Is Gen-13 Worth a Shot?

[Diablo4485]

I'm a recovering Marvel zombie looking to broaden my horizons a little. I've heard some rumblings, both good and bad, about Gen-13, so I was wondering if it'd be worth the trouble of hunting down back issues to find it.

[Briel]

Gen13 had it's ups and downs just like any other series out there. The characters were very good, but sometimes the adventures were just regular. Also keep in mind, that they are part of a bigger Wildstorm Universe. Of course being dragged into Wildcats and Storm Watch can only be a good thing. LOL!

The Best:
Gen13 #1-4 (The original mini)
Gen13 #1-25 of Volume 1
Gen13: Ordinary Heroes (Adam Hughes mini)
Gen13 Adam Warren run tat goes to the last issue #67 of volume 1. Not sure which issue starts.

Gen12 This mini is actually about the connection between Team7 and Gen13, wrapping up all the mysteries of the first 6 years of the Wildstorm Universe.

Gen13 #1-12 volume 2 Claremont's run was pretty good.

Hope that's a good start for you. Since the series is currently cancelled, you might just get your fix by buyng a couple of issues each month.

The introductory mini and first 25 issues by Brandon Choi and J Scott Campbell (Danfer Girl) are the absolute must read issues though. They combine high octane action with a great sense of humour and fun.

[Wasteland]

Although the art and story certainly goes downhill after the opening mini. I got the first 5 issues (there are 5 in the original mini if I remember correctly), and the origin issue, then decided to keep going with the regular series...eep. Sad sad issues of comics. Ah well, I enjoyed it at the start, for what it's worth.

If you want some good reads as a recovering marvelite,
- Weapon Zero, if you can find back issues. It runs about 20 issues, and actually comes to a conclusion at the end, rather than leaving you hanging completely.

- Divine Right: The Adventures of Max Farraday as well a short series (I can't remember how many that one was, but I do have them all) and also crosses Gen13 among others.

- Danger Girl, for those who dig James Bond, crossed with Indiana Jones, crossed with Charlies' Angels, crossed with Tomb Raider, crossed with...well, anything really. Really good humor read. Plus the chicks are hot.

- Stormwatch, until around issue 26 I think was great. After that sucked hardcore. They killed off the entire team...sigh. But until then, very good reads, and the characters were well done.

- Union is a very good story, and Mark Texiera's art is something to behold for those first few issues.

That should get you started on some Image stuff.

[Diablo4485]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Waste, I've already read Danger Girl and loved it. I've got the big hardcover copy of the first arc. That was part of what prompted me to look into Gen-13, since I saw that Campbell was involved with both and, from what I've seen, they seem to have similar senses of humor.

[Briel]

Storm Watch had a 6 issue slump it's true. But with #31 Warren Ellis took over and all was happy again. Hmmm! Well maybe not happy, but definitely hardcore. LOL!

Towards the end of the Choi/Campbell run on Gen13 they were really amping up the humour. They had finally found a voice for the series, but then they just quit. Too bad. It was funny, with all sorts of quips, jabs, winks, and one liners about all the stuff we had grown up with as sci-fi/comics fans for years. After #25 though, Blaah!

Wildcats was awesome all the way through. Each creative team had their completely different take on the team, and yet it all worked. The characters were strong enough to be used in different formats.

The Cats are one of the three best team books out, but unfortunately they are being cancelled.

Maybe after Superman, Jim Lee could take time with whatever great writer he wants to work with next and give his children a pump of adreneline.

[Diablo4485]

Okay everyone, I've found a comic store in the area that'll order some Gen 13 TPBs for me. The problem is, they're listed by the name of the trade only, and in alphabetical order, so any clue as to which issues appear in which trade is gone. I scoured the net all weekend to try to find the corresponding issues for each one, but there are lots of holes left in the list. Here's what I found:

Gen 13 (no subtitle) - original mini #1-4
Starting Over - #1-7
I Love New York - #26-29
Meanwhile... - #43-44, #66-70
We'll Take Manhattan - #45-50
Superhuman Like You - #60-65

I'm looking to get the original miniseries and #1-25 as suggested, so do you think you could help me identify the TPBs with issues 8-25?

[Briel]

There are no TP's for those issues. Back then Tp's were only for what were considered mega storylines.

It's original issues buddy. The good news is they should be selling for cover price. Or even in discount bins at conventions.

Some stores will even cut you a deal if you want to buy large runs. They really want to get rid of backstock collecting dust.. Don't be afraid to haggle.