I've read quite a few graphic novels in the past and love them to death. As a "light" comic book reader who isn't totally up on all the crazy continuity and many story lines for all the different characters graphic novels give me an easy way to enjoy comics (side note: this is also why the Ultimate universe is so awesome).
With that said some of my favorite graphic novels I have read include Kingdom Come, The Death of Superman, Superman for All Seasons, and Superman: Red Sun.
As you can see I am a fan of Supes. I would like to experience some of the best graphic novels other heroes have to offer, however. Namely: Captain America, Batman, Spiderman, and the X-Men (so the big ones).
What are the best graphic novels for these heroes?
Since you like Superman, you should probably pick up the All-Star Superman hardcover by Grant Morrison.
As far as the rest, each character or series you mention has so many God damn graphic novels that to try to list them all, as people have done time and time again in thread after thread, would take forever. I'd recommend heading over to Amazon, doing a search for each character in "Books," and then clicking on some of the lists that pop up.
Some absolute essentials, though, would be Batman: Year One, Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt, Spider-Man: Death of the Staceys, New X-Men by Grant Morrison, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, and X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga.
Edit: But really, since we do get these queries pretty often, maybe we should start working on a recommendation megathread of sorts, kind of like the OP of the SE++ comic thread but... better. Perhaps categorized by series as opposed to genre? Here's a link to it, if you're interested, Mace: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=38053
Thanks for the recommendations, Zeromus. I'm basically looking for the bare essentials, since other than Superman (and the Ultimate Universe) I haven't read anything from these other characters.
I'm sure everyone is already familiar with the Batman; Chocolate motivational poster:
Does anyone know where the art is from, as I love it.
It's from the mini series Batman: Jekyll and Hyde that came out in 2005. It focuses on Two Face, and his internal struggle between his two halves. It's fairly dark and gritty, with some strange shit going on with monkeys. Solid read. Recommended.
Sars_BoyRest, You Are The Lightning.Registered Userregular
edited November 2007
Holy fuck guys check out the new LITG
"Starman: The Complete Saga Volume One Hardcover." The first of a series, which will reprint the entire James Robinson/Tony Harris series and the various specials, including the Hellboy crossover.
"JLI: Volume Two HC." Meaning that DC may be committed to reprinting this era of the Justice League - excellent!
There are lots and lots of Joker-related trade paperbacks from, Hardcover "Killing Joke" to the collection of JM Dematteis and Joe Staton's "Going Sane" from "Legends Of The Dark Knight" fourteen years ago to "Greatest Stories Ever Told" to "Last Laugh." Remember the prevalence of Doctor Octopus around "Spider-Man 2?" Think that.
A Jack Kirby's "OMAC hardcover." Makes sense, as "Final Crisis" appears to be Grant Morrison playing with all of Kirby's toys at once.
Talking of which, here's a final collection of the Grant Morrison/Mark Millar "Aztek The Ultimate Man" series as a "JLA Presents" volume.
What'd be neat is if they reprinted the letters pages and shade's journals.
I'd actually be willing to buy the series all over again if they did this. I got to read the early journals but missed everything after like number 20 or so.
Similarly, I wish they'd do an Absolute Invisibles with, if not all the lettercols, maybe ten or fifteen pages of "best of". Ditto for Preacher and Ennis' legendary exchanges with the fans. So much stuff got explained or clarified in those columns that it's possible to argue that anyone reading the books in only trades is missing out on a key part of the experience.
I read Starman in trades, so I'm missing some things and got stuck with a shitty issue of Power of Shazam. I'd be willing to rebuy if there was enough incentive to do so.
What'd be neat is if they reprinted the letters pages and shade's journals.
I'd actually be willing to buy the series all over again if they did this. I got to read the early journals but missed everything after like number 20 or so.
Similarly, I wish they'd do an Absolute Invisibles with, if not all the lettercols, maybe ten or fifteen pages of "best of". Ditto for Preacher and Ennis' legendary exchanges with the fans. So much stuff got explained or clarified in those columns that it's possible to argue that anyone reading the books in only trades is missing out on a key part of the experience.
Great now I feel like I've missed out on a big part of one of my favorite series.
My hardcover copy of the Dark Tower comic came in the mail yesterday. Earlier this year, I bought the first issue in the single format, and enjoyed the extra material in the back (I think it was mostly print that explained a little more about the setting). Unfortunately, the hardcover version does not contain this material.
