The Best Graphic Novels: Reading Truly Is Better With Pictures

This list of the best graphic novels of all time will help guide you toward your journey on getting better acquainted (and getting started) on graphic novel fandom!

Graphic Novel Mania

Ever since 2005's big screen port of Frank Miller's classic "Sin City," graphic novels have become all the rage - exploding into the mainstream and invoking a great deal of interest in these very underrated masterpieces. Graphic novels, in short, can be though of as novel-sized comic books. They are written as a limited series, unlike their more brief and frequently issued comic book cousins. Some graphic novels are purely black and white, while others are in color.

One of the most interesting aspects of graphic novels is that they typically stray away from the spandex-clad superhero genre, calling more attention to street life, primal danger and less fantastic situations that readers can relate to. Graphic novels usually involve plots for the thinking man - filled with deep psychological or dimensional oddities.

Thanks to all of this hype, most people who barely even knew about the existence of graphic novels are now in tune to what they're about. In fact, several movies such as V for Vendetta, From Hell, 300, Constantine and A History of Violence have been released to the big screen, while many viewers hadn't even known that they were originally graphic novels. Here, you'll be able to learn more about what the classics are, and what the buzz is about (and hopefully, you'll add them in your collection - to read again, and again, and again!)

Below are listings of what are considered by most to be the best graphic novel series of all time. Keep in mind, these authors have completed many works - most of which are notable, and worthy of your own research! I've included volume one of the books that are a multi-part series, assuming that you are unfamiliar with those particular series, and need a place to begin.

Want to create your own graphic novel? (Get taken down to the bottom of this page for some great resources!)

Frank Miller's Best Graphic Novels

Frank Miller is most famous for authoring "Sin City," an exciting, imaginative and graphically violent graphic novel that takes you though the days in the lives of several key characters, as they become victims of circumstance. He also worked on other gritty series such as Robocop, 300, Batman: The Dark Knight, and Daredevil, to name a few. On top of this, he wrote the original screenplay for the movies Robocop 2 & 3.

Frank Miller's Complete Sin City Library

by Frank Miller

Why does this series get so much hype? Simply because it's freakin' awesome. It's perfection in every way. Every book is better than the next, and I guarantee, you will read them for years and years to come...whether you stare intently at Miller's creative perspectives, or re-read the fantastic captions. Don't shy away from the price - if you ever wound up getting the first novel, you'll undoubtedly buy them all, anyway! The first Sin City movie covers novels 1, 3 and 4.

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300

by Frank Miller, Lynn Varley

Yet another big-screen success, "300" was used as a direct inspiration, panel for panel, in shooting the incredible quasi-historical movie starring Gerard Butler. This book is a must for mythology fans. The only bad part about it is that the book itself is so oddly shaped.

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Ronin

by Frank Miller

In a setting where New York City has fallen into ruin, this novel uses Miller's typical ingredients of action, humor and imagination as you follow the path of a broken samurai in a world of dangerous mutants and strange technology.

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Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

by Frank Miller

Batman is back from a period of deep self-finding anguish, as a gang known as the Mutants has run amok in a city now ridden of superheroes. Following a dramatic conclusion of the Joker, this story shows the dark, almost sadistic style that you always wanted to see in this cliche-ridden franchise.

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Frank Miller's Robocop

by Frank Miller, Juan Jose Ryp

Held back from his original ideas for the Robocop character, this novel presented the no-holds-barred style that Miller wanted us to see. Grasping between his machine existence his human past, Officer Murphy [a.k.a. Robocop] is cast aside by the police force, only to wander rampant and ruthless.

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Alan Moore's Best Graphic Novels

Alan Moore is a fantastic, deep-thinking author who wrote several successful graphic novels which have taken quite awhile to reach the mainstream, such as "V for Vendetta."

Watchmen (Absolute Edition)

by Alan Moore

Watchmen is not only considered to be one of the best graphic novels ever written, but was proclaimed by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Best English Novels of All Time" in 2005. Set in the 1980s, the novel follows a motley crue of costumed superheroes in an alternate universe where the United States is nearing nuclear war with the Soviet Union. The Watchmen movie trailer shows us that this may be "the" movie of 2009 - be sure to read this one BEFORE seeing the movie for full effect!

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V for Vendetta

by Alan Moore, David Lloyd

Much stronger in storyline than in graphic quality, this story follows rebel "V," a cultured terrorist with an affinity for fine art and music, as he fights the suppressive government that grips his country. You'll surely love to read and discuss the omissions from the movie that were included in this original source, as well as notice how very different the ending from the book and movie are.

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From Hell

by Alan Moore

The original novel that the 2001 Johnny Depp movie of the same name was based from - the storyline follows a conspiracy hypothesis that the birth of an infant fathered by British royal Prince Victor was covered up by its murder.

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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1

by Alan Moore

The first book in a series of two 6-issue series, later brought over to the big screen in 2003: this novel follows the exploits of multiple teams (in each book) composed of classic fictional characters such as Long John Silver, Captain Nemo, Lemuel Gulliver, Captain Hook, and more. These fascinating combinations of legendary characters venture to fantastic locations filled with suspense and mystery. While the movie didn't fare well, the novels are amongst most graphic novel fan's favorites.

