Recommend A Graphic Novel to me by Arcadia

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Recommend A Graphic Novel to me

POSTED BY: ARCADIA
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 22:07
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Sunday, April 9, 2006 8:34 PM

So, this weekend I ended up buying my first graphic novel, the first issue of Ex Machina. I really liked it, and I really liked the Serenity comics. I'm interested in looking for more. I've heard that The Preacher and The Sandman are really good. Are there others I should check out (assuming I can find them)?

Thanks, browncoats!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Objects in Space"
River: It's just an object. It doesn't mean what you think...

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 9:23 PM

LEGOLAD

Planetes. Actually, I'd recommend this to anyone who likes Firefly. It's about garbagemen in space, and has the same realistic, unglamourous, yet breathtaking look at life in space that Firefly has.

Give it a shot; the style is quite detailed, and not nearly as cartoony as most manga, and the characters grow on you pretty fast. Unfortunately it's too short; only four volumes. Like Firefly, it's over before it even began!

And no, the title's not a spelling error -- it's not Planets, it's Planetes, the Greek word for 'wanderer,' which of course is the origin of the word 'planet': a wanderer through the sky. Personally, I think it's a perfect title.

Also, I highly enjoyed The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, by Alan Moore. It basically takes the concept, what if the entirety of Victorian fiction existed in one universe? And thus the main characters are all reimaginings of characters from classic literature: Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, the Invisible Man, etc. Very entertaining, and a fun game of "spot the reference" if you like popular fiction from that era. A slight warning: it can occasionally be quite violent, particularly the parts involving Jekyll's infamous alterego.

"We need a hood ornament."

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Sunday, April 9, 2006 9:29 PM

SAMEERTIA

Planetes is fun.
I loved Preacher, even if it's a little tweaky. Well, not as tweaky as Sandman.

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Monday, April 10, 2006 1:53 AM

SIXSHOOTER

For a comic series to get into check out the just new Jonah Hex series, they capture the feeling of a spaghetti western perfectly.
Also check out El Arsenal a sci-fi comic with a very Mexican western feel.

Yeah, I’m a geek…
... but then if you're reading this, posted on a dead sci-fi telly shows message board, chances are you are too.

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Monday, April 10, 2006 2:18 AM

DRE

I liked Ex Machina. Bought the first collected issue; have yet to buy the next though. Here are my picks:

PREACHER (Garth Ennis): a mix of western heroism and modern day consipracy, add in a bunch of shooting guns, a vampire, and a really good human drama.

STRANGERS IN PARADISE (Terry Moore): by the far the coolest and best directed graphic novel I've read in ages (in terms of using poetry and song lyrics etc mixed in with the art and story). Basic story's about the relationship between two girls and this one poor guy, mixed in with some intrigue and action.

THE WATCHMEN (Alan Moore): A story based on the principle, "What if Batman (or other crime-fighting vigilantes) were real?" Takes place in the 80's and deals with an old group of crime-fighters after one mysteriously gets murdered. Good human condition thing (Moore is the quitessential deconstructionist).

JAR OF FOOLS (>< Can't remember the author
offhand): Story of a street magician and his (senile) mentor as they look for a meaning in their lives.

BONE (Jeff Smith): This is on par with the old Uncle Scrooge comics, etc, in terms of difficuly. But the story is great and the characters are hilarious. Fun to read.

Comics I'm currently reading:
Runaways (Brian K. Vaughan): Story of some teenages whose parents were super villians, and how they fight them and take on crime.

Y the Last Man (B.K.V.): Yorrick is the last man on Earth after a mysterious plague instantly wipes out all mammals with a Y chromosome. Vaughan can write T_T

The Wintermen: Russian super-soldiers after the collapse of the Cold War and dealing with more conspiracies. I love it, but I can see where a lot of people might be turned off, cause the dialogue can be rough to get through and the characters are always talking about things they know but we have yet to know wholly. I usually have to reread a few issues before the next one to relearn things ><

That's my two cents.

Some of em are a bit more adult (Preacher, Y, SiP) while others are pretty tame (Runaways and Bone). I got some others but I didn't wanna bore ya :P

IKIYO.
DRE

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Monday, April 10, 2006 8:37 AM

PIRATA

No doubt whatsoever:
Miyazaki's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
(the graphic novel indeed, not the movie)

Try here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569313482/102-7335592-1276938?v=glan
ce&n=283155

If the advice of a fellow browncoat isn't enough, just read some of the reviews ;)

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Monday, April 10, 2006 2:22 PM

NUCLEARDAY

Preacher is one of my favorites. I saw someone recommend Sandman, and the Watchmen and I definately have to agree.

