Thursday, March 6, 2014

Recommended Reads: Graphic Novels

I read my first graphic novel back in my college days for a literature class.  It was Maus by Art Spiegelman and it left a mark on me that I will never forget.  For some reason, it took me a decade to return to graphic novels.  A few years ago, I picked up another graphic novel and I have not set them down again.  I read them regularly and am always looking for more recommendations.


If you are looking to pick up your first graphic novel or to find a few more favorites to add to your collection, I now share my top ten current favorites, in no particular order.
  1. Fables by Bill Willingham:  Fables is an on-going and longer series featuring the well-known fairy tale characters that we grew up with.  They have been exiled to our world after the adversary took over their imaginary lands, and they do what they have to in order to survive.  Willingham has created an elaborate world that I love to get lost in every single issue.
  2. The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman:  You may be familiar with this one if you watch the popular show on AMC; however, the book is so much better.  The books and the television show have a similar premise, but have a multitude of differences.  A must-read for all zombie fans!
  3. Bad Island by Doug TenNapel:  TenNapel is one of my favorite graphic novelists, for both his amazing imagination and story-telling skills, but also for the outstanding artwork that accompanies his tales.  In Bad Island, a family's vacation takes an unexpected turn and they must work together to escape.
  4. Maus by Art Spiegelman:  Maus is a two-part memoir, written from Spiegelman's point of view about his father's time during the Holocaust.  Cats and mice represent the Germans and the Jewish respectively, and that symbolism is just the beginning.  It's a story about our world's history that we cannot forget, but it is also a very personal story about the author and his father.
  5. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale:  If you are looking for a fairy tale re-telling that is fun and friendly for the younger eyes, this is the one I recommend.  It's an entertaining read, and one that I wish to someday add to my own personal collection, so I can re-visit it again and again.
  6. Y - The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan:  Vaughan explores the gendercide in this graphic novel series.  A man and his pet monkey are the only males to survive.  They embark on a journey to find answers to what happened and to figure out what can be done to help the human race survive.  Yorick (the sole remaining man) is witty and humorous, but unresistingly adorable!
  7. Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel:  TenNapel makes another appearance with probably his most famous of graphic novels, Ghostopolis.  A young dying boy is somehow transported to a ghost world.  He finds he has unexpected talents in this world, but will it be enough to return him home?!?
  8. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan:  Vaughan takes us into a fantastical world through the eyes of two lovers from different worlds.  These worlds also happen to be at war with each other.  The unlikely couple set off on their own to raise their child in peace, but they encounter many obstacles along the way.  Saga is a newer graphic novel series that has completely won me over and currently sits on my list of all-time favorite reads!
  9. The Good Neighbors by Holly Black:  Black won my heart with her trilogy featuring Rue, an only child of a family filled with secrets.  I don't want to give too many details away on this one, but I will say that it is a paranormal favorite.
  10. Locke & Key by Joe Hill:  Hill takes us on an action-packed adventure in his Locke & Key series.  It's horrifying, yet intriguing; you simply will not be able to look away, especially once the different keys are introduced into the story.  You never know what they may unlock!

What are some of your favorite graphic novels?  Which graphic novel would you recommend to a newbie to the medium?

22 comments:

  1. I read a little of TWD via Amazon's look inside feature and the comic seems so crass compared to the show. I am not sure I could get past that.

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    1. Ti ... I can see why you would think so. I am actually less bothered by the books than the TV show. Maybe because the violence in black and white doesn't affect me as much. Either way, what does that say about those of us that like both?!? I must be morbid!

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  2. The long Halloween a batman story is amazing, also Watchman, Alan Moores Swamp Thing,

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    1. FICTION STATE OF MIND ... I've read The Watchmen and liked it, but it is not one of my favorites. I feel like I was missing something when I read it. I will check out the others though. I've been wanting to read some of the Marvel/DC comics, but never know where to start!

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  3. You mention a LOT of awesome ones! I need to look up the rest! Maus is where I started and I never looked back. Depending on the person, I would recommend starting with either Maus or Fables. Both are so good, yet so different, that's why I say it depends on the person.

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    1. Heather ... I find myself recommending both of those the most, depending on the person. You are right. They are both so amazing, but they would be starters for different people. Though I did start my son with TenNapel!!

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  4. I think my biggest problem with GNs is that most of the popular ones seem to be too violence- or horror-based for my tastes. I read the first few Sandmans and, while I thought they were "good" in an objective sense, I didn't particularly enjoy the experience of reading them. I still haven't found the series out there that is a perfect fit for me but I'm sure it exists.

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    1. Kristen M. ... Some of them are VERY violent. I will definitely not argue with you there! Have you tried the TenNapel books? I am a huge fan of his work. They are written for the younger crowd (my son reads them!), so the violence is greatly decreased. It's more adventure. I've tried Sandman, but didn't get hooked the first time around. I do wonder if you might appreciate The Unwritten by Mike Carey too. I would classify those as more literary.

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    2. I've seen the TenNapel books but never read them so I should give them a try and I'll look at Mike Carey. Thanks for the recommendation!

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    3. Kristen M. ... You're welcome! Let me know if those end up working for you, especially the TenNapel books!!

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  5. The only one of those I've read is Ghostopolis. I have a good list now! :) My fave is probably Persepolis.

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    1. Becca Lostinbooks ... I've read Persepolis and really enjoyed both of those. They just didn't make my favorites list! Let me know when you read some more. I would love to hear what you think.

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  6. Go with the Classics:

    "Arkham Asylum", just had it's 25th anniversary, and is the start of the Dark Knight (Batman reboot)

    "Sandman" by Neil Gaiman with Dave Mckean. Never out of print

    "Slaine: The Horned God" by Pat Mills etc - not necessarily a "classic" but it's the series that got me into GNs.

    "Death of Superman" (think that's the title). Dealing with the death of Superman - spoiler alert! - the first time a major SuperHero had been killed off by the writers.

    Avoid "Dark Knight Returns" like the plague. Even if you can get past the graphics, some of the plot is downright objectionable.

    Any of the Gail Simone/Wonder Woman canon - for no better reason than a woman writing a woman super hero!

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    1. nordie ... Awesome! Thanks for the recommendations!! The only one on this list I have attempted is Sandman, but I only read the first volume and never went back. I need to give that one another try. I look forward to checking out these other ones too!!

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  7. Oh Maus :( Loved that one, just sad.
    I'm through the first 7 (?) of Gaiman's Sandman. Sometimes it's a struggle but some are really wonderful.

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    1. Wesley Hoffman ... Maus is definitely a sad one! I did read the first Sandman, but never returned to it. I think I need to give it another try.

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  8. I second Becca's vote for Persepolis. It is one of my favorites, too. And the movie lived up to the book in my opinion.

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    1. lvsmith ... I didn't even know they made a movie of that one! I have read the books, but they did not make my list. They were very eye-opening though!

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  9. I always warn people about the walking dead and how massive the book is. Cause all other graphic novels are smaller.

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    1. Johannah ... The Walking Dead is huge, and it is still growing!!

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  10. Watchmen will always be my favorite for its political and cultural criticism. I also love it for critiquing the superhero fascination modern culture has. It is just a ground-breaking work.

    I would also recommend V for Vendetta for a classic anti-hero focus. It is another work by Moore, and is another favorite. It is a bit easier material-wise than Watchmen.

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    1. literariium ... I have read Watchmen and honestly, I don't think I caught everything. It was definitely good though, especially considering how ground-breaking it was at the time it was released. I will not deny that!

      I have not yet read V for Vendetta. I gotta add that one to my list!

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