Recommend Some Meta-Comics

[Rageforthemachine]

I am looking for comic book titles which examine in a fairly realistic way what the impact on society would be to have real super powered beings existing on earth. Comics that kind of look at things not from the Superheroes point of view, but society's view. How they impact culture, sports, religion, entertainment, governments, and just human existence in general.

[byron lomax]

I'm not sure if this really fulfills your criteria, but an excellent "superheroes appearing in real life" story is Peter Milligan's miniseries Enigma. Like Watchmen by Alan Moore (also strongly recommended if you haven't read) it's a deconstruction of the superhero, althogh the story is very different. It involves characters from an old comic appearing in real life, though the explored effect is really focused on a man who loved the comic as a child, not so much society in general (though we do get some glimpses of the public's response). The Vertigo trade may be a little difficult to track down at this point, but in my opinion it's worth it.

I haven't read it, but I believe Alan moore's Miracleman is a story you might want to track down. It's possible the story could finally be collected in the near future.

[Mistral]

The obvious answer is Marvels published by Marvel. It's the backstory of the Marvel Universe told from the viewpoint of a news photog. It covers WWII to the Eighties and was illustrated by Alex Ross. A real beauty. Then there's Astro City and M. For non-comics, there is a series of books called The Wild Cards that really capture the flavor of what you're asking about.

[O'Dib]

1985, Superman: Secret Identity, Supreme Power (although this one probably starts sucking several Vs in, I haven't kept up with it)

[Trent Roman]

O'Dib wrote:

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Supreme Power (although this one probably starts sucking several Vs in, I haven't kept up with it)

All the titles under the MAX imprint were good, I though, but it just hasn't been the same since it 'mainstreamed'. Another possible suggestion for the OP: The Boys, from Garth Ennis, has a curious combination of gritty realism and the violently fluorescent world of mainstream comics it parodies.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

[God Magnus]

Sounds like "Powers" might be up your alley: http://comics.wikia.com/wiki/PowersWhile superheroes are prominant in the book, it focuses more on the cops who have to investigate cases related to the "Powers". It also shows them as very real and flawed beings. The artwork is also a big appeal for me.

[darthraidr]

i'm not too far into it, but Ex Machina seems to be about what you're looking for

[DarKush]

Another vote for Supreme Power/Squadron Supreme, mainly just the JMS stuff though. I also liked the Supreme Power/Nighthawk one shot by Daniel Way. I also liked Hyperion v. Nighthawk.

I think there was a crossover with the Ultimate line, Ultimate Power or something and that's when it started going downhill. Also, I second Ennis's The Boys as well.

You might like Irredeemable by Mark Waid. About a rogue Superman-like figure. But I'm not sure if that's realistic enough for you. I liked Jay Faeber's Noble Causes and Dynamo 5. Once again, they might be too superheroey for you, but I liked how JF described their flawed relationships, which felt somewhat realistic to me, despite the fantastic settings.

[Rageforthemachine]

No, I don't mind very super-heroey stuff. That is kind of what I am looking for. If there were really people among us capable of incredible feats how would that put human accomplishment into perspective(it'd make the World's Strongest Man Competition lose a lot of ratings).

I have heard a lot of good things about the Boys, that has been on my to get list for a long time now anyway now. I have Marvels. That's a good idea of what I am talking about. The only thing I didn't like about that is that Marvel Universe always seems to adopt this philosophy that the average Joe on the street is a moron who's unaware of the world around him.

Thanks for all the other suggestions, there's a lot of interesting stuff there to check out.

[Admiral_Young]

JMS's Rising Stars is another suggestion.

[DarKush]

Well, Noble Causes and Dynamo Five have some skewed family dynamics that I find interesting to untangle.

You might be interested in newuniversal. I haven't read any of the stuff but I think its supposed to be a more realistic take on heroes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newuniversal

[Mistral]

Admiral_Young wrote:

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JMS's Rising Stars is another suggestion.

Dang, almost forgot this one. Highly rec! Highly!

[Vendikarr]

I don't know if this qualifies, but I would recommend Gotham Central. A police procedural set in Batman's Gotham City, with cops dealing with Batman's costumed whackos.

Pick up the trade paperbacks, you'll be glad you did.

[O'Dib]

Astro City and Ultra.