Ten Top Graphic Novels
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1: V For Vendetta
ADULT Material.
V for Vendetta
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 05/24/2012)
I have been fascinated with Alan Moore's work since I first read Warrior Comic back in the 80s, and have several volumes on the shelves. It was hard selecting just one, but in the end it had to be this. When Warrior was put out of business by Marvel (though they won the lawsuit over the name Marvelman, the company was bankrupted by the proceedings), I missed so much of its output, but most of all V For Vendetta; the story was left unfinished, and I was thrilled beyond imagining when I walked into a bookstore and saw the graphic novel, with the completed story. This is the graphic novel at its finest: superb art coupled with brilliant storytelling. There is no squeamish shying away from horror or pain, it shows you the raw cruelty on both sides without flinching. A magnificent political thriller.
“Ideas are bullet-proof...”
More Alan Moore on Amazon
2: Wormwood, Gentleman Corpse
ADULT Material.
Wormwood Volume 1 (v. 1)
Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 05/24/2012)
The Australian artists Ben Templesmith is perhaps best known for his work on 30 Days of Night with Steve Niles. This is his solo creation, however, and it is quite a different kettle of fish. For one thing, while it tells a cracking adventure story, it is hilariously funny. When I first read it I laughed till my ribs ached. And the second time, and the third... The characters include several young ladies whose tattoos are more than just art , an android missing certain anatomical bits and resenting it, and Wormwood himself - the most debonair, witty and devious maggot you will ever meet. And the art is astonishing, too, veering from the eerily lovely to the rather disturbing. Once you've read one, like me you'll go looking for more.
The wise words of Wormwood
Who knew peanut butter and a yak were so much fun?
More Ben Templesmith on Amazon
3: The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes
Adult material
The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes (New Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.93 (as of 05/24/2012)
The Sandman stories have much of horror in them, but what else is the stuff of nightmares? The series contains stories in a wide range of genres, and artistic styles, but all are completely befitting the life-story of Morpheus, master of the realm of dreams. In this first collection, he escapes from imprisonment by an occultist who sought immortality, to face Hell's legions and many others in his quest to regain his kingdom. The artwork is magnificently imaginative, and the plots delve into everything from psychology to mythology. To gain a new perspective on the world, I heartily recommend Gaiman.
Morpheus muses
From the darkness I hear the beating of mighty wings...
More Neil Gaiman on Amazon
4: Sinister Dexter - Gunshark Vacation
PG material
Sinister Dexter: Gunshark Vacation
Amazon Price: $5.98 (as of 05/24/2012)
I first came across these hitman heroes in 200 AD comic, and they surprised the hell out of me. For one thing, I hadn't expected to enjoy the tale of two killers so much, or to appreciate their attitude the way I did. But outragous Irish assassin Finnegan Sinster and his sharp-dressing, tv obsessed partner Ramon Dexter just hit a chord. Part of it is the razor-sharp writing by Dan Abnett, a man who seems able to turn everything he touches to gold. Part of it is the stylish, vivid artwork by various different masters of the comic genre. But whatever it is, it has carried these pair through not only many strips in the comics, but into a set of graphic novels currently numbered at 5. Abnett does not simply rewrite the same story, he gives his characters a gripping life history that makes every new adventure a genuinely original read. This volume is a splendid introduction for the newcomer, though it takes the two from their hometown of Downlode (which has become a tad too warm) to visit the seamy Euro-blight that is Asbestopol. Fast, bloody, witty action stories, with a sense of morality that is most unexpected.
“This is Downlode, the city that fell and couldn't get up...”
More Dan Abnett on Amazon
5: Death Note
PG material
Death Note Box Set (Vol. 1-13)
Amazon Price: $50.66 (as of 05/24/2012)
I had to include at least one manga here, and Death Note has to be one of the most fascinating ever written. The story covers 12 volumes, with a spin-off or two, and every volume takes you somewhere different. I can honestly say that having read one you will want to read the next, and that keeps on to the very end. Though there is a lot of action and emotion within the stories, the main concept revolves around basic questions of right and wrong. Is it wrong to kill, even for the sake of doing good? Is it right to kill in order to stop someone else killing? Your perceptions of who are the good guys and who the bad in the story will be perpetually overturned, and even at the finish I was still unsure who I thought made the right choices and who the wrong. And through it all the cynical, comical, remorseless observations of the death gods point up the foibles of humanity. a true classic.
Why did the Death Note get dropped?
'Because I was bored, that's why.'
More Death Note on Amazon
Add a Word
So, how do you like my choices so far? Have I missed your favourites or picked something you think doesn't deserve its place? Speak out now.
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Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm
Mar 25, 2012 @ 5:07 pm | delete
- Pretty good selection. I have heard of several, read only one, but this was still an interesting lens.
