New to comics...need suggestions.

I tend to think of it in terms of "Trade Paperback" being a collection of single issues comprising one or more specific story arcs, while "Graphic Novels" are singular stories told in comic book form. For example, Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel because it's not a collection but rather printed as if it's all one comic book issue, and Watchmen is a trade paperback because it's collecting issues related to one story, whether it's a limited series being collected in full or one or two collected arcs of an ongoing series.

I buy mostly the TPB's when I buy stuff, because a single comic isn't enough reading material for more than a couple minutes. They often come with some extra stuff, ie the Incorruptible/Irredeemable TPB's have the individual covers and other art at the end of the comic, and then (sizeable) previews of other stuff that the company puts out.

I'd also recommend getting the Gotham Central TPBs. That series was all about the Gotham Police Department. Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka at their best. Great run. I was very bummed when they cancelled that series.

There's a lot of great suggestions out there so far.

I'd like to point out, if you have any favorite DC or MARVEL titles from your past you might want to check out, here's some quick info.

DC just rebooted almost all their series. It's a great time to look into them and start at the beginning. Most are only 7-10 issues in, so it'd be easy to find at most comic stores all together.

MARVEL has what it calls it's .1 runs. At the beginning of any new starting point, they label their line .1 (so if it's issue 633, the next one in the series is 633.1, for example) This is a direct tell to the reader that it's the beginning of a new storyline, so start here and go!

I like MARVEL's .1 system, but I'm a MARVEL fan for the most part so what can I say? Though I have to admit, I'm enjoying "Batman The Dark Knight" series a lot. It's dark and gritty, but I personally think that's where Batman does his best work.

As for the types of comics you have said you like, Batman: Black and White may be a good TPB for you. It, by design, is in black and white and has some fantastic stories in it.

Hope this helps!

Back when I reading X-men (and I've kept on it somewhat in general by what my friends tell me....or wikipedia)....Gambit was off the X-team for awhile.

He went to X-treme X-men, then left with Rogue. Then came back and left again.

I know he had two limited series.....one of which REALLY expanded his powers and explained the Mr. Sinister connection (before, of course, putting the powers right back to status quo.)

Gambit was REALLY powerful.

However, again, I only know vague things....haven't been able to afford to keep up.


Mr. True Shot.

I would like to agree with the person who said irredeemable and invouruptible. Incorruptible maybe along your line Of interest. Irredeemable is the story of a worlds suPerman gone bad. Incorruptible is about the arch villain of this hero gone bad named max damage. Max becomes a hero and becomes more powerful the longer he stays awake but he suffers from sleep deprivation. It's a great story with ok art, but great read if you want something outside of marvel and DC.

Try Astro City as well. Its hit and miss sometimes, but when its on, its pretty damn good.