Recommend A Graphic Novel to me

POSTED BY: Arcadia
UPDATED: Thursday, April 13, 2006 08:07
VIEWED: 9732
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JADEHAND

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 2:39 AM

I've been out of the Graphic Novel world for a spell, but have returned for recent works by Joss Whedon.
I too highley recommend Preacher. And Second the vote for anything by Vaquez. Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and the spin off Squee! are DARK. brutal, and hysterical. If you've ever looked at someone acting like a complete moron, thought the were too stupid to breathe, and envisioned ways to help them exit, JTHM is for you!

I further add to the list:
The Pyscho. The Nocturnals. these may be hard to find
the original 'The Crow' by J.O'Barr even better than the first movie. the altered details made this one for the history books.

Grendel.

and the origianl 4 books of 'Books of Magic' the story of Timothy Hunter, a young man who must decide if he will fufill destiny and become the world's most powerful Mage.

Visit WWW.Marillion.Com for a better way to live
"Finding the answer It's a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
'Cause nobody knows And so few can see
There's only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness." -Estonia(This Strange Engine) -Marillion

MEANGOLDFISH

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 2:52 AM

you should all be ashamed. ASHAMED.
unless I missed it, nobody listed Watchmen.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0930289234/sr=8-1/qid=1144723833/ref=
pd_bbs_1/102-5701335-4108954?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Watchmen is the greatest graphic novel/comic book ever written. That's a fact.

It's the only graphic novel win a Hugo Award, and is the only Graphic Novel to be on Time's list of the greatest novels of the past 100 years.

There really is no contest. It lives up to its reputation.

The Dark Knight Returns is awesome too. Check that out.

SIGMANUNKI

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 2:53 AM

Not really into the "graphic novel" thing. The only one that I have is Ghost In The Shell. I wasn't exactly expensive, so I'd say give it a whirl.

Also, if you like it, since the release of the comic, the franchise has gotten two full length feature films, a video game for both play stations 1 and 2 each, and two 26 ep tv seasons.

There are also probably more graphic novels, but I haven't actually looked for them. So, I can't say that they exist. Though it'd really not make any sense if they didn't.

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"We're in a giant car heading into a brick wall at 100 miles/hr and everybody's arguing about where they want to sit."
-David Suzuki

SINGATE

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 5:07 AM

I have to agree with everyone who responded Sandman. My introduction to the series was when I lucked out several years ago and got the "Season of Mists" story arc in a leatherbound edition. I was hooked after reading that magnificent story. Perhaps the best $30 I have ever spent.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

JANA

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 5:19 AM

I recommend Y: The Last Man and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

And, of course, support our Joss and get Astonishing X-Men.

I'm an Ex Machina fan, too, so if you liked that, you'll like these.

Jana

You can't take the sky from me.

SEBA

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 5:53 AM

Essentials:

Art Spiegelman: "Maus"
Will Eisner: "The Contract with God Trilogy: Life on Dropsie Avenue"
Frank Miller: "The Dark Night Returns"
Joe Sacco: "Palestine"
Alan Moore: "Watchmen"
Grant Morrison: "The Invisibles" et al
David Mack: "Kabuki: Metamorphosis"
David B.: "Epileptic"
Dan Clowes: "David Boring"
J.M. DeMatteis: "The Compleat Moonshadow"
Chris Ware: "Acme Novelty Library"
Charles Burns: "Black Hole"

That's a short list of great starting points, but in general, raiding the catalogues of Pantheon Books, DC's Vertigo line, Top Shelf productions, and Fantagraphics Books is always a great idea. I can suggest more on request.

I'm not as into Asian comics, but if you're into that, start with Lone Wolf And Cub.

NEEDY

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 10:38 PM

I can't believe nobody's mentioned it already on a Whedonverse board but you must read Joss Whedon's "Fray"
It's about a vampire slayer in the future, but there's no need to have watched Buffy to "get it". Though if you are fan of the Buffster then there's a few references you can "ooh" and "aah" at.

I suppose you have to mention Frank Miller's Batman:Year One whenever graphic novels are mentioned too.

My personal favourites though (and I've been reading comics for a little over a year now, so I'm not yet an expert) are:

Kolchak The Night Stalker: Pain Without Tears - This made me a fan of all things Kolchak. It's a beautiful story which is fairly short, but rather emotional. An excellent read.

Fray - already mentioned.

Daredevil: Guardian Devil - There may be better ones out there, I've yet to find out, but I've started reading the comics and this one by Kevin Smith is twisty and heart-breaking.

Ultimate Spider-man: Volume 1, Power and Responsiblity - Brian Michael Bendis scripts this modern "remake" of the Spider-man story. If you like "Buffy" then you're sure to love this.
Side note - whilst I can't remember any specific recent Straczinski (sp?) Spider-man stories (due to collecting the issues and not paperbacks), I recommend you picking these up if you have a love for Spidey.

Superman: Secret Identity - A superb comic that tells the story of a boy called Clark Kent that gets teased because he shares his name with that classic super-hero comic character. Only this Clark Kent just happens to share his namesake's powers. It may sound a bit preposterous but it really is an excellent story.

Superman: Red Son - Is another alternate reality tale that tells the story of how Kal'El's ship landed in Russia, not the USA. It's written by Mark Millar and not only is it an entertaining "What if" tale with guest appearances from the likes of the Wonder Woman and Batman characters (albeit in different forms), but it has a fantastic ending which just made me want to read it all again.

Lastly is V For Vendetta. Although I haven't finished reading it myself, it's a well-written story with so many rich characters and a plot that makes you think, rather than just accept everything as your typical good vs evil like a lot of comic books..

So there's my recommendations, I'm sure as I pick up more books, I'll have more recommendations too.
I would like to recommend Whedon's Astonishing X-Men: Gifted too which, although not being one of my absolute favourite graphic novels, is a great read, especially if you're a fan of Whedon.

Btw, there's two Superman novels in my list there... and I wasn't even that much of a superman fan. These novels and Smallville have developed my love for the character and it's mythology

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GIXXER

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 10:46 PM

The serialised 2000AD stuff.

Judge Dredd. Fine, but go for...

DR and Quinch. Utterly amoral. Violent. Dead funny.

Nemesis. Great nose.

Halo Jones. Firefly standard.

SOOTHSAYER

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:01 PM

I like SEBA's essentials list - I will second some of them and recommend a few others:

Essentials:
Watchmen
The Compleat Moonshadow
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (1&2)
Batman - The Dark Knight Returns
Batman - The Long Halloween
V for Vendetta

Mentionables:
From Hell (not for the faint of heart, about Jack the Ripper)
Y: The Last Man Series
Sandman

Also, if you like Japanese history/culture and would like to read the penultimate series in manga... Lone Wolf and Cub!

Happy reading

"I believe in a higher power."

FURTHURCAT

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:10 PM

"god's man" by lynd ward. it is sometimes considered to be the first graphic novel- 1929- and it's brilliant.

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