Comic book/graphic novel recommendation?

[Wintermute_]

AKIRA. the first animated movie ever translated into english, AKIRA, is based on the original graphic novels (6 volumes)and are what made manga popular in the USA and brought the medium out of Japan.

Seriously, its just that freakin good. I'm only up to volume 5 and dear god is it so great. Better then watchmen great, and I kiss the ground Alan Moore walks on.

EDIT: Hey Poster 100! Calvin and Hobbes? best comic strip to grace the earth. And I just bought Atomic Robo Volume 1, and it does in fact kick all kinds of ass

 

[Outright Villainy]

this doesn't really count but, The Complete Calvin and Hobbes.

It should totally count, just to get more people to read it.

Calvin and Hobbes is simply amazing.

 

[Not-here-anymore]

Watchmen, Scott Pilgrim, and Bone.

Also the following Batman stuff - Year One, The Killing Joke, The Long Halloween, Hush, The Dark Knight Returns.

And, since I've just ploughed through the entirety of Blackest Night, I recommend that. And Green Lantern stuff in general.

Aye aye I shall look into those cheers.

Just a question feel free not to answer if you are busy (or just don't care ) but was Batman: Year One where he is a caveman or something like that?

Thanks

No, Year One is Frank Miller's interpretation of Batman's origin, and definitely influenced Batman Begins.

The caveman thing is after (vague spoilers) Bruce Wayne gets killed off in Final Crisis, but the writers decided that such an iconic character couldn't die just yet, so he got hurled through time instead. His return is next on my to read list.

 

[SpaceSpork]

If you're looking for more serious, darker pieces, Watchmen really is a masterpiece of literature, graphic or otherwise.

If you're looking for a laugh, Scott Pilgrim is the funniest comic I've ever read. (it also explores the confused out-of-college life, but mainly it's ridiculously hilarious.)

 

[THE M3RCENARY]

Watchmen
Transmetropolitan (10 part trade series, but worth it)
Kick-Ass (but don't hold your breath of for the sequel)
Batman Graphic novels: Year One, The Man who Laughs, The Long Halloween, Dark Victory, Hush, Mad Love, Dark Knight Returns (I'm a bit of a batman fan)


AVOID SCOTT PILGRIM

Ah but I can read Scott Pilgrim for free so major plus there for me cause I'm really cheap lol

I liked the kick-ass film so I am going on a blind assumption that I will like the book.

I have just completed Arkham Asylum (the game, yeah I am that far behind the times) that is what got my thinking about reading comics/graphic novels in the first place.

thanks I will look into some of those

Kick-Ass (the comic) is so much more fucked up than the movie. It is so awesome.

IE
Hit-Girl does COCAINE.
Kick Ass gets his testicles hooked up to a car battery.
Dicks are shot off.
SOOO MUCH BLOOD.

 

[Azriel Nightshade]

Static Shock: Rebirth Of The Cool
Truth: Red, White & Black
Kingdom Come-DC comics
Invincible-Image

Side note/mini rant: I hate the term graphic novel. To quote Alan Moore(Taken straight from Wikipedia);

"It's a marketing term ... that I never had any sympathy with. The term 'comic' does just as well for me. ... The problem is that 'graphic novel' just came to mean 'expensive comic book' and so what you'd get is people like DC Comics or Marvel Comics ? because 'graphic novels' were getting some attention, they'd stick six issues of whatever worthless piece of crap they happened to be publishing lately under a glossy cover and call it The She-Hulk Graphic Novel...."

Don't take that quote as a DC/Marvel diss. I love the comics that come from them,just wish there was more diversity in both and comics as a whole.

 

[easternflame]

Watchmen, BEST SHIT EVER
V for Vendetta
300
Batman, The return of the dark knight

 

[SamElliot'sMustache]

In no particular order, I recommend:

-For cute furry animals mixed with good ol' ultraviolence: We3 by Grant Morrison/Frank Quitely
-For satire: Howard the Duck by Steve Gerber and some others
-For superhero/satire/political thriller: Black Panther by Christopher Priest and Mark Texeira (the Marvel Knights series)
-For political commentary from a different angle: DMZ by Brian Wood and Ricardo Burrchelli
-For badassery: Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
-For goofy humor mixed with dark drama (and superheroics): Peter Parker: Spider-Man by Paul Jenkins and Mark Buckingham or Humberto Ramos
-For comedy about cannibalism or food of some type (and murderous roosters): Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory

I could list a lot of comics and graphic novels, but I thought this was a good variety to go with.

