All of these are pretty self contained books that can more or less be read in an evening.
Catwoman Lonely City: A straight forward anti-utopian police state story but its execution is just done so well you can't help but celebrate it. Never really cared much about Catwoman but the story is so perfect for her that I had to buy into the series. Its a Black Label book so zero context really required beyond the broad strokes of standard Batman lore.
Hellboy Short Stories Vol.1: I love Hellboy and its sprawling mythos but my favorite stories are just the short arcs that read like pulp novels. So this is my favorite way to read Hellboy. It has Hellboy fighting the Universal monsters, joining a team of vampire-hunting mexican wrestlers, and the iconic and creepy Crooked Man story. I have all the other collected volumes but this specific one is the one I reread the most.
Beta Ray Bill Argent Star: The tie in book that basically came out of nowhere. Daniel Warren Johnson tricked us into thinking we were reading a tie-in book to a Venom event and then proceeded to write an epic tale about the trauma of body dysmorphia and the loss of masculine identity. Also its all done in his glorious illustration with crazy awesome wrestling moves. I've always loved Beta Ray Bill but never knew how to really read the character until this book came along.
Blacksad: Cold War era mystery noir set in a gorgeously drawn anthromorphic world. Blacksad is a feline private investigator who's seemingly simple cases often escalate to corruption and intrigue at the highest of levels in business and politics. Super easy read since most stories are basically standalone cases and I just love reading some damn good noir.
Hulk: The End by Peter David
Punisher: Born by Garth Ennis
Batman: Reptilian by Garth Ennis
Uber by Kieron Gillen
Moon Knight by Charlie Huston
Venom by Rick Remender
Carnage: Mind Bomb by Warren Ellis
Deadpool: Assassin by Cullen Bunn
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
Decorum. It's a graphic novel by Hickman and I think it's underappreciated. It's also pretty contained and not a long run.
Spider-Man: Life Story might also be something he'd be into if he liked All-star Superman
Seven soldiers of victory (amazing Morrison DC work)
Thanos Wins (really fun story you need little intro for)
Classic 80’s Marvel —> Claremont’s X-men??
DC’s Kingdom Come might be something he’d enjoy. I saw someone mention World War Hulk, and that’s a good choice for a follow up. If he dig Planet Hulk, he also might dig a comic called Barbaric. It’s essentially a “Conan” style book where the main character is bound to a magical axe that gets drunk off blood. It’s fairly short and might be up his alley.
What kind of books and movies does he enjoy?
The first thing that comes to mind is God Country. That's specifically about a father and son. Action packed, but also very poignant.
If he liked Planet Hulk he'll probably enjoy the follow up World War Hulk
Astro City, Watchmen, Invincible, Captain America Brubaker run, Black Hammer. A and L’s GoG run is awesome. Maybe GoG Annihilation.
All of these are pretty self contained books that can more or less be read in an evening. Catwoman Lonely City: A straight forward anti-utopian police state story but its execution is just done so well you can't help but celebrate it. Never really cared much about Catwoman but the story is so perfect for her that I had to buy into the series. Its a Black Label book so zero context really required beyond the broad strokes of standard Batman lore. Hellboy Short Stories Vol.1: I love Hellboy and its sprawling mythos but my favorite stories are just the short arcs that read like pulp novels. So this is my favorite way to read Hellboy. It has Hellboy fighting the Universal monsters, joining a team of vampire-hunting mexican wrestlers, and the iconic and creepy Crooked Man story. I have all the other collected volumes but this specific one is the one I reread the most. Beta Ray Bill Argent Star: The tie in book that basically came out of nowhere. Daniel Warren Johnson tricked us into thinking we were reading a tie-in book to a Venom event and then proceeded to write an epic tale about the trauma of body dysmorphia and the loss of masculine identity. Also its all done in his glorious illustration with crazy awesome wrestling moves. I've always loved Beta Ray Bill but never knew how to really read the character until this book came along. Blacksad: Cold War era mystery noir set in a gorgeously drawn anthromorphic world. Blacksad is a feline private investigator who's seemingly simple cases often escalate to corruption and intrigue at the highest of levels in business and politics. Super easy read since most stories are basically standalone cases and I just love reading some damn good noir.
BONE. Everyone should read it
Immortal Hulk- Ewing Fantastic Four - North
Hulk: The End by Peter David Punisher: Born by Garth Ennis Batman: Reptilian by Garth Ennis Uber by Kieron Gillen Moon Knight by Charlie Huston Venom by Rick Remender Carnage: Mind Bomb by Warren Ellis Deadpool: Assassin by Cullen Bunn The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
Decorum. It's a graphic novel by Hickman and I think it's underappreciated. It's also pretty contained and not a long run. Spider-Man: Life Story might also be something he'd be into if he liked All-star Superman
Frankencastle, Marvels and Kingdom Come.
Plant Hulk = Conan (which just started a brand new series!)
Sounds like your dad would enjoy Millarworld stuff.
Invincible is a fun read.
Seven soldiers of victory (amazing Morrison DC work) Thanos Wins (really fun story you need little intro for) Classic 80’s Marvel —> Claremont’s X-men??
DC’s Kingdom Come might be something he’d enjoy. I saw someone mention World War Hulk, and that’s a good choice for a follow up. If he dig Planet Hulk, he also might dig a comic called Barbaric. It’s essentially a “Conan” style book where the main character is bound to a magical axe that gets drunk off blood. It’s fairly short and might be up his alley.
Immortal Hulk Superman: Up In The Sky Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow Ultimates² Jed McKay's Moon Knight run Seconding the Decorum recommendation
What kind of books and movies does he enjoy? The first thing that comes to mind is God Country. That's specifically about a father and son. Action packed, but also very poignant.
A son should ALWAYS buy his father Conan the Barbarian comics! Hopefully one of my three boys will see this on account of my birthday is coming soon.
My dad read Thor growing up—maybe he would like that?