After someone told me about Batman beating the shit out of Superman the other day, I've been wanting to check out some comics/graphic novels. I don't mean X-Men or something like that, but things that are more... adult (no, not porn) in nature and subject matter. Think more along the lines of sandman rather than Punisher 2099.
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Someone recommend some good comics/graphic novels
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Ignatz Mouse
Banned
They're huge, but the books "Palomar" and "Locas" by the Hernandez Bros are great. Really, really great comics (among the best ever) and definitely adult-themed.
Palomar is a long run of stories set in a South American town with colorful charcters, and Locas is about some hispanic punks and their friends in LA.
Neither description does them justice, though.
I always recommend Maus, a really great comic about the holocaust.
More along the traditional lines, the best ones (IMHO) are
Watchmen
V For Vendetta
Good like Sandman, but completely different:
Preacher (a whole series of books that tells one long story).
Palomar is a long run of stories set in a South American town with colorful charcters, and Locas is about some hispanic punks and their friends in LA.
Neither description does them justice, though.
I always recommend Maus, a really great comic about the holocaust.
More along the traditional lines, the best ones (IMHO) are
Watchmen
V For Vendetta
Good like Sandman, but completely different:
Preacher (a whole series of books that tells one long story).
I'll second Watchmen, Preacher, and V for Vendetta.
Preacher is particularly a favorite of mine...I love how the story gets more into the characters and less into the powers. You can see the storytelling abilities of the author grow as the series progresses.
Others:
Lone Wolf and Cub: Superlative samurai drama. Small easily portable books. Long series. Readable in part without investing in the whole thing.
300: The Battle of Thermopylae, by Frank Miller. Short, powerful, to the point.
Ronin: Also by Frank Miller. Kind of whacky. Samurai gets teleported to a futuristic new york whereien he battles mutants, street gangs, and a biological super computer. Very Escape From New York-ish.
Edit: if you want to see the batman-superman beatdown, I assume you've already been pointed to The Dark Knight Returns. If not, definately read that.
Preacher is particularly a favorite of mine...I love how the story gets more into the characters and less into the powers. You can see the storytelling abilities of the author grow as the series progresses.
Others:
Lone Wolf and Cub: Superlative samurai drama. Small easily portable books. Long series. Readable in part without investing in the whole thing.
300: The Battle of Thermopylae, by Frank Miller. Short, powerful, to the point.
Ronin: Also by Frank Miller. Kind of whacky. Samurai gets teleported to a futuristic new york whereien he battles mutants, street gangs, and a biological super computer. Very Escape From New York-ish.
Edit: if you want to see the batman-superman beatdown, I assume you've already been pointed to The Dark Knight Returns. If not, definately read that.
Meatpuppet
Member
Any actual Mike Mignola Hellboy.
None of the crap that is being pumped out using other creative teams.
None of the crap that is being pumped out using other creative teams.
I'll second everything Ignatz just listed. My own comments:
- Palomar and Locas are part of Los Bros Hernados' long running series Love and Rockets; while I haven't read the big Fantagraphics re-issues, I've gone through about 1/3 of the original L&R run and really dug them. I personally lean towards the Locas material, but it's all excellent.
- Maus won the Pulitzer Prize, which should tell you that it's no ordinary comic. It's an astounding account of both the Holocaust and Spiegelman's relationship with his father. Crucial reading.
- Watchmen is the final word on superheroes. V for Vendetta is a close second. Alan Moore is a pagan god who manifests as a snake puppet that I worship. Well, not quite, but his comics are incredible.
- Preacher is what you would get if a hard drinking John Milton decided to write the rockabilly bastard offpsring of Paradise Lost. "Good like Sandman but completely different" is absolutely right.
