It is a great time to be a comic book fan. You can’t turn on the television today without some mention of a comic book movie or television show coming on soon. More specifically, a superhero comic book movie or television show. We are currently in what nerds like to call a “Superhero Bubble" with all of these superhero franchises being thrown at us every couple of months. For instance, just this year we were given Deadpool, Batman V. Superman, Captain America: Civil War, X-men: Age of Apocalypse, and Suicide Squad and this fall/winter we are getting Doctor Strange from Marvel. And that does not include all of the TV shows and Netflix shows that we have gotten like all of the CW/Berlanti stuff: Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl and Marvel/ABC/Netflix’s Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, Daredevil, and coming next week, Luke Cage. Comic book heroes are finally coming to the main stage and nerds are rejoicing (some of them just keep bitching).

So there is definitely no shortage of superhero comic content for all of us to enjoy. But some people, many people, don’t actually like superheroes. To be honest, when I first jumped into comic books, I didn’t read superhero stuff. It was way too daunting: many of the heroes had been around for over 40 years, some like the trinity from DC (Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman) had been around for 75 years! That’s a lot of content to catch up on.

So, I decided to read what comic book readers call “indie” comics. Indie comics are from the other comic book publishers like Image, IDW, Boom Studios, Darkhorse, etc. Most of these comics are not superhero focused. Many are genre books like science fiction, westerns, and fantasy. The ones I like to read a based in reality with some weird twist.

I want to use this article to spread the gospel of the non-superhero comic books. Here are five comic book series I think you should read if you are A) new to comics and are scared to jump into DC and Marvel: B) Hate superheroes and/or C) want to read something different. A few of these are pretty popular, so they will not be hard to find at a local book store or online.

Y: The Last Man

Written by Brian K. Vaughn Art by: Pia Guerra

Published by: Vertigo (offshoot of DC)

Imagine a world where you are living a normal and having the most normal day ever. Then without warning all living mammals with a Y chromosome die: humans, dogs, embryos, everything! Except for two: Yorick, a young amateur escape artist and his pet Capuchin monkey, Ampersand. There was no explanation to the males' deaths and now the women rule what is left of the world.

That is the most basic non-spoiler plot synopsis I can give you of this magnificent book, Y: The Last Man. It is a wonderful series that makes you ask so many questions and leaves you wanting more. I had heard about this book from a couple of podcasters a few months back and they were gushing about it. I already love Brian K. Vaughn (as you will see in another pick), so I just had to get it. Vaughn has a way with writing dialogue in all of his books that make the characters seem real. Sometimes writers get caught up in the plot and the characters have no substance. All of Vaughn’s characters have depth and are very interesting. The female characters are so well written and aren’t just damsels in distress or cannon fodder. They have great personalities and backstories. Accompany that with the magnificent art and you have a phenomenal book.

The book was started in 2002 and ended in 2008. There are only sixty issues, so not a long run. If you are just getting into comics, I would definitely recommend checking Y: The Last Manout first, or really anything by Brian K. Vaughn.

Locke and Key

Written by Joe Hill Art by: Gabriel Rodriguez Published by: IDW Publishing

This series begins with the murder of Tyler, Kinsey and Bode Locke’s father. Along with their mother, the children relocate to the family estate in Lovecraft, Massachusetts. The family wants to get their life back to as normal as they possibly could after witnessing such a gruesome murder. The youngest, Bode, discovers a supernatural door in the house. And from there begins the horrific and wonderful story of Locke and Key.

Again, trying not to spoil too much of the plot. This series has so many layers to it and you would be doing yourself a disservice by not reading through to the end. Joe Hill is a great horror novelist just like his father, who you may know but probably not: Stephen King. Yes, the son of the horror master himself wrote a beautifully macabre story about a northeastern family dealing with tragedy and some vengeful supernatural elements. What I really loved most about this series was the art by Gabriel Rodriguez. His art is sort of a stark contrast to the horror that is going on. It is very playful and childlike but when a scene needs to be bloody and gruesome, he delivers. I will sometimes just go back through my trades and look at the art, it is that wonderful.

