Best Graphic Novels

Captain Feathersword

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This is a continuation from my thread earlier. What do you consider great graphic novels (series).

Some of the novels from the 80's seem dated, for example, Watchmen. It has nothing to do with the politics of the time, but rather, I assume, the premise has been copied over and over since.

That being said, I think The Dark Knight Returns still holds up well. What are some others that you would like to add.
 
Watchmen was way a head of its time. There is an excellent article (interview) on Watchmen in Wizard # 190, its worth reading. The more times you read the book the more you pickup on. A few interesting points on the book is that it is a stand alone story. Watchmen just exsist after the book there isn't anymore Watchmen stories (unlike Batman and DD who seems to always have been there and always will). For such a popular series its funny how there has never been a follow up series (you can thank Alan Moore for that). Marvels "Civil War" storyline is a ripoff from the Watchman's Keene act. In the Watchmen, the Keene act was the mandatory unmasking and registration of all masked hereos.

Did you know that if you put all the back covers together they create an interlinking picture, I will try and get a scan of it. Watchmen was more appreciated if you read them an issue at a time when they first came out(rather then in trade format). The watchmen came out monthly, you had a full 30 days to reread and think about the issues, the more you read and thought the deeper it became. Back then there wasn't an internet so discussions and talk was limited to local shops and groups, it gave the title a different feel to it. Listening to other peoples interpretations of each issue was awesome. I also love how the book came out every month on time but Moore held back the final issue for 2 months (even though it was complete and ready to ship). My friends and myself were going crazy waiting for the ending and the answers to the mystery.

If I could suggest some must read books I would suggest

Batman " The killing Joke"
Batman " The long Halloween"
Batman " The man who laughs"
Batman " Tales of the Demon" (reprints the early Adams Ra's issues)
Batman "Dark Knight returns"
Superman " Red Son"
Superman " Death of superman" A must for anyone who has never read it
Bone 1-9 Great series
Nightwing 1-5
V for Vendetta like watchmen groundbreaking for its time
"Across the universe" DC stories from Alan Moore FANTASTIC
The Authority 1-2 excellent read
Stormwatch (Kills off the main characters and sets up The authority books)
DD "Born again" must read book (Kingpin learns DD real name)
DD "Man without fear"
Wolverine "Origin" fantastic writing and art work
Teen Titans "Judas contract"

There are so so many but these are must read books.
Usagi Yojimbo books 1-20 especially the "Grass cutter storyline"
 
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One my favs is Kingdom Come.

At the time it was a great alternate future/alternate Earth story and it was really great reading.

I love Alex Ross art (though he has many critics) and this stuff was great.

The writing was A1 as well. The dialogue tween Spectre and the minister is great and Superman (who I generally don't like) is really great.

Now, DC is pulling in elements of that alternate world and working it into the main DC continuity.
 
Great pick, the story and art is amazing in Kingdom come. I remember when it first came out I was very excited, I really loved Ross work on Marvels. I wasn't disapointed. BTW thats another book top add to the List

"Marvels" (the original covers are some of the most beautiful comic artwork ever).
 
Dark Knight was incredibly well-written and executed. Unfortunately, DK2 was not. The Killing Joke, the Long Hallowe'en, and Red Son are also very good.

I like the inclusion of Jeff Smith's classic "Bone". Definitely great storytelling, along with artwork that nicely complements the story.

Some others worthy of mention:
"Powers" - probably the most honest look at how Supers and the Real World might mesh.
"Smith Brown Jones - Alien Accountant" - art is refreshing, the subject matter interesting, subtle at times, and quite silly when appropriate.
Foglio's "Girl Genius - a Gaslamp Fantasy" is a must read. So is the entirety of the "Buck Godot" work.
"Goldfish" by BMB, another outstanding piece of work. Most of the run of the new "Starman". "War Stories" by Ennis.
 


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