I'm looking for graphic novels to take with me on a week-long trip. My only stipulation is that if you recommend anything that involves superheroes, was translated from a foreign language, or is longer than three volumes, you need to recommend an equal number of things that aren't any of those. Otherwise, go wild. Weird and memorable is always better and I'd rather hate something than forget it.
Graphic novel recommendations
- Thread starter AlexanderPeregrine
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Superheroes can suck a fat one imo.
Saga
Revival
Sheltered
Deadly Class
Trees, my avy's from it
Pretty much anything from Image that isn't spawn.
Saga
Revival
Sheltered
Deadly Class
Trees, my avy's from it
Pretty much anything from Image that isn't spawn.
I recommend Blankets by Craig Thompson. It's the story of how he was raised strictly Christian, and how he met a girl and fell in love, and it's got great visuals as well as great storytelling. Sorry I can't describe it any better, but it's really good.
I recommend BlackSaw by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido.
Yes it originally French but it's successful to the point that it got translated to several languages including English. Also while there are 5 stories, there are only three volumes out so far (volume 1 holding the most stories so the stories in book 4 and 5 are longer).
Lastly don't be put off from the furry images (people are animals in this novel), it's well written, the narrative are good, artstyle is fantastic (watercolour paints) and you will loved the characters!
Yes it originally French but it's successful to the point that it got translated to several languages including English. Also while there are 5 stories, there are only three volumes out so far (volume 1 holding the most stories so the stories in book 4 and 5 are longer).
Lastly don't be put off from the furry images (people are animals in this novel), it's well written, the narrative are good, artstyle is fantastic (watercolour paints) and you will loved the characters!
Alright let's see what we can come up with...first off let's get the obligatory Sandman and Watchmen recommendations out the way. Some other suggestions:
Hack/Slash (5x Omnibus volumes)
Lazarus (2x volumes)
Ravine (2x volumes)
Aphrodite IX (2x volumes; recent version)
Echo (1x large volume)
Empowered (9x volumes)
Scarlet (1x volume)
That last one is one that I don't recall having seen mentioned in these sorts of topics and I feel like it's a decent book that was very, very zeitgeist-y with its premise and I'm kind of interested in what others think about it and have been generally kind of disappointed that its second volume has been repeatedly delayed. For reference its premise is basically "What if 'Occupy Wallstreet' had evolved into a violent rebellion?" so if that's not your thing then definitely skip it (obviously I stand behind my other recommendations) but otherwise I'd be interested to hear what another human being thinks about it.
Hack/Slash (5x Omnibus volumes)
Lazarus (2x volumes)
Ravine (2x volumes)
Aphrodite IX (2x volumes; recent version)
Echo (1x large volume)
Empowered (9x volumes)
Scarlet (1x volume)
That last one is one that I don't recall having seen mentioned in these sorts of topics and I feel like it's a decent book that was very, very zeitgeist-y with its premise and I'm kind of interested in what others think about it and have been generally kind of disappointed that its second volume has been repeatedly delayed. For reference its premise is basically "What if 'Occupy Wallstreet' had evolved into a violent rebellion?" so if that's not your thing then definitely skip it (obviously I stand behind my other recommendations) but otherwise I'd be interested to hear what another human being thinks about it.
Y-The Last Man.
An unexplained phenomenon sweeps the world, causing every single male mammal to drop dead, including humans.
All except for one guy. And also his monkey.
Basically takes the form of an extended road trip of the guy, his bodyguard and a scientist as they cross a world in not-quite-chaos.
It's pretty damn good. There's some awkward bits after the beginning, but once it gets into its rhythm it takes off.
An unexplained phenomenon sweeps the world, causing every single male mammal to drop dead, including humans.
All except for one guy. And also his monkey.
Basically takes the form of an extended road trip of the guy, his bodyguard and a scientist as they cross a world in not-quite-chaos.
It's pretty damn good. There's some awkward bits after the beginning, but once it gets into its rhythm it takes off.
Sorry to nag, but it's "Blacksad," not "BlackSaw." I usually don't correct people (except for a living), but in this case I didn't want to risk him not finding such a masterpiece.Scarim Coral said:
Everything by Doug TenNapel. A fair bit is aimed at kids, but still excellent. "Ratfist" is one of my favorite American graphic novels/comics.
Take a couple of compendiums... they weight a tonne, but you won't be stuck for content.
Try the Walking Dead and The Darkness! The Darkness is my favourite Superhero, I love the art and the detail, and the stories are good. Then there is The Walking Dead... this one is there because... well... it's pretty obvious!
Also... Y: The last man is incredible... albeit relatively expensive as you will need all the issues to date..
I also loved Marvel's 1602 and 'The Punisher vs The Marvel Universe' (and the sequel: Wolverine vs the Marvel Universe) They were also good side stories outside of regular canon.
Try the Walking Dead and The Darkness! The Darkness is my favourite Superhero, I love the art and the detail, and the stories are good. Then there is The Walking Dead... this one is there because... well... it's pretty obvious!
Also... Y: The last man is incredible... albeit relatively expensive as you will need all the issues to date..
I also loved Marvel's 1602 and 'The Punisher vs The Marvel Universe' (and the sequel: Wolverine vs the Marvel Universe) They were also good side stories outside of regular canon.
Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
I suppose it would best be described as a supernatural horror story and I hope that description is all you need to know whether or not you'd be interested cause I don't want to risk giving anything thing away by describing anything else... Trust me its VERY good.
