Five graphic novels absolutely everyone should read

[CConn]

Not to shortchange anyone, before I say absolutely anything, I'll say this thread was heavily inspired by this thread: Five Graphic Novels Every Movie Fan Should Own

Okay, my question is simple; what 5 comics would you say that anyone and everyone should or could read. Whether it be a hardcore comic fan, or someone that's never picked up a comic in their life. What's the best - and hopefully widest - representation of the comic medium as a whole?

I'll post my list after a bit.

 

[Elijya]

Great thread, CConn

I think the key phrase in your proposition is "widest representation". Ask this question of a Spider-Man fan, even while aware of other areas in the comics industry, they might only recommend Spider-Man books (or just Marvel books, or just Superhero books, or maybe they;ll throw in one other acclaimed book they know of like Sandman or Maus)

But if I were gonna break down what would qualify as what would most widely represent the medium in only five books (single volume trades or graphic novels, I'd look at it like this:

1 Superhero title - vilefy them or worship them, they are the predominant representation of American comic books
1 Manga title - love it or hate it, the Japanese comics market is more than 10 times larger than the American market. Any list that doesn't acknowledge this is inclomplete and not representative
1 Non-fiction title - a vastly underrated and underused category for comics, I don't think a list comprised of five pure fiction titles would be appropriate, nor accurately display what the medium is CAPABLE of, if not what it is.
1 Mature Readers title - to show the other side of American comics
1 Retro title - to show the medium's roots

At least one title is allowed to be depressing as hell, at least one title should be uplifting and fun.


Superhero title - WAAAAY too many to choose from. Invincible is a current favorite and undoubtedly tons of fun. A Spider-Man book seems like a good way to go, but which ones? Same with Superman and Batman (Although Year One, Long Halloween, and DKR all come to mind). Watchmen, MiracleMan and other Alan Moore titles all come to mind. Hell with it, I'll cheat and choose easily the best and most diversified collection, an anthology: DC Universe: The Stories of Alan Moore.

Manga title - I could debate this one - but is anyone really gonna argue with Lone Wolf and Cub?

Non-Fiction title - Maus is the frontrunner given it's Pultitzer Prize winning status, but underappreciated books like Blankets, American Splendor, PyongPyang, or Torso come to mind. Understanding Comics is an excellent example of referential comics, an examination of the medium, but I don't think it's a good representation of the medium itself.

Mature Readers title - So, so many to choose from (most with the words "Vertigo" on the front). Most everything with Alan Moore or Neil Gaimen's name on it, brilliant works by Ellis and Vaughan like Planetary or Pride of Baghdad. Miller's Sin City and Ennis' Preacher are brilliant but not easily summed up in a single volume. This one's tough.

Retro title - I could debate this, I could insist on something from Stan and Jack, but no - this one belongs to Will Einser's The Spirit.


and those're my thoughts on the topic. Thanks CConn

 

[The Ether]

This is interesting, I want to bring out my two cents:

Superhero Title - There's too much to pick out of hundreds of amazing titles, but for me I'll go gung ho and say... The Authority, during Ellis and Millars run. When the Authority first came out they pulled a complete 180 on how a superhero is, it was interesting and is also a good read especially for people who has the one minded stereotype of superheroes.

Manga Title - Like Superhero stories, there are a huge number a mangas that are good as well from Dragonball(Don't hate), Battle Royale, and Great Teacher Onizuka. But for me I have to pick... Lunar Legend Tsukihime this book got me hooked and I'm biting my nails of anticipation for March to come since the next volume would be shipped at that month. There is so many thing for me to say about this manga. Everything you know about the stereotypes of Anime and Manga are thrown out of the window in this book, with a main character that is just too cool for school, and the main heroine is nowhere near the damsel in distress, the characters are instantly loved from the main to the villains. Theres so many things I can say about this book but I won't cause I got to finish this post

Non-Fiction Title - I'll pick the most recent story which I enjoyed a lot. That would be... Brian K. Vaughan's Pride of Baghdad. Everything about this book gives off a Lion King feel which I appreciate a good deal. With the plot being Is freedom given to you or you must fight for it, it didn't stray away to the story and bashed the current events during the time. The artwork is beautiful and the characters are amiable. Not to mention I loved the fight with Zill and the Bear.

