Graphic Novels
Nemesis_Zero
Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Equal screentime!</div> Since anime gets so much attention right now, I thought I'd see if anyone besides myself reads 'serious' western comics. (Note: If you're into superhero comics, go in peace. I won't say anything against them, but I'd like to keep this limited to, well, graphic <i>novels</i> <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
Anyway, I recently hit it off with Neil Gaimans Sandman series, which was all around a <i>good</i> decision ('Three Septembers and a January' literally made me cry), and am wondering what to look at once I'm done. On the one hand, there's the whole 'The Books of Magic' or 'Death' - series, but I'd like to branch away from Gaiman a little and am thinking about trying '100 Bullets'. Then, there's of course Hellboy, which might be more easily obtainable thanks to the hubub around the movie. Does anyone out there have more suggestions?
Anyway, I recently hit it off with Neil Gaimans Sandman series, which was all around a <i>good</i> decision ('Three Septembers and a January' literally made me cry), and am wondering what to look at once I'm done. On the one hand, there's the whole 'The Books of Magic' or 'Death' - series, but I'd like to branch away from Gaiman a little and am thinking about trying '100 Bullets'. Then, there's of course Hellboy, which might be more easily obtainable thanks to the hubub around the movie. Does anyone out there have more suggestions?
Comments
and aye, sandman = very good.
I've been intending to read some Jhonen Vasquez stuff. Would you lend me your collection, Talesin? <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
My friend is a big fan of Sandman, I've been meaning to read that, too.
So I can't enjoy something just because some stupid people do, then? I suppose I should disconnect from the Internet, then. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
... and I must agree, Sandman kicks all kinds of ****.
Those of you not familiar with it, its about an organization which offers people the chance to get revenge without consequence. What they do is that the person who takes up there offer will be equipped with all the required ammunition and weaponary to take out whoever they want revenge on. When they're done, the organization cleans everything up to make sure they get away with it.
I've never taken a look at any graphic novels, but I'd sure like to give it a shot.
NEED COUNTER-ANIME!!!
Hope in the future more graphic novels get their chance on TV...
If you liked V for Vendetta, Talesin, you'll love <i>Watchmen</i> by Alan Moore. (There's a reason it's the only comic book that's won a Hugo Award for science fiction. It's worth it just for Rorschach.) Yeah, it's been mentioned, but it needs to be emphasised. This is <b>the</b> graphic novel; even beter than V.
Also, check out Frank Miller's <i>Batman: The Dark Knight Returns</i>. Don't be put off by Batman, as it's very, very good.
If you can get <i>Miracleman</i> (by Alan Moore), you ought to.
I'm not sure you can still get it, but <i>X-Men: God loves, Man Kills</i> is good stuff. I bought it when I was around 13, so that would be...10 years ago? Anyway, it's still great stuff. The second film is a mixture of GLMK and the mainstream storyline Operation:Zero Tolerance (which was the best of the modern big storylines IMO. No anti-climax at the end). It's proof that Chris Claremont used to be able to come up with good storylines; it's too bad he's <b>poop-a-choop</b> nowadays.
I'll go digging through my comics collection. There's at least one gem I've missed.
Everything else I've read has been "superhero" stuff so I won't bore you Nem0 ;D
Those of you not familiar with it, its about an organization which offers people the chance to get revenge without consequence. What they do is that the person who takes up there offer will be equipped with all the required ammunition and weaponary to take out whoever they want revenge on. When they're done, the organization cleans everything up to make sure they get away with it.
I've never taken a look at any graphic novels, but I'd sure like to give it a shot.
NEED COUNTER-ANIME!!!
Hope in the future more graphic novels get their chance on TV... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow. That sounds really good. I might have a hunt for this somewhen, see if I can find it (there are several of the series on amazon, luckily)
In no particular order, I also strongly recommend:
<b>Cerberus</b> by Dave Sim (Quirky, intellectual and metaphysical stuff)
<b>Sin City </b>and others by Frank Miller (Hard boiled Comic noir in the Chinatown mold)
<b>Lobo </b>(Pure amusement. No redeeming intellectual aspects)
<b>DR & Quinch </b> by Alan Moore(2000AD characters, stories are available complete in graphic novel format. Highly amusing satire and a great turn of phrase. The DR stands for Diminished Responsibility)
<b>Zenith</b> by Grant Morrison (Similar to the Watchmen, but set in the UK.)
<b>The Ballard of Halo Jones</b> by Alan Moore (One of the few female characters in any literary medium who is more than a pair of breasts on legs, Bridget Jones or a tank with PMT.)
and no list would be complete without:
<b>Devil by the Deed</b> by Matt Wagner (The origin of <i>Grendel</i>. Also worth looking at are a number of his other works, specifically the Mage series.)
<span style='color:red'>Nerd Mojo -50!</span>
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone, I'll try to catch up.
