# recommend me some graphic novels **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2006, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367 "2006-11-22T01:08:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/21 "2006-11-22T16:09:00Z")
I’ve seen a few volumes of _Y: The Last Man_ in the library. It’s pretty well done IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/22 "2006-11-22T16:37:32Z")
I can also recommend Phil Foglio’s _Girl Genius_ series. Some can be had through Amazon [http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=&author=foglio&select-author=field-author-like&title=agatha+&select-title=field-title&subject=&select-subject=field-subject&field-publisher=&field-isbn=&node=&field-binding=paperback&field-age=&field-language=&field-dateop=before&field-datemod=0&field-dateyear=2009&chooser-sort=rank!%2Bpubdate&mysubmitbutton1.x=46&mysubmitbutton1.y=11](http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?search-alias=stripbooks&field-keywords=&author=foglio&select-author=field-author-like&title=agatha+&select-title=field-title&subject=&select-subject=field-subject&field-publisher=&field-isbn=&node=&field-binding=paperback&field-age=&field-language=&field-dateop=before&field-datemod=0&field-dateyear=2009&chooser-sort=rank%21%2Bpubdate&mysubmitbutton1.x=46&mysubmitbutton1.y=11) > [@](#): > > In a time when the Industrial Revolution has become an all-out war, Mad Science rules the World… with mixed success. ADVENTURE! ROMANCE! MAD SCIENCE!!! A typical exchange between two guards/monsters: > [@](#): > > MINSK: Dis iz turnink into vun of _dose_ plans … And how do dose alvays end? > GORB: De dirigible iz in flames, everyboddyz dead an’ I’ve lost my hat. > MINSK: Dot’s right. Und any plan vere you lose you hat iz? > GORB: A bad plan? > MINSK:Right again! I recommend that you vote for this “DP Bostaph” fellow’s reviews. What an intelligent, discerning, handsome fellow [del]I am[/del] he must be! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/23 "2006-11-22T20:40:02Z")
I’m a big fan of Bendis/Maleev’s run on **Daredevil**. Garth Ennis has had some success with other characters, like **Punisher** (especially the first 12-issue run with Steve Dillon) and **Enemy Ace** , but my favorite title of his was **Hitman**. For non-superhero fare, look for \*\*Real Stuff \*\* by Dennis Eichhorn. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/24 "2006-11-22T21:17:36Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] I can also recommend Phil Foglio’s _Girl Genius_ series. [/QUOTE] Also available, gradually, online : [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/](http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/25 "2006-11-22T21:21:01Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] mmm, which Hellblazer collection to recommned… [/QUOTE] _Dangerous Habits_. I read it with practically zero prior knowledge of the comic, and I loved it. Brilliant stuff. After _Dangerous Habits_, _Rake At The Gates of Hell_ is a good choice. I liked _Flame of Damnation_ too. Someone mentioned _Preacher_. I loved it, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re going to read it, get the first two trade paperbacks and read them. If, at the end of the second one, you don’t think that it’s absolute genius, don’t bother reading the other seven. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/26 "2006-11-22T23:03:50Z")
Check out Grant Morrison/Steve Yeowell’s _Zenith_ series: four books, all originally 2000AD strips and all in trade paperback. Very much post-_Watchmen_, but a first rate deconstruction of the usual costumed hero tropes: supposing the world’s only active superhuman wasn’t a patriotic vigilante billionaire with a hidden identity, but a rather dim, narcissistic, arrogant brat of a pop star who’s more interested in scoring chicks and his flagging record sales than battling the Elder Gods? ---
**Author:** ![brendon\_small](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brendon_small/32/17101_2.png) [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/27 "2006-11-22T23:54:46Z")
I would suggest the graphic novel\* American Splendor\*, which is about Harvey Pekar and his everyday life. I think the tagline is what sold me on the idea, “Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.” The film adaptation isn’t too bad either. Brendon ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/28 "2006-11-23T01:17:05Z")
_The Beauty Supply District_, by Ben Kachor. I’ve heard great reviews of a graphic novel called _Blankets_, but I haven’t read it, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/29 "2006-11-23T01:57:16Z")
Several of the _Cerebus_ graphic novels are excellent. High Society Church and State I Church and State II Jaka’s Story Are all absolutely top form. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/30 "2006-11-23T02:13:20Z")
I want to ‘third’ the recommendation for [Maus](http://www.amazon.com/Maus-Survivors-Father-History-Troubles/dp/0679748407/sr=1-1/qid=1164247903/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7583691-0133419?ie=UTF8&s=books) (both volumes), and point out that Art Spielgelman won a Pulitzer Prize for it - a pretty amazing feat for a graphic novel. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/31 "2006-11-23T02:19:11Z")
[QUOTE=brendon\_small] I would suggest the graphic novel\* American Splendor\* [/QUOTE] There’s a new series of American Splendor running right now. It’s a little hit or miss, but it’s worth reading. If you want to check out Pekar’s work, his recent graphic novel The Quitter is extremely good.. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/32 "2006-11-23T02:38:11Z")