Mostly I just wanted to say I am a little disappointed.
Maybe someone can help me out on this one.
I've been told of a Spider-man book where Spidey is fighting someone. Anyway he gets jumped from behind by a "normal person" wearing the villains costume or somesuch and Spidey not realizing that its a normal guy punches him and rips his head off.
Now I cannot recall this story and the info is from a rather unreliable source can anyone clarify?
My hardcover copy of the Dark Tower comic came in the mail yesterday. Earlier this year, I bought the first issue in the single format, and enjoyed the extra material in the back (I think it was mostly print that explained a little more about the setting). Unfortunately, the hardcover version does not contain this material.
Mostly I just wanted to say I am a little disappointed.
That's unfortunate because the extra material in the singles is excellent. Robin Furth put out some awesome stuff there. Speaking of which, I think the Dark Tower volume 2 starts up in a few months. :^:
Posts
it's awesome
I've read quite a few graphic novels in the past and love them to death. As a "light" comic book reader who isn't totally up on all the crazy continuity and many story lines for all the different characters graphic novels give me an easy way to enjoy comics (side note: this is also why the Ultimate universe is so awesome).
With that said some of my favorite graphic novels I have read include Kingdom Come, The Death of Superman, Superman for All Seasons, and Superman: Red Sun.
As you can see I am a fan of Supes. I would like to experience some of the best graphic novels other heroes have to offer, however. Namely: Captain America, Batman, Spiderman, and the X-Men (so the big ones).
What are the best graphic novels for these heroes?
As far as the rest, each character or series you mention has so many God damn graphic novels that to try to list them all, as people have done time and time again in thread after thread, would take forever. I'd recommend heading over to Amazon, doing a search for each character in "Books," and then clicking on some of the lists that pop up.
Some absolute essentials, though, would be Batman: Year One, Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt, Spider-Man: Death of the Staceys, New X-Men by Grant Morrison, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, and X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga.
Edit: But really, since we do get these queries pretty often, maybe we should start working on a recommendation megathread of sorts, kind of like the OP of the SE++ comic thread but... better. Perhaps categorized by series as opposed to genre? Here's a link to it, if you're interested, Mace: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=38053
It's from the mini series Batman: Jekyll and Hyde that came out in 2005. It focuses on Two Face, and his internal struggle between his two halves. It's fairly dark and gritty, with some strange shit going on with monkeys. Solid read. Recommended.
PSN: OrneryRooster
You can pick up the singles here
PSN: OrneryRooster
YES DC OH YES YES HARDER HARDER THATS IT
I'm just. So. Happy.
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Well, close to the best thing ever.
*coughyounjusticetradescough*
Like new content? I dunno.
James Robinson always said he'd like to return to the character some day.
What'd be neat is if they reprinted the letters pages and shade's journals.
I would be interested in an Absolute Starman though. One can hope.
PSN: OrneryRooster
I'd actually be willing to buy the series all over again if they did this. I got to read the early journals but missed everything after like number 20 or so.
Similarly, I wish they'd do an Absolute Invisibles with, if not all the lettercols, maybe ten or fifteen pages of "best of". Ditto for Preacher and Ennis' legendary exchanges with the fans. So much stuff got explained or clarified in those columns that it's possible to argue that anyone reading the books in only trades is missing out on a key part of the experience.
meh. i usually avoid singles at all cost.
Great now I feel like I've missed out on a big part of one of my favorite series.
your wallet isn't worth that much
They are a delicacy, you know.
What issue did the JSA arc with the Kingdom Come Superman start?
It was introduced in the last few pages of issue #9, but officially started with issue #10.
PSN: OrneryRooster
9
Nah, issue ten is only a week old, provided your shop ordered enough you should be able to get one.
PSN: OrneryRooster
Except that I totally remember seeing it solicited in Previews not too long ago.
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Mostly I just wanted to say I am a little disappointed.
I've been told of a Spider-man book where Spidey is fighting someone. Anyway he gets jumped from behind by a "normal person" wearing the villains costume or somesuch and Spidey not realizing that its a normal guy punches him and rips his head off.
Now I cannot recall this story and the info is from a rather unreliable source can anyone clarify?
WEBCOMICS: UPDATED EVERY FRIDAY!!!
That's unfortunate because the extra material in the singles is excellent. Robin Furth put out some awesome stuff there. Speaking of which, I think the Dark Tower volume 2 starts up in a few months. :^: