"Hey, comic nerds. Hip me to some kick ass graphic novels." Sun Jul-02-06 04:45 PM by bignick
Yeah, I know. I called you a nerd. Take it easy. I can say it because I'm a comedy nerd. We're on the same branch of the nerd family tree.
I'm doing some research and I need to know examples of what you consider to be the best the genre has to offer. I mean stuff that you would wave in Janey's face as an example of how good the art form can be.
Thanks in advance...nerds. OK, that one was just gratuitous.
King by Ho Che Anderson Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware anything by Adrian Tomine Stray Bullets by David Lapham Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan The League of Extrordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore WE3 by Grant Morrison
33. "You kids already waved that massive tome in my face" In response to Reply # 3
I read it, and found it thin.
I also read that Iranian one, Persepolis, and found it lacking.
I mean, think about how many words would be in a non-graphic novel the length of Blankets, and what worlds could be created from those words. I didn't find the pictures to convey all that much, honestly.
5. "Here's a few more. Then get back to practicing your skits" In response to Reply # 0
The Adventures of Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth Demo League of Extraordinary Gentlemen I & II WE3 Supreme Power pts. I, II, & III The first three Ex Machina trade paperbacks The first three Planetary trade paperbacks
12. "Can I add American Splendor?" In response to Reply # 0
If you're looking for things besides punching and tights, that and Jimmy Corrigan can't be beat. And you know, Maus.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
26. "Thanks for the list, CS...reminded me of a couple more good ones" In response to Reply # 20
New Teen Titans,"The Judas Contract" Squadron Supreme TPB Crisis On Infinite Earths- this is the standard for big crossover events Legion of Super Heroes, "Great Darkness Saga"- this is definitely legit although it's not my favorite Legion story. Justice League, "A New Beginning"- this era of the JLA is truly classic material
27. "oh, and comics aren't a 'genre'... they're a 'medium'" In response to Reply # 0
>I'm doing some research and I need to know examples of what >you consider to be the best the genre has to offer.
skit/sketch and all that
Anyway here's my shortlist of GN's that I'd show to a non-comic head to show them the medium's potential (in no particular order)
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware Blankets by Craig Thompson Ghost World and/or Ice Haven by Daniel Clowes We3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitley Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons Wimbledon Green by Seth Black Hole by Charles Burns Bone: The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith the 'Preacher' series by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon (available in a series of graphic novels, but too good to not mention here) And I'll reserve slot #10 for something 'Love & Rockets' by The Hernandez Brothers, although I'm not as familiar with their shit as I need to be. 'Palomar', maybe?
Honorable mention to Maus and In the Shadow of No Towers, both by Art Spiegelman...as well as Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.
38. "**Update** I just put Jimmy Corrigan's crazy ass to bead." In response to Reply # 0
I really liked it. I dig his style a lot. His structure and those little wordless diagrams he uses took some getting used to, but I really got into it. Based on everyone's suggestions and what I've seen, I think I'm gonna try to snag one of the following next: King, A Contract with God, and Other Tenement Stories,Ice Haven or Watchmen. I don't see me getting too into "punching and tights" as Jesse said, but you never know. I've also decided to steer clear of anything that's been made into a movie. I know if I read Ghost World now I'll just spend the entire time thinking, "Who knew Scarlett Johannsen's tits were THAT big?"
44. "Watchmen is really special" In response to Reply # 38
int he punching and tights genre. It is the apotheosis of p&t.
- Bullseye with Jesse Thorn A public radio show about things that are awesome. http://www.maximumfun.org "This is the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world." - McSweeney's
46. "oh shit, you're serious..." In response to Reply # 0 Tue Jul-04-06 01:59 PM by KwesiAkoKennedy
Well, in that case, give Finder and Castle Waiting a try.
Both take an approch to fables from different directions. Finder is a futurist story that is influenced by fables, pop culture and mysticism while Castle Waiting is a deconstruction of aincent fables like Grimms Fairytales while fleshing out the characters in almost real world terms.
