Thread: Graphic Novels?

Within the last year, I have gotten into reading Graphic Novels after someone gave me "Ronin" by Frank Miller as a gift. I am currently reading the Sandman series and am up to the eight installment in the series. To me, the writing and the creativity of the storytelling are second to none. The themes and the extremely unique stories are captivating. To me, the character development is somewhat lacking, but I do not think the characters are the centerpiece in this series, so that is not even a bad thing.

I just wanted to get others' opinions who are into graphic novels and see what people think are "must reads?"

Akira.

It transcends any notions of novel or form and is, simply, the best SF story I've read in a very very long time.

The Walking Dead is pretty good, too. And The Preacher, if you're not against a whole lot of blasphemy...

I remember Ronin! I had a college roommate who was into comics and graphic novels. Since college he has owned and run a comic book store in Harvard Square called the Million Year Picnic. His name is Tony and he is genuinely the nicest person I have ever met. Seriously, I love this guy. If you need help finding any graphic novel, or any recommendations for what to read next, I guarantee that he will be your best option!

Originally Posted by Utopian

I remember Ronin! I had a college roommate who was into comics and graphic novels. Since college he has owned and run a comic book store in Harvard Square called the Million Year Picnic. His name is Tony and he is genuinely the nicest person I have ever met. Seriously, I love this guy. If you need help finding any graphic novel, or any recommendations for what to read next, I guarantee that he will be your best option!

It sounds like you hold Tony in very high regard! I will definitely seek out Tony's advice as soon as I finish up with the Sandman series, although I may have to follow up on JimR's suggestions first.

If graphic novels you find interesting then some of the older Manga you might also enjoy. I recommend for some you seek out Scanulations (Fan Translations of Manga) many of the serise that are comersialy translated are also sanitized for younger markets (censored). cultural differnces of maturity and such would (and still do) make much of the Asian manga NC17 in this country and that might be part of the down fall of the industry.

Frank H is amazing! I recommend checking out some early manga as well.
Like Akira these are also popular anime Cowboy Bebop and Ghost in the Shell.

Depending on where your taste lies there are many others others out there for you to discover.

I don't have a lot of experience with the genre, but I very much enjoyed the Transmetropolitan series by Warren Ellis.

It's a short one but I really enjoyed frank millers 300
It was awesome to see when they made the movie and kept so much of his artwork and style and it looked great on the big screen.

Above all, the Sandman series. Wonderful.

Also part of my all-time favourites:
V for Vendetta (forget the movie please),
the Sin City series by Miller.
The Dark Night Returns by the same

I must also admit having had good laughs reading "Lobo's back's back". Pretty trashy but I thought it was fun.

I must definitely agree that Sandman is one of the best graphic novels out there, and my personal favorite. Along with Ronin, it is a very good introduction to the gender.

However, I'm quite surprised that so far no one has mentioned the GF masterpiece that is Alan Moore's Watchmen. Sure, it caught some flak after the movie adaptation came out, but it is still a must read.

Some humble suggestions in no particular order:

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (make it the first thing you read after Sandman)
Maus
Bone
Hellboy
Ex Machina
Transmepolitan
Y The Last Man
Persepolis (great for any girl in your life wondering why you're reading "comic books", but by no means just a "chick's GF")

Also, google "best graphic novels" for some ideas from pro reviewers.

Have a good read, and a great shave!

Originally Posted by JonnyBoy6

I must definitely agree that Sandman is one of the best graphic novels out there, and my personal favorite. Along with Ronin, it is a very good introduction to the gender.

However, I'm quite surprised that so far no one has mentioned the GF masterpiece that is Alan Moore's Watchmen. Sure, it caught some flak after the movie adaptation came out, but it is still a must read.

Some humble suggestions in no particular order:

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (make it the first thing you read after Sandman)
Maus
Bone
Hellboy
Ex Machina
Transmepolitan
Y The Last Man
Persepolis (great for any girl in your life wondering why you're reading "comic books", but by no means just a "chick's GF")

Also, google "best graphic novels" for some ideas from pro reviewers.

Have a good read, and a great shave!

I read Watchmen and thought it was amazing. Rorshach is one of the coolest characters ever in any story...book, movie or otherwise. I'm not sure that I get as into the "superhero" arm of the graphic novel world. I just read Umbrella Academy and it was quite entertaining, but had limited depth.

I read Maus and it was quite moving.