Soldato
- Joined
- 6 Sep 2005
- Posts
- 3,781
This thread is for discussion and recommendation of any graphic novels that aren't major Marvel or DC titles.
I'm new to the graphic novel scene (only a couple of years in, if that) and though I started out with the Ultimate series moving onto Astonishing X-Men I've been discovering there is a massive and at times very moving world that's away from the superhero staple and I hope we can share hints here.
Initially I was going to say no Marvel/DC books at all then I remembered that some of the lesser well known stuff can still be published by the major two houses, so can we keep talk of Spider/Bat/Super/Iron/X Man/Men out of this thread please.
I've been reading a wider range of books lately so here are the ones I would recommend in no particular order.
Blankets
Synopsis
Blankets is an autobiographical graphic novel by Craig Thompson, published in 2003 by Top Shelf Productions. As a coming-of-age autobiography, the book tells the story of Thompson's childhood in an Evangelical Christian family, his first love, and his early adulthood. The book was widely acclaimed, with Time magazine ranking it #1 in its 2003 Best Comics list, and #8 in its Best Comics of the Decade.
This book is the book that showed me how powerful graphic novels can be, it's an exceptional read showing the authors life from childhood up to early adulthood and how his experiences affected his life and outlook. It's multi-layered and even the illustrations tell their own tale, the way characters and situations loom over the vulnerable characters and even the way the author has drawn himself - not quite complete with a triangular nose speaks volumes.
10/10
Transmetropolitan
Synopsis
Transmetropolitan is a cyberpunk comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Darick Robertson and published by DC Comics. It chronicles the battles of Spider Jerusalem, infamous renegade gonzo journalist of the future, a homage to gonzo journalism founder Hunter S. Thompson. Spider Jerusalem dedicates himself to fighting the corruption and abuse of power of two successive United States presidents; he and his "filthy assistants" strive to keep their world from turning more dystopian than it already is while dealing with the struggles of fame and power, brought about due to the popularity of Spider via his articles.
Where to start with this book...it's not a 'nice' read. The lead character makes for compulsive reading but he's certainly not a character you can root for. The world he inhabits is incredibly well drawn and realised with small details really standing out such as video screens in the pavement. It shows mankind pushing themselves to extremes in the hope of the next big thing, drug taking has given way to splicing DNA with that of aliens or uploading consciousness to spend eternity on the internet.
There is a strong story throughout the sixty issues leading up to a very definite conclusion. I found it a bit hard to get into but incredibly addictive after the first few issues.
8/10
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea
Synopsis
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea is a black and white graphic novel by the Canadian Québécois author Guy Delisle, published in 2004.
It documents Delisle's experiences in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, where he stayed for two months. Acting as the liaison between a French animation producing company and the SEK Studio (Scientific Educational Korea) company, he struggles with the difficulties of outsourcing and the bureaucracy of the totalitarian closed state.
This is a fascinating read as it's just observations about his everyday life and work in very unusual situations. The drawings are simple yet powerful and his observations are a real eye opener.
8/10
I'm new to the graphic novel scene (only a couple of years in, if that) and though I started out with the Ultimate series moving onto Astonishing X-Men I've been discovering there is a massive and at times very moving world that's away from the superhero staple and I hope we can share hints here.
Initially I was going to say no Marvel/DC books at all then I remembered that some of the lesser well known stuff can still be published by the major two houses, so can we keep talk of Spider/Bat/Super/Iron/X Man/Men out of this thread please.
I've been reading a wider range of books lately so here are the ones I would recommend in no particular order.
Blankets
Synopsis
Blankets is an autobiographical graphic novel by Craig Thompson, published in 2003 by Top Shelf Productions. As a coming-of-age autobiography, the book tells the story of Thompson's childhood in an Evangelical Christian family, his first love, and his early adulthood. The book was widely acclaimed, with Time magazine ranking it #1 in its 2003 Best Comics list, and #8 in its Best Comics of the Decade.
This book is the book that showed me how powerful graphic novels can be, it's an exceptional read showing the authors life from childhood up to early adulthood and how his experiences affected his life and outlook. It's multi-layered and even the illustrations tell their own tale, the way characters and situations loom over the vulnerable characters and even the way the author has drawn himself - not quite complete with a triangular nose speaks volumes.
10/10
Transmetropolitan
Synopsis
Transmetropolitan is a cyberpunk comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Darick Robertson and published by DC Comics. It chronicles the battles of Spider Jerusalem, infamous renegade gonzo journalist of the future, a homage to gonzo journalism founder Hunter S. Thompson. Spider Jerusalem dedicates himself to fighting the corruption and abuse of power of two successive United States presidents; he and his "filthy assistants" strive to keep their world from turning more dystopian than it already is while dealing with the struggles of fame and power, brought about due to the popularity of Spider via his articles.
Where to start with this book...it's not a 'nice' read. The lead character makes for compulsive reading but he's certainly not a character you can root for. The world he inhabits is incredibly well drawn and realised with small details really standing out such as video screens in the pavement. It shows mankind pushing themselves to extremes in the hope of the next big thing, drug taking has given way to splicing DNA with that of aliens or uploading consciousness to spend eternity on the internet.
There is a strong story throughout the sixty issues leading up to a very definite conclusion. I found it a bit hard to get into but incredibly addictive after the first few issues.
8/10
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea
Synopsis
Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea is a black and white graphic novel by the Canadian Québécois author Guy Delisle, published in 2004.
It documents Delisle's experiences in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, where he stayed for two months. Acting as the liaison between a French animation producing company and the SEK Studio (Scientific Educational Korea) company, he struggles with the difficulties of outsourcing and the bureaucracy of the totalitarian closed state.
This is a fascinating read as it's just observations about his everyday life and work in very unusual situations. The drawings are simple yet powerful and his observations are a real eye opener.
8/10
Last edited:
. 7/10