Mature Readers Title - If you can make a big list of mature graphic novels without the Vertigo label, I commend you. Right now at the moment I will pick... 100 Bullets. I am a fan of Crime noir, Gangster flicks and etc. 100 Bullets has everything in the bag not to mention the concept of getting revenge without any repercussions is interesting.

Retro Title - I shall pick... Crisis of Infinite Earths. This is the ultimate superhero epic. An immense evil destroys everything in its path and when you think everything is over, the small light of hope gets brighter and everything turns to the better. This is how a Superhero event should be.

and that's my two cents, hope that helps

 

[Elijya]

Superhero Title - There's too much to pick out of hundreds of amazing titles, but for me I'll go gung ho and say... The Authority, during Ellis and Millars run. When the Authority first came out they pulled a complete 180 on how a superhero is, it was interesting and is also a good read especially for people who has the one minded stereotype of superheroes.

I'm gonna argue with this one here because the Authoirty was a superhero deconstruation story. So is Watchmen and Kingdom Come and other titles I could name. And it's a bit... off to have a a story about Superhero deconstruction but not a story that's just about a superhero. Assume you're showing it to an alien, how would he understand and appreciate a nontraditional look at superheroes if they don't know what a traditional one is?

Non-Fiction Title - I'll pick the most recent story which I enjoyed a lot. That would be... Brian K. Vaughan's Pride of Baghdad. Everything about this book gives off a Lion King feel which I appreciate a good deal. With the plot being Is freedom given to you or you must fight for it, it didn't stray away to the story and bashed the current events during the time. The artwork is beautiful and the characters are amiable. Not to mention I loved the fight with Zill and the Bear.

Non-Fiction? So you mean Lions can ACTUALLY talk?

 

[Elijya]

Mature Readers Title - If you can make a big list of mature graphic novels without the Vertigo label, I commend you.

Alias
Cage
Punisher MAX
Punisher: Born
Supreme Power
The Authority
Planetary
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Lost Girls
The Walking Dead
Sin City
Conan
Goldfish
The Goon
Honour Among Punks
Johnny the Homocidal Maniac
Strangers in Paradise
Wanted
Battle Royal
Blade of the Immortal
Black Hole
A History of Violence
Maus
Road to Perdition
Small Favors
Total Sell Out
The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius
Battle Pope
Chosen
Clerks: (The Comic Books)
Deep Fried
Ex Machina vol 1
Ghost World
Global Frequency
The Hood
Howard the Duck
Jay and Silent Bob: Chasing Dogma
Jinx
The Mask
Powers
Squee’s Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors
30 Days of Night
Torso
Cages
In the Shadow of no Towers
From Hell
Three Fingers
Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles
American Splendor
Mail Order Bride
The Bible: Eden
The Cowboy Wally Show
Why I Hate Saturn
Tell Me Dark
True Porn
The Pro
Desolation Jones
Down
Rawhide Kid
Omaha the Cat Dancer
ANYTHING by Robert Crumb
Hellstorm: Son of Satan
Zombie
Wisdom
Foolkiller
Haunt of Horror: H.P. Lovecraft
Apache Skies
Black Widow: Pale Little Spider
Blade
The Eternal
Fury
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu
Thor: Vikings
U.S. War Machine and U.S. War Machine 2.0
X-Men: Phoenix - Legacy of Fire
Haunt of Horror: Edgar Allen Poe

 

[The Ether]

I'm gonna argue with this one here because the Authoirty was a superhero deconstruation story. So is Watchmen and Kingdom Come and other titles I could name. And it's a bit... off to have a a story about Superhero deconstruction but not a story that's just about a superhero. Assume you're showing it to an alien, how would he understand and appreciate a nontraditional look at superheroes if they don't know what a traditional one is?

First teach the alien how to read the english language be showing them traditional superhero comic books and then show then Authority, simple as that

Non-Fiction? So you mean Lions can ACTUALLY talk?

