What do Superheroes do in Their Spare Time?

Comic books tend to focus on what super heroes do while they’re in the spandex, and fighting crime; but what do heroes when they aren’t off saving the universe? There are three comics on the shelves that are all about how superheroes and space adventures spend their time when they aren’t out superheroing.

Wolverine and The X-Men
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by various artists.

The premise of Wolverine and The X-men is simple, what if Wolverine, badass, mutant-warrior, open’s a school for young mutants, despite his complete lack of scholastic expertise and apparent disdain for children.

Wolverine and The X-Men forgoes the regular action of superhero comics and focuses on the characters. The result is a charming exploration of high school life, assuming everyone at your high school had super powers.

Not every Issue is a winner, but when Wolverine and the X-Men is good, it is a delight.

The fist three volumes are available in hardback and paperback from Marvel comics and issues come out twice a month.

Hawkeye
Written by Matt Fraction
Art by David Aja

When Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, the bow wielding Avenger, isn’t off fighting super villains, he gets into all kinds of mischief. Hawkeye is about what Barton does in his free time, and boy does he keep busy, from getting involved in Chandler-esk crime stores to trying to fix his DVR, the life of this hero is full of excitement.

What makes this comic so fun is the character of Barton. He is a goofball who tries to help everyone around him, sometimes making things worse, but he always comes through in the end.

The first volume is available in paperback from Marvel Comics and issues come out monthly.

 Saga
Written by Brain K. Vaughn
Art by Fiona Staples

Moving away from superheroes and into outer space, we have Saga. Saga is a small story about a couple trying to raise their newborn daughter, told in the grandest of settings, a vast interstellar war.

Alana and Marko are soldiers on opposing sides of a conflict that has consumed an entire galaxy. The two fall in love and are now on the run from both armies. It is a blend of Romeo and Juliet and Flash Gordan with a side helping of Farwell to Arms and a dash of Lord of the Rings.

What is fascinating about Saga is, despite all battle and conflict, it focuses on telling small, human stories about love, family, loss, and the effects of war on the soul. It is sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always endearing.

The first volume is available in paperback from Image comics, so check it out