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Warren Ellis' Best Graphic Novels

Transmetropolitan Vol. 1: Back on the Street

by Warren Ellis, Darick Robertson

Following journalist Spider Jerusalem's exploits in a post-cyberpunk world, you'll be taken through a fascinating vision of the distant future as Spider fights governmental corruption, in a time when alien/human hybrid experimentation looms. This is book 1 in a series of 10, plus a suppliment entitled "Vol. 0." This series is almost impossible to find at your local bookstore (such as Barnes & Noble), so Amazon is your best bet. Expect a movie adaptation in the future - with a series like this, it's inevitable!

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Brian Azzarello's Best Graphic Novels Graphic Novels

100 Bullets Vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call

by Brian Azzarello

This espionage thriller involves mysterious Mr. Graves, presenter of a briefcase containing a handgun and 100 untraceable bullets, along with uncovered information about your coveted enemy...giving you the choice of exacting revenge at your discretion - free from the possibility of arrest, thanks to a special license to kill. The results are shocking and amusing, as his subjects figure out ingenious ways to carry out their vengeance plans. There are currently 10 collections of this original work in graphic novel format.

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Jamie Delano's Best Graphic Novels

Hellblazer: Original Sins

by Jamie Delano

Hellblazer is the 1988 graphic novel that the 2005 Keanu Reeves movie "Constantine" was based on. It follows the story of trenchcoat-wearing, chain smoking John Constantine - a freelance demonologist who battles stray hell creatures that have wandered into our world. With the divine ability to see angels and devils alike, he has a higher understanding of what happens after death, and cheats his own. This is a great story with those fascinated by the mythos of heaven and hell. 22 published collections encompass this series.

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Garth Ennis' Best Graphic Novels

Preacher Vol. 1: Gone to Texas

by Garth Ennis

A plot thought as offensive to some, it involves antihero Jesse Custer - ex Texan preacher whose beef with God's abandonment of Heaven prompts him to gather companions Tulip O'Hare (love interest and hitwoman), and Irish vampire Cassidy, to settle the score while fending off superhuman foes from hell along the way. The graphic novel series is composed of 9 volumes.

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Punisher MAX, Vol. 1

by Garth Ennis, Lewis Larosa

This violent look into the life of Frank Castle [The Punisher] is told from square one, with the death of his family, and his passion in taking his anger out on criminals.

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Grant Morrison's Best Graphic Novels

The Invisibles Vol. 1: Say You Want a Revolution

by Grant Morrison

The series that made Morrison famous: this one will really interest the conspiracy theorists, for its plotline dealing with a very bizarre and personality-rich team of protagonists who battle the already enslaved human race (oblivious to their fate) by a secret organization of mind-controlling aliens. Lots of time travel, action, and supernatural fun are packed in the storyline.

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Doom Patrol, Book 1: Crawling From the Wreckage

by Grant Morrison

Grant Morrison took over the late 60's Doom Patrol series, in a handful of collections beginning with this book. Doom Patrol is about a group of super-powered misfits and their lives as outcasts (much like Watchmen, or The X-Men). With unorthodox characters such as Negative Man, Celsius, Robotman, Crazy Jane et. all, it's one you can't pass up.

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John Wagner's Best Graphic Novels

A History of Violence

by John Wagner, Vince Locke

Another graphic novel to film adaptation about Tom McKenna: a man who gains local hero status after fending off a robbery attempt - only to be confronted by the New York City mafia under a case seeming to be that of wrongful identity, for an incident that happened two decades ago. As the truth surfaces, Tom is driven to tell his family the true tale of his past...

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Brian Vaughan's Best Graphic Novels

Ex Machina, Vol. 1: The First Hundred Days

by Brian K. Vaughan

The Ex Machina 5-book series focuses on protagonist Mitchell Hundred, also known as "The Great Machine" - the world's first superhero and mayor of New York City. Using a rocket propelled backpack and ray guns, he uses his uncanny affinity to command machines to solve murders and fight crime across the city.

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Unmanned (Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1)

by Brian K. Vaughan

The Y series tells of Yorick Brown: escape artist and the last man on Earth, after a plague-like extinction of all males. The surviving planet of women cope with the overwhelming loss, and knowledge that the extinction of the human race is imminent.

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Alan Martin's Best Graphic Novels

Tank Girl

by Alan Martin

Jam-packed with quirkiness, cyberpunk roots and goofy humor, Tank Girl is a beer-obscessed tank driver travelling through post-apocalyptic Australian landscapes with companions Sub Girl and Jet Girl, not to mention the mutant kangaroo boyfriend of hers, Booga. The series spun off the love-it-or-hate-it feature film of the same name, in 1995.

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Want to Start Your Own Graphic Novel?

...but don't know how? Fear not!

Of course, with every new trend, there's the spark of inspiration to be a part of it. Such is the case of creating your own graphic novel!

Writing, sketching and painting are difficult tasks - let alone, having the wit, complexity and imagination to devise your own plots, characters and somehow join them all together in a story that will interest other people. Use the following resources to help you do just that - and get started on your own graphic novel today!

Resources for Creating Your Own Graphic Novel

Overcome "beginner's block" with some professional assistance:

You can't go wrong with professional, industry-experienced authors who guide you through the process of creating your own graphic novel. Devise, write and sketch your way through it all with their help! Who knows, you could someday create the next "300," "Sin City" or "Watchmen" yourself!