Recommend Me Some Good Fun Graphic Novels for a 13-yr-old

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Several members of my family have charged me with the task of getting some comics for my 13-yr-old nephew, who is reportedly "into" comics now.
I don't know the kid that well, but he seems like a smart, sensitive type. As far as I know, he doesn't really read any titles regularly, but who knows. I'm just a little worried that my sensibilities, as 13-yr-old-like they might seem to other adults, might seem a little fuddy-duddy TO AN ACTUAL 13-YR-OLD!

Here's what I'm thinking so far:
Spider-Man/Human Torch: I'm With Stupid
Showcase Presents: Superman (because I know he gets a good laugh out of the Adam West Batman)

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 14:39 (twenty years ago)

Possibly some GM JLA?

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 14:49 (twenty years ago)

Well, the last time I was around a genuine 13 year old, the comics of mine he liked best was "Devil by the Deed"

But, y'know, whatever.

Austin Still (Austin, Still), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 14:50 (twenty years ago)

See, this is why I'm asking!

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 14:56 (twenty years ago)

I think it was the way-deco layouts and supercool Grendel mask that were the big attraction for him. But I may be projecting.

Austin Still (Austin, Still), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 14:59 (twenty years ago)

heavy metal magazine

runaways

betty and veronica

Ward Fowler (Ward Fowler), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 15:52 (twenty years ago)

What about the Waid/Kitson LOSH?

A lot of the stuff I think he might get, um, THRILL-POWERED by is still just coming out as issues, and I'm not sure if he'd appreciate just getting a bunch floppy mags, but maybe I'll put together a little starter kit for him in addition to the self-contained whatevers.
Stuff like AS Superman, Marvel Zombies, Green Lantern (just kidding!).

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 16:01 (twenty years ago)

I actually think a 13 year old might enjoy the first few Spawn trades, but since that involves giving money to McFarlane, nah.

aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 16:10 (twenty years ago)

How about "The Complete Bone"? Or "D.R. and Quinch"?

Douglas (Douglas), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 16:54 (twenty years ago)

Lady Death

Dan (Come On, People) Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 17:16 (twenty years ago)

Obviously this is what he really wants:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1582404828.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 17:33 (twenty years ago)

some ultimate spidey trade, maybe top ten and/or smax depending on the kids interests and parents liberality maybe, watchmen seems an obv way to go if he hasn't read it and the folx won't freak you gave it to their kid. when you're 13 frank miller can seem cool - again the 'rents will let you know how much leeway here. hate might not be a bad idea, there might be an eightball comp that would work (20th century eightball maybe) - both of these worked like mad surrogates after i'd outgrew mad (def by 13). this kid might be hip but my guess is showcase is not gonna be his type of thing. if you're looking to get him something classick there has to be some sort of ec compendium - i was CRAZY about that stuff when i was 13, truly truly timeless. maybe get him bondage fairies, kid will love you for it.

j blount (papa la bas), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 17:47 (twenty years ago)

the runaways digests and 20th century eightball come rec'd by my 14 year old brother, you can put a stamp on the cover and everything

k t (matchstick), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 19:38 (twenty years ago)

get him Cherry Poptart!

veronica moser (veronica moser), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 19:47 (twenty years ago)

i hate to say it, but if I'd read Sandman at age 13 i prob. would've loved it

Ward Fowler (Ward Fowler), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 20:16 (twenty years ago)

I was all into the Xmen TPBs back then

kingfish holiday travesty (kingfish 2.0), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 20:19 (twenty years ago)

I'm thinking Bone might be a good one. He's a big LOTR geek, and, from what I understand, Bone carries some similarities (and also GIANT SIZED WHATEVER)...

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 20:20 (twenty years ago)

but he seems like a smart, sensitive type

BLANKETS!

LOMOFTWTG! j/k!!

Frealz:
HELLBOY!

I would've de-recommended Bone because when you're 13, you don't really want to be reading anything for kids, right? Especially since the first 1.5 volumes is very cutesy. But since he is a LOTR geek, Bone might be all right. Maybe the color versions? I hear kids like color.

Big Guy & Rusty the Boy Robot? Miller/Darrow mentalism, but good fun for youngsters.

A lot of stuff by Scott Morse, with its stylized cartoony stylee, is kid-oriented, too: Magic Pickle, Barefoot Serpent (would introduce him to Kurosawa, also!), Soulwind (not so kiddie, but a very epic adventure and ginchy, with a kid protagonist sorta).

Madman!

Obsessing over the unobtainable and nonexistent. (Leee), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 21:00 (twenty years ago)

cherry!

s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 21:51 (twenty years ago)

trust me, you'll be his favourite uncle ever.

s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 21:51 (twenty years ago)

I got him the compleat Bone and Spider-Man/Human Torch, but Hellboy, yeah. Dang.

Huk-L (Huk-L), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 22:27 (twenty years ago)

if you'd gotten him the cherry he'd have taken care of the "compleat bone" all by himself

s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 December 2005 22:35 (twenty years ago)

Heavy Metal? [snicker] Get him a couple Milo Manera books.

Bone. Mos def. If the whole one volume series is too much, the colored Scholastic ones are really nice, too.

Vermont Girl (Vermont Girl), Monday, 19 December 2005 19:24 (twenty years ago)

Definitely Runaways! I can't imagine comics written for a teen target audience get any better than Runaways.

Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Monday, 19 December 2005 19:57 (twenty years ago)

Does no one get kids Squee anymore?

Casuistry (Chris P), Tuesday, 20 December 2005 01:07 (twenty years ago)


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