Graphic Novels

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:57 am

From the Red Shirt Page thats going on in G1 comes a list of the top 10 (in this chap's opinion) Graphic Novels. Just wanted to get everyone's reads on these books, or mention some others. Anyone else read Animal Man?

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:58 am

Nope. I'd second the vote for Planetary, though, and chip in a vote for two other series by Warren Ellis: Transmetropolitan (in its entirety) and The Authority (Relentless & Under New Management). If you like the latter, check out the Jenny Sparks volume by Mark Millar and some of the earlier StormWatch material by Ellis.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:00 am

Animal Man is extremely good but would not be my first choice of a Grant Morrison TPB to recommend to someone. I actually doubt it would be in my own personal top 10.

I agree with Denyer on all counts. Planetary is extraordinarily good.

Ozz · Post by **Ozz** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:10 am

KingMob wrote:Planetary is extraordinarily good.

Even if it features the Worst. Rescue. Ever.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:16 am

Ozz wrote:
KingMob wrote:Planetary is extraordinarily good.
Even if it features the Worst. Rescue. Ever.

I actually have that bit as my desktop right now.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:43 am

Ooh, glad to see Swamp Thing in there. Moore's writing in that was beautiful.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:27 am

I enjoy my TPB 'Kingdom Come' by DC, its pretty cool...

Blueshift · Post by **Blueshift** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:00 pm

I suppose its a certain type of person who likes different comics. Animal Man is just about my favourite thing ever, and I read the last TPB just about every other week (I am tragically sad, me!) But then again, its hardly the most conventional comic made so not to everyone's tastes

I actually picked up the first two volumes of Morrison's Doom Patrol before a long train journey, and again, it is very... unconventional. I'd go as far as to say that Doom Patrol is Morrison writing whilst off his medication

But excellent too

And yes, Transmetropolitan is excellent!

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:11 pm

I'd personnally like to recommend Marvels.

It's the MU from ground-level in all it's glory. The issue entitled Doomsday is just plain simply beautiful. It features the Silver Surfer, close up. The reflections of the entire city is visible in his cosmic skin, amazing art really.

The title is quite fitting for the issue, for it features the coming of Galactus. Earth's Judge Jury, and ultimately executioner has come. Gah-Lac-Tus

I trust that there's really no point in pointing out Ultimates?

Also, something wich isn't on that list, but wich I feel is quite worth checking out, is Frank Millers Daredevil: Love And War.

Happy reading.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:19 pm

Blueshift wrote:I suppose its a certain type of person who likes different comics. Animal Man is just about my favourite thing ever, and I read the last TPB just about every other week (I am tragically sad, me!) But then again, its hardly the most conventional comic made so not to everyone's tastes

Yeah, I mean the whole "Animal Man" concept I wasn't really sold on, but I LOVED those panels where "Superman" is trying to break out and "The Green Lantern" is all scared. Gotta love breaking that third wall, eh?

I definetly plan on checking it out, along with the Ultimates.

No one's mentioned Neil Gaiman yet. What does everyone think of him?

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:26 pm

Mixed bag. Sandman is well worth a read all the way through at least once, but there are only parts I'd be inclined to re-read much; had I gotten around to reading it five or ten years ago, I suspect it'd have made much more of an impact.

Another strong vote goes to Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; two volumes, absolutely wonderful if you have even a passing interest in classic fiction (ie, how screwed up the Victorians were.)

Those worried about getting sucked into Transmet should rest assured that the first couple of volumes (Back on the Street & Lust For Life) work equally well as standalones.

Something else missing from that list is Hellboy; I'd recommend Right Hand of Doom as a first read.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:49 am

Oh, it's not sad at all to regularly re-read excellent comics, and Animal Man is certainly excellent.

I've just had 2 experiences of people coming up to me after I suggested they read it and telling me a variation of 'bleh, didn't really do anything for me'. After checking to make sure they weren't bizarro versions of my friends crossed over from planet fiction, I punted them E is for Extinction instead (it being a habit of mine to try to get everyone I know reading Grant Morrison comics, or failing that, stuff by Warren Ellis).
You can probably guess that I'm a great fan of the invisibles.
And while we're on that subject, may I recommend WE3, it's now out in trade and really does deserve a look if anyone is interested in the techniques of comics storytelling. And cute animals being turned into semi-robotic assassins by the evil government, stuff like that.

Personally, I reckon several single issues of Sandman could enter the comic Olympics and stand good chances of coming away with the golds. However, despite it being very good and very worth reading, as a whole series it seems to stand up less to the passage of time than other work... Different TPBs stand out depending on what mood I'm in. The only one I'd consider a solid performer at all times is Brief Lives.
Sandman is still rather brilliant, tho, and Neil Gaiman's other stuff is similarly excellent...tho often rather too similar, perhaps?

Agree with Denyer on all his other points again; personally I think Lust for Life is particularly excellent.

Garth Ennis' work deserves a mention...Preacher is a classic, and I'm still constantly floored at how he's made the Punisher a viable character.

It's a very good top 10. Reading that has made me want to read Marvels and Kingdom Come again.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 2:57 pm

I love Neil Gaiman's stuff. I've only got the first four Sandmans, but the writing is awesome. Unlike everyone else, though, i didn't like American Gods much. (Wasn't that supposed to be the next book in out book club? Anyone remember that?)

Ultimates definitely... Sandman... Watchmen... The Authority is pretty good, I guess, but I wasn't hooked... oh, the first volume and second volumes of Bone. You can't beat old ladies racing cows and fighting stupid, stupid rat creatures.

Death's Head · Post by **Death's Head** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:36 pm

I recomend everyone check out early Alan Moore stuff, from 2000AD - Halo Jones, Skizz, DR and Quinch - not necessarily work of earth-shattering importance (a la Watchmen, V etc) but wonderfully written, emotional character work that deserves a huge audience.

Also, a Small Killing, which is drawn by Oscar Zarote, is marvellous.

And I'll third (or fourth?) Transmetropolitan, one of the best series of recent times in my opinion.

Post by **Best First** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:57 pm

The first Transmet book did nowt for me i'm afraid.

However i do feel compelled to mention Millar's Wanted again - its bloody ace.

I think The Dark Night returns is my personal fave, its just the perfect Batman story in my eyes.

Preacher would sit very comfortably within my top 10 as well, despite meandering a bit at some points.

i love comics.

Post by **Denyer** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:05 pm

Best First wrote:The first Transmet book did nowt for me i'm afraid.

If it didn't, please give Lust for Life (the second one) a go... pretty much every dynamic changes, to the point I'd recommend people skip Back on the Street. If you don't like the second, that'd be a reasonable point to drop the series, as the style sticks.