Image owned by Dark Horse Comics

I’ve collected a large number of comics over the years.  I primarily chose them based on recommendations I’ve read over the internet.  Not all of them are immediate winners though and some series require a bit of stumbling before they hit their stride.  My normal purchasing routine is buying the first volume of a series and if I legitimately enjoy them, I continue.  I’ve taken some interest in some cult favorite series and purchased the first couple of volumes of each to test them out.  Unfortunately today’s post is about five series that haven’t really kindled a fire underneath my stomach enough for me to continue the series.  I’m asking you the reader to back up some of these series that you’ve hopefully read and persuade me to continue reading.

Fables

Image Owned by Vertigo Comics

What it’s about: The characters in fairy tales and folk lore live in a secret organization among us filled with corruption, sex, and violence.  It’s up to Bigby ‘The Big Bad’ Wolf and Snow White to keep the ‘Fables’ in order before the ‘Evil One’ makes his way to the world as we know it.

What I’ve read so far: The first five deluxe editions

Why I stopped: This series was one of the first comic book series I’ve read.  This was during a time I only wanted hardcover editions of comic books despite their pricier tag.  As I purchased these first five editions in two sets, I realized how much money I was hemorrhaging for a smaller number of issues.  I’ve fortunately lined up the editions I have to a reasonable transition to trade paperbacks [a transition that inspired this post] if I were to continue.  This series is LONG.  It has over 21 volumes in continuation.  And while it’s dialing down, I don’t have a real desire to actually finish the story unfortunately.  I actually really love Bigby Wolf, Snow White, and the flashbacks of other characters to death, but I dunno, I haven’t had as much the desire to continue the series.

What would get me to start again: I think if I played The Wolf Among Us, my love for the Fable world would be rekindled.  If there are any other Fable readers that can tell me it gets incredible and stays incredible throughout the series I might also reconsider.

The Flash (New 52)

Image Owned by DC Comics

What it’s about: Barry Allen is the fastest man alive.  He uses his powers for good as he serves the people of Central City.  But Rogues like Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang, and Gorilla Grodd are there to make his job harder for him.

What I’ve read so far: Vol. 1 Move Forward

Why I stopped: How do I put this, I found the Flash to be…generic?  Barry Allen is supposed to be and definitely is the nicest and most well mannered superhero around in the DC Universe, but does that make an interesting and compelling comic book?  The explanation and execution of how his powers are used are really neat in the comic book and it’s a testament to Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul for delivering a cool way that The Flash sees and perceives the world.  But something struck me as ‘going through the motions’ as I was reading Move Forward

What would get me to start again: To people who have read further in the Flash or are fans of Pre-New 52, does Barry have room to develop and get better?  I love Barry to death and his role in the Justice League is great as it counterweights Hal’s cockiness and Bats moodiness.  But pure niceness sure gets…dull, after a while.

The Goon

What it’s about: Frankie and the Goon are two bounty hunters/treasure hunters/peace keepers/dirty job doers in a town infested with zombies and all sorts of super natural.  They keep the evil Priest at bay with fists, bullets, and breaking down the 4th wall.

What I’ve read so far: Vol. 1. Nothin’ But Misery

Why I stopped: The Goon was a fun and great read.  I love the idea of a sole guy drawing and writing his work and Eric Powell is a great inspiration to me because of that.  His fun/supernatural theme is a large inspiration to my Black Carnival series.  Why I stopped is well…I’m not sure why.  I felt as though I got a lot of fun from vol. 1, but nothing really compelled me to get volume 2.  I guess if I’m not overwhelmed with ‘what happens next’, I just kind of fall off.

What would get me to start again: The promised animated movie via Kickstarter might get me to take another look at the Goon again.  It was the odd success of the Kickstarter after the fact that got me interested in the Goon in the first place and maybe the movie has a high chance of reigniting the fire.

Powers

Image owned by Icon Comics

What it’s about:  Superheroes and humanity live in harmony…for the most part.  When crime involving someone with superpowers (named a Power) happens, its up to ex-Power Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim to bring those to justice.

What I’ve read so far: Definitive Hardcover Collection Vol. 1

Why I stopped: Because it’s published by Icon which is a part of Marvel, and Marvel is dumb.  I’m just kidding, but despite loving the art style and being themed about superheroes without being about a pair of superheroes (which is an interesting twist), I once again wasn’t compelled to get the second volume after finishing the first

What would get me to start again: The promised television series (which I’m not sure is live action or animated…could someone clarify?) would definitely be a push to keep going.

Hellboy

Image owned by Dark Horse Comics

What it’s about: Supernatural hunter Hellboy is a badass with an attitude.  He teams up with Abe Sapien, the fish-man to avenge the death of his adoptive father and punish other supernatural baddies.

What I’ve Read so far: Library Edition Vol.1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil

Why I stopped: The art is incredible, the writing is simple yet trancing, and I love the movies that were inspired by the comic.  I’m the worst for not continuing and not wanting to continue.  It might be the heavy price tags that come with these volumes, but obviously I don’t love the series enough to ignore them :(.

What would get me to start again: A slap in the face and  stern telling that I’m missing out on a great series.

Once again, I’ll reiterate that it’s your job to tell me what I’m missing out on and that I should try to read these comics once again.