Wisp616

ABSOLUTE CASSANDRA CAIN ONE-SHOT!!!11!!

Full art of Absolute Cass:

@oh-tobeafrog thank you for inspiring me with this galaxy brain take on my two favorite marvel heroes :)

i want more people to talk about how much, fucking hell, in the fandom (especially the english-speaking one) Rogue from '97 (and both of these things separately too) is VERY overhated

ever since '24 i keep running into biased criticism of Rogue, which is also filled with misogynistic slurs or arguments, ONLY because in the series she chooses her need (let me remind you that her whole life, before she got to the X-Men, she was reduced to one function where her power was emphasized and exploited, and Mystique herself criticized her desire to learn to control herself, again constantly shifting attention from her need to the impossibility of achieving it) and the wellbeing of the mutants of Genosha, since Erik primarily pressured her with exactly this argument

but it's easier to call a character a whore, of course, than to watch the series and read the comics with your eyes and not your ass

on top of that Remy himself suggested they draw a clear boundary between them and stay friends, because he, unlike the external fandom, fucking understands her position, wow! and even considering that Rogue and Erik's interactions in the series were shown beautifully in terms of giving a push to both characters' development, considering that Rogue later publicly rejected Magneto after reflecting on her feelings and Gambit's words, the fandom STILL pushes new viewers away from the series, saying the narrative focus there is shifted from romy, that 1992 was better because "they are canon"

Rogue as a character has always, throughout her entire existence in mass culture, been subjected to misogynistic criticism, erasure of her specificity and identity (for example the film trilogy), but as soon as she's properly explored in media, shown as a multifaceted character with morally fucking grey morality, the hate from the fandom immediately starts

this also includes the fact that against the backdrop of all this bullshit criticism of episode 5, people simply close their eyes to other important components of the character, even though those are exactly what should be discussed and criticized.

Rogue, by the way, literally killed people out of personal dislike or under someone else's pressure, put people into comas, inflicted other injuries, and this is obviously a very important part of the character but such people ABSOLUTELY DON'T GIVE A SHIT why analyze amoral actions when you can just latch onto one factor and call her a whore?

Hi everyone, my name is JoiningSaturn46, and this is the comic newcomers post! This is a post I've been thinking of making for a long time about how to get people into comics from square one. If you have never picked up or read a comic, this is for you. It's going to be a long one so strap in.

[Disclaimer: This post will mainly reference western superhero comics as those are what most people refer to as "comics," but independent comics still work under this framework.]

To start off, one needs to understand how comics are often sold and structured. While companies have many ways to sell you a comic, there are 3 main ways to collect physical comic books.

Single Issues/"Floppies" - These are the "chapters" of a comic. Single issues traditionally come out once a month and can range from $3 to $5. IMO, most people who want to get into comics should wait before going this route, as collecting issue by issue can add up quickly. If you do go this route, picking up a bag and board to store your issues is worth the small extra cost to keep them in good condition.

Trades/Volumes - These are multiple issues collected together into one "big" book. Trades will often collect a specific author's run or a storyline and are sold at major retailers and bookstores. In my experience, this is how most people get into comics, and IMO it is the best way to start. A trade gives you a full story so you can decide if you want to keep reading, and they are often the same price or slightly cheaper than buying all the issues separately. Trades come in softcover and hardcover editions. Softcovers are cheaper and easier to carry around. Hardcovers are more durable and often include extras like commentary or sketches, but they are pricier. Tie-in issues from other series are often included as well.

Omnibus - The biggest of the three. Omnis collect multiple story arcs or entire comic runs and can easily run $75 to $150+. You get the most content out of them, but most Omnis are hard to navigate and are pretty heavy. If you have the time and money, I would get one or two for specific runs you already know you love, but this is not a starting point.

A quick note on publishers: most people think of Marvel and DC when they think of comics, but there are tons of great independent publishers worth knowing about. Image Comics, Dark Horse, IDW, and BOOM! Studios have all put out fantastic books that are often a lot easier to jump into since they don't carry decades of continuity baggage.

