Good graphic novels?

[tinyfry]

Hi, I've been a long time comic fan but due to a severe lack of money, I stopped reading comics that were series that dragged on for years and years. Instead I have been looking for good graphic novels, stories that are contained in one nice big book as I feel I get better value from those, and also they are easier to keep.. things like watchmen, v for vendetta, etc... anyone know any good ones?

[Brandon Hanvey]

What types of movies, tv shows, novels, or other media do you tend to enjoy?

This will give me and other people a good idea about which genres and/or titles you might enjoy.

[ratzo]

some recent GN's I've read (http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?column=chicksandromance&page=96)

[pennywisdom]

I agree that self-contained stories are a more rewarding purchase and usually result in better reads.

There are literally dozens of books that I could recommend, but one that everyone seems to gravitate towards is We3 (http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=3717) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, published by Vertigo. It's the story of three animals used as cyborgs by a military weapons program and how they must now journey home again. It's really touching and well-written.

If you're into speculative fiction, check out The Surrogates (http://topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=528) by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele, published by Top Shelf. It's a really great read if you like post-cyberpunk. It taps into a lot of the themes you might be familiar with if you're a fan of William Gibson or Ghost in the Shell.

I haven't read it yet, but I've heard nothing but good things about 24Seven. Apparently, it's amazing and the art is mind-blowing. It's very high on my "must buy" list.

Here (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=7355) is an interview with Ivan Brandon. Again, the book sounds amazing.

Also, if you're interested in self-contained stories, check out Negative Burn, which is an anthology series published monthly.

Both 24Seven and Negative Burn are published by Image Comics (http://imagecomics.com). For more info, visit the Image message board (http://imagecomics.com/messageboard/index.php). And post back here, as well. I'd love to know if you found anything good.

[Ryan K]

Tricked by Alex Robinson
Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson
Black Hole by Charles Burns
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Jimmy Corrigan by Chris Ware
Bone: The One Volume Edition by Jeff Smith

[noh-varr]

Hi, I've been a long time comic fan but due to a severe lack of money, I stopped reading comics that were series that dragged on for years and years. Instead I have been looking for good graphic novels, stories that are contained in one nice big book as I feel I get better value from those, and also they are easier to keep.. things like watchmen, v for vendetta, etc... anyone know any good ones?

If your wanting something else that is about trying to change a tyraniccal culture as just one person ala V, I suggest Channel Zero by Brian Wood. It's about a woman trying to reestablish free speech and get the people aware of how much control the government has over them. She of course does this by using the biggest tool of the empire, television. It's very good, intelligent, and entertaining. It has some dated referances as Guliani is mentioned as still being in power in New York (the main setting), but you can get past that. But really just as V was Moore thinking worst case scenario for England under Thatcher, this is Wood doing worst case scenario under church groups finally getting all they want from America and us becoming a complete isolated police state.

Teenagers from Mars by Rick Spears and Rob G is also very good. A young twenty something is harrased for making comics that are not safe for children. Think censorship gone insane, the parents going so far as burning down the local comic shop doing this all of course for their kids well being. To top it off, some of the kids in the area just may have super powers, but that is mostly down played and seen just a few times in early issues for the most part. It was a 10 issue mini series I think may have been 8, and it's been collected in one very nice trade. There's action, kids painted up as zombies for a themed party, sex, violence, everything you need in a good comic. Plus who can't help but root for a protagonist who just wants to make comics? He even forms the Comic Liberation Army, how cool is that?

Black Hole by Charles Burns, teenagers are facing growing up (thus making it very much like Dazed and Confused with drinking and the social elements, and it's also set in the 70s) plus a wierd plague that is turning them into mutated freaks. Part teenage story and part horror. And to top it all off, now that it's finished its been put into a beautiful hardcover collection and is very cheap only $24.95 cover price! And really I am doing this story no justice in summing it up, here's what Amazon has to say and it has an interview with Charles Burns too so is worth checking out http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/037542380X/104-1519507-1833537?v=glance&n=283155

Finally, Couriers by Brian Wood and Rob G. Any of the three books or the first book Couscious Express. It's about Moustafa and Special are two New York couriers who do special deliveries, as long as you have enough money they will deliver it. But since this is an action comic it usually involves shooting several people in the process. This is the complete opposite of the rest of what I have suggested, while still smart, it's a pure action movie. Big explosions, fast constant action, and just cool protagonists. If you want something fun and just sheer enjoyable this is it. Plus Rob G is just a great artist, seeing him do this series is great. This is a series of Graphic Novels though. There's 3 Couriers books and then before it was Couscious Express about Moustafa's girlfriend and how her parents being kidnapped by shriners in those little cars finally makes her realise how much she loves her parents. Rob doesn't do the art for it, but it's still very good and the most off the wall of them all. You really don't need to read any of them in any order, everything you need to know is in the book itself. But you can see it as a series of action movies.

Hope I helped a bit.

[CAT-DAL]

I agree with Bone and Blankets But check out Preacher vol's 1-9 as well...Superb comics.