Graphic Novels / Comics?

Jeremy Ordan

Jeremy Ordan

Major Contributor
I hadn't read a comic or graphic novel or whatever they are calling them in about 15 years or so until my wife's brother gave me a copy of 'I Am Legend'. Pretty good book that sort of got me thinking that maybe I should check out some others... I read 'Son of Celluloid' from a Clive Barker story in the books of Blood. That was great and a must read for anyone who is into classic cinema...

So this has me kind of fired up and thinking about other books.

Anyone else read any of these and have any favorites?
 
My picks (doesn't matter they're all awesome):

The Dark Knight returns is classic. The one that started it all when it comes to raising the bar in super hero stories. You've probably read that though by now. Published by DC Comics

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman "The Doll's House" and "A Game of You" are the ones I read. Published by DCs Imprint Vertigo Comics

Hiketeia is also a great one where a criminal comes to Wonder Woman for protection after a murder she's committed. The problem is Batman is hunting her and to get her he'll have to go through Diana (Wonder Woman). I have to admire Batman's tenacity because he's willing to get his butt thrashed in the name of justice. LOL. But it was an awesome premise. Published by DC Comics.

Maus: A Survivor's Tale An interesting take on WWII using anthropomorphic animals, Cats as Nazis and Jews represented as a mice. It's almost like a kid's story but not. Very well done by Art Spiegelman. Published by Pantheon Books.

"Identity Crisis" Trade Paperback: Elongated Man's wife Sue is killed. Now when you kill a superhero's wife, cops don't investigate, the heroes do. The combined forces of JLA which of course includes Batman (the world's greatest detective) and Superman (also a detective by right), JSA (Green Arrow and Elongated Man himself who're also detectives), The Outsiders (now lead by Robin aka Nightwing who was trained by Batman) seek out the killer. The twist in the end is pretty shocking. The book is written by NY Times best selling mystery author Brad Meltzer. Imagine a really good episode of CSI but with superheroes. CSI is very different when you have a guy who can shrink to the size of an atom and actually look at the fibers in a rug or a person who can analyze things by touch. They bring some great heroes in villains into this. Published by DC Comics

Kingdom Come from DC is probably the absolute best. Totally trashes the idea of the modern day superhero and brings it back around to what real heroes were all about. It takes place in the future where Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (Superman and Wonder Woman haven't aged but Batman and others have) come back to the forefront to put both the new criminals (and sometimes the "heroes") in check. It kicks ass. Published by DC Comics.

-Nate
 
Look up the Japanese manga series Death Note. It is brilliantly written and will make you think about the nature of good and evil.

The Premise: A high school student discovers a mysterious notebook that will kill anyone whose name appears in it. He begins to use it to execute criminals from around the globe. This attracts the attention of the CIA, who sends an operative known only as "L" to hunt him down. Thus a deadly game of cat and mouse begins...
 
I've recently gotten into Adrian Tomine. He wrote and illustrated a series called Optic Nerve, and several stories from the series were compiled into graphic novels. I would highly recommend Summer Blonde and Shortcomings. That is, if you're into more character-driven relationship and loneliness kind of stuff. They're like indie films in comic form. Very painfully honest work.
 
So today, on the advice of people here and friends who were shocked that I am now reading this stuff I ordered: Y, Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Preacher

Damn you amazon for making shopping easy (and allowing me to hook up Isara)
 
Jeremy Ordan said:
I ordered: Y, Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Preacher
Click to expand...

You're going to love those, I have the full collection of Preacher and Y and the short TDKR. If you end up digging on Preacher go pick up Transmetropolitan, it's got the same gritty characters and even better art, though those Fabry covers are hard to beat.

It really depends what kind of stuff you're into. I happen to dig a wide variety so if you're open to being flexible, try these various titles, all are incredible...

The Black Hole - A dark series you can buy as a trade that covers a plague in a small town in the 70's. It follows high school students as they deal with the disease. Really disturbing read that sticks with you.