Aside from the types of comics, there are two major places to get them: a major retailer and a dedicated comic shop. Comic shops get new issues on Wednesdays. Instead of searching the store repeatedly for what you want, you can create a "pull list" with the store, which reserves your issues ahead of time. This especially helps when you are collecting multiple books. The staff at a good comic shop are also usually very knowledgeable, so if you feel lost just ask. That is what they are there for.

For those who read digitally, there are several solid options. Comixology (now integrated into Amazon) is one of the biggest digital storefronts with a huge library across all publishers. Marvel Unlimited and DC Universe Infinite are subscription apps for the big two that give you access to a wide library for a monthly fee. For independent comics, GlobalComix is worth checking out, and Humble Bundle regularly puts out comic bundles at a steep discount. Personally, I would recommend reading on an iPad or tablet over a phone, but that is personal preference.

Most publishers will also put out comic solicits, which essentially preview all upcoming books, trades, and other releases ahead of time. If you want to know when a specific book or issue is coming out, keeping up with solicits is the best way to stay informed.

Now, let's say you don't have money but still want to get into comics. I can't tell you where to GetComics for free, but I would check the Internet Archive first, as hundreds of comics are posted there. Also, LIBRARIES. Seriously. You will be amazed at how many books your local library carries, and most can ship books in from other branches, too. On top of that, many libraries give you free access to Hoopla and Libby, which are digital apps with massive comic and graphic novel libraries. All you need is your library card. Do not sleep on this.

One more thing that stops a lot of people before they even start: continuity. Comics have decades of history and interconnected storylines, and it can feel overwhelming before you read a single page. Here is the thing: you do not need to read everything. Pick a character or story you are interested in and start there. You will not understand every reference right away, and that is fine. Be open to jumping in partway through and circle back later if you want more. The goal is to enjoy what you are reading, not to finish the entire Marvel or DC catalog.

So, where do I start? I would point to two things

The most recent origin story

The most recent Number 1 issue

These give you a clean entry point without requiring any prior knowledge. From there, reading guides exist for most major characters, and a quick Google search of "[character name] reading guide" will usually pull up a solid list with a clear order to follow. Do not worry about getting it perfect. And if you still feel stuck/overwhelmed, most comic fans are more than happy to point a newcomer in the right direction. Just ask.

A few more things worth knowing before you dive in. They may matter more once you're deeper into the hobby, but it's better to have them in your back pocket now

Crossover Events - Events like Secret Wars, Infinite Crisis, or Civil War are big storylines that bleed across multiple series at once and can involve a LOT of tie-in issues. You do not have to read all of them. Most events have a main series that tells the core story, and the tie-ins are supplemental. Read the main book, and grab a tie-in if it sounds interesting to you. If you are not sure where to start with a specific event, most have reading order lists online that cut through the noise quickly.

Variant Covers - If you walk into a shop and see five different covers for the same issue, do not panic. Variants are just alternate covers; the story inside is identical. They are cool to look at, but chasing them is a rabbit hole best saved for later.

Reboots and Renumbering - Marvel and DC do this constantly, and it confuses everyone, newcomers and veterans alike. A series can run 50 issues, relaunch at issue 1, run another 30, go back to the original numbering, and relaunch again. If you are searching for a series and the numbers seem off or there are multiple volume 1s, that is why. Always check which specific run is being recommended to you, because "Amazing Spider-Man issue 1" can mean several different things depending on the year.

Webcomics - A lot of people's first real comic experience these days is through Webtoon, Tapas, or a creator's own site, and that absolutely counts. Webcomics are more accessible since most are free and update regularly.

Comics can feel like a lot from the outside, but I promise the barrier to entry is lower than it seems. You do not need 80 years of history, you do not need to buy everything, and you do not need to start at the very beginning of anything. Pick a character you like, find a good starting point, and just read. It will not always click immediately, and that is okay. Every longtime fan has a stack of comics they bounced off of before finding the one that hooked them. Give yourself permission to try things, drop what is not working, and keep going until something sticks. If you have any questions, drop them in my inbox or in the reblogs. I am always happy to help someone find their way in.

Welcome to the world of comics, hope you enjoy the ride!

alpha flight #106.