I think I'm lucky b/c my main library has like 5 different sections - the new rack, the Comics rack, the Young Adult Comics section, th Manga section (in Young Adults, but separate from the comics), and the CHildren's Library section. I've found dope shit in every one of those (though I don't spend much time browsing the manga) and hey, it's free.

If you haven't noticed, there's been a general trend among the PTP readers away from Big 2 material - we still read plenty of that (well, most of us - I've sorely slacked off), but Image, Vertigo and Dark Horse seem to be what's gotten most of us riled up lately.

Lots of good recommendations already in this thread. Personally my favorite subgenre that's been coming back the past few years is noir, and it's almost all due to Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Can't go wrong with their books.

A few worthwhile 'grounded' titles I haven't seen mentioned yet:

Nightly News - Jonathan Hickman's intro to the world, and dynamite. Transhuman, Pax Romana also worth a read, Red Wing too if you're feeling adventurous. Secret & Manhattan Projects currently ongoing from him.

Joe the Barbarian - ever wonder what a diabetic sees when he's going into insulin shock? I have no idea if this is an accurate portrayal, but it leaves us somewhere between 'grounded' and 'fantasy.'

Nate Edmondson's another writer I've been following - Who Is Jake Ellis? was top notch sci-fi intrigue, and his followups 'The Activity' and 'Dancer' have leaned more heavily on the intrigue side but are both highly enjoyable.

Aside from that, if you're interested, at least just browse the threads with COTW in the title and keep an eye out for anything we're talking about. Don't be scared of the posts - they may seem insular, but none of us actually know what Rennolds is talking about. (Except for naked croquet, but it seems the women may not have been naked. Which makes it much less exciting to experience vicariously.)

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so I'm in a band now:
album ---> http://greenwoodburns.bandcamp.com/releases
Soundcloud ---> http://soundcloud.com/greenwood-burns

my own stuff -->http://soundcloud.com/lonesomedstringband

avy by buckshot_defunct