The Sandman - Neil Gaiman work, a classic in comics, not to be missed. Follows a character named Morpheus who controls the world of dreams. Dark, gothic type stuff if that's what yer into.

American Splendor - If you've seen the film and liked it, you'll LOVE these collections by Pekar. The one's with crumb's art are my favorites but they are all great.

Maus Again, just pointing out a couple classics that everyone gets around to reading at one point or another, this is another one. Great character driven story that takes place during the holocaust, the characters are mice and cats. Real cool read.

Criminal - Here's something that's relatively new and current. This is crime noir at it's finest, by Ed Brubaker who also happens to be the "hottest" writer in comics right now IF you're into the two bigs (DC/Marvel). He's incredible and is also writing Daredevil and Captain America right now, both titles I collect because I think he's the best super hero writer since Frank Miller. Check him out for sure, if you dig the more mainstream stuff. Criminal is my favorite current title.

Tomine - Someone already mentioned him. Get anything he's done, he's amazingly simple and poignant.

The Watchmen - Duh. It's what got me into comics as a kid. A staple in every comics collection.

Box office Poison - More character driven goodness, excellent stuff.

Blankets - Will blow you away, real tragic and cool. Speaking of more modern character driven stuff, be sure to go to http://www.topshelfcomix.com/ and http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/ both have excellent collections. I go there, find the titles I want then head over to Amazon and buy them for dirt cheap.

If you dig more mainstream but adult stuff, stick with Vertigo (by DC) and go through their classics. You can even read all of vertigo classic titles for free now on their website. So once you find one you dig, head over to amazon and buy it. I also collect some current super hero titles, if you dig that stuff, pick up daredevil, captain america, green lantern and invincible iron man. All of those have gotten so much better with the current writers.

Anyway, enjoy.
 
I never heard of Watchmen until the movie went into production, but it sounds great. I was your more traditional comic fan, so it was Captain America, Batman, etc. So, along those lines, there is-
Earth X- A dark and foreboding World where the Villains have taken over, Captain America and other survivors are still around.

Quiver- Kevin Smith plays God when he takes on this Story Arc and resurrects the Green Arrow.

There is also the Story Arc where Joker kills Robin, but I keep getting it mixed up with The Killing Joke so I'm not sure of the Story name.
 
Killing Joke = Joker shoots Batgirl in the spine causing her to be confined to a wheel chair. She is now Oracle whose main thing is getting information for her crew "The Birds of Prey."

Jeremy Ordan said:
So today, on the advice of people here and friends who were shocked that I am now reading this stuff I ordered: Y, Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Preacher

Damn you amazon for making shopping easy (and allowing me to hook up Isara)
Click to expand...

Yes, I forgot about Y: The Last Man. I had a friend who couldn't get enough of this. Be sure to get "Kingdom Come". Gotta have some balance to "The Dark Knight Returns." It will really lift your spirits. It did for me.

-Nate
 
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I read comic books back in the 70s when I was a kid, use to get them for ten cents a copy at the flea market, or exchange 2 comic books for 1, sweet lady who use to sell 'em was rather cool. I had the ORIGINAL Superman comic, 1st edition without the cover, of course, I had no idea about collecting back then, so my loss is really my loss.

I use to read:

Legion of Superheroes (superman, cosmic boy, phantom girl, matter eater to name a few)
Superman
Origin of Superheroes
Green Lantern
Iron Man
Flash
Supergirl
Batman
Wonder Woman
Spiderman (but his self-pity drove me nuts)
Captain Marvel
Fantastic Four
Archie (oh yeah)

Those are to name a few. Legion of Superheroes and Superman were may favorites. I only got to read a few Origins of Superheroes, still remains as a good read. My favorite comics are going to be from the 70s and 60s, back in the day when I was a kid and before.

I remember reading the Superman comic where Superman dies, the FIRST TIME, lol. Yeah, Lex Luther prepared me for Smallville. Not sure I would enjoy the series today if I hadn't read comics book back when.
I also recently bought a pack of comics on Ebay from the 70s, but utterly disappointed with the lot, whatever, can't go back home again, lol.
 
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