Looking for trade/graphic novel recommendations
- Thread starter Elodan
- Start date
horacethegrey
First Post
Well as mentioned before by numerous people here, anything written by Alan Moore is worth a look and oftentimes well worth the purchase. If you're looking for his traditional superhero stuff, check out the Across the Universe: the DC Universe stories of Alan Moore trade paperback from DC. It collects a number of the stories he wrote for various DC titles, the highlight of which is the Superman story "For the Man who has Everything", which was later adapted into animated form in an episode of Justice League Unlimited.
Another one to look out for is his run on the Image comic Supreme, which basically takes what was intially a lame Superman ripoff by Rob Liefeld, and turns it into a affectionate and entertaining homage to the Silver Age version of the Man of Steel. His run on Supreme is collected in two volumes, Story of the Year and The Return.
And of course, as Filby mentioned, there's Moore's legendary run on Swamp Thing, probably his most famous work for DC Comics after Watchmen. Though the comic does feature occasional cameos from DC heroes, it's more of a horror fantasy comic than anything. The way he took this titile and made it his own was just incredible. The run on Swamp Thing is collected in 6 volumes under DC's Vertigo label, all of which I own and read again and again.
Another one to look out for is his run on the Image comic Supreme, which basically takes what was intially a lame Superman ripoff by Rob Liefeld, and turns it into a affectionate and entertaining homage to the Silver Age version of the Man of Steel. His run on Supreme is collected in two volumes, Story of the Year and The Return.
And of course, as Filby mentioned, there's Moore's legendary run on Swamp Thing, probably his most famous work for DC Comics after Watchmen. Though the comic does feature occasional cameos from DC heroes, it's more of a horror fantasy comic than anything. The way he took this titile and made it his own was just incredible. The run on Swamp Thing is collected in 6 volumes under DC's Vertigo label, all of which I own and read again and again.
KaosDevice
Explorer
I think the best trade I've picked up lately was the collected Serenity mini-series but that's just me. Before that it was the '30 Days of Night' series.
Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad
I personally like this list, though I would add Maus to it:
http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/0,24459,graphic_novels,00.html
This is also a good list:
http://www.time.com/time/columnist/arnold/article/0,9565,547796,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/0,24459,graphic_novels,00.html
This is also a good list:
http://www.time.com/time/columnist/arnold/article/0,9565,547796,00.html
Cable & Deadpool: I normally can't stand Marvel and DC except in small doses, but I love this one. It reads a lot like a parody on "mismatched buddy cop" movies, with the two titular characters going from enemies to grudging allies, and then onto a strange friendship. It also has a strange knack for mixing completely goofy humour with unexpectedly deep drama and character moments.
The first two volumes seem a bit hard to find, but the third ("The Human Race") is a good jumping-on point. Oh, and don't let the Rob Liefeld picture on the cover of the first book put you off, his dung-stained mitts don't touch any of the interior art.
Nobody's recommended The Sandman yet? It's a wonderful piece of modern mythology, and succeeds on just about every level. Though the first volume is good, it's from the second onwards that the series finds it's own voice.
The first two volumes seem a bit hard to find, but the third ("The Human Race") is a good jumping-on point. Oh, and don't let the Rob Liefeld picture on the cover of the first book put you off, his dung-stained mitts don't touch any of the interior art.
Nobody's recommended The Sandman yet? It's a wonderful piece of modern mythology, and succeeds on just about every level. Though the first volume is good, it's from the second onwards that the series finds it's own voice.
Welverin
First Post
mhacdebhandia said:
Supreme Power/Squadron Supreme is a remake of the original, from what I've been told (never read it myself).
the Progression of the series is thus: Supreme Power (Doc Spectrum takes place concurrently) => Hyperion/Nighthawk => Squadron Supreme
J Michael Straczynski wrote SP, Hyperion, and is writing SS, I forget off hand who wrote DS, and I believe Daniel Way wrote Nighthawk.
I haven't read Nighthawk, Doc Spectrum was solid, and JMS' stuff is on par with Midnight Nation and Rising Stars, i.e. really damn good.
Finally, there's a consistent style between each of JMS' books, the difference between them is the focus of the story, so you can expect the same 'mature' level content.
I mentioned them above and now I will heartily recommend both Midnight Nation and Rising Stars, both by J Michael Straczynski.
Midnight Nation is a super hero book, but it is one fot he best comics I've read.
Rising Stars is about a bunch of people who develop super powers when they're children and what they do with them over the course of their lives, and again one of the better comics I've ever read.
And I can't forget teh requisite Bone pimping, it's by Jeff Smith and it is my favorite comic of all time, though it is completley lacking in the super heroness.
Mallus said:
Aren't these stupidly expensive? Or did the rights finally get worked out thus allowing reasonably priced reprints to be published?
Endur
First Post
Batman: Dark Knight Returns, Year One, etc. are excellent. If you can find any of the Neal Adams Batmans from the 70's, grab them.
Manhunter by Archie Goodwin (1984) (includes Batman and Manhunter, was originally a backup feature in Dectective Comics in the 70's)
Jack Kirby's Fourth World: Mr. Miracle, New Gods, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, The Hunger Dogs -- these comics are great if you can find them. (The ones written and drawn by JK).
Legion of Superheroes: The Great Darkness Saga (first time Darkseid appears outside of the New Gods), the story arc that resulted in Karate Kid's death in the 80's is very good, but not in a trade as far as I know.
Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (intro to the Terminator, Terra, etc.)
For Superman stories, I mostly like the Elseworlds tales. Superman the Man of Steel by John Byrne is pretty good. To find a really good Superman tale, you have to look back a few years at comics that are not in trade paperbacks. pre-crisis, really. There were some great Superman stories in the 70's and early 80's. Superman was at his peak power back then (could move the planet, etc.), but the writers found ways to write good stories.
Justice League -- can be hit or miss. I liked the recent JLA vs. Crime Syndicate and Identity Crisis stories.
Manhunter by Archie Goodwin (1984) (includes Batman and Manhunter, was originally a backup feature in Dectective Comics in the 70's)
Jack Kirby's Fourth World: Mr. Miracle, New Gods, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen, The Hunger Dogs -- these comics are great if you can find them. (The ones written and drawn by JK).
Legion of Superheroes: The Great Darkness Saga (first time Darkseid appears outside of the New Gods), the story arc that resulted in Karate Kid's death in the 80's is very good, but not in a trade as far as I know.
Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (intro to the Terminator, Terra, etc.)
For Superman stories, I mostly like the Elseworlds tales. Superman the Man of Steel by John Byrne is pretty good. To find a really good Superman tale, you have to look back a few years at comics that are not in trade paperbacks. pre-crisis, really. There were some great Superman stories in the 70's and early 80's. Superman was at his peak power back then (could move the planet, etc.), but the writers found ways to write good stories.
Justice League -- can be hit or miss. I liked the recent JLA vs. Crime Syndicate and Identity Crisis stories.
