This all might seem a tad futile, seeing as how many of you are done with shopping by this point. At least, I would hope you were, since the holidays ended quite some time ago. The holidays were an immense responsibility but I must say that mine were a great time spent with family and friends.

A real drain on my energy, sure, but most definitely, a blast.

The holidays usually make me seriously consider comic books or graphic novels as a gift for everyone and anyone that I know. The thought process usually goes a little something like this:

“Hmm, Christmas is around the corner and I need to do my shopping for friends and loved ones….COMICS. Boom. Problem solved.” *Proceeds to high-five self in head.*

So, the conversations more often than not go that way. Rarely do I follow up on that notion, because sometimes I feel like a gift other than a comic book might be something a little more intimate. If I can, and gift substance is not an option, then I spring for a comic or graphic novel.

I hold true to the notion that there is a comic book for everyone. I’ve stated it before and it’s something that I believe. Now, the belief is that there is at least one. Could there be more than one? Absolutely. Can there be only one? Highlander references aside, yes,

The publishers don’t believe that, though. They can’t. Otherwise, none of their books would sell and we would see nothing but Wolverine and Batman comics month in and month out. They have to offer variety and style; otherwise the comic’s world as a whole would fail. There can be no single greatest comic book ever. There can be a lot of them, though. That’s what makes the entire culture of comic book reading so fantastic.

I’m spiraling a little off topic here.

When do you want your Marvel? Now, I assume.

Marvel NOW! is Marvel Comics new initiative that began in November. Following the earth shattering events of The Avengers vs. The X-Men, the mighty powers that be decided it was time for a change.

Again.

This time, though, I think they hit the mark. Instead of restarting all of their Iron Men and Avengers and Spider-Men completely over, they decided to just give them all new issue #1s. That sounds like the same thing, I know, but bear with me. Instead of completely starting from scratch, they instead decided to simplify their storytelling.

The problem with comic book companies today is that they feel the need to cater to everyone and, sometimes, you can’t. So while I believe very strongly in the notion that there is a comic book out there for everyone, a company cannot hold everyone.

That does not stop them from trying, though. Marvel and DC and Image and the other big publishers will push to get as many new readers as possible. Some so-called “fans” will push against that, believing that it is a sin for the companies to try.

There was the same type of sin that came out around the time The Avengers movie was released. New fans were created by the thousands. People all over knew the names of Hulk and Thor and even Hawkeye. It was a revolution.

However, the duly named “fans” rebelled. Feeling like their own little world was being invaded by new fake fans, they lashed out. Who knows how many new potential readers Marvel lost in this? That did not stop them from launching Marvel NOW!

Meant for new readers and new fans, this will be the focus of our week back.

Every day this week, we’ll look at one to two of the best new series from the launch, at least so far. Keep in mind, this only extends to the series that have been released and have shown potential promise.

Interested in getting into comic books? Have someone in your life that wants to?

This is the week for you.

Comic Matters is back.

Welcome to Marvel NOW! week!

In addition to writing for the column “Comic Matters” for the Tucson Citizen website, Bobby Acosta is also a 5th Grade Elementary school teacher, frequenter of local comic book shop Heroes & Villains, and explorer of the importance of comics. He recommends each and every comic he writes about.

Contact him at comicmatters@gmail.com

Follow him on Twitter.

Comment below! Subscribe to your RSS Feed. Always know when comic goodness is coming your way.