Also, here's a few recommendations of my own:
The Frank Book by Jim Woodring - Surreal, haunting dream imagery like you've never seen before. There really isn't anything else quite like Jim Woodring's mad visions. There's no dialogue, so you're here for the lush, somewhat disturbing art, not anything like plot or characterization. The Frank Book is a bit pricey, but it collects all of Frank's adventures and is suitable for refined, mischevous coffee tables everywhere. At least make a point of flipping through it at your local bookstore or comic shop.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi - I generally don't go in for autobiographical comics, but I definately make an exception for this account of life during the Iranian Revolution. In the first volume, Satrapi becomes a teenager as the revolution takes hold. Beforehand she and her parents are liberal and politically active; afterwards, they're trying to survive and fighting small battles, including a hysterical anecdote involving Kim Wilde's song "Kids in America". In the second volume, Satrapi has been sent abroad for high school; she returns after the Iran-Iraq war to see her country rebuilding, yet still oppressed. This is brilliant, gripping stuff, even when she's discussing teen angst and hippie comunes. Your local library is likely to have a copy.
Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson, et al - The near-future saga of Spider Jeruselum, a cyberpunk Hunter S. Thompson, and his gonzo battle against political corruption. Ellis wallows in black comedy, satire, SF worldbuilding, and characters who specialize in swearing, chain-smoking, and mayhem; Robertson illustrates all this with gleeful detail. The combination is guaranteed to knock you on yer ass. Like the other two Vertigo stalwarts Sandman and Preacher, Transmetropolitan knows when to quit and is nicely self-contained at 60 issues, all of which are in print as graphic novels. Note that the pic above isn't the first volume; you'll want to start with Back On The Street, which collects the first three issues, cheap, and sets up the series; however, I should note that things really start to pick up with the second volume, Lust For Life.
FnordChan
- Palomar and Locas are part of Los Bros Hernados' long running series Love and Rockets; while I haven't read the big Fantagraphics re-issues, I've gone through about 1/3 of the original L&R run and really dug them. I personally lean towards the Locas material, but it's all excellent.
- Maus won the Pulitzer Prize, which should tell you that it's no ordinary comic. It's an astounding account of both the Holocaust and Spiegelman's relationship with his father. Crucial reading.
- Watchmen is the final word on superheroes. V for Vendetta is a close second. Alan Moore is a pagan god who manifests as a snake puppet that I worship. Well, not quite, but his comics are incredible.
- Preacher is what you would get if a hard drinking John Milton decided to write the rockabilly bastard offpsring of Paradise Lost. "Good like Sandman but completely different" is absolutely right.
Also, here's a few recommendations of my own:
The Frank Book by Jim Woodring - Surreal, haunting dream imagery like you've never seen before. There really isn't anything else quite like Jim Woodring's mad visions. There's no dialogue, so you're here for the lush, somewhat disturbing art, not anything like plot or characterization. The Frank Book is a bit pricey, but it collects all of Frank's adventures and is suitable for refined, mischevous coffee tables everywhere. At least make a point of flipping through it at your local bookstore or comic shop.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi - I generally don't go in for autobiographical comics, but I definately make an exception for this account of life during the Iranian Revolution. In the first volume, Satrapi becomes a teenager as the revolution takes hold. Beforehand she and her parents are liberal and politically active; afterwards, they're trying to survive and fighting small battles, including a hysterical anecdote involving Kim Wilde's song "Kids in America". In the second volume, Satrapi has been sent abroad for high school; she returns after the Iran-Iraq war to see her country rebuilding, yet still oppressed. This is brilliant, gripping stuff, even when she's discussing teen angst and hippie comunes. Your local library is likely to have a copy.
Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson, et al - The near-future saga of Spider Jeruselum, a cyberpunk Hunter S. Thompson, and his gonzo battle against political corruption. Ellis wallows in black comedy, satire, SF worldbuilding, and characters who specialize in swearing, chain-smoking, and mayhem; Robertson illustrates all this with gleeful detail. The combination is guaranteed to knock you on yer ass. Like the other two Vertigo stalwarts Sandman and Preacher, Transmetropolitan knows when to quit and is nicely self-contained at 60 issues, all of which are in print as graphic novels. Note that the pic above isn't the first volume; you'll want to start with Back On The Street, which collects the first three issues, cheap, and sets up the series; however, I should note that things really start to pick up with the second volume, Lust For Life.
