The comic/graphic novel thread

Television, Movies Games and Books Comics
#41

I totally endorse Lucky’s choices for Batman, that’s the crème de la crème concerning the Dark Knight.

Batman’s certainly my absolutely favorite comic book character and I admit to having read a ton of Batman stuff over the last nine months or so, something like 30 or 40 graphic novels. (If you’re interested in Batman, please see also the Batman thread)

I’m generally a huge fan of the DC universe (except Superman) - Marvel, not so much, but I’d be willing to give Daredevil a try. And probably Elektra, too. From among the Marvel characters, these two would seem to appeal the most to me, I think (even though the Elektra movie wasn’t that good [Jennifer Garner’s brilliant, though]).

I have heard much about Ronin, haven’t gotten around to reading it yet, but probably will do so eventually.

Top comic books that I would suggest to others:

  • Watchmen

  • V for Vendetta

  • Ballad of Halo Jones (great for fans of classic SciFi)

(there are also a great many Batman books I would suggest to fans, but these three above are for a more general readership)

I’m currently not reading much on account of exams, but my next comic book reads will be “New Frontier” and “Serenity: Those Left Behind.”

I would love to hear some suggestions concerning Daredevil/Elektra, what is the “The Dark Knight Returns” for Daredevil and/or Elektra?

#42

Hands down most beautiful, amazingly written intricate graphic novel I have ever read is the Sandman series. Granted, I am not a big graphic novel reader, but this is just stunning storytelling. It is the only comic to ever win the World Fantasy Award and it was on the New York Times bestseller list.

#43

Yes! How could I forget Sandman. Gaiman got the WFA for his adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an awesome story indeed.

#44

Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series, hands down.

I’m starting to collect all his other ones. He made a Marvel alternate universe series called 1602. The premise was what if the Marvel heroes were all born in 1602 England and the New World?. I read it on the plane to Manila from Singapore and couldn’t put it down. It was very good.

#45

Oh, gods yes, Sandman! Neil Gaiman is as gifted a story teller as ever put pen to paper. Even his blog is brilliantly written!

#46

I’m a huge fan of Brian K. Vaughn - I’ve read all the Y: The Last Man’s, Pride of Bagdahd, and now I’m working on ExMachina. I actually just made it to a Barnes and Noble this past weekend (it’s the closest thing to a comic book store and its 4 hours away!) and picked up some Fables Volume 1 (liked it), Orson Scott Card’s graphic novel (darn - can’t remember the name - haven’t read it yet), and some more ExMachina books. I’m also reading the 100 Bullets series - kinda behind 'cause I lost the bag with my new ones in it (I just found it this weekend when cleaning out my computer desk… :)). Oh - Xmen. Loving any and all Xmen thus far. I can’t believe I’m 37 years old and now I’m getting addicted to comics/graphic novels!

#47

I just re-read Red Son…so good. So very good and I honesty don’t like DC 99.5% of the time

#48

Check out GWC’s previous Graphic Novel discussion at…

http://forum.galacticwatercooler.com/showthread.php?t=527

…but it never hurts to talk it over more.

FINALLY picked up JLA: Tower of Babel. About halfway through, thanks for recommendation, GalaxyRanger!

I forget if this topic came up in that other thread, but if you’re into Neil Gaiman and you have kids, his picture books are totally worth checking out.

New folks, welcome aboard. You’re in the right place. Cheers,

#49

DOH! I suck. I completely missed that; there are some good recommendations on that list.

I know on the podcast the Star Wars comics were mentioned, but has anyone checked out the KOTOR series? I loved the KOTOR game, and I thought the timeframe was very interesting, but I am curious to know how much, if all, the comic ties in with the game.

#50

LOL! I don’t have any kids and the only one of his kids books I DON’T have is “The Wolves in the Walls”! “The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish” is one of my favorite stories ever. I adore the man and everything he writes!

#51

I hope you get to read Coraline - it’s not in graphic novel format, but definitely worth reading. The unique thing about this book is that while every child finds it a ‘good story’, every adult I’ve talked to about this book says that it’s a creepy book.

How’s that for impact? :slight_smile:

#52

Here’s Henry Selik’s (Nightmare before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, …Monkey Bone:() Coraline movie sneak preview.

//youtu.be/rAwNA8-Rs3U

Looks a littlte more cartoony than I expected…
Think I was hoping for look closer to Dave McKean’s art.
At least McKean’s MirrorMask looked great…

#53

Gaiman does totally rule. Apollymy, if you liked Dad/Goldfish, you’ll dig Wolves in the Walls. And worry not: We also started buying the picture books years before we actually had kids. In fact, having kids is probably the main reason that I’ve never gotten around to reading Coraline. But we’ve read Wolves in the Walls at least five times in the last week or so.

Gaiman has an audio book of him reading Goldfish, Wolves, and couple poems. But, all due respect to the man, he’s not a very dramatic reader. Again, tho, if you have kids, it’s still a good one to have for long car rides.

Apollymy, big ups to yourself from a fellow Northeast Ohioan… I live in Akron, but work in Cleveland – where, Buffy fans will recall, is where the Hellmouth is. In fact, they say Cleveland on the show, but I think it’s really closer to Akron. Which, don’t get me wrong, is a good thing.

#54

Just started reading the preacher series from vertigo. It’s dark, bloody, and frackin awesome so far! It’s like Constantine/the boondock saints/Dracula/sunday school. I am definitely going to buy the whole set, but I would say it is pretty violent and vulgar, so if that kind of stuff offends you, you may wish to avoid it.

#55

…did anyone follow the series after Moore left? Worthy checking out?

#56

Constantine is also a comic book? Sweet!

#57

Sorry, dxf, I must have missed this. You’re welcome, I hope you’re enjoying it. I absolutely adore that very last panel in Tower of Babel (I think it’s the very last I’m talking about) - that is Batman for me and that is who I would be in that situation and what I would do in his place.

#58

This Is the volume you should out then. It has “Born again” which deals with what happens when Daredevil’s identity is discovered by the kingpin. “The man Without Fear,” is Miller’s take on Daredevils origins, think “Batman: Year one.” there are other stories in this omnibus, but I think you will like these two. Just don’t let the first couple of weak spiderman stories discourage you. The majority of the book is pretty good.

#59

I love Coraline, and I do thinks it’s totally creepy. Add one more adult to your tally! :slight_smile:

I’ll have to remember to grab Wolves. And I suppose I can forgive him for not being a dramatic reader, as long as he keeps writing. :slight_smile: Have you heard about his next book, The Cemetary Book? I read his blog and I know he recently finished it and the artwork for the covers (one geared toward kids, one to adults) have been released. It looks good.

NE Ohio represent! Heh- I had forgotten that the Hellmouth was in Cleveland. Maybe that’s what happened in downtown a few weeks ago! It wasn’t a sinkhole! It was the Hellmouth! But if you think it’s closer to Akron, does that mean you pass through it to go to work every day? :smiley:

I love the Preacher. I’ve only read one or two of the trade paperbacks, but you’re right. Dark and violent, but at times, funny as hell.

It was a comic book first, m’dear. :wink: John Constantine is the main character of the Hellblazer series.

#60

Very sweet! Thanks indeed!

I’m going to save this for the summer. Does it have any Elektra?