It’s true that the majority of comic books in pop-culture are superhero based, and it is also true that the superhero medium has been the most popular genre of comics in the past seventy five-years-or-so. But there is so much beyond just the stereotypical realm of comics that we are all so well aware of: Independent (Indie) Comics.

In 1992, a small group of artists and writers left Marvel Entertainment, in order to create a brand new comic book company of their own, one without all the restrictions that come from the big two comic publishers. Because both DC Comics and Marvel owned the rights to their characters; creators weren’t allowed to mess with the characters too much, resulting in these writers and artists making half-baked stories that they weren’t proud of. So, these men and women left the big companies to form their own company, Image Comics. This seemed to be a starting point for the Indie comic scene.

Image Comics, which created characters like “Spawn,” and later (in 2003), titles such as “The Walking Dead,” became a huge success, launching in a new era of creator-owned comics, filled with the passion projects of many writers and artists looking for a change from the restrictions placed on them.

 Many other companies followed in suit, producing big name companies like Dark Horse (who publishes “Hellboy,” and “Sin City”), Vertigo (who publishes “V for Vendetta,” “Preacher,” and “Sandman”), Valiant Entertainment (who publishes “X-O Manowar,” and “Bloodshot”), and “Oni Press” (who publishes “Scott Pilgrim”). These independent publishers’ titles became largely popular, even sometimes overshadowing some of both DC and Marvel’s big-titles in monthly comic sales.

Why even read indie books

Independent comics are at perhaps an all-time high right now in popularity due to the successes of both artists and writers creating passion projects that are collecting awards left and right, year after year, along with the successes of popular indie comics becoming hit TV shows, such as “The Walking Dead,” and “The Strain.”  

There is also a charm in independent comic books that just aren’t there in the standard superhero books. Characters are more realistic, comparable, and fleshed out than the brooding “Batman” can usually be, that seems to change characteristics with every new version of the character. Indie books offer a completely different experience, and one far more personal than comics from DC or Marvel sometimes offer.   

Buying and reading indie comics is also supporting talent, creativity, and storytelling directly. These creators make most of the money they make off of these books through the purchases of the readers. Supporting a book is supporting the creative team behind it, supporting the comic business itself.

How to begin reading

The nice thing about Indie comics is that one can jump right into them without needing any pre-conceived knowledge about the character, settings, or anything. It is like any normal trip to a book store: picking out the stories one wants to read happens with just a few steps.

Genre 

A place to start looking is by simply picking any genre of story. Indie comics range from horror to romance, sci-fi to true historical events. The trick is to research. I have found that good ol’ “Wikipedia” and “Google” is my best friend in these situation: simply type in, ‘Best horror comic books,’ and you’ll get a helpful list of books to start reading.

Author/ Artist

Another great way to find indie comics to read is to look up what some of your favorite authors or artists have done with these independent publishers. Yes, ‘real’ authors do write comic books. In fact, even some famous musicians write comics, such as Gerard Way, from “My Chemical Romance’s” comic book, “Umbrella Academy.”

If you have a favorite author or artist from DC or Marvel, chances are that they have done an indie book or are currently writing one also.

Where to get and how to buy

One can but indie books in both single and novel forms. They are all sold in the same places (singles in store only for the most part), and have the same price tags for them.

One great thing about most indie graphic novels/ trades is that the first trade/novel is usually only $10, a cheap introduction into the story that will allow a new reader to try out a book without breaking the bank.  

Recommendations

It is more difficult to suggest indie books, because there is such a vast array of genres, characters, and publishers. Everyone has a different taste, so here is a small list that will hopefully help new readers find their way into indie books that won’t be too overwhelming.

–       Spawn vol.1     (Superhero)

–       Saga vol.1   (Space-Epic)

–       Black Science vol.1  (Sci-Fi)

–       The Wake  (Historical Fiction/ Horror)

–       The Walking Dead vol.1   (Horror)

–       Sex Criminals vol.1  (Humor/ Raunchy)

–       East of West vol.1 (Sci-Fi/ Epic)

–       TMNT: Change is Constant   (Superhero)

Independent comics are the epitome of going to a book store, finding a random book, reading the back and thinking, ‘Oh, this looks good,’ but in comic form. In these publishing’s lie tales that some of the best storytellers in the business place their best stories in for us readers to enjoy.

*Remember to support the comic business at your local comic shop, the best way to buy single issues and to buy trades/ novels in the most pristine conditions.

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