How to Start Reading Comic Books: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Into Comics

In the ever-revolving book discourse over what activities are considered reading and what counts as a real book, comic books are often thrown under the bus.  Comic books and graphic novels are often dismissed as pop fiction made only for children’s enjoyment, which is simply not true.

Comic books can talk about complex themes such as identity, sexual orientation, gender roles, and race.  For me, one of my first introductions to a trans woman of color was reading The Invisibles by Grant Morrison. It was a comic book series released by Vertigo Comics, and seeing Lord Fanny, a powerful Mexican trans witch, changed my brain chemistry.

For a person who grew up thinking that being LGBTQ+ was a “white person thing,” reading that comic book changed my life and set me on the journey that will eventually lead me to coming out as trans myself.

Comic books and graphic novels are just another form of storytelling that is a huge umbrella for various different stories. And this form of storytelling is something that makes reading more accessible for people with literacy problems or for people with mental disabilities.

However, getting the geek space can often feel daunting. Gatekeeping is alive and well in this space, and when it comes to superhero comic books (especially Marvel and D.C. Comics), trying to find a place to start can feel like an uphill battle.

But I am going to give you some easy tips and tricks for getting started reading comic books and graphic novels.

1.  Get A Library Card

Let’s be real? Buying comic books and graphic novels can be very expensive.  But most libraries have a collection of comic books and graphic novels.

For some reason,  there are adults who think the library is only for children, but they are wrong! As librarian, Mychal Threets, and host of the new reading rainbow show, loves to always say “LIBRARIES ARE FOR EVERYONE!

And on top of that, make sure that you are able to access your library’s collection digitally via Libby or Hoopla.  You probably find even more copies there. I found the complete Iron Man collection in the San Antonio Public Library collection on Libby!  And as an Iron Man aficionado, I was overjoyed!

1.  Get A Library Card

If you are not strapped for cash, or if you can afford it, you buy a subscription to read comic books.  Especially if you want to get into Marvel or DC comics (or their imprints).   You can read the origin story of your superhero of choice for one low flat rate fee.

Pause For A Little Advice.

When it comes to superhero origin stories? They are constantly changing and rebooting. D.C. comics are especially bad about this Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League.   Just pick the most current origin and go!  Comic books from the big two are never consistent about timelines or worldbuilding.

Just dive in face first, and if you are confused about characters or story elements?  Check out a wiki! Most graphic novels and comic books have fan wikis just full of information.

2. Join a comic book community.

I know it’s scary because there are a lot of white geek boys who pretend that comic books are only for them. But overall, the comic book community is very diverse.   One of the best Comic Book communities r/comicbooks which is a subreddit for comic book fans.  League of Comic Geeks is also a fantastic forum.  And if online groups are not your thing, look around for local meetups and conventions.

3. Find Your Local Comic Book Store

In this day and age, it’s very easy to think that comic book stores are dead, and they are not.  Depending on where you live, you have at least one comic book store in your town.  Do some googling and go check it out!

Now,  I’m going to warn you if you are from a marginalized community, you might get the side eye, but the comic book stores I have been to have been really awesome to me.   Give it a try and see how you like it. And it’s a great way to support a small business!

4. Find Your Local Comic Book Store

To get more bang for your buck when it comes to comics is to get the entire arc in a graphic novel.  For example, one of the best Iron Man comics, ‘Demon in the Bottle’ was a series of comic book issues but was compiled into a single graphic novel.   And if you are savvy enough, you can get that at a flat rate.

5. Swap or Buy Used

Instead of buying a shiny new comic book or graphic novel. Consider joining a comic book swap Facebook group or buying used on eBay.  This is not only better for the environment, but you can often buy comic books at a fraction of the normal retail price.

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