Locke and Key began in 2008 and ended in 2013. The entire run is broken up into different story arcs with different characters, so for a while we are following the family and then you will jump back in time. I won’t tell you when or how, but just a warning. If you are averse to blood and gore, do not pick this up. Other than that there should be no reason why you shouldn’t pick up Locke and Key by Joe Hill and art by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Lumberjanes

Written by: Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Waters, Grace Ellis

Art by: Brooke A. Allen

Published by: Boom! Studios

“Oh my Bessie Coleman!” It’s time for summer camp! Get your hiking boots, camping gear, and your love for supernatural over to Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqual Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. Here you can become a Lumberjane Scout and maybe even become best friends forever with the ladies of the Roanoke cabin: Jo, April, Molly, Mal and Ripley. But beware, weird things are always happening when you hang with the Roanoke cabin girls.

I love this book so much! It’s so sweet and has awesome lady characters. It is perfect for all ages and even though it is geared toward the younger audience, there are some more adult themes like sexuality threaded throughout the stories. At the heart of this book is girl power. All of the leading lady characters are strong and in charge and it is very empowering for young girls. I had heard about this book through some forums a few years ago and I am very happy I decided to read it. Also, it is chalked full of puns and references to powerful ladies in history.

Lumberjanes is an ongoing series that began in 2014 and currently has 29 issues and two specials. If you want to read a sweet book about empowering girls and the bond of friendship, you should check out Lumberjanes.

Wytches

Written by Scott Snyder Art by: Jock Published by: Image Comics

In this series, we follow Sailor Rook and her family moving to a new home in Litchfield, New Hampshire. Unfortunately, as soon as Sailor gets a bully as soon as she starts school. After something horrible happens, Sailor and her family need to move to get away from the spreading rumors. However, the rumors come up wherever they go. They will soon realize that the rumors are the least of their problems. What the family should be worried about is the danger lurking in the forests.

Wytches is an “ongoing” series with six issues that started in 2014. It is “ongoing” even though there have only been six issues, one trade and no other news about future issues since the last trade. This book is wonderfully creepy. The art is unorthodox and at times can be trippy. I haven’t read anything by Scott Snyder before this book, but this made me want to look at his other works. The story is so creepy and unsettling. There are some parts when I had no idea if the events on the page were real or in the characters’ minds. It is a very well-produced series. People loved it so much that as soon as the first issue went on sale it was bought for movie rights. Wytches by Scott Snyder and Jock is going to be a wonderful film adaptation.

Saga

Written by: Brian K. Vaughn Art by: Fiona Staples Published by: Image Comics

I sort of saved the best for last. Out of all of the comics I have given you, this is the one you have to pick up. It was the first comic book I ever read and I can’t image my life without it. Also, this is the comic I want you to go in without much knowledge. Go in blind, you will not regret it.

Plot: Romeo and Juliet in Space with murderous robot T.V. head people and lots of sex.

That is all you need to know. Do not look up anything else about this book. Saga is a wonderfully written book by previously mentioned Brian K. Vaughn. The plot and characters are so well written that in this super unrealistic world they seem like real people. The narrator is hilarious, and there are some parts that make me cry like a little baby. And then we have the best art I think has even graced comic books… Ever. Literally. Not exaggerating. Okay maybe a little bit of exaggeration, but Fiona Staples art is not of this earth. She can bring the characters to life with unique colors and such details that make this monthly series seem impossible.

Saga is an ongoing monthly series that started in 2012 and currently has 37 issues. Vaughn and Staples have been the sole writer and artist on every issue since its inception and it shows. Sometimes monthly books can get labor intensive and artists and even writers cannot keep up. But the breaks for trade sales helps Fiona catch up and stay fresh. The amount of hard work that these two put into the books is absolutely wonderful. Please. Please, go check out Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples

These are not the only good books out there of course, but if you need somewhere to start, I think these are some good picks. I do have a couple of honorable mentions that you can check out (just in case I don’t do a follow up article):

Giant Days by John Allison, Whitney Cogar and Lissa Treiman

Nail Biter by Joshua Williamson and Adam Guzowski

Southern Bastards by Jason Aaron and Jason Latour

Fables by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham

So go out and buy at least a few of these comics. I know some are not everyone’s cup of tea but there is something in here for everyone. I hope you enjoy and happy reading!