Where to start with Graphic Novels?

THMRK · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:33

Gilly said:
Serious questions BTW, I do usually take the **** in these threads, but I'm not in this instance

Is the difference that a graphic novel is one story all the way through, but is laid out in comic fashion?

Nah, not really. A complied graphic novel is usually released as a series monthly comics first. As a one shot. Watchmen, for example, was released as single issues then later complied.

The distinction between graphic novels and comics is irrelevant, at the end of the day they're all the same thing - comics.

You should check out The Dark Knight Returns. Also, Powers v1 and v2. I suppose maybe Kick-Ass too and yeah, most things by Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta). The Crow is pretty good but it's dripping in angst.

Shamikebab · 13 Jan 2011 at 12:51

Gilly said:
Answer honestly, is the term graphic novel a pretentious term for a big comic?

I've always just assumed it was adults that enjoyed comics but didn't want to be associated with the Beano

It is an assumption, I'm happy to be corrected.

Afaik there are two types of graphic novels.

'real' graphic novels that have never been released in comic form and were written as one complete volume (for example Watchmen, V for Vendetta)

Trade collections which collect a number of comics, usually a particular story arc. (For example The Sandman, The Walking Dead)

.Ox. · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:06

Tefal said:
The walking dead.

It pees all over the tv show.

The TV show and a colleague lead me to buy the 1st compendium...

And this is 100% true.

robgmun · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:16

Snakedoctor said:
Graphic novels are written by people who cant actually write.

Someone should tell Dan Brown then....

THMRK · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:17

Shamikebab said:
Afaik there are two types of graphic novels.

'real' graphic novels that have never been released in comic form and were written as one complete volume (for example Watchmen, V for Vendetta)

Trade collections which collect a number of comics, usually a particular story arc. (For example The Sandman, The Walking Dead)

These were both released as comics by Vertigo. The Watchmen single issues are worth an absolute bloody fortune now.

Shamikebab · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:20

oh bugger, well bad examples then

There are some though, Scott Pilgrim I guess would count.

Vonhelmet · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:22

Watchmen and V for Vendetta as already mentioned
Batman: Year One <- Essentially inspired Batman Begins
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Batman: The Killing Joke
Y: The Last Man <- This is very good. It was a comic, then it was released in 10 volumes of 5-6 comics, and now it's been released as 3 hardbacks. It's excellent.

Random Guy · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:22

Dude did you use the search?

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=17668110&postcount=10

Vonhelmet · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:24

Gilly said:
Answer honestly, is the term graphic novel a pretentious term for a big comic?

I've always just assumed it was adults that enjoyed comics but didn't want to be associated with the Beano

It is an assumption, I'm happy to be corrected.

Graphics novels are typically very adult in content. If you made a film out of them it would be a 15 or 18.

Y: The Last Man, which I'm currently reading, has it's fair share of violence, murder, nudity, sex, plenty of lesbians...

THMRK · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:27

vonhelmet said:
Graphics novels are typically very adult in content. If you made a film out of them it would be a 15 or 18.

Y: The Last Man, which I'm currently reading, has it's fair share of violence, murder, nudity, sex, plenty of lesbians...

Not true, really. There are so many comics that are just as adult. Marvel Max is one example. The Walking Dead, The Boys and Crossed are a couple more I can think of.

Similarly, as with other "graphic novels" Y: The Last Man was released monthly too.

Snograt · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:37

Definitely Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.

My personal favourite combines my favourite comicbook artist with my favourite comicbook writer - Brian Bolland and Alan Moore respectively. Batman: The Killing Joke.

Hmm, maybe I just automatically like stuff that begins with "Batman" and a colon.

Vonhelmet · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:42

Woody__ said:
Not true, really. There are so many comics that are just as adult. Marvel Max is one example. The Walking Dead, The Boys and Crossed are a couple more I can think of.

Similarly, as with other "graphic novels" Y: The Last Man was released monthly too.

I think most people would include collections of serialised comics within the bracket of graphic novels.

THMRK · 13 Jan 2011 at 13:56

vonhelmet said:
I think most people would include collections of serialised comics within the bracket of graphic novels.

Nah, probably not.

If one wanted to make a distinction between comics and graphic novels, then the term "trades" (like trade paper back or trade hard back) is used to distinguish between a serialised on going series (of which Y: The Last Man is, even if it is a finished series) and a single, one off story complied into a graphic novel.

Of course, in my opinion there should be no distinction - they're all comics. The term "graphic novel" is merely a marketing tool. I can't think of a single writer working today who uses the term graphic novel to describe their limited series'.

DanH84 · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:44

Some cracking suggestions guys, so far I've purchased, Batman: Year One, Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, V for Vendetta, The Walking Dead Volume One.

I just saw the offer for the walking dead series and thanks but I think it's best to check I like it before making a large purchase. If you stick it up on Members Market in the future though I will definitely have a look.

How's Neil Gaiman in terms of graphic novels btw? I'm sure I've heard about a Sandman series and I quite like his books.

King85 · 13 Jan 2011 at 14:47

Collections of comics are more commonly known as trade paper backs, not graphic novels.

simisker · 13 Jan 2011 at 16:07

Snograt said:
[...] Hmm, maybe I just automatically like stuff that begins with "Batman" and a colon.

Batman #2, perhaps *snicker*

Another vote for Preacher. I re-read it recently, and it's still a fun ride. Cassidy is a great character.

Shamikebab · 13 Jan 2011 at 16:19

DanH84 said:
How's Neil Gaiman in terms of graphic novels btw? I'm sure I've heard about a Sandman series and I quite like his books.

Let me put it this way. The Sandman is not only the best thing Gaiman has ever done, it is in my opinion the best comic series ever. I've been getting the Absolute Sandman over sized deluxe editions (I'm up to 3) and they are absolutely stunning

DanH84 · 13 Jan 2011 at 19:58

I take that to be a yes then?

I'll pick up Preacher volume one soon as well.

Shamikebab · 13 Jan 2011 at 20:08

Other recommendations:

Chew - It's about a guy who absorbs the memories of whatever he eats, he's a detective and uses it to solve crimes by....consuming evidence. Very well written.

The Unwritten - A bit of a Harry Potter spoof at times, it's about a boy who has a series of very popular books based on him by his father. It's about him trying to cope with all the fans who can't separate him from the character in the book...then some really weird things start happening.

Locke and Key - Everyone should read this, it's a masterpiece. It's about a family whose father gets murdered so they move to lith with their uncle in an old mansion called Keyhouse. It's a dark fantasy story involving mystical keys, really engrossing.

K1LLSW1TCH · 14 Jan 2011 at 01:07

I've only bought and read one, The first volume of The Walking Dead, I bought it off the back of the TV show and I loved every second of it. The TV show was one of the best viewing experiences I've had for years and for the graphic novel to surpass that really is something, in my opinion.