Superman, the very FIRST COMIC BOOK SUPERHERO, was first published in 1938 in Action Comics number 1. This week Action Comics has just published issue 962. How on earth does someone start reading Superman?!

People often think that getting started on a new comic book is impossible unless it is a number one. This isn't necessarily true! There are so many different ways to get involved in a favorite characters story; number ones, beginning of a story arc, trade paper backs, or new creative team.

Number ones are a simple and easy way to start with a character, however comic books are printed in story arcs. Each story arc will be between 4 and 6 issues long and is exactly how it sounds, a continuous story that lasts for those 5 issues. It is a contained story that you can pick up without too much previous knowledge. Picking up an issue at the start of a new story arc allows you to jump straight into a characters world. Some new story arcs will write the subheading (title of the new story arc) on the cover, just to let us readers know that if you want to jump into this characters world now would be a great time! In the New 52 the entire Batman run was written by Scott Snyder with art by Greg Capullo. Where would you jump in? Well here is a break down of their story arcs and the issues contained within each arc.

Issues 1-7:Court of the Owls

Issues 8-12: City of Owls

Issues 13-17: Death of the Family

Issues 18-20: stand alone issues

Issues 21-24: Zero Year part 1

Issues 25-27 & 29-33: Zero Year part 2

Issues 28 & 33: stand alone issues

Issues 35-40: Endgame

Issues 41-45: Superheavy

Issues 46-50: Bloom story arc

Issues 51 & 52: stand alone books leading up to Rebirth.

As a reader you could jump on at any of these starting points, see if you enjoy the story and then go back and collect the other stories for more reading.

If you want to 'catch-up' on a characters previous story arcs buying trade paper backs (graphic novels) are a fantastic resource.

Trades allow readers and fans to 'catch-up' with current continuity and to jump straight into the next issue available that month. Trades contain entire story arcs allowing readers to begin picking up weekly issues almost instantly. A great example of this is THE WALKING DEAD. Issue 1 is now only available for between $1000-$6000 and to be perfectly honest... That isn't something most people can afford! Then if you like issue 1, all the back issues (and they are just about to publish issue 158) are around $20 each... Add it up and that is a VERY expensive story line. However there is an alternative, TRADE PAPER BACKS! As The Walking Dead is very much a linear narrative it is more difficult to pick up any issue and begin reading, unlike Batman, Wonder Woman, X-Men, Back to the Future, or any monthly title. Buying the Trades is cheaper and less time consuming than buying the single issues and can catch you up. Each trade has a contained arc (between 4 and 6 issues) and is usually between $20-$30each. This also saves readers from having to scour single issues all over the Internet after an issue goes out of print (stay tuned for a blogpost about printing). Finding single issues can take serious time and added costs.

New creative teams take on characters of monthly issues all the time. This is a great time to jump on board as this will mean new stories for this character but doesn't mean NEW numbering (a new issue 1). Picking up Trades can also help with this as creative teams can work on a book over a period of several story arcs (years). If you have a favorite writer or artist you can find out what other stories they have worked on and enjoy their writing across multiple characters/genres/collect their artwork through issues.

A great way to get started reading any comic book is to talk to your local comic book store. At Incognito Comics we have heaps of suggestions on stories, characters, writers and artists. If there is a genre you like (mystery, Sci-Fi, modern, mystical) we can help pick out something you might like and where to start!There is something for everyone! We are always here to help and we love sharing our love of comic books. If you have suggestions we'd love to hear from you! Where have you started reading? Do you have a favourite character?

Stay posted for more information regarding all things comics, and remember to keep reading!

Written By Dominique