The whole story is made up of six volumes so sorry I couldn't meet with that one stipulation, but hey two out of three ain't bad.
Besides I would challenge anyone to read just the first volume: 'Welcome to Lovecraft'(That name should also give you an idea the kind of story this is as well) and not immediately want to read the rest.
I suppose it would best be described as a supernatural horror story and I hope that description is all you need to know whether or not you'd be interested cause I don't want to risk giving anything thing away by describing anything else... Trust me its VERY good.
The whole story is made up of six volumes so sorry I couldn't meet with that one stipulation, but hey two out of three ain't bad.
Besides I would challenge anyone to read just the first volume: 'Welcome to Lovecraft'(That name should also give you an idea the kind of story this is as well) and not immediately want to read the rest.
Berserk (yes, it's a manga, so bite me : x). It's the only manga I've really read, and it's well worth it. A great fantasy masterpiece modeled after western storytelling tropes. It's probably the greatest work of art in the medium, from anywhere, America included. It's a little slow at first though.
Afterwards, pick up Hark! A vagrant! It's a collection of short comedy skits that always make me laugh. You'll need it if you read... Any of berserk.
Scott Pilgrim, of course. It's fantastic, funny, and a lot smarter then people typically give it credit for.
Also, I have to assume you've read Watchmen if you've ever seen a comic, but if somehow you haven't read, go read it now.
Afterwards, pick up Hark! A vagrant! It's a collection of short comedy skits that always make me laugh. You'll need it if you read... Any of berserk.
Scott Pilgrim, of course. It's fantastic, funny, and a lot smarter then people typically give it credit for.
Also, I have to assume you've read Watchmen if you've ever seen a comic, but if somehow you haven't read, go read it now.
The two graphic novels I always suggest when this thread comes up:
Rising Stars and
Midnight Nation
Both by J. Michael Stracynski. Excellent stories, very engaging, and also complete. JMS usually writes with an actual story arc, so he finishes up the story, it doesn't just fizzle out when profits go away. I'd seriously consider checking them out, they're amazing.
Rising Stars and
Midnight Nation
Both by J. Michael Stracynski. Excellent stories, very engaging, and also complete. JMS usually writes with an actual story arc, so he finishes up the story, it doesn't just fizzle out when profits go away. I'd seriously consider checking them out, they're amazing.
V for vendetta. This is still an absolute classic, a milestone in comic history.
Watchmen has already been mentioned.
From hell : rather hefty reading, and not to my taste, but still a masterpiece
Lost girls, Alan Moore + porn ... 'nuff said
obligitory 'superhero' books
Arkham asylum ( a serious house on serious ground )
Batman the killing joke
Promethia
Watchmen has already been mentioned.
From hell : rather hefty reading, and not to my taste, but still a masterpiece
Lost girls, Alan Moore + porn ... 'nuff said
obligitory 'superhero' books
Arkham asylum ( a serious house on serious ground )
Batman the killing joke
Promethia
Transmetropolitan. It's about gonzo-journalizm of distopian future. Main character is Spider Jerusalem: Sadist, drug-addict, cynic and journalist with a heart of gold.
Sandman, obviously. It is about, well, Sandman, Morpheus, or as he is more commonly known, Dream. This GN is written by Neil Gaiman.
Preacher too is worth checking out. It's about a former preacher who, after certain events, decides to find God. Literally. And punch God in the face. If you are religiously sensitive christian, however, you probably ought to avoid it.
Sandman, obviously. It is about, well, Sandman, Morpheus, or as he is more commonly known, Dream. This GN is written by Neil Gaiman.
Preacher too is worth checking out. It's about a former preacher who, after certain events, decides to find God. Literally. And punch God in the face. If you are religiously sensitive christian, however, you probably ought to avoid it.
Powers. Screw the rules. Powers both is and isn't about superheros. Its about the homicide decitives that have to deal with the death and other consquences of people with superpowers. Its an amazing. Its funny, dark, has a great story, great art and the dialogue is extremely snappy. Say what you will about Bendis that man knows how to write great dialogue.
Nobody's mentioned Alan Moore's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" so I'll do that, it's technically longer than three volumes, but they form independent story-lines one or two issues long, so... Also, superhero doesn't really apply, even if you could put that spin on it like they did in the horrid film. In the novels they're not exactly "super" or "heroes", but rather "homicidal" and "vindictive".
I'm a huge fan of Geoff Darrow, but I can see that his style isn't for everyone, like Frank Miller's "Hardboiled" for example. Brutal, gory and deeply philosophical, much like Miller's other work. Darrow is the guy who did the machines in "The Matrix", if you're unfamiliar with him.
Simon Bisley illustrated "Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment on Gotham" which is stellar.
I'm a huge fan of Geoff Darrow, but I can see that his style isn't for everyone, like Frank Miller's "Hardboiled" for example. Brutal, gory and deeply philosophical, much like Miller's other work. Darrow is the guy who did the machines in "The Matrix", if you're unfamiliar with him.
Simon Bisley illustrated "Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgment on Gotham" which is stellar.
I personally suggest any of the following:
Blacksad
Frankenstein's Mobster
I Kill Giants
Elephantmen
Scott Pilgrim
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
Have fun!
Blacksad
Frankenstein's Mobster
I Kill Giants
Elephantmen
Scott Pilgrim
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
Have fun!