If parrots can talk then so can lions, Lion King and Little Mermaid are proof enough

 

[The Ether]

Alias
Cage
Punisher MAX
Punisher: Born
Supreme Power
The Authority
Planetary
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Lost Girls
The Walking Dead
Sin City
Conan
Goldfish
The Goon
Honour Among Punks
Johnny the Homocidal Maniac
Strangers in Paradise
Wanted
Battle Royal
Blade of the Immortal
Black Hole
A History of Violence
Maus
Road to Perdition
Small Favors
Total Sell Out
The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius
Battle Pope
Chosen
Clerks: (The Comic Books)
Deep Fried
Ex Machina vol 1
Ghost World
Global Frequency
The Hood
Howard the Duck
Jay and Silent Bob: Chasing Dogma
Jinx
The Mask
Powers
Squee’s Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors
30 Days of Night
Torso
Cages
In the Shadow of no Towers
From Hell
Three Fingers
Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles
American Splendor
Mail Order Bride
The Bible: Eden
The Cowboy Wally Show
Why I Hate Saturn
Tell Me Dark
True Porn
The Pro
Desolation Jones
Down
Rawhide Kid
Omaha the Cat Dancer
ANYTHING by Robert Crumb
Hellstorm: Son of Satan
Zombie
Wisdom
Foolkiller
Haunt of Horror: H.P. Lovecraft
Apache Skies
Black Widow: Pale Little Spider
Blade
The Eternal
Fury
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu
Thor: Vikings
U.S. War Machine and U.S. War Machine 2.0
X-Men: Phoenix - Legacy of Fire
Haunt of Horror: Edgar Allen Poe

I commend you, and that's all I'm going to commend. I don't hand these out like flyers you know

 

[ang_hulk]

wanted

 

[Darthphere]

Wanted was a huge piece of crap, that featured a huge piece of crap as one of its characters.

 

[ang_hulk]

why do you think that?

 

[Anubis]

I loved Wanted. I enjoyed it for what it was, a big summer blockbuster type comic. Death by Dysentery. A Deathstroke like character watching gay sex just to remind him that he's still straight. Stealing a Kryptonite condom from an alternate universe. Bad guys killing bad guys in badass bad guy ways. What's not to love?

Anyway, I'll go with

DC: New Frontier
Lone Wolf and Cub
Maus (Yeah, I know it's mice and cats, but it's still an account of a holocaust experience. Which is why I think Pride of Baghdad works as well. It is based on a true story, after all.)
Blankets
Superman:Exile

 

[Speedball]

I know of one that every DC fan must read, and that's Kingdom Come.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

Great thread, CConn

I think the key phrase in your proposition is "widest representation". Ask this question of a Spider-Man fan, even while aware of other areas in the comics industry, they might only recommend Spider-Man books (or just Marvel books, or just Superhero books, or maybe they;ll throw in one other acclaimed book they know of like Sandman or Maus)

But if I were gonna break down what would qualify as what would most widely represent the medium in only five books (single volume trades or graphic novels, I'd look at it like this:

1 Superhero title - vilefy them or worship them, they are the predominant representation of American comic books
1 Manga title - love it or hate it, the Japanese comics market is more than 10 times larger than the American market. Any list that doesn't acknowledge this is inclomplete and not representative
1 Non-fiction title - a vastly underrated and underused category for comics, I don't think a list comprised of five pure fiction titles would be appropriate, nor accurately display what the medium is CAPABLE of, if not what it is.
1 Mature Readers title - to show the other side of American comics
1 Retro title - to show the medium's roots

At least one title is allowed to be depressing as hell, at least one title should be uplifting and fun.


Superhero title - Hmmmm, superhero title. Well as Peck mentioned there are many to choose from. Spider-Man has been a long time favorite of mine and there are many stories that I do enjoy. After peck reccommending Invincible it is easily my new favorite title. But I will go with one of my all time favorites. The Infinity Guantlet Saga. I also highly reccommend to go along with it, The Thanos Quest. IMHO by far the best cosmic story told in Marvel.

Manga title - Hmmm, seeing as I don't read much of it my knowledge is fairly limited. Mostly to Dragon Ball Z, but I did thoroughly enjoy Vampire Hunter D.

Non-Fiction title - American Beauty I would have to say is most likely the only one I have read.

Mature Readers title - Does Marvel Zombies count?