Li Li
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6: Hellboy - Seed Of Destruction
PG material
Hellboy, Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction
Amazon Price: $8.89 (as of 05/24/2012)
The first collection of Hellboy's adventures sets the tone for all that follows. Action-packed and yet also intelligent, funny but philosophical, hip and yet deeply erudite, the comics scripted by Mike Mignola never become repetitive or dull. And he never writes for the lowest common denominator. You have to think about the meaning in the stories, even while you enjoy the full-on action. These are not for children, I should add; the movies are a bit more family-oriented, but the original tales can be very very dark, very scary and very adult.
A word from Hellboy
Thanks, but I have other plans for the apocalypse...
More Hellboy on Amazon
7: The Preacher - Gone To Texas
ADULT material
Preacher Vol. 1: Gone to Texas
Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 05/24/2012)
The first of the Preacher series, this tells how Jesse Custer finds he has the power to make anyone do anything he commands - but all he really wants to do is find God and make Him take some responsibility for His creation. In his quest to find the Almighty he enrols an old girlfriend, an Irish vampire, and a host of other colourful characters, and is pursued by a host of equally colourful enemies (including the unstoppable Saint of Killers and a boy known as *rseface). The comics have been criticised for being highly violent and covering some extremely adult material - but Ennis never pretended this was not written for adults. The stories ARE violent, very much so, and there is a lot of swearing, drinking, drug abuse and other action people might find offensive. But there is also a great deal of very intelligent debate about the nature of God, man, evil and destiny. These are not just gory modern westerns, they are investigations into the human psyche, so you can expect a very rough ride. But if you can take it, you will find it makes you laugh, challenges your ideas, and sets you thinking; it might even give you hope.
“He has an obligation to do right by the world He's made...”
More Preacher on Amazon
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8: Asterix the Gaul
Suitable for all readers
Asterix Omnibus 1: Includes Asterix the Gaul #1, Asterix and the Golden Sickle #2, Asterix and the Goths #3 (v. 1)
Amazon Price: $66.10 (as of 05/24/2012)
After the rather heavier fare I've already highlighted, I felt it was time for something which isn't about deep meaningful concepts, which doesn't try to make you think; all Asterix wants is to make you laugh. And he's been making me chuckle since I was a nipper. Originally written in French, these stories are just outrageous action comedies which have delighted people all over the world with their absurd plots and torturous puns. Though some have accused them of racism, the racial stereotyping is applied to all nations equally; the French are as much the victims as anyone else, and part of the fun lies in the exploiting of these ridiculous caricatures of racial perceptions. The violence is strictly comic only. Adult and child alike can enjoy the adventures of Asterix and his huge friend Obelix. In fact, my old French teacher helped my study of the language immensely by pointing me at a stack of Asterix books in the original, and letting me get on with it, and they have also been used to teach Latin!
Asterix speaks:
These Romans are crazy!
More Asterix on Amazon
9: The Haunter of the Dark
ADULT material
The Haunter of the Dark: And Other Grotesque Visions
Amazon Price: $8.69 (as of 05/24/2012)
John Coulthard's illustrated Lovecraft stories more than do justice to the original text; they add an extra, darker layer, giving disturbing shape to Lovecraft's nightmare visions. Also included are illustrations from the modern Lord Horror comics, though without text. Even so they stand out, needing no words to make them tell a story. Incredibly detailed and gothic, Coulthard's art shows that monochrome can be as impressive as colour when it comes to horror.
Neil Gaiman on The Haunter of the Dark
The strange old man from Providence would have been proud of it...
10: Judge Dredd - Featuring Judge Death
PG material
Judge Dredd: Featuring Judge Death (Judge Dredd (Titan Books Unnumbered))
Amazon Price: $30.30 (as of 05/24/2012)
Again 2000 AD introduced me to the neo-fascist thuggery of Judge Dredd. The Dredd stories were both satisfying action, and sharp socio-political commentary on Britain at the time, and Judge Dredd himself an unforgettable character. But my real affection for the tales was born when the ghastly wraith of Judge Death arrived from another dimension to obliterate life in Dredd's Megacity One. Death was a truly inspired creation, genuinely scary and yet laced with black humour. (For instance in the Batman crossover story Judgement on Gotham, the Scarecrow shows us what Death is afraid of - fluffy bunnies and rainbow ponies!). He got his own series later on, and appeared in other spinoffs, but it is here that he first showed up, and here that you should begin reading.
“The crime is life, the sentence is death!”
More Dredd on Amazon
The Greatest Graphic Novels
This is your chance to vote for the best graphic novel; don't worry, you are not limited to my suggestions, you can add your own (but please take the time to tell us what's so great about them).
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by Lemming13
Disabled single mum trying to keep mind and body active with interesting hobbies. Lover of horror, fantasy, science fiction, history, mythology, music,... more »
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