Exceptional Books discussion

Please use this folder for discussion of graphic novels you have either read, looking forward to reading or if you are looking for some recommendations!

Thanks, Amy!

Here's my list of exceptional graphic novels and some illustrated works I find exceptional. I'm sure some people will either disagree or add some to the list (I hope!).


The Complete Maus

Alan's War: The Memories of G.I. Alan Cope

The Walking Dead

V for Vendetta

Y: The Last Man - The Deluxe Edition Book One

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Cairo

Pride of Baghdad

Hexed

Fables: Animal Farm

The Gashlycrumb Tinies

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

Two of my favorites

The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller

The Hellboy Books by Mike Mignola

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Hellboy: Seed of Destruction

look what I learned to do...neat

THanks for posting those Emily! I really like the graphic novels, although I've only read a couple so far. I'm always interested in finding quality graphic novels rather than random ones!

I just finished reading Janet Evanovich's Trouble Maker
I actually found it very amusing but it got some bad reviews. Apparently there are other graphic novels that came out before this (same characters) that were better, but I didn't read them, so I had nothing to compare it to.

I'm also reading the lightning theif , it's good. I really enjoyed reading the original series.

I also just finished Neil Gaiman's Eternals , I enjoyed that as well, but I'm a Gaiman fan.

Colleen wrote: "I'm also reading the lightning theif , it's good. I really enjoyed reading the original series."

Interesting--I didn't realize these were also available now as illustrated works. I've only read up through book 3; I guess I should finish the series before I start at the beginning again with the GN versions!

I don't know much about his genre, but enjoyed the movies that have been made from the graphic novels. My wish is to start one to see if I like them. Any suggestions as to which one to begin my graphic novel journey?

Colleen wrote: "I also just finished Neil Gaiman's Eternals , I enjoyed that as well, but I'm a Gaiman fan."

Gaiman wrote two graphic novels/series that I can think of off the top of my head: Coraline: Graphic Novel and the Sandman series that starts with Preludes and Nocturnes.

I cannot wait to read The Lightening Thief! It looks really good. I enjoyed the actual series so this shouldn't be too far off.

I actually read Coraline: Graphic Noveland really liked it. I think if you've never read one that definitely is a good place to start. Others I've read are Twilight: The Graphic Novel(but I'm a Twilight fan) and then another graphic novel based on the Angel series by Joss Whedon.

I have 4 volumes of The Absolute Sandman with a 5th coming this fall. Beautiful books which I am waiting to tackle.

Gaiman also did a Comic series of Neverewhere which together make a GN.

Monica wrote: "I don't know much about his genre, but enjoyed the movies that have been made from the graphic novels. My wish is to start one to see if I like them. Any suggestions as to which one to begin my g..."

Monica, are you referring to Rick Riordan's work or Neil Gaiman's work?

Colleen wrote: "Monica wrote: "I don't know much about his genre, but enjoyed the movies that have been made from the graphic novels. My wish is to start one to see if I like them. Any suggestions as to which on..."

Neither? Both? I really don't know this genre, I just used to assume they were just like comic books. I've enjoyed movies that were based off of graphic novels, which piqued my curiosity & now I wish to try reading one. I'm not sure where to start tho.

They really are more like comic books, but totally a step up. I love them because overall they are easy reads, but as an adult I also enjoy beautiful graphics, which most of these books have.

Start with Coraline: Graphic Novel Monica. Well worth the read. Great story and the graphics are a little creepy which totally fits the story.

Monica wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Monica wrote: "I don't know much about his genre, but enjoyed the movies that have been made from the graphic novels. My wish is to start one to see if I like them. Any suggestion..."

Which movies were they? If they were from Alan Moore's graphic novels (V for Vendetta, Watchmen, etc.), I would say that none of the movies really captured the essence of his work. The books are darker and include stuff that many wouldn't be comfortable with.

Ahhh Amy! Some of my very favorites. Can't believe the Preacher series isn't in there, though!