Retro title - Hmm, retro title? Ahhh....hmmm....get back to you on this one.


and those're my thoughts on the topic. Thanks CConn

 

[Elijya]

THEY MADE AN AMERICAN BEAUTY COMICBOOK?!?!

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

THEY MADE AN AMERICAN BEAUTY COMICBOOK?!?!

Damn it you know what I mean Peck t:

 

[Goldenage Batman]

The Walking Dead
Sin City
The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius
The Pro
Hellstorm: Son of Satan

I have these...and Demo...

 

[CConn]

Great thread, CConn

I think the key phrase in your proposition is "widest representation". Ask this question of a Spider-Man fan, even while aware of other areas in the comics industry, they might only recommend Spider-Man books (or just Marvel books, or just Superhero books, or maybe they;ll throw in one other acclaimed book they know of like Sandman or Maus)

But if I were gonna break down what would qualify as what would most widely represent the medium in only five books (single volume trades or graphic novels, I'd look at it like this:

1 Superhero title - vilefy them or worship them, they are the predominant representation of American comic books
1 Manga title - love it or hate it, the Japanese comics market is more than 10 times larger than the American market. Any list that doesn't acknowledge this is inclomplete and not representative
1 Non-fiction title - a vastly underrated and underused category for comics, I don't think a list comprised of five pure fiction titles would be appropriate, nor accurately display what the medium is CAPABLE of, if not what it is.
1 Mature Readers title - to show the other side of American comics
1 Retro title - to show the medium's roots

Glad you like the thread, Elijya, and you have a great system there. I hate to say it, but following it, my picks pretty much mirror your suggestions...

1. Invincible (Superhero)
2. Sandman (Mature)
3. The Spirit (Classic)
4. Maus (Non-Fiction)
5. Lone Wolf and Cub (Manga)

I do think those are pretty much the best representations of their genre. There were some tough calls. It feels wrong to leave out The Dark Knight Returns or the classic Spider-Man stories or those types of things, but until the list is expanded to 10, those are my picks.

 

[bored]

Maus
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, both volumes
Sin City: That Yellow Bastard
And I can't remember the name, but I have a copy somewhere of a dialoge-free story about dinosaurs, where a family of Tyrannosaurs chases some Oviraptors who ate their eggs. The art was great.

 

[blud_knight]

Kingdom Come
Hush
The Long Haloween
Red Son
Knightfall

 

[Rez]

Bored, that was Age of Reptiles: Tribal Warfare by Ricardo Delgado, and they were velociraptors :-P

It is indeed one of the best things I've encountered in the comic medium. He and his daughter draw some fantastic dinosaurs. Plus, the amount of character he put into the different ones... brilliant.

Also, here's the obligatory Watchmen suggestion. It's hyped up for a reason.

 

[Themanofbat]

I remember reading an issue of Omaha the Cat Dancer in the 80's and getting a *****... t: t: t:

 

[hippie_hunter]

The Long Halloween
Battle Royale

 

[Xofenroht]

1. Action Comics #1 (Superhero)- I know it's not a graphic novel and may even be considered classic, but really...it spear headed what we have here today and deserves to be on this list somewhere.
2. The Sandman: Dream Country (Mature)- not only does this volume contain the first and only comicbook to ever win a literary award for best short story (thus making a revolutionizing piece), but it gives you a good idea of the nature of the Sandman titles as wholes.
3. The Spirit (Classic)- It's Will Eisner...anything he wrote deserves to be on this list.
4. Persepolis by Marjane Satropi (Non-Fiction)- my professor had this as a required text for his class and had us analyzing the differences between it and prose. Wonderfully written, although I may be recommending this simply because I have read any other non-fiction graphic novels.
5. Akira (Manga)- ummm...

 

[blud_knight]

I'm all for manga, but i think since there is so much of it out there, that maybe it should have its own thread.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

Let's see.
Superhero title - Watchmen

Manga title - Adolf by Osamu Tezuka

Non-Fiction title - Palestine by Joe Sacco, a journalistic report in the form of comics

Mature Readers title - V for Vendetta

Retro title - too many to choose from. Let's say Little Nemo in Slumberland