Searching for Graphic Novels

[Stainless]

My girlfriend's birthday is coming up and she's left me twisting in the wind by saying that she wants "a cool graphic novel". I have no idea what that means, seeing how I'm not very into her part of the comic-world. I'm an Alan More/Ennis fan who enjoys a fair bit of capes, commercialism and action in my stories, but she's into the whole semi-indie scene.

What I do know is that she really enjoys Daniel Clowes, her favourite book is Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron and she's crazy about some guy called Chris Ware and owns a brickload of books from his ACME Novelty Library series. She also enjoyed Persepolis, Blankets and never says no to a introspective story about sadsacks. She liked The Walking Dead and is very accepting of horror-comics in general, but does not get why people like Watchmen, Preacher and Sandman. Which is confusing to me.

Based on this, can you, my fellow Escapists, connoisseurs of all things geek chic, help me find something else she'd like? I'm at my wit's end here, and so is my local comic-dealer.

 

[WolfThomas]

She liked The Walking Dead, but does not get why people like Watchmen, Preacher and Sandman. Which is confusing to me.

Well there goes my suggestions...

Maybe Y the Last Man that's pretty good

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

If shes a DC fan, Justice League: The New Frontier

 

[dolfan1304]

try sin city. I personaly suggest "That Yellow Bastard"

 

[Artina89]

I enjoy "Dr.Sleepless"

 

[Mrs Garbutt]

Transmetropolitan is a good choice I think, otherwise I tend to go for Alan Moore.

 

[Stainless]

Maybe Y the Last Man that's pretty good

I tried to get her to read Y, but she didn't give it a fair shot. It's one of my all time favourite comics.

I do have a really weird one here that someone might like, Black Hole.
It's very disturbing though, so read with caution.

Just checked the bookshelf, Black Hole is in there. But! Your avatar did give me another idea, Dylan Moran is out with a new standup DVD and she loves that confused, shouty irishman. If this doesn't work out I'll get her that!

@MrsGarbutt

I love Transmet, but I'm not sure if she'd be into it. I might just give it a try...

 

[minoes]

My girlfriend's birthday is coming up and she's left me twisting in the wind by saying that she wants "a cool graphic novel".

Has she read Love and Rockets? Other choices maybe Maus, A contract with god (Will Eisner), The Crow, From Hell, maybe something by Jodorowsky (like The Incal, Metabarons or Technopriests) or Guido Crepax´s Valentina (nothing is cooler than Valentina).
[IMG/]http://www.initaliaonline.it/immagini/fotogallery/crepax/crepax7.jpg[/IMG]

 

[Slaanax]

If she likes aliens and or predators AvP graphic novels are pretty good, I like the warhammer 40k graphic novels but I doubt she's into stuff like that.

 

[sms_117b]

DC's Kingdom Come, I'm not a graphic novel guy and I read it cover to cover, only moving around and stopping to find somewhere quiet to continue to read it. If she doesn't like DC though, I'm out.

 

[Mythbhavd]

Dark Wraith of Shannara

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

I do have a really weird one here that someone might like, Black Hole.

That Clowe's best known work, so if she's a big fan then chances are she has read it.

I'd suggest Maus as a vital read for anybody. If she's into quirky, slice of life stories then she may like some of Adrian Tomine's work. Possibly Chunky Rice by the author of Blankets.

 

[BlindMessiah94]

If she likes Superheroes get her Kingdom Come or Justice
If she likes Superheroes but wants something a little different, get her Marvel 1602
If she likes character driven stories not pertaining to superheroes, get her Y the Last Man vol.1
If she likes noir stuff or crime/detectivey stories, get her Criminal: Bad Night, or 100 Bullets vol.1
If she likes fantasy get her Fables vol.1 or Fables 1001 Nights of Snowfall or Bone
If she likes science fiction, get her Planetary vol 1
If she likes political commentary, get her The Nightly News or Ex Machina vol.1
If you don't know what she likes, then get her anything by Ed Brubaker, Brian K. Vaughn, Neil Gaiman, Brian Azzarello, or anything illustrated by Alex Ross, or J.H. Williams the third.

AND NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS DO NOT GET HER JEPH LOEB's WORK. The only good thing he wrote was Long Halloween, after that it's all the same book and formula with different characters.

 

[dirkdeldiablo]

Hmm..if she likes horror comics, there are worse reads out there than Warren Ellis' Gravel. You said she likes introspective sadsacks? Find the trade for Demo, by Brian Wood and featuring the art of (nerdcrush) Becky Cloonan. Or, hell, has she read Johnny the Homicidal Maniac? That right there's got your combo of both. I know the creator of Persepolis has a new book out, Chicken With Plums, so that's a safe bet for her. Uh...for indie picks, you might try checking online for weird compilation books. The Best American Comics of (year) series always has a nice assortment, and Meathaus (if they sell online) is also a reliable read. If she likes cute comics that are also really well written, try Beasts of Burden or Mouseguard. Oh, and I've never met a girl who didn't love Fables. Note that most of these books have been sitting on my shelf for a while; ain't bought comics that weren't Doktor Sleepless or No Hero in an age.

Although, if I'm perfectly frank with you, I'm not sure how serious you can get with someone who can't appreciate Watchmen. Sorry, I had to say it. Alan Moore knows when he has been betrayed.

I'd suggest Maus as a vital read for anybody.

Quoted for absolute truth.

 

[dirkdeldiablo]

If you don't know what she likes, then get her anything by... Neil Gaiman...

Dude I love me some Gaimen, but let's get real: She didn't like Sandman. She ain't gonna like anything else by Gaimen, either.

 

[Alex_P]

Indie, huh?

I like Therefore Repent. It's a comic about weird crazy artsy people living in a post-Rapture world filled with magic and detritus. I think it's a good choice for someone who likes stories with surrealistic elements, irreverent religious themes, and nuanced relationships. You can download a PDF of the whole book legally from the writer's website [http://nomediakings.org/press/sword_of_my_mouth_1_out_soon.html#TR], so go ahead and flip through it and see if it's something she'd like.

-- Alex

 

[Always_Remain]

Get her V for Vendetta? Or maybe Bone?
You did say she likes zombies so maybe Marvel Zombies? Read the first view pages and I enjoyed it. Hope I get it for Christmas.