 

[GiantRaven]

"It's a marketing term ... that I never had any sympathy with. The term 'comic' does just as well for me. ... The problem is that 'graphic novel' just came to mean 'expensive comic book' and so what you'd get is people like DC Comics or Marvel Comics ? because 'graphic novels' were getting some attention, they'd stick six issues of whatever worthless piece of crap they happened to be publishing lately under a glossy cover and call it The She-Hulk Graphic Novel...."

On the one had, the term 'Graphic Novel' does come across as a term used by people who can't admit that they read 'Comic Books', and is a pretty dumb term if you ask me. On the other hand, there is absolutely nothing wrong with collected editions of comics. I really hate the idea of something being lost forever. Collected editions of books helps to alleviate that. Plus, it's a much nicer way of reading.

-For comedy about cannibalism or food of some type (and murderous roosters): Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory

Or, to put it another way, How could you not want to read this [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/preview2.php?image=previews/imagecomics/chew/Chew1-Page-02.jpg]?!

 

[Azriel Nightshade]

"It's a marketing term ... that I never had any sympathy with. The term 'comic' does just as well for me. ... The problem is that 'graphic novel' just came to mean 'expensive comic book' and so what you'd get is people like DC Comics or Marvel Comics ? because 'graphic novels' were getting some attention, they'd stick six issues of whatever worthless piece of crap they happened to be publishing lately under a glossy cover and call it The She-Hulk Graphic Novel...."

On the one had, the term 'Graphic Novel' does come across as a term used by people who can't admit that they read 'Comic Books', and is a pretty dumb term if you ask me. On the other hand, there is absolutely nothing wrong with collected editions of comics. I really hate the idea of something being lost forever. Collected editions of books helps to alleviate that. Plus, it's a much nicer way of reading.

I agree completely. I'm just a stickler for words is all.
Edit-Oh man, I messed up on the quotes!

 

[Mr. Eff_v1legacy]

Johnny the Homicidal Maniac.

http://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/01/gray/squee/images/jthm3.jpg

 

[DarklordKyo]

If you don't mind retraining your eyes for manga-style, then Negima.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Death Note is enjoyable if you like pyschological thrillers.

my favorite manga is Battle Royale though. The translation is little screwy but I find it overall incredibly enjoyable.

 

[SilverHammerMan]

Transmetropolitan - Super fun.
Planetary - Read it earlier this week, absolutely heavenly.
The Age of the Sentry - Just a fantastic distillation of everything that's fun about the Silver Age of comics, sadly it's only six issues and imo the last issue is a little too meta and strange.
Superman Red Son - Communist Superman, AND what amounts to Batman as V of V for Vendetta, which is just too awesome.
Batman the Return of Bruce Wayne - An absolute blast, sadly in the final issue Grant Morrison is unable to contain himself and he winds up going meta.... again.
Watchmen - Of course.
Batman The Dark Knight Returns - Another of course.

Yeah, I've been on a bit of a comics binge lately.

 

[Ghengis John]

If I might recommend something from beyond these shores, Berserk.

 

[duktapeman90]

I think Scott Pilgrim would be the obvious one, since it's the bestest best comic I've ever read. Hell, it's better than most of my favourite films and games too.

What he said

 

[BanthaFodder]

Watchmen, Scott Pilgrim, anything with Deadpool

 

[blankedboy]

If you're in for a random mindfuck furry webcomic that ended a couple weeks ago, Concession [http://www.concessioncomic.com]'s always an option.

 

[WolfThomas]

I'd like to recommend any thing from these authors:

Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Miracleman)
Grant Morrison (All Star Superman, Doom Patrol, Animal Man, The Invisibles, Kill Your Boyfriend, WE3)
Warren Ellis (Next Wave: Agents of H.A.T.E., The Authority, Transmetropolitian, Ultimates Galactus Trilogy)
Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher)
Mark Millar (Kickass, Wanted, Ultimates 1 and 2, Superman : Red Son, The Authority)
Neil Gaimon (Sandman, Marvel 1602, Miracleman)
Brian Michael Bendis (Alias, Powers)
Brian K. Vaughn (Y - The Last Man, Runaways, Pride of Baghdad, Ex Machina)
Brian Wood (Northlanders, DMZ)

Also Cable and Deadpool (Fabian Niceza) is a fantastic comic.
Also David Tischman's run on Cable and Soldier X is such an unique look at being a super hero.

 

[freakydan]

I've been reading Garth Ennis' run on "The Punisher MAX", which is surprisingly good so far, if you don't mind excessive amounts of gore.