I believe my writings for this site have made it apparent that I enjoy a fine spirit and refreshing ale. But it’s not just the booze that is fun, most of it is the meeting and drinking with friends. Whether we congegate at our local pub or keep it at someone’s house, a good drinking buddy is very important. Here are the top five (six, really) comic book characters, with a history of boozin’, that would make the best drinking partners:

5) Tony Stark:
He is Marvel’s playboy with a drinking problem. He is one high-roller that could get you into some pretty a-list parties, take you out to fancy dinners and get expensive scotchs – and probably pick up the tab every time. The only draw back to getting tipsy with Tony would be his ego; and I’m pretty sure I would get sick and tired of him getting ALL the girls – every time. For the best (and, really worst) example of Tony Stark stuck on the bottle read: The Invincible Iron Man #120-128; “Demon in a Bottle” arc. W: David Michelinie, A: John Romita Jr.

4) Aaron Stack (of Nextwave):
A robot that loves beer, and is written by Warren Ellis. Maybe this is my subconscious trying to tell you that I want to drink with Warren Ellis (oh yeah, I have). Any robot that frequently says “My robot brain needs beer,” seems like a good candidate for a drinking comrade. Imagine being on your couch, you run out of beer and are feeling a bit lazy. Guess what? Keep your patoot planted and allow Aaron’s extending robot arm to get it.
For the best moments of Stack sippin’ beers, read Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. Written by Warren Ellis, art by Simon Immonen

3) Logan aka Wolverine
Logan is a man that is good at two things: Kickin’ ass and drinkin’ beer. Either on Utopia with a stock of beers in the fridge or at a dive bar ordering round after round, the man can put ‘em away. He would be a great drinking pal because he’d have your back (doubting anyone would want to fight us) and he’s got connections to The Avengers. In Wolverine: Origins he is even seen sippin’ a beer with Spidey (which also seems like a good time).

2) Jesse Custer & Cassidy:
An Irish vampire and a southern boy with the voice of God, and both like to get tossed. While I might not be the fightin’ type, their enthusiasm for a good bar brawl, on top of a lot of whiskey, would be enough for me to throw a couple of good licks. Even if you only drank with them once, it would most likely be the craziest night of gettin’ your knickers wet. While I could go on and specify certain examples of them drinking, I would rather just say, if you haven’t read Preacher – DO IT!

1) Bacchus:
He might be a bit of a curmudgeon, but he is THE GOD OF FRAKIN’ WINE AND REVELRY!!! ‘Nough said. While the books are out of print you can find copies of them on the floor at Cons and shops ’round. Read Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus.

Sometimes when I am working at Comicopolis, and one of my bosses leaves for the bathroom, I walk over to the shelf, open a graphic novel and I smell the bindings. It’s not that I anticipate the smell of action leaping off the pages, I just like the smell of newly printed comics – mostly because I am a giant geek, or maybe it’s inherited. In any case, it’s time to hunker down on a couch or in your bed with a glass of whiskey and an exciting new graphic novel. We all need something to keep us warm when the heat dish breaks.

The Usuals
For me, and many of my comic reading friends, there are certain authors who I can always go to and read something astonishing. These authors, nine out of ten times, have the ability to pull me out of reality and into a world of fantasy. Below is a list of these aforementioned visionaries and a few of their finer titles.

Alan Moore

Swamp Thing (9 trade paperbacks), League Of Extrordinary Gentlemen (3 TPBs), From Hell, A Small Killing.

Warren Ellis

Freak Angels, The Authority (5 TPBs), Fell, Transmetropolitan (11 TPBs), Planetary (3 TPBs).

Grant Morrison

Invisibles (7 TPBs), Kill Your Boyfriend, Animal Man (3 TPBs), Sebastian O, WE3, Filth.

Neil Gaiman

Sandman (11 TPBs), 1602, Hellblazer.

Help From The Gods
While those previously listed authors may serve as my comfort food when I need to satiate my hunger for fantasy, other times I like to take a chance and branch out. The following are some tips and tricks to finding those hidden gems that lay buried at your local comic shop.

1. Look at the author of the introduction. With the above list of radical writers, look to see if they speak highly of a new book. For example, Alan Moore wrote the intro for Sam Keith’s Zero Girl – damn good read.
2. Find a long lasting series, because if they’re still making it, then it’s probably good. As a note, and a suggestion, Hellblazer is the longest running Vertigo series.
3. Look at the art! Do you like what you see?
4. Ask the totally awesome and friendly staff at Comicopolis, located at 829 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.

So whether you already read a ton of comics or have never pushed a paneled page before, this article can only help. Whether your fancy be super heroes, crime fiction, mystery, science fiction, blah blah blah, there’s always something for YOU!

Austin Hartman