Where to Begin? One Person’s Guidepost to Explore Comic Books

I remember clearly the last time I read comics to any degree. It was the 80’s, and I was riding the school bus to my swimming lessons. 

I lived nearly 50 miles from the city pool in Glendive, Montana. Every morning for two weeks I was dropped off at the school, and the bus took me and my aunts and the schoolmates I had known since kindergarten to the pool.

I don’t remember who on the bus had the Archie Comics, but I do remember the obsession I instantly had with them. We passed them around the bus like an illicit cigarette, slouched down in our seats, our sweaty knees up on the seat back in front of us. 

Legs, first slippery then glued to the green, sticky bus seats with the heat. The smell of chlorine floated down the bus aisles. Our fingers greedily flipped through the wholesome pages of the comics, which in the 80’s were known for their strong Christian themes and morals as Spire Christian Comics had acquired the license. 

To hell with motion sickness exacerbated by no air conditioning and diesel fumes leaking up into the back of the yellow bus. 

We were hooked. 

For me, it’s always about the story. 

As an adult who has committed to writing this blog and rededicated myself to stories, books, and literature, I began to investigate this genre of comics. But, where to start? 

This blog is meant to celebrate comics as a genre and guide beginners to their own starting point for those interested in enjoying the visual artistry and captivating narrative that comics allow. 

Choose the Right Starting Point

With countless comic book publishers and an extensive library of titles to choose from, finding the right starting point can be overwhelming. 

• Start with your interests

• For me, it was westerns. I picked up a Vol. 1, No. 3, July-Aug. 1977 Jonah Hex at Now Or Never Comics in San Diego. 

• For you, it might be superheroes, fantasy, or science fiction. It might be Archie or another title from your childhood. 

• There is so much out there, just begin!

"But as any man, woman or child knows, he had no friends, this Jonah Hex... but he did have two companions... one was death itself, the other, the acrid smell of gunsmoke."

Explore Different Genres and Series

• The Sixth Gun is a comic book series created by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt and published by Oni Press. The series takes place in the Old West during the late 1880s. The story centers around a set of six pistols, each imbued with dark powers. The wielder of each pistol gains an ability unique to the weapon and is tied to the pistol until their death. The main protagonists, Becky Montcrief and Drake Sinclair, attempt to collect the Six and learn their secrets. 

• Shadow Roads, a spinoff of The Sixth Gun written by the same authors, was recommended to me and described as a post-apocalyptic Western. It’s a stand-alone story with all the elements of a classic Western. 

• I have begun exploring a variety of subset genres. Weird Western Tales (published by DC Comics from June–July 1972 to August 1980) includes adventures of Jonah Hex. I picked up the issue below because the funkier the better in my mind. Check out the perspective of the cowboy boots, placement of the mini cowboy, and the actions of the female. 

DC Comics. June 3, 2001. 

Comic Book Formats

• When I first entered Mile High Comics in Denver, I had a list of Westerns I wanted to buy. The staff on-hand – and Cambridge the local comic cat – were more than helpful and knowledgeable. They asked me if the titles were issues, trade paperbacks, or hardcover collections. I had no idea! 

• Here’s a quick rundown:

• Single issues (aka, floppies) 

• Typically released monthly

• Allow readers to stay up-to-date with a series

• Trade paperbacks

• Collection of several issues into one volume

• More complete story arc available all at once

• Often find out-of-print or older issues compiled this way

• Hardcover collections

• Deluxe editions

• Collections of an entire series

• Great for gifts! 

• Each format has its own budget and reading preference.

Build a Collection

• The best part for me has been learning and building a collection. 

• I am super intrigued about the depiction of women in Western comics (I’m sure it will be an upcoming blog topic!) 

I own this version. Vol. 1, No. 5, Oct-Dec. 1955
Dell Publishing Co. 

• I have a 1950 10-cent floppie called Montana. It was turned into a movie by Warner Bros. and starred Errol Flynn and Alexis Smith. 

“Warning! Sheepherders passing this point will be shot on sight!”

• I picked up Davy Crockett: Indian Fighter because I was convinced I had an exact issue growing up. If anyone is interested in studying racism and misrepresentation of Western history, some of these issues are a good starting point, as well. 

Issue 1, No. 631, 1955

Other Options in the Comic Industry

• I have not explored the comic book community. Many of the stores I have visited have tables set up to promote discussion and share titles. There are also social media platforms and other virtual communities. 

• Digital options are another area to explore. It is convenient, portable, and space-saving. I, however, am old-school and prefer the paper copy that I can feel and smell, travel with and return to again and again. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed opening the door to this genre. As I write this and return to the Westerns – and their images and perspectives and historical inaccuracies – I am drawn to understand better history and place, culture and representation. 

Whatever are your interests, begin there.

Enjoy the journey.

Grab an issue and let your imagination soar.