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[AniHawk]

A couple months ago, when I started getting into comics, my dad wanted to check out the store I was going to. Well, turns out in the 60s and 70s, he read JLA, JSA, and Spider-Man (while in his late teen years and in college).

For Christmas, I'm getting him Essential Spider-Man Vol 6 and JSA Justice Be Done, I was wondering if there are any JLA or Spider-Man books new or old that aren't too violent (think Kingdom Come). Books that would be "user friendly" for someone who hasn't read comics in over 30 years.

He has read Kingdom Come and was confused at all the changes made to the characters like The Flash and Green Lantern (who I *think* is his favorite character- but he says he likes the team up books better than the solo superhero ones). He also read Bone, if that helps, and bought the Guide to the JLA book or whatever it's called.

 

[nomoment]

Get him every Grant Morrison JLA trade you can find. It's old school JLA, with new-school sensibilities.

Here's a list:

JLA: New World Order
JLA: American Dreams
JLA: Rock of Ages
JLA: Strength in Numbers
JLA: Justice For All
JLA: World War III

My personal favorites are New World Order, Justice For All, and World War III. If you're looking to get one volume in particular for your father, I'd get Justice For All. It features a nice JLA/JSA team-up that's quite a bit of fun.

 

[AniHawk]

Thanks a bunch.

 

[Outcast2004]

Any of the Marvel Masterworks Spidey trades would be great too.. They also have phone book sized "essential" TPB's. these are usually in BW, but have about 500-1000 pages each.

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

I'm not sure if he'd like Watchmen, but it's nicely self-contained. It's also a good bridge form 60's-70's-style comics to modern style.

The Nail is a nice throwback-style JLA story he might like.

JLA Year One and Brave and the Bold TPBs. Not my favorite, but feature the characters from books he likes.

Also, chick out the Visionaries series from Marvel. They feaute some of the best work on thei mainstream characters collectoed over time, mostly from the 70s on.

And I don't know if he likes Avengers, but Avengers Forever is a nice cross-history romp through Avengers lore, and also has notes to explain everything.

 

[Sukahii16]

In terms of JLA, Divided We Fall and The Tower of Babel are really great trade paperbacks that would be good for someone who's getting back into comics. There's a lot of focus on the characters but still a lot of dramatic action. Divided We Fall in particular is my favorite JLA story of all time. Grant Morrison is good but I think these Mark Waid stories are better. Bryan Hitch's art in Divided We Fall is amazing and your dad will probably feel pretty nostalgic after reading the story.

Oh, it's probably best to buy these two together since The Tower of Babel leads into Divided We Fall. Not totally necessary but helpful.

 

[Mercury Fred]

This might be a bit left field, but the JLA/Avengers box set is awfully nice. I know Perez was doing some JLA work in the 70s as well, so your dad might like the update.