On Reading Graphic Novels discussion

i enjoyed transmetropolitan and strangers in paradise. can anyone recommend any similar graphic novels to read?

Watchmen, Alan Moore.

I picked it up two weeks ago, devoured it in a day and change. And it was my first graphic novel, definitely a great one to start with. I've always had difficulty reading the words and getting the whole picture at the same time. But I found it quite easy to do with this one.

And with the movie coming out next year, it's definitely something to check out.

The Rabbi's Cat by Joan Sfar, epileptic by david b and fun home by alison bechdel. be warned though, these books are not for fanboy supahero lovers. they deal with adult themes.
Watchmen as mentioned above. anything by Eisner. Bone if you like fantasy. Ode to Kirohito on the manga side of things (another adult Graphic Novel).
I gotta say, i read the first SiP book and i didn't care for it at all so i don't know how helpful this will be to you.

also try love sucks and la perdida by jessica abel.

The Complete Maus, holocaust survivors tale. Funny papers stylee art.
From Hell, Jack The Ripper theory mixed with sacred geometry. Scratchy pen and ink art.
Fell Volume 1: Feral City, crime and very bad things. Dirty painted art.

The Preacher, writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon. AWESOME!!! Read about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preacher...

One of my all time favourite graphic Novels is The Crow by James O'Barr

The Sandman series of course... although it's a much different feel than Transmet, it's still my favorite.

Also, try the Maxx, for psychological themes, he's not just your OG masked superhero.

I recommend Scalped by Jason Aaron. Very high quality writing and art... arguably the best title on the shelves today. It is sort of a cross between No Country For Old Men and The Sopranos, but there is more to it than that. It is a Native American/FBI crime series. There are only 3 volumes of trade paperbacks out, so now is a good jumping on point. This would make an awesome HBO series.

Jessica wrote: "The Sandman series of course... although it's a much different feel than Transmet, it's still my favorite.

Also, try the Maxx, for psychological themes, he's not just your OG masked superhero.

"

I remember the Maxx from MTV, back in the day. I have to check out the G N

The Maxx is awesome. Well, the first half anyway - the story shifts massively around the halfway mark (only the first half made it onto MTV's series (as faithful a reproduction as there has ever been)) and it loses something for the last half. I must dig out all my issues and read it again, though - I may feel differently about it reading it now.

Additionally to the main story, there were a few one-shots released 'Friends of Maxx' which are also surprisingly good. Oooh - and Maxx issue 1 was released in 3-D I seem to remember... I have it somewhere - glasses and all!

Everyone should read The Maxx! Mr. Gone is a great character!

you can read terry moore's new series ECHO the first 6 or 7 issues just came out in a trade and the series is in it's 11 issues.

I would also recommend Brian K Vaughan's Ex-machina series it is simply amazing.

I think Y: The Last Man was one of the best series of the last few years.
I'd also back Chris on the Fables call, starts out a little messy but gets beautifully convoluted later on.
For the Transmetropolitan fans The Boys is so good it's scary, Mr Ennis still has his hardcore side.
If you like a good spy novel Queen and Country is great.
Scalped has some potential but i'll save my recommendation till i'm sure.
DMZ is also simple fun with some great art.
100 bullets is beautifully drawn but the storyline doesn't float my boat really.

there are loads more but i'd be interested to hear if anyone disagrees with these.

Personally I'd recommend ...

The Walking Dead - a zombie series. Still ongoing. Very gritty at moments.

Sin City. Well, it's Sin City. What more do you need ;-).

I'd also like to second the suggestions for The Complete Maus, Watchmen and Preacher.

I just finished:

I Never Liked You The New Definitive Edition and The Tale of One Bad Rat. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these and would recommend them to anyone.

I would add The Invisibles Vol. 1 Say You Want a Revolution, it's just great and fun to read.
Or The Breathtaker which is one the first comics I ever read (was 17 and in english i'm french) ...

Have good readings and fun ...

Péné

Has anyone read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi?

Here's a link to Satrapi's own words telling of her inspiration for the book and her method of writing it.

William wrote: "Has anyone read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi?

Here's a link to Satrapi's own words telling of her inspiration for the book and her method of writing it. "

It was so good--a perfectly fitting use of the medium, I thought. The stark black and white style gave the story such gravity.

Yeah, the Persepolis books were wonderfully done -- one of my favorites. Interesting genre, underexplored I think.

The movie version of Persepolis was quite good, too... Marjane Satrapi was very involved in the making of it.

Transmet is great to get involved with...a real good one for picking up and putting down, without feeling guilty. A real treat.

Asterios Polyp, though new, feels quite distinguished and is making quite a buzz. This graphic novel is like that favorite song you wish you wrote (or could write). Things take time...devote a little to this treat.

Y: The Last Man, is really good to spend a week reading. Feels nice, especially in the summer air. All alone...

Preacher. Read it. That's all.