Huge, huge fan of Fables & Y:, as well.

Jack of Fables

The Boys, Vol 1

Transmetropolitan


Preacher

Amy wrote: "Please use this folder for discussion of graphic novels you have either read, looking forward to reading or if you are looking for some recommendations!"

Are these like big comic type books? I've never quite understood these.

Amy wrote: "They really are more like comic books, but totally a step up. I love them because overall they are easy reads, but as an adult I also enjoy beautiful graphics, which most of these books have.

St..."

Thanks for the recommendation!

Shay wrote: "Which movies were they? ..."

I've seen V for Vwndetta and Really liked it. I figure there would be more to the graphic novel than what was in the movie.

I love Calvin and Hobbs.That will forever be one of my favorite cartoons. Lucy For AMY @8:41on 9-16-11

I guess you could call them grown up comic books but way sophisiticated.

Monica wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Monica wrote: "I don't know much about his genre, but enjoyed the movies that have been made from the graphic novels. My wish is to start one to see if I like them. Any suggestion..."

Monica, if you're new to Graphic novels, it can be a good idea to start with a genre-type you enjoy. A few examples:

--If you enjoy post-apocalyptic novels, Y: The Last Man: Unmanned is a good place to start
--If you like war novels/non-fiction, then The Complete Maus can been a good introduction
--If you like general fiction/women's fiction, then I would recommend Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore
--If you like steam punk, then you might try something from Warren Ellis, such as Aetheric Mechanics
--If you like fantasy and fairy tales, then Fables: Legends in Exile is an excellent place to dive into graphic novels

Once you get used to how stories are told in graphic novels, then it's good to stretch your interests a bit and explore other genres within this type of book. If you're new to it, picking up the wrong thing can turn you off them entirely (unfortunately!).

Thanks for posting all the great selections!

Emily wrote: "Monica wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Monica wrote: "I don't know much about his genre, but enjoyed the movies that have been made from the graphic novels. My wish is to start one to see if I like them. ..."

Thanks Emily! Thanks for all the great suggestions, too. Once I decide, I'll definitely review

Dawn is definitely a graphic novel then. :) I LOVE Linsner's art, his characters, etc. Dawn is my FAVORITE character :)

Dark Ivory is another one of Linsner's graphic novel creations, she's the vampire in his lineup.

Let me know if the ones I suggested you would consider graphic novels or not...

I always wanted to read Se7en but I could never find the first issue :/ I should probably start looking again!

OMG, there's an Archie graphic novel????

Another on my list is The Lightening Thief graphic novel, from the Percy Jackson series.

I have a couple random favorites, for very different reasons:


A fave, and good for newcomers to superhero comics.


Identity Crisis rocked my socks. Brad Meltzer makes a great murder mystery involving the less popular characters of the JLA. Also, enjoyable without being into superhero comics. The art is superbly done. First comic that made me cry.


This was the first graphic novel that I ever read. There is literally nothing else like it. Can't explain it, you just have to see for yourself.

There are some great suggestions on here! I'm doubly stoked because I looked for some of these at our library- and they have them! ::happy dance::

Lucy wrote: "I love Calvin and Hobbs.That will forever be one of my favorite cartoons. Lucy For AMY @8:41on 9-16-11"

Calvin and Hobbes was the best. I would love to know what Sam Watterson is doing today. I actually found one picture of him years ago, and he looks exactly like Calvin's dad.

I didn't see a post on "American Vampire" yet, so here it is. Saw this graphic novel, was drawn by Stephen King's name attached to it, read it, was floored by the intensity of the graphics, loved the story - though it seemed it was bigger than the graphic novel format allowed. Great read though.

I love Watchmen, if anyone has seen the movie its really taken straight from the graphic novel, except the ending.

Also Stephen Kings Dark Tower graphic novels are superb. The art is amazing.

Princessfaz wrote: "I love Watchmen, if anyone has seen the movie its really taken straight from the graphic novel, except the ending.

