Daredevil: Devil in Cell Block D
Anybody who remembers the Ben Affleck Daredevil film adaptation is likely groaning. So just trust me when I say that the comic book is quite a bit different -- and a whole lot better. In this famous story arc, Matt Murdock is incarcerated alongside all of the super villains he’s locked up over the years. (Awkward!) This arc is a modern classic in the Marvel universe.

Civil War
Back in 2006, Marvel's Civil War was making headlines. After a catastrophic accident, the superhero community is divided between those who believe superheroes should be regulated, and those who advocate vigilantism. It’s an ethical quandary that had comic fans searching their souls for where they stood. Go rogue with Captain America, or sign up for service with Iron Man and S.H.I.E.L.D.? There is no right answer.

Captain America
Speaking of Captain America, those looking forward to this summer's blockbuster film should check out Captain America #1-28 written by comic legend Ed Brubaker, one of the most talented writers working in comics today. This is the story arc that leads up to the tragic slaying of Steve Rogers that made real-world news headlines nationwide.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
So maybe superhero epics aren’t your thing. How about a little science fiction? Not far flung laser-battle-sci-fi like Star Wars though. This is the graphic novel that served as the inspiration for the classic Ridley Scott film Blade Runner.

Criminal
If there’s one thing that comics can do well besides superhero dramas, it’s crime noir. This series by the previously mentioned Ed Brubaker is a masterwork of crime fiction. All the arcs are self-contained so there’s no elaborate back story to keep track of -- the only running similarity is that the characters all inhabit the same city and frequent the same bar. You can find it in the Comics + app.

Astonishing X-Men
If you’re a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Firefly then you should out Astonishing X-Men, which is also penned by geek overlord Joss Whedon. This is a great incarnation of Marvel's super squad, and Whedon does some awesome things with the characters, including a legendary sequence in which Wolverine’s personality is inverted, turning him into a terrified weakling.

Green Lantern Rebirth
Once again, we ask you to ignore the film adaptation -- that’s not the real Green Lantern. Green Lantern only really works on the page, where readers are more willing to accept its rampant sci-fi/fantasy weirdness. In the Rebirth arc, DC Comics completely rebooted the series’ mythology, doing away with years of needless complexity, and spawning the best running series DC has had over the past five years.

Batman: Hush
There’s a few great Batman stories on the iPad. Most important is The Dark Knight Returns, which many credit for the more adult turn comics took in the late '80s. But Hush holds a special place in our heart. DC drudges out the full cast of villains -- important and B-list -- for an epic storyline. It's controversial amongst Bat-aficionados, but it’s a great mystery and has some of the best art in Batman’s history.

Hellboy
While largely different from the underrated Guillermo Del Toro films, the Mike Mignola-penned comic series, in the Dark Horse app, is still a lot of fun. Hellboy, who was brought to Earth from hell by occult Nazis long ago, and he fights supernatural creatures as a member of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. If you’re not into traditional superheroes, Hellboy is a great choice.

Iron Man: Extremis
Before the blockbuster Iron Man movie, the Iron Man comic series was a bit of a joke in the comics world, struggling both critically and commercially. But with a ton of new fans, the series has been revitalized and the past few years have been spectacular. Penned by modern master Warren Ellis, and brought to life by amazing art, Iron Man is back and the Extremis storyline on Panelfly is a good place to start.

The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead wasn’t always a hit TV series -- it started out as certainly the best zombie-based comic series. Moreover, the TV show is showing hints that it may be diverging from the storyline of the comics. Which is sort of a good thing because now you can enjoy the comics and the TV series together without doubling up. The first 30 issues or so of this series are an absolute joy if you’re a zombie fan.

Marvel Zombies
Perhaps just to show that they don’t always have to be serious, Marvel released this series several years back, which shows the Marvel Universe overcome by a zombie plague. One by one the esteemed heroes fall to the virus and all hell breaks loose. Who can argue with a premise like that? We’re a little weary of Peter Parker moaning about his teenage angst, and a quick dose of zombification is the perfect cure.