FnordChan
Gorey said:
I'll second Ronin... still available in major bookstores too. And a question...
It's been years since I read it, but I thought the whole samurai background was made up to manipulate the kid?
And how come no one likes Dark Knight Strikes Again? Maybe not as good as returns, but I thought the beatdown on Superman was even more satisfying in the second go around.
is there any other alan moore stuff of the same ambition and quality as watchmen and from hell? league of extraordinary gentlemen is charming but lightweight, killing joke dwells on batman particularities that don't interest me, and v. for vendetta has a kinship to watchmen but seems like tyro work. i haven't read many comics, but alan moore is my favorite.
Brian Fellows
Pete Carroll Owns Me
Anything Rob Liefeld has ever done!
levious said:
Ronin:
Absolutely right, sir, I just didn't want to spoil it for him, as the plot twist is pretty cool 
My problem with Strikes Again is, honestly, the art. The coloring is interesting, but Frank doesn't seem like he's even trying artistically. I get a heavy "You'll pay me how much? No sweat, it'll be done tomorrow". I realize he's not that kinda guy, but geez. The story is awful predictable, as well.
I think I just became an official FnordChan fanboy. Ack.FnordChan said:
Top 10.drohne said:
Promethea's great, too, though there's a stretch of slow-paced, text-heavy, melting-pot existentialism in the middle that goes on for about 10 issues. Not that it wasn't good, but it went on for a bit too long and really bogged down the momentum the book had going into those issues, IMO.
Tom Strong is good ol' fluffy Republic serial stuff. Kinda hit or miss when it comes to some of the shorter stories, though, which were featured a little too frequently for my liking.
Not Moore, but I'll second the vote for Transmetropolitan.
Diomedeskun
Member
I just finished the Bone single volume edition and I can't recommend that enough. The compilation of all 9 books is just an awesome story with great humor and epic fantasy. Definitely on of my favorite books ever.
Jinx-what first made me a fan of Brian Michael Bendis and probably his strongest work. The Adventures of a con man and a female bounty hunter involving gangsters and stolen loot. Great characters and awesome dialogue.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind-Probably the greatest epic I have read in comic form and far better than most fantasy novels. The story is a little uneven at times due to Miyazaki's change in point of view over the decade it took to write, but the end result is amazing and Viz's seven new books are gorgeous.
Powers-A police drama in a world with super heroes by Bendis. Just awesome.
Ruse- A fantasy take on Sherlock Holmes and the one reason I mourn the loss of CrossGen comics. Still, what was published is great.
Akira- Far better than the anime.
Sanctuary- Ruthless yet idealistic manga political drama.
Adolf- The life of two boys named Adolf and how World War II affected them. Quite brutal, even though it has cameos from some of Tezuka's routine cast.
Ronin was awesome, if somewhat strange. I loved Dark Knight Returns, but I also despised Dark Knight Strikes Again. Awful art, nonsensical story, and a wretched ending that ruins much of the first book. Plus,
Jinx-what first made me a fan of Brian Michael Bendis and probably his strongest work. The Adventures of a con man and a female bounty hunter involving gangsters and stolen loot. Great characters and awesome dialogue.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind-Probably the greatest epic I have read in comic form and far better than most fantasy novels. The story is a little uneven at times due to Miyazaki's change in point of view over the decade it took to write, but the end result is amazing and Viz's seven new books are gorgeous.
Powers-A police drama in a world with super heroes by Bendis. Just awesome.
Ruse- A fantasy take on Sherlock Holmes and the one reason I mourn the loss of CrossGen comics. Still, what was published is great.
Akira- Far better than the anime.
Sanctuary- Ruthless yet idealistic manga political drama.
Adolf- The life of two boys named Adolf and how World War II affected them. Quite brutal, even though it has cameos from some of Tezuka's routine cast.