He also edited and contributed to McSweeney's Quarterly Concern 13, which is one of the most kick ass comic anthologies on the shelf. Lots of essays and graphic novel excerpts and what not. Really turned me on to a lot of stuff. It's like a hipster comic sampler plate.
And while I have no idea what it is you might be working on, I cannot emphasize the importance of this book enough:
I mean, you wanna talk about "research"... this book does an amazing job of breaking down the science of the medium. Sort of a comic book textbook about comic books. And it's a surprisingly fun read, too.
51. "i'm not a comic nerd" In response to Reply # 0
but i was when i was 13. at that time, i fucking loved the dark horse folks. i recommend "give me liberty" and "hard boiled". in fact, im going to buy thems shits right now.
have you read penny-arcade.com? it's a web strip about these two video game fans. they have a compilation book on that same site. im going to cop that too.
62. "**Update** Maus, Y: The Last Man and some Optic Nerve" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Jul-06-06 06:08 PM by bignick
Got the first two issues of Adrian Tomnine's Optic Nerve series. I'm not a huge fan of the black and white, but I dig what he's doing. Basically short short stories about urban angst. I think I'd rather each issue was just one or two longer stories though.
Read the first part of Y: The Last Man. Interesting idea for a story. Seems to be unfolding at a pretty rapid clip, too. I hope it doesn't get too into that "Amazons with big tits" thing that comics seem to like so much. I'm gonna have to start scooping stuff up on Ebay. This shit is getting expensive.
77. "RE: Tell me more, please" In response to Reply # 73
Its about these 2 Blues musicians going from place to place, and just trying to hit that next big gig. The first book shows that nomadic lifestyle that blues players had in those days. The second book has to deal with what happens when a black man is connected to the dead body of a white guy.
One of the big draws is the art, which is simultaneously cartoony and realistic.
I was actually up in the shop looking for Stagger Lee yesterday. I saw no sign of it. Probably overlooked it or soemthing since they usually have everything.
80. "I hate to say it, having paid $16 for mine" In response to Reply # 79
but Amazon's got it for like $11.50 or so. It's an Image book though so if your shop doesn't have it they should be able to get it no problem, I'd imagine.
I really liked it thought and would love to see the book do pretty well, so good looking on copping it.
81. "Powers by Brian Michael Bendis" In response to Reply # 0
Jinx by Brian Michael Bendis Orbiter by Warren Ellis From Hell by Alan Moore Animal Man (all 3 TPB) by Grant Morrison Doom Patrol (1st 3 TPB) by Grant Morrison
Heaven's War by Micah Harris and Michael Gaydos (Illmatic shit kid!)
Y: The Last Man. I'm through episode #47. Thank God for the internets. At this point, I just really want to see how it ends.
Maus Part I. Wow. So that's what the fuss is about. He went deep. Real deep.
Chris Ware; Acme Novelty Library #1-6, 8-12. Contains some Jimmy Corrigan, but mostly Quimby Mouse. Already read Jimmy Corrigan and htat mouse bores me to tears.
Next up...either The Watchmen or Wil Eisner's A Contrac with God.
84. "i only own two graphic novels. one being Watchmen and the other" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Dec-08-10 02:57 PM by IronMan79
The Dark Knight Returns. I noticed that this post is several years old. what are some other graphic novels you've come across recently that i should own and where should I start? I'm a fan on DC & Marvel characters mostly. In particular, Daredevil or Deadpool but i'm open to others.
__________________________________________ but i'm here tonight to let you know my zodiac sign is L E O and i guarantee i steal ya ho when i'm on the microphone doing my show
86. "thanks, i'll start there" In response to Reply # 85
__________________________________________ but i'm here tonight to let you know my zodiac sign is L E O and i guarantee i steal ya ho when i'm on the microphone doing my show
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
Pass The Popcorn 
#/media/File:Firefly.png)
