Look!! Up in the sky!! Is it a BIRD, is it a PLANE, no wait….it’s the Ten Comics you SHOULD be Reading (but probably aren’t). And I’m not talking your ‘mainstream’, super-popular titles like Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, or anything that starts with ‘Secret’ or ‘Final’, but those gems out there that are flying a bit under the radar and are somewhat lost in the shadows of the bigger money-grabbers. So without further fanfare, let’s jump into this stack of comic goodness and hopefully open some eyes!

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I have to start this list with my most ‘must read’ title out there, The Boys, who pave the way to enjoyability with it’s backwards look at the superhero establishment and it’s wanton disregard to all the ‘rules’ set in place by traditional comics. Written by Garth Enis of Preacher and Punisher fame and penciled by Darick Robertson, this Dynamite Entertainment title has no boundaries other than the imagination of the creators. Death, sex, disembowelment, and even the occasional gerbil up the arse can all be found within these pages. This title is not meant for the faint of heart!

I know to longtime Craveonline readers, this title being mentioned shouldn’t come as a shock, as both Dante and I have raved continuously about it, but it deserves the highest accolades it can be given. It is easily the most enjoyable book DC Comics is putting out there and it’s one that is (thankfully) self-contained! This Booster-Gold driven book is everything DC once was but has strayed away from in recent years…it’s light, fun and yet very touching when it wants to be. And as an added bonus, it usually touches on both major and minor events that have gone on in all of DC’s history so new readers can get a glimpse of the history of the company while old readers can see stories they loved looked at in new and exciting ways. Jump on the Booster-bandwagon people, before it chugs, chugs, chugs on past you!

Before anyone says anything, yes, I know this Dynamite Entertainment title is only an 8 issue mini-series that is almost complete but it’s an essential launching point to a whole new and exciting era of superhero comics brought to you by the creative art legend, Alex Ross. The story in these issues are new and fresh, mixing classic and contemporary superhero concepts flawlessly as well as delivering non-stop thrills. Keep an eye out on the shelves for numerous spin-off series as well as a possible second Project Superheroes arc.

Ok, will someone call 911, because Dante just started foaming at the mouth and going into convulsions at the thought of a book featuring Robin, the boy wonder, being brought up! But I’ve been following this volume since issue one and it’s been the most consistent, artistically and story-wise, of any book I’ve read. If you’re looking for a good team book in the DCU that isn’t overly complicated but is overly enjoyable, pick this one up! Besides, Robin kicks major arse!

GREEN LANTERN/GREEN LANTERN CORPS

I’ll tell you what, it’s a good time to be a Green Lantern (outside of every unknown lantern getting killed with a casualness that hasn’t been seen since the early days of Star Trek…those poor guys in red uniforms, I would tell Kirk to F-himself if he picked ME for an away mission!!!) with a possible movie coming out in the near future, a part in an upcoming video game (Mortal Combat vs. DC Comics…coming to X-Boxes near you in November…just not mine, thanks to those lovely red rings of death…sigh.), and 2 books that have been rocking for the past two years! If you’re looking for epic carnage on a scale that spans universes, go pick up these books NOW because the Red Lanterns are coming.

Yep, the merc with a mouth is back in his own monthly title, Cable free this time, and is roaring to take the Marvel Universe by storm! I know the book is only a couple of issues in the can as I type this but his trademark humor is present (and as enjoyable as ever) and combined with the solid pencils of Paco Medina, this book is off to a hot start. For those of you obsessed with collecting for reselling at a later date, you might want to grab these issues now because Deadpool is set to be a major part of the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine (played by the awesome Ryan Reynolds) and could branch off into his own movie in the near future.

Any title with FIRST CLASS in it

I know, kinda vague there, but I’m lumping both X-men: First Class and Wolverine: First Class together because both books are solid and fun to read. The best thing about them, to me, is that they are so relaxed and light (as used in describing the tone of the book), as well as being self-contained!! (No multiple title buying here!) Besides, where else are you going to see Wolverine hosting a slumber party with a bunch of schoolgirls!! (No, hold those dirty thoughts, that’s R. Kelly your thinking about) Oh, an update on X-men FC, the regular series has been canceled but look for a giant sized issue this month and a new mini-series at the first of the year. Plus keep an eye out for Weapon X: First Class, coming to a comic store near you!!

Another title that has benefited from being on the big screen, Ghost Rider is a book that, while not outstanding, is solid with a somewhat addictive quality to it. The current storyline features some major players from past series such as Caretaker, Blackout, and former Spirit of Vengeance, Danny Ketch (who is the brother of Johnny Blaze, in case you’re interested) On a side note, if they do a sequel, I hope they recast Johnny with Keifer Sutherland instead of Nick Cage…that man was BORN to be Johnny Blaze!

A book that is continuously hyped by our great website here, and for good reason, Nova is the main reason why Marvel’s space titles have gone from being a joke to being a source of quality entertainment. We are continuously given great issues that usually feature characters from Marvel past that have dropped off the radar a bit. This title is the template that Marvel should use to kick start a string of space titles (Bring back Silver Surfer!!!), and goes to show that even a former b-list player can make it to greatness if done right.

Another book I’ve been following since issue one, Ms. Marvel is fast becoming to Marvel what Wonder Woman is to DC…an essential female character that is central to the core of the universe and deserves to play with the big boys. She’s cute, feisty, and tough as nails and it shows in each quality issue that comes out. If you want to check out an enjoyable one-shot that proves the quality of this title, pick up Ms. Marvel Annual #1, which has her teaming with Spider-Man to save the city (again).

There you have it, loyal comic fans, ten titles (with two extras) that are sure to increase your enjoyment and love of our ‘funny books’.