I like reality/philosophical works including but not limited to What it is by Lynda Barry and 365 days by Julie Doucet. American Splendor and The Cancer Years, Persepolis, are brilliant insightful works.
Barefoot Gen, Maus, and Yoessel are poignant pieces that should be required reading for any contempory lit class.
I did not read graphic novels until 2 years ago and now I am addicted.
As far as apocalyptic graphic novels are concerned The Stand and I am legend are among my favorites. I had the great experience of working on the I am Legend movie that was released in 2007. When the graphic novel came out I got it the week it came out.
Don't get me wrong I love words but illustrations and artwork say so much more than the words alone. I think it requires less translation in your head and gets to the core faster. The artwork makes me so empathetic. You feel the nausea from radiation in both The Cancer Years and Barefoot Gen. You feel the isolation and loneliness in Persepolis and 365 days.
I look forward to participating in your discussions.

Anything by Neil Gaiman - Sandman & Stardust. Sometimes I have to read the stories more than once to catch everything - but it's always worth the read. And Fables is a wonderful, fanciful tale...yes, it does get a bit convoluted, but then, there's an awful lot of characters out there to incorporate into the tales....
Frank Miller is another writer to watch...seems any established character he touches is revitalized - ie Batman: The Dark Knight Returns & Daredevil: Man Without Fear. Darker, deeper, psychological insight into what makes the character tick...more than superhero slugfest

Karen the Comic Seller wrote: "Anything by Neil Gaiman - Sandman & Stardust. Sometimes I have to read the stories more than once to catch everything - but it's always worth the read. And Fables is a wonderful, fanciful tale...ye..."

I totally agree with everything you have just said, and would add Grant Morrison to that list :0)
I'm also very fond of Joss Wheadon!

If you want to try Manga try reading Barefoot Gen.It is
about a little boy who survives Hiroshima.
I love Maus, Berlin, Blankets, Carnet de Voyage, American
Splendor.

Anyone read Grandville yet?
Looks very good...hopefully get it from the mythical fat guy in the red suit.

I'll go with: WALKING DEAD; Gaiman's SANDMAN; MAUS; TRANSMETROPOLITAN; FROM HELL and just about anything else by Alan Moore.

For something different I recommend PUNK ROCK & TRAILER PARKS by Derf. Nice mixture of real people and Derf's fictional characters. Funny, but also somewhat sad. If you are not familiar with the personalities who appear in this book DO NOT read the 'bios' in the back until you finish the book. This is for Adults and not just because of the language.

No Demo or Local fans here? These are two of the greatest limited series graphic novels that are out. I love Fables, Planetary, Ex Machina, etc.

Paul wrote: "No Demo or Local fans here? These are two of the greatest limited series graphic novels that are out. I love Fables, Planetary, Ex Machina, etc."
Why yes, I too enjoy the work of Brian Wood. Local is one of my favourite limited series and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Since the original poster liked Strangers in Paradise I think she won't be disappointed by this.
Girls: The Complete Collection by the Luna Brothers is also worth a look. I remember reading it shortly after Strangers in Paradise and the two are somehow permanently linked in my mind.

Paul wrote: "No Demo or Local fans here?"

I actually just read Local last week -- very nice, I liked it a lot. Familiar Brian Wood gritty urban element, but more low-key and subtle in most parts, a different manifestation. Good stuff.

I got to met Brian Wood at ComicCon last year, he signed my book and we chatted very, very briefly about Demo. Girls is also a favorite of mine as is the Sword by the same team.
I was disappointed by SIP. I can remember the first issue I ever got, a freebie that my local comic store gave out for their anniversary, after that I had to have it. After a while, I felt like they dragged it out past the point he wanted to end it. At one time, it was going to shift to other characters, but he didn't. The result was that we got plot elements recycled over and over. I did buy the last issues, but really I had lost interest. I do like Echo though.

Paul wrote: "I was disappointed by SIP. I can remember the first issue I ever got... after that I had to have it. After a while, I felt like they dragged it out past the point he wanted to end it.

Hm. I never felt that way about SiP, not at all -- deeply enjoyed it pretty much all the way through. Didn't care for the dark, action-y elements as much as the rest of it, but I liked the balance, how the boundaries of genre were fuzzed a bit. The story wandered, sure, as life does. But I never got the feel it was dragged out. I've spoken with Terry Moore in person a few times, at some length a couple of those times, and I never got any impression that SiP went longer than he wanted it to or meant it to.

I think there can be a big difference sometimes between reading a comic issue by issue, and reading it in trades. I read the first 20 issues or so individually, and after that I just started waiting for the trades because it was driving me insane waiting for new issues -- maybe it helped me enjoy the books to have no boundary between issues, no month-long wait. Also, I think it can kill one's enjoyment if one gets too into the behind-the-scenes of the whole thing, especially while reading it... it's like watching an extensive "Making Of" documentary for a movie BEFORE you see the movie. Takes the magic away.