Grendel, I read that the Ceberus novels were extremely violent (as in: exceeding the 'normal' extreme). Is that true? Not that it's a turn-off, I just like to be prepared.
Why did I exclude "Super Hero comics"? Not because I don't know that they can be quite thoughtful, and not because I don't like them, but simply because it was the 'easiest' divide between 'serious' and 'casual' graphic literature <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Technicaly most of sandman is actualy not Graphic Novels, they are instead Trade Paperbacks (collections of single issues).
Now for more fun stuff:
1) Watchmen (as some one said) is one of the clasics (and is a graphic novel If memory serves me). Though it is superheros, it is also serious (and very well written)
2) transmetropolitan (aka TransMet). Again, trades, but so what...
I know you have a dark sense of humour (you like SP), you will probably love these also.
3) In a few months 1602 will probably become a trade (again, super heros, but Gaiman worked on it)
Brief descrip: The year is 1602. Take all of the Marvel chars (well alot) and stick them in various places. Get some great people for it (like gaiman). Cool comics.
4) Y The Last Man (something whipes out anytinhg on the planet with a Y chromozome aside from one guys and his monkey......). Havn't read it yet, but I wana (again, trades)
5) Strangers In Paradise (again, trade Ithink). I know next to nothing about this, exept that every one seems to love it <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
6) Fables (Again Trades). Colections of stories using old Fairy Tale chars (again, it is serious, and very well written)
7) Preacher, actualy I don't like Preacher, but alot of people do.
As people said, aslo ream anytihng by gaiman or Pratchet <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> (yes, they are 2 of my fav authors).
I will stop by the comic shop on the way home from work to refresh my memory.
Oh, and as a note: I have read almost none of the books I listed, though I would have bought them all if I had $$ (and when I do have cash I will own them all <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->)
yah, spawn definatly goes on the list <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Though again, it is a superhero comic. Though you have the anti hero and its just fun <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I was just thinking of compleate clasics (like watchmen) or the more recent ones (Y, TransMet, 1602, wtc).
I was always a huge fan of cadillacs and dinosaurs; very noir but with a strange flavour to it (probably something to do with dinosaurs roaming around and jack 'the cadillac' fighting the poachers while accompanied by the hot-headed ambassador Hanah Dundee, very cool all the same).
I'm not so sure they fit into the 'serious' category of graphic novelling but 'Accident Man' and 'Marshal Law' from the toxic series were both really bizzare but fun reading =3
I should really try V for vendetta again... I had trouble getting into it but it seemed rather kooky which I often like.
Oh and the silent hill graphic stories are very VERY bizarre o.O
Still not 'serious' I guess but definitely gritty; the Aliens graphic novels including even 'Batman Versus Aliens' were very dark and interesting, the only one I really loathed and recommend avoiding is the 'superman versus aliens' which is an outright insult to anyone and anything with a five-thousand mile radius =P
On a fun note, graphic novels are responsible for getting me interested in manga literature <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
What he said. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I've got almost all of the Elfquest books (I honestly don't remember when I got into them, but I've had them since at least third grade). Not sure if they count, though.
Ok, back from the comic shop, got reminded of a few more titles:
1) The Pro. Super heroes, but still, just soooo wrong!
....
oh bugger, I just blanked on all of them again.
oh well
off to eat lunch (at 5:30)
Neo Tokyo landscape. The first book deals with a serial killer who kills in brutal ways, and a detective determained to stop him. It also involves his partner, a robot-like woman.
Graphic novels, not comic books. Not that there's anything wrong with comic books - I have loads upon loads of GI Joe, X-Men, X-Force, and plenty of others packed away in the basement for storage.
I don't mean the cheap loser ones that are like "Punisher ANd Daredevil!!!11"
but the actual books, ie the Ma Gnucci family one, and stuff.
Graphic Novel = full story in one book (watchmen)
I'd recommend the first Authority trade paperback, <b><a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1563896613/qid=1085800764/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-2100243-4760006?v=glance&s=books&n=507846' target='_blank'>Relentless</a></b>. It essentially takes the DC comics archetypes and gives them a surreal spin (Superman and Batman characters as lovers? The Green Lantern as a heroin addict?), with tremendous visuals courtesy of Brian Hitch and Paul Neary.
Along the same lines, I'd also recommend <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dstripbooks%26field-keywords%3Dplanetary/002-2100243-4760006' target='_blank'>pretty much anything</a> in the Planetary lineup.
As far as solid graphic novels go, my favorites have always been Grant Morrison's <a href='http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0930289560/qid=1085801170/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-2100243-4760006?v=glance&s=books' target='_blank'>Arkham Asylum</a>, Steve Grant's Punisher: Return to Big Nothing, any of the Spawn series with Ashley Wood (<i>amazing</i> artist), and anything Batman with Frank Miller.
And, to hop on the bandwagon, V is for Vendetta and Watchmen.
Impenetrably philosophical maybe, but not violent.
And I can't believe I forgot "Preacher".
Back on topic now people *coughs*