Ronin was awesome, if somewhat strange. I loved Dark Knight Returns, but I also despised Dark Knight Strikes Again. Awful art, nonsensical story, and a wretched ending that ruins much of the first book. Plus,
Superman is given an easy out for being a government stooge. The story might not have been so bad if it had been spread out over many more books and not so rushed, but looking at how many pages were devoted to Superman preparing to get it on with Wonder Woman, I doubt any extra length would have been used to improve the pacing.
The Watchmen by Alan Moore. The must read in comics. Started the whole angry, disillusioned superhero thing.
Fables. Start here keep reading. The story of Fairy Tale characters forced to live in our world.
Superman For all Seasons. Basis for Smallville.
Kingdom Come. Current DC characters are elderly and battle the future heroes. Beautiful Alex Ross art.
Y:the last man. Yorick Brown is the last man on the planet surround by women. Why?
Fables. Start here keep reading. The story of Fairy Tale characters forced to live in our world.
Superman For all Seasons. Basis for Smallville.
Kingdom Come. Current DC characters are elderly and battle the future heroes. Beautiful Alex Ross art.
Y:the last man. Yorick Brown is the last man on the planet surround by women. Why?
Diomedeskun
Member
I second Fables and Watchmen. I've been meaning to give Y:the Last Man a shot, as it keeps on coming up for me in my Amazon reccomendations.
I can't imagine the upcoming Watchmen movie being good, as the material would not convert well to film. That and they ruined League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which is another of my favorite comics.
Actually almost anything by Alan Moore (especially his ironically named America's Best Comics line) or Frank Miller (except DK Strikes Again) is more than worthy.
I can't imagine the upcoming Watchmen movie being good, as the material would not convert well to film. That and they ruined League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which is another of my favorite comics.
Actually almost anything by Alan Moore (especially his ironically named America's Best Comics line) or Frank Miller (except DK Strikes Again) is more than worthy.
Gorey said:
Your membership card for the FnordChan Fanciers Society is in the mail. Meanwhile, I've spent a lot of time gazing longingly at your sexy avatar from across the classroom. Don't be suprised if I start passing check-the-box notes to you.
drohne, I'm kicking myself for forgetting to pimp From Hell:
If you read only one thing by Alan Moore, it had damn well better be this. A dense, astonishing story about Jack the Ripper with brilliant art courtesy of Eddie Campbell. Highest possible recommendation, rant, rant, rant, rave, rave, rave.
On the manga front, I second the recommendations for both Adolf by Osamu "God of Motherfuckin' Comics" Tezuka and Hayao "Pimp Smooth" Miyazaki's Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Also:
A, A' by Moto Hagio - 70's style science fiction in the ethereal shoujo (girl's) manga style of the period. Moto Hagio's beautiful art accompanies several short stories about genetic engineering, psychic abilities, and the sort of gender bending that makes me want to go re-read The Left Hand of Darkness. Alas, the edition currently in print is a tad pricer than the $10 standard established by the manga boom, but it's sixteen dollars well spent and used copies are readily available for half that or less.
Planetes by Makoto Yukimura - In the near future, mankind has established a solid foothold both in orbit and on the moon, and is now contemplating the rest of the solar system. However, with space travel comes space junk, and with that comes the worst job in space: debris collection. Cue our misfit heroes doing their best to prevent tragic accidents by picking up the trash hurtling around the earth, fending off space ecoterrorists, and generally enjoying life - and perhaps even finding time to fall in love. Hard SF, wonderful characters, terrific art, and the sheer glory of the "Fee needs a cigarette bad" chapter - Planetes is top-notch comics. Five volumes, all of it in print for ten bucks a pop.
FnordChan, recycling the same old recommendations
Ignatz Mouse
Banned
Another vote for From Hell as well.
It's the best long-format comic Alan Moore has done.
Baccus and Alec collections by Eddie Campbell are also recommended.
And I think I left off some of the more modern stuff, which can be hard to find:
Stuck Rubber Baby, about coming out in the South during the civil rights movement
City of Glass, a surreal detective story, adaptaion of a Paul Auster (writer of the movie "Smoke") novel, and really, really good use of the meduim
Goodbye, Chunky Rice, which defies description.
