Just to add - looked up the Heroes for Hire (that comic is such a nightmare!) tentacle rape stuff and found Sequential Tart, which I'm sure you know about - fantastic site - so brilliant to hear the views of women on comics and challenging the sexism/misogyny around the place, which is a bit scary at times. Hasn't put me off getting into 'western' comics though this year (have been into manga for a few years now). I see you're into X-Men and Spider-man from your list - I'm really really getting into both of these series? titles? now, but haven't investigated the fandoms very much yet. Have read the House of M and Civil War 'events' (torrents are a joy) and feel like I'm catching up a little. Seems like there's some great characters challenging traditional race/gender/sexuality stereotypes coming up in the 'new generation' characters. I'm really getting into Runaways too. And Spider-man, with his flaws, warmth and lack of 'uber-machoness', is easily my favourite mainstream male 'hero' that I've come across so far. Anyway, will stop rambling on....