I’ll second (or third, perhaps) _Sandman_ and _Preacher_ and toss in _The Invisibles_ by Grant Morrison. If you like those, you might also want to check out _Violent Messiahs_. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/33 "2006-11-23T02:58:45Z")
Huh. I thought that my comic preferences were pretty out of touch with the SDMB (based on the ‘Weekly Comic Book Discussion’ threads) but I’m happy to see that most of my favorites have been mentioned: _Preacher, Top 10, Maus, Usagi Yojimbo, Y The Last Man, The Dark Knight Returns, Sandman_, et al are all great and I echo their recommendations. I’d add: _Concrete_ - An intelligent, introspective guy gets an indestructable body. _Bone_ - an epic fantasy with a feel like _The Lord of the Rings_ and Walt Kelly’s _Pogo_ were driving in opposite directions at high speeds and crashed into each other. If you’re going to start it, finish it. They just reprinted the ‘One Volume Edition’, or you can pick up the color editions as they are released. _Lone Wolf and Cub_ - imagine James Clavell’s _Shogun_ with everything but the samurai parts cut out. It’s almost pure action so I like to read it slow, so as to not burn out, but it’s great stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/34 "2006-11-23T03:12:32Z")
What the hell, I’ll toss out some more recommendations. _Punisher: Welcome Back Frank_ - 2004’s Punisher movie was loosely based on this story and it wasn’t nearly as bad as people say it was. The book is quite good. _Green Arrow: Quiver_ - This is better if you followed The Death of Superman, but even if you didn’t, it was written by Kevin Smith. Good fun. _Fables_ - Imagine every bedtime story from your youth all cooled up and rated R for language and violence. _Terra Obscura, Vols 1 & 2_ - This is a spinoff of _Tom Strong_ but is better than the source material in my opinion. “Co-plotted” (oooohhh) by Alan Moore but written by some other chump. _Smax_ - More lighthearted spinoff of Top 10. Mostly a slay-the-dragon fairytale with a few adult themes thrown in because, hey, Alan Moore. _The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck_ - Written by the modern-day duck guru Don Rosa and way, way better than you think it is. Do any of these sound up your alley? ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/35 "2006-11-23T03:20:12Z")
Oh, and how could I have forgotten Osamu Tezuka? His _Buddha_ and _Phoenix_ series are absolutely **amazing** and worth whatever you have to do to get them. _Adolf_ was a little harder to get into - though it had potential - and it can be difficult to find (I’ve only read the first volume.) ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/36 "2006-11-23T03:29:54Z")
I should also mention Will Eisner, though his stuff can be depressing (I’m talking _A Contract with God_ - I haven’t read _The Spirit_ yet but I plan on it.) Dark Horse is currently doing a really great _Conan_ series. The writing is top-notch and the artwork is a really unique colors-on-pencils style. I read that one as each issue comes out but there must be several trade paperbacks out by now. _Y the Last Man_ writer is currently doing a series called _Ex Machina_ which is now serialized in trade paperback form. It’s about the mayor of NYC getting the power to control machines. Can you tell I’m a fan of the form? ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/37 "2006-11-23T03:38:54Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] …I’d also like to recommend some more Brit stuff - _Slaine, the Horned God_ collection by Bisley. [/QUOTE] Naw, Bisley _ruined_ Slaine with his Iron Maiden album cover style: go for Glenn Fabry’s work instead. If you want some Bisley, go for the Dredd/Batman crossover _Judgement On Gotham_: his over-the-top style suits it much better. Speaking of Batman, I don’t think anyone’s recommended Alan Moore’s _Batman: The Killing Joke_ yet, but it’s pretty much indispensable, if a little short for a graphic novel - more a graphic novella. And for even more Moore, _D.R. And Quinch_ {another 2000AD series in trade paperback} is mostly unknown and shows that Moore is better at anarchic SF comedy than Douglas Adams. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/38 "2006-11-23T05:22:41Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] _The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck_ - Written by the modern-day duck guru Don Rosa and way, way better than you think it is. [/QUOTE] My prejudice has just been exposed. I love, love, love this book and it still didn’t occur to me (nor has it ever) to mention it in a thread about graphic novels. ---
**Author:** ![DataZak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@DataZak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataZak)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/39 "2006-11-23T05:34:12Z")
[QUOTE=Cisco] _The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck_ - Written by the modern-day duck guru Don Rosa and way, way better than you think it is. [/QUOTE] Also, _The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Companion_ which sort of fill the gaps in the stories from the first book. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367/40 "2006-11-23T11:37:05Z")
[QUOTE=Scissorjack] Naw, Bisley _ruined_ Slaine with his Iron Maiden album cover style: go for Glenn Fabry’s work instead. [/QUOTE] We’ll just have to disagree. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-some-graphic-novels/381367.md?page=3)