Persepolis is cool, Haven't read it all yet.
The Mighty Golem is another great read.
And it's older and often overlooked, but if you ever see Kings in Disguise, get it.
It's the best long-format comic Alan Moore has done.
Baccus and Alec collections by Eddie Campbell are also recommended.
And I think I left off some of the more modern stuff, which can be hard to find:
Stuck Rubber Baby, about coming out in the South during the civil rights movement
City of Glass, a surreal detective story, adaptaion of a Paul Auster (writer of the movie "Smoke") novel, and really, really good use of the meduim
Goodbye, Chunky Rice, which defies description.
Persepolis is cool, Haven't read it all yet.
The Mighty Golem is another great read.
And it's older and often overlooked, but if you ever see Kings in Disguise, get it.
Check box #1: is your reading list now backed up for a hojillion years thanks to my comics threads? (yes).FnordChan said:
And I've just gotta second Planetes. The single best comic I've read lately. Once again, material that rises above its subject line-topic to deal with humanity, emotions, and playing baseball on mars.
Gorey said:
Excellent. My work here is done.
I was pleasantly suprised to find the final volume waiting for me at the comic shop this week. Haven't gotten to it just yet, but I expect it to be nothing less than wonderful. They also did a bang up job with the anime. Basically, Planetes completely rocks out.
On the space travel manga front, 2001 Nights is pretty good, but it just ain't Planetes.
FnordChan
I will recommend Love & Rockets as well. It's pretty cool to hear that they are re-issuing the series, but divided by the storyline. Previously all of the single issues and a lot of the trade paperbacks had you reading both the Palomar and hispanic punk girl storylines in the same volume. I tend to prefer the punk girls because it seemed like there was less stuff to keep track of.
The simultaneous death of Sandman and Love & Rockets got me out of comics, and I'm still inching my way back in.
The simultaneous death of Sandman and Love & Rockets got me out of comics, and I'm still inching my way back in.
I'm still fairly new to graphic novels so this is a fantastic thread. Anyway, my favorites from a limited library.. And mind I've picked from the cream of the crop so I've read some great stuff but the themes these comics dive into set them apart. Complex, smart, satisfying, and 3-dimensional writing.
Batman Dark Knight Returns
Batman Year One
Watchmen
Thus far those are the 3 but I am hoping to check out more Alan Moore among other things. I wish there were more covenient places to buy this. I hate ordering stuff. Borders and Barnes and Nobles have limited stuff on the graphic novels and are missing some great titles. Probably going to venture into a comic book store when I get some money.
Batman Dark Knight Returns
Batman Year One
Watchmen
Thus far those are the 3 but I am hoping to check out more Alan Moore among other things. I wish there were more covenient places to buy this. I hate ordering stuff. Borders and Barnes and Nobles have limited stuff on the graphic novels and are missing some great titles. Probably going to venture into a comic book store when I get some money.
spikydavid
Member
iapetus said:
Yeah, I was kind of thinking that as well, but he did miss out:
Planetary: Pulp adventures in mystery archaeology by Warren Ellis
Strangers in Paradise: Kind of biographical story of two women. It's difficult to describe anything of the story without giving stuff away.
Astro City: Character driven superhero stories set in the eponymous city.
That's all I can think of at the moment, anyway...
jarrod said:
The Complete DR & Quinch is, like, totally awesome. It's Alan Moore playing it for laughs, and if you've picked up any of his less serious books you'll have a good idea what to expect.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/comics/2000adstrips/drandquinch/drandquinch01.shtml
What did the collected Captain Britain miss out(apart from the contentious page)? I thought the end of that arc was the end of the Alan Moore stuff, and Jamie Delano picked it up after that.
I'll be picking it up then. The Moore+Davis CB stuff was really ahead of it's time and fun.8bit said:
I *thought* Moore also handled the following arc were Betsy became CB and was blinded by Slaymaster... was it someone else then?8bit said:
I still wouldn't mind some CB reprints though, even the ancient Claremont stuff.
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