some of these stores make it look like they really only run their store to accomodate themselves and a close circle of friends. Anyone outside that circle is seen with contempt. Way to go running a successful business.
So, concratulations for finally finding a store that you feel welcomed at! It can open whole new worlds!

As for comics, I'm not so much into superheroes. One thing that comes close (and is rather mind-blowingly amazing) is "" by Warren Ellis.
I also like things like Art Spiegelman's "", Keiji Nakazawa's "" and the unbelievably great "" by James O'Barr. One word of warning though: Once you read that comic, chances are you won't like the movie so much anymore. Especially the last 15-20 Minutes of it.
I also rather fondly remember the "" series and its spinoff "" by Christophe Arleston. Come to think of it, I should really get to reading that series again... Thanks for reminding me!

Hmmm .... comics, such memories. The only place we saw them when my siblings and I were very young was at a general store few miles up the road. The owner had a few on a bottom shelf. We would sit on the floor in a huddled little circle while our older brother read softly to us. We were totally absorbed in the pictures and story.

I used to be a big comic geek. I collected all of the spider-mans, Uncanny X-Men, X-Force, Spawn, Max, and a few others that would catch my attention.

I had them all organized in binders and folders, they took an entire wall in my house. I was in the process of moving and I had everything in boxes, I left for Gen Con '94 and when I came back my entire house was empty and they poured bleach in my fish tank.

I stopped collecting after that.

I just finished reading all the Scott Pilgrim books that are currently out, and they are great fun.

From Hell is still my favorite book ever, that includes literature as well as comics. It's an incredibly dense and rewarding read, I can't recommend it enough!

I just realized you were after superhero books! Whoops! In that case I recommend The Ultimates (only the first two volumes, the third is rubbish). It's a reboot of Marvels Avengers, so you get in on the ground floor and don't have to worry about 40+ years of continuity. It also has a great wide screen action vibe going on that feels very contemporary and fun.

Also I'd recommend checking out Ex Machina for something a little bit different yet still technically in the superhero genre. IT deals with the world's only superhero running for, and winning , Mayor of New York City. Basically think the West Wing meets Iron Man with some more scifi thrown in

I'm not big on superhero comics, but I really liked Runaways. I like more finite stories than long, ongoing, possibly never ending series. I tend to go after the graphic novel sort of thing. All of my comics are in Arizona at a friends place and have been for the past year plus. I really need to get those back, but this thread has inspired me to go to the local comic store today.

Also, check your local library. Mine has a decent trade paper back selection.

Thank you so much guys. Other than the X-Men and Deadpool stuff, I now have a decently long list of comics to search out over time. I will most likely never get to all of it, but at least it will prove a good conversation starter when I go back to the comic shop. I can add to this list over time as well:

Dark Horse: Conan, Solomon Kane
Garth Ennis’ “The Boys”
“Preacher”
“Sandman” (Neil Geiman)
“Lucifer”
“Hellblazer”
“Sin City” (Frank Miller)
“Hellboy”
“Transmetropolitan” (Warren Ellis)
“The Crow” (James O’Barr)
“Lanfeust of Troy” (Cristophe Arleston)
“Trolls of Troy” (Cristophe Arleston)
Scott Pilgrim
From Hell
The Ultimates three volumes
Ex Machina
Captain America
Green Lantern – Rebirth, the Sinestro Corp and stuff leading up to Darkest Night
Walking Dead
Fables
Guardians of the Galaxy
Nova
Justice Society
The Runaways


Also, m0nk3yb0y, I live in the Phoenix area and very well might be going back to the comic shop today to pick up a couple more things.

Of course, Sin City, how could I forget that?

Also, Spawn was a very nice read!

*Warning Thread Necromancy*

I have started reading comics again, after a year long hiatus. I started with this graphic novel, as it was highly recommended and was fitting for it being Christmas.

http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Noel-Lee-B ... 1401232132

I found it to be a very interesting spin on the classic Scrooge story. 5 stars from me.

Also, My new Kindle Fire is going to be getting some definite use when it comes to comics. I hear great things about the New 52 from DC. Any other recommendations out there?

It's a pretty good time to be getting into comics. There are lots of very good works across a pretty wide selection of publishers these days.

As mentioned, DC have just had a relaunch. The strongest of these are:-
Batman, Batman & Robin, Action Comics and The Flash

Hellblazer and Fables are also consistently good reads, although I do take a little time getting into the latter.

Marvel are scambling to catch up with the new DC. There have really been endless group shifts and fall outs over the years in the X-Books and this one is no different. I can't say I was terribly impressed by the relaunch to be honest. Iron Man is probably the strongest Marvel title, particularly as it's about done having to cross over into everything else.

The latest Ultimates book is good, but if you're new to it, definitely pick up the first two. They picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Wildstorm's Authority comic (also well worth a look at the Warren Ellis collected issues).

Other monthlies well worth picking up, and infinitely cheaper in terms of crossovers etc:-

Dark Horse Comics - Hellboy, B.P.R.D, Usaji Yojimbo, Baltimore, The Goon
Image - Invincible, Walking Dead, Chew, Echoes, Severed, Carbon Grey
Red 5 - Atomic Robo
Abstract Studio - Echo, Rachel Rising
Bongo - Sergio Aragones Funnies
Dynamite - The Boys
Archaia - Cyclops

You've already got a decent list of graphic novels. I'd add League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Planetary, Dark Knight Returns and Luthor Arkwright onto that off the top of my head.

Had the chance to start reading through a decent chunk of the new 52 and am thoroughly enjoying them. Some are definitely stronger than others but I wouldn't call any a waste of a read (theywould be a waste of my monastic though). I will she picking up a few arcs for sure: Aquaman, Batman, Batman and Robin, etc.

I am really looking forward to reading some more Deadpool again. I really loved those for how funny and outrageous they are.

You have a kindle fire now don't you? May I suggest getting a digital subscription through Marvel. Check the free demo comics to make sure you can read them on your tablet but I've been enjoying the hell out of my subscription! Over 10,000 comics to read online.

Now remember I kind of stopped reading comics back in 94-95 so I'm out of the loop.

I have read some new Marvel but I'm trying to get through the back log of comics first. I mostly read Spider-Man and I will read Hulk with my eldest daughter, Iron Man with my second daughter and Avengers with my youngest daughter. My son will sign in and read X-Men and Deadpool on his own.

Now Marvel has two ways of doing this. You can purchase digital comics individually or you can get the subscription to 10,000 comics but you can only read them while you have the subscription. I prefer the yearly subscription myself as I can read them on my netbook, but I can not read them from my iPhone (stupid Apple and there java/flash B.S.)

I've never been a fan of DC so I can't help you there. Image does sell digital comics but they don't seem to have a subscription like Marvel. For Image I used to read Spawn, Max, Witchblade and Cyberforce.

Darkhorse, like Image, sells digital comics individually and I did not see a subscription plan. I did not read much Darkhorse but I see they have the Conan license now. I used to collect the Giant Sized Black and White Marvel Conan Comics. They were gritty, bloody and full of nude women so they where very true to the books. I never collected the Colour Conan from Marvel as it was toned down and slightly cheesy (IMHO).