Brand new to comics (Started with Ben 10 & Absolute Batman). Overwhelmed and looking for dark/gritty beginner recommendations
Hello everyone! I recently got into comic books last week when Dynamite's new Ben 10 #1 dropped. That was my first comic ever, and it opened a door to a hobby I never thought I’d like.
I went to my local comic shop and picked up Absolute Batman #1 and #2. I absolutely loved it, everything about it was incredibly entertaining. The owner suggested I get the trade paperback (Vol 1), but since I'm brand new, I just bought the single issues. Now I'm hooked, but honestly, I am super overwhelmed by how many iterations of characters there are and how expensive hunting down older single issues can be.
I'm looking for some advice and recommendations. Here is a quick breakdown of my tastes:
I love Batman, Wolverine, Justice League, Avengers, and The Boys (mostly through their movies and animated series).
I want the original characters. I don't really like stories about someone taking up the mantle (like a new Batman or Wolverine).
I lean heavily toward gritty, dark, and realistic storytelling (think Christopher Nolan movies or intense, high-stakes human drama).
I really want a cool X-Men or Wolverine story, especially if it involves crossovers. If there is an X-Men comic about them traveling to a dystopian future (like the movie/animated series), I would love to read it!
My Questions for you guys:
From my research, the new DC "Absolute" and Marvel "Ultimate" universes are the things to follow right now. Should I buy the #1 issues to test them out and then get the trade paperbacks?
How do you balance the cost? Singles feel like awesome collectibles, but they break the bank. Trades are efficient but just don't have that same "comic book" feel.
Any specific storylines or trade paperbacks I should hunt down based on my tastes?
Thanks in advance!