"At one time, it was going to shift to other characters, but he didn't. The result was that we got plot elements recycled over and over. I did buy the last issues, but really I had lost interest."

I never heard anything about plans to shift to other characters. Just as well that I didn't, really. I suppose I can accede the point of plot elements recycled, but really that's how storytelling works -- it's like repeated themes and phrases in a symphony or composition. Establish, alter, synthesize, alter, alter, return, synthesize. If it's done well it can feel recycled, but I can't agree that was the case here. *shrug*

Anyway, SiP is a series that I (and just about everyone I know who's read it) have enjoyed immensely. Sorry to hear you lost interest, though, that's unfortunate.

Actually Terry Moore did say that at Comic Con the first year I went in 2001. He said he wanted to shift to a rock star character whos lyrics are often quoted in the book, Griffen Silver to be exact.
And you didn't think the Darcy Girls storyline which kept coming back wasn't a bit repitative, not to mention Francine's constant fear of getting involved with Katchoo? And David, why he didn't just walk away from Katchoo at first is still beyond me.
I did find a lot I enjoyed. Especially the humor of how it played with our expectations of what should happen in the story. I really liked how the buffon of the story, Francine's ex looked exactly like Terry Moore. And I did like how the story finally did end. So I guess love/hate would probably be more accurate.

Not to be a jerk - and I might be just right out to lunch, because I haven't read Strangers in Paradise - but lots of people seems to be throwing out their favorite Vertigo book rather than relating to the books he said. I think Sandman is the greatest comic series ever, but I can't see how it relates to Transmetropolitan other than being a mature Audiences comic. Same for Maus and Watchmen.

DMZ I'd recommend - it's got a journalist as a central character and takes place in a slightly different future. Preacher has a bit of spiritual kinship in its gleeful obscenity.

I read Grandville and I thought it was fantastic. The art's gorgeous and its got a very european Mouse Guard meets Hercule Poirot kind of charm.

If you liked Strangers in Paradise, you might want to check out Craig Thompson's Blankets. One of my favorites.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25...

Cliff wrote: "If you liked Strangers in Paradise, you might want to check out Craig Thompson's Blankets. One of my favorites.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25..."

I agree with you Cliff. I love Thompson. What turned me on to him was Adrian Tomine. I very much enjoy a clean, modern setting and graphics; however, Tomine's stories leave me feeling depressed. Then I stumbled upon Thompson's Goodbye Chunky Rice. It's a quick read, so I unknowingly sat in a public venue to read it and ended up shedding tears in public....so sweet, poignant and irresistible. Because of that sweet story, I picked up Blankets and was hooked on his work, anticipating more eagerly.

Wynene wrote: "Cliff wrote: "If you liked Strangers in Paradise, you might want to check out Craig Thompson's Blankets. One of my favorites.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25..."

I agree with you ..."

Have you read Thompson's Carnet De Voyage? It's pretty much a travel journal of his trips through Europe while promoting Blankets. Some of the artwork in it is amazing and gives a lot of insight into Craig himself.

I still need to pick up Goodbye Chunky Rice.

Brian Vaughn's Ex Machina is a great read -- It offers a critique of politics akin to TransMet -- loved that series; DC/Vertigo better collect the whole thing as an Absolute edition!!!! -- but it still has the superhero angle.
I would also try "I Kill Giants" -- very good story with real characters.

thanks Cliff....I'll have to check that out, hoping he comes out with something new very soon.

Cliff wrote: "Wynene wrote: "Cliff wrote: "If you liked Strangers in Paradise, you might want to check out Craig Thompson's Blankets. One of my favorites.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25..."

I ..."

Kelly wrote: "i enjoyed transmetropolitan and strangers in paradise. can anyone recommend any similar graphic novels to read?"


Have you picked up other titles by Warren Ellis?

Authority, Jenny Sparks, Storm Watch etc.

Otherwise everyone else has posted my reading list! You'll be hard pressed to find the same sort of sci-fi political feel with some of these recommendations. Alan Moore is really your best bet.

My absolute favorite is Preacher, can't go wrong with Garth Ennis.

Also Y: The Last Man.

Rohit wrote: "My absolute favorite is Preacher, can't go wrong with Garth Ennis.

Also Y: The Last Man."

I just finished the 3rd volume of Preacher, the best so far. Waiting for the library to send me the fourth.

Awesome. It's great that you're enjoying it.

Preacher started a bonafide book hunt for me personally, I hunted down everything Garth Ennis had written after I read it. And I was not disappointed. His run on the MAX Punisher series is legendary, and so are a lot of his other graphic novels - The Boys, The Pro and even his World War II stories.

Do yourself a favor and seek out Ennis' work on HELLBLAZER as well, Rohit. The character's got a pretty storied past, but it's still pretty accessible. Plus, it's the first teaming of Ennis and Dillon.