Also Stephen Kings Dark Tower graphic novels are superb. The art is amazing."

Was the ending of the movie better than the ending of the book? I was anticipating something better from the book, but it just seemed to lay there with this pessimistic 'the end of the world is coming; be afraid; be very afraid' mantra.

I guess the ending was similar, it just ended up being someone elses fault, if that makes sense.

Where is Sandman and Scott Pilgrim??

I recently read Immortals, the graphic novel, based on the movie that came out recently. It was great if you like Greek Mythology.

NOTE: Although this is a graphic novel, it is not a comic book. It is a well-written story where throughout the book there are full-page illustrations.

Since I was a young mother, reading to my children, I had not picked up a book to read with full-page illustrations. Of course, this is not a child's book. The book's author is widely known, Neil Gaiman. Mr. Gaiman wrote this wonderful fantasy story, with added beautiful & descriptive illustrated pictures, which vividly help tell the story along with his written word. The illustrations by: Charles Vess. Personally, I want more books to read with illustrations.. it adds so much enjoyment to the book, especially where the imagination is needed. If you know of more, please share!! My husband read it and enjoyed it too!

I love graphic novels!!

I don't mean to rain on everyone's parade, but I don't care for graphic novels.

I've read a half-dozen or so of them, including Maus and some Neil Gaiman. I've experienced some of what most people consider the best graphic novels.

One thing that bothers me is that the novels are more like short stories. The word-count is low, low, low. That's less space for the author to develop themes and complexity. There's just not much story there.

The experience of reading is different too. I read a bit of text, then before continuing, I have to stop and look at the accompanying picture. Start-stop-start-stop. A good book creates momentum that carries you from one sentence to the next. Graphic novels inevitably screw up that momentum.

Finally, there are the illustrations. I once worked with a magazine art director who was the most brilliant and creative and quick-thinking person I ever met. He showed me how artwork, typography, and layout can make text more effective. I really admire the guy. Once I told him about something I had read or listened to -- I don't remember now, precisely what I was telling him about. But I remember he asked, "Were there pictures?" I was about to answer but he saw that I was already shaking my head to indicate a negative response. "Ah," he said. "Only in your head."

And THAT is what reading is about for me, ultimately. There already are pictures, but they're "only in my head." The faces and landscapes and rooms I imagine belong to me and are uniquely effective because they are consistent with my understanding of the text. Anyone else's pictures force me to accept their imagined perspective, and as a result I am less deeply engaged with the story.

Graphic novels don't make my engagement with a text richer and deeper, but shallow and less meaningful. I was prepared to like them (especially because people whose opinions I trust rave about them), but for me, graphic novels don't deliver what I want out of a book: rich, lavish, comprehensively written text; the momentum that drives me to turn page after page; and the opportunity to envision the text on my own terms.

Research has shown that graphic novels actually improve the reading and desire to read of children who are learning disabled or struggle to read. Graphic novels are not for everyone. I loved comic books growing up, so to me graphic novels are a more adult version of this.

There's also some research about the different thinking/perception modes in different people: Some (like J.D., it seems, and myself) are more 'verbal' (hence the "start - stop - start - stop" process: same with me, btw--I'm always on the Pause button when I watch a visually intense movie, like Cloud Atlas or anything Asian--I just can't 'read' images quickly enough). Some are more 'visual' (no problems with 'reading' images, occasional problems with verbalizing ideas). And there's at least one other type--'kinetic'?--which I don't know enough about.

A beautiful (and leaving a book-length impression ;) graphic novel I've read is The Last Unicorn adaptation. Highly recommended.

I agree with JD in that graphic novels to me, are basically extended comic books. While certainly entertaining, they don't generate the quality of the images created by reading a traditional novel. I have always believed that movie adaptations of books are never as rich as the movie I see in my mind's eye while reading the words. Pictures with words become a distraction.

Sometimes it's just nice to read something easy and simple. :-)