If you want the best, check out anything by Will Eisner. He's the Grand Master of the format, and the one who coined the term "sequential art." Literally anything at all from him. If his name's on it, it's a classic ;p

Maus is also a good one, by Art Spiegelman.

I'm not terribly well-versed with the superhero side of things, but one definate essential is Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Really good take on the Batman mythology. DC always puts out some really good stuff that deals with their heroes in interesting ways.

Tank Girl is also a good one if you can find it in TPB form, too.

________________________________________________
You can take my hope when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

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Monday, April 10, 2006 2:33 PM

KILGORETROUT

Ok i know its technically collections but THE SANDMAN is without a doubt the best thing ever written in the genre it just cant be beat and is more epic than the shot in serentiy with the alliance and rieaver ships coming to meet each other. And if you like classics (mythology ect) its truly incredible has won more awards than pretty much anything else and was the first (and last) comic to win some bighish literay award so check it out cant recomment it enough. Also Preacher is dam good in a more gun ho kind of way. But SANDMAN SANDMAN SANDMAN.

"this is a good death" the operative

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Monday, April 10, 2006 3:06 PM

SLAYER730

1. I'd have to go with the entire SIN CITY series...sorta blows the movie right out of the water.

2. For fun and profit? POISON ELVES. It's hilarious and the stories are great. (Loves me some Luse!)

3. Anything by JHONEN VASQUEZ (creator of Invader Zim): I Feel Sick, Squee, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac...

4. 30 DAYS OF NIGHT - A great twist on vampire lore...Crazy nightmare-worhty art. Read it before they make the horrid movie adaption!

5. SANDMAN SANDMAN SANDMAN SANDMAN SANDMAN

***Never judge a book by its movie***

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Monday, April 10, 2006 3:12 PM

MILFORD

My graphic novel experience is limited, but one fo the most fascinating stories I've ever read is Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. It's awesome, quite compelling even if you're not a hardcore comic fan.

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Leaning into the wind that used to carry me-Stavesacre
That's why I don't kiss'em on the mouth- Jayne Cobb

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Monday, April 10, 2006 4:39 PM

JADEHAND

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

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Monday, April 10, 2006 4:52 PM

MEANGOLDFISH

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.

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Monday, April 10, 2006 4:53 PM

SIGMANUNKI

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.

----
"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

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Monday, April 10, 2006 7:07 PM

SINGATE

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.

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Monday, April 10, 2006 7:19 PM

JANA

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.

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Monday, April 10, 2006 7:53 PM

SEBA

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.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:38 PM

NEEDY

The road to Hel is paved with good intentions

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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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:46 PM

GIXXER

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.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 1:01 PM

SOOTHSAYER

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."

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 1:10 PM

FURTHURCAT

"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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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 1:24 PM

EMBERS

I also really loved 'Watchmen'
and the Wolverine origin story (I don't recall the name of it...)
and of course I love all of Joss':

Fray
Tales of the Slayer
Tales of the Vampire
Astonishing X-men
as well as 'Serenity'

getting away from the sci-fi/fantasy however...
I recently read Harvey Pikar's American Splendor graphic novel 'Our Cancer Year' and it was brilliant. Really something special

**********************************************
watch the R. Tam Session vids: http://www.hittarivertam.nu/
and buy the 'Serenity' comics published by Dark Horse
have you checked out this thread?:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=15816

and listen to 'I'm Going To See Serenity':
http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=a0
c814e1229742ce77ed4497cbf4631c

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 1:47 PM

COMICGIRL

I like Wolverine:Origins and also the conclusion of the Wolverine story. If I remember rightly it was called The End. (Not sure though)
I'm also starting to get into the NYX series.

For somethng a bit more whimsical I love Bill Willingham's Fables series.

Just in my humble opinion.

I don't care what you believe in, just believe in it.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 3:25 PM

DRACOS

I'm amazed that nobody's made a mention of John Constantine: Hellblazer yet, especially given the love for Preacher on this thread. A fantastic series if not a bit shallow, and the art ever since the "Good Intentions" story-line started has been great.

And keeping with the Hell motif: Hellboy is my personal all-time favorite series. Mike Mignola's writing was great to begin with and it's only gotten better (as has his writing), which is kind of a pity given that he's not going to handle the series' art anymore.

Also, I'm going to second the vote for Red Son and flat out demand that you start reading Joss's Astonishing X-Men right now. It may not be the best X-Men story arc ever conceived of but it's certainly the most fun and one of the best looking. They should have let him direct X-3, I swear to God.

Finally, I'll leave you with the obvious answer: The second book of Ex Machina .

"Dont ask me silly questions.
I wont play silly games."

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 4:39 PM

BREWGRL

I would have to agree with every one who has recommended Watchmen. I actually just finished reading for my Epic and Romance Literature class (yes that is a four hundred level class in which I read a graphic novel) as part of the evolution of the Epic and Romance genres. Any who, it is really amazing.
Plus, Scott McCloud is currently at my university and giving our class a guest lecture on the graphic novel genre and the Watchmen. Ok, sorry had to have a geek moment.

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 6:02 PM

ARCADIA

Wow guys, thanks for all the recomendations!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Objects in Space"

River: It's just an object. It doesn't mean what you think...
http://www.stillflying.net/ <-- Check it out!

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 6:42 PM

SPACEPIRATEQUEEN

I'll echo Sandman (greatest thing ever--read it through to the end, and it'll be even better). Preacher's ok, though I think it stints the good parts and emphasized the bad ones a lot, and I wasn't big on Watchmen. V for Vendetta is pretty good, if wonky, and Maus is amazing. Hellblazer is totally awesome. Fray is one of my very favorites, and it's Joss Whedon. Elfquest was the first graphic novel I read, and it's still fun. Red Star is interesting, if short, and very pretty.

But Blankets by Craig Thompson is probably my very favorite graphic novel. It's absolutely amazing. Goodbye Chunky Rice (same author) is also yummy, but not as much so. Read Blankets. Is glorious.

__________________
Wife soup!

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Tuesday, April 11, 2006 7:58 PM

DANTE144

Astonishing XMEN! Gifted and Dangerous!

Great reads, nice humor and great art! Our Mr Whedon is a writing genius!

Just read V for Vendetta and it is great!

Also in the Marvel Universe..
The Dark Phoenix Saga, There is a new print out . It is my favorite X-man , Marvel title .

More recently the Avengers Dissassembeled and House of M paperbacks are pretty good.

Batman, The Dark Night returns is classic and Awesome, as well as Batman Year one,

Also Alan Davis and Alan Moore's Captain Britain Paperback is pretty cool.

"Jesus saves, everyone else takes damage" -tee shirt some girl was wearing at Megacon.

http://dantedreams.com <-my webcomic

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 9:55 PM

LEGOLAD

Okay, I just read WATCHMEN. I've had a hold on it at the library for ages, and it finally came in. And, uh... I read it straight through... I couldn't stop (which was bad, since I should have been studying for an exam the next day). But I'm kind of in awe at the moment. I don't think I've absorbed it all. I can say, without question, that it's the most amazing comic I've ever read. Just the level of depth... gaaah. And all the compelling characters... each one sees the world differently... and the ending was jaw-dropping. But anyway, I have to concur with everyone who's been praising it. It's an unbelievably powerful and complex masterpiece. Read it. I need to read it again. I'm sure I missed half the layers the first time.

Quote:
Originally posted by Dracos:
start reading Joss's Astonishing X-Men right now. It may not be the best X-Men story arc ever conceived of but it's certainly the most fun and one of the best looking. They should have let him direct X-3, I swear to God.

Yes. Yes, they really, really should have... the Dark Phoenix storyline should have been awesome, not whatever garbage is coming out in a few months. Although I can understand why Joss might not want to work with FOX again... ahem. But if he's not working on the Serenity sequel (YET), I'd much rather see what he could do with the X-Men than Wonder Woman. I really would like to read his unused script for the the first X-Men movie... surely it must be online somewhere.

"We need a hood ornament."

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Wednesday, April 12, 2006 10:07 PM

GEEKUSA

Because no one's said them, I suppose I will.

Stan Sakai's Usagi Yojimbo series. If you think they're like his appearance in the CBS Ninja Turtles cartoon, you're wrong. They're pretty compelling and mature with good doses of humor thrown in.

Kazuo Kozeke & Goseki Kojima's epic Lone Wolf and Cub series which is the penultimate samurai revenge tale in my opinion. It's very mature though. Every small issue is like an episode of a TV show with very compelling characters. By far, Ogami Itto is the the epitome of badass.

"Knew it...probably...saw them cops...and...turned...tail..."

"Can't...sentence...properly."

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