(Part 2) Best literary graphic novels according to redditors
We found 396 Reddit comments discussing the best literary graphic novels. We ranked the 172 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
My bad. I will read this historical book to educate myself...
In addition to others chiming in, Labouf wrote a script for a film that entirely plagiarized a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes called Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron. He must have thought Clowes was such an obscure sleeper genius that he could get away with it, without realizing Clowes is probably one of the most renowned graphic novelists alive.
I second the Ayako recommendation. I'm not sure what your friend's tastes are as far as genre but his Princess Knight series is one of my favorites and is just now being translated.
If she likes Osamu Tezuka, she might also like Yoshihiro Tatsumi's work - he is another artist that helped shape modern manga. His stuff often deals with the darker side of human nature. I highly recommend his short stories. Hope that helps :)
All stories are necessary lies, says Stephen Collins' narrator. And also, the point of everything seen is to keep hidden the unseen. So stories then must serve two purposes, to hint at that which is hidden WHILE further obfuscating what lies beneath.
As fable, or better as parable, The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil accomplishes both of these things, hinting at the hidden by critiquing the visible (society and its common—and often celebrated—artifices) and simultaneously being vague enough that you can't quite make out exactly what it wishes to unveil. It, in a sense, allows you to pick your target.
TGBTWE is Stephen Collins first graphic novel. It doesn't show. The book is a masterpiece and certainly a part of the 21st century canon were there to be such a thing. The narrative flows well, the script both smart and crisp, the page design a formalist's Christmas, and the art lovely to look at. The book is a joy. It might even be stunning.
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And as of tonight when I write this on 25 September 2017, the US edition is selling for 55% off on Amazon. That's $8.92. If you're a lover of graphic novels and have the price of two Starbucks drinks to spare, you'd possibly be a fool to pass this up: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250050391 (look ma, no referral link or anything.)
Check out my New York Times bestselling graphic novel The White Donkey, published by Little Brown, below. I have a new book with LB coming this winter as well.
The White Donkey
I really liked Batman:Hush. It has a "who done it" mystery feel, and it showcases a ton of Batman characters.
Matt Fraction's Hawkeye. This one is kind of hate it or love it, but I recommend giving it a shot. It's not exactly "a complete story" like you asked, each volume is a collection of shorter stories though . It's a very different take on a hero with no powers, on a world of supermen
Green Lantern Corps : Recharge I liked this one because the famous Green Lanterns aren't the main focus, but the Corps in general through the eyes of new recruits.
If you don't mind non-superhero comics, I also recomend looking into:
I Kill Giants. Can't say too much for this without spoilers, it's a very artistic heartwarming story
Seconds. A more fairy tale style story about a girl who gets the ability to magically correct mistakes she made in the past
Solanin. A coming of age story about a girl who decides to quit her job because she's not happy with her life
Since searching wikipedia turned up the Timeline of Non-Sexual Social Nudity(TIL) I'm just going to guess you're you're looking for a more techie true to life rendition of the hacker archetype based on the amazon synopsis.
Based on that I'd recommend:
Cryptonomicon
just.go.read.it.right.now.
It may take a little effort to get into, damn thing is a tomb, but give it a chance. You will not be disappoint.
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Stealing the Network Series
How to Own a Box
How to Own a Continent
How to Own an Identity
How to Own a Shadow
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These are told in a chapter/viewpoint style, each chapter is usually written by a different knowledgeable, and sometimes security famous, security dude. Out of those I've only read How to Own an Identity so far, but it was pretty good and and my guess is that the rest hold up to that standard, so dive in. They are a series from what I understand so reading them in order is probably a good idea, but not completely necessary.
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And then for flair (these are more scifi/cyberpunk-ish; so if that's not your thing avoid):
Snowcrash
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The main character's name is Hiro Protagonist. No seriously. He's a ninja, he's a hacker, he lives in a U-Store-it container, and he delivers pizza for the Mob in a post-collapse USA, can you really not read this book now?
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The Diamond Age
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All about the practical social implications of nanotechnolgy told through the eyes of a young girl, her father, and an assortment of disposable associates.
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The Sprawl Trilogy
Neuromancer
Count Zero
Mona Lisa Overdrive
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I've only read Neuromancer and Mona Lisa Overdrive, which were both great, so I'm guessing Count Zero is probably good too.
Similar to Snowcrash in the lone gun hacker sense, except with more drugs a little bit more of a scattered tone.
And if all else fails there's always the DEF CON reading list.
ninja edits because I suck at markdown
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/160706006X.
Here you go, I heard its a really really good comic book to read.
As someone getting close to the end of PPL training, here is what I think:
> What can I do to get a head start on my aviation training?
Absolutely read the FAA Handbook. I would go ahead and get a PPL Student training manual and read that. this is the one that I use.
>Are [online ground schools] worth the investment?
Absolutely. I am getting close to taking my knowledge test and I am learning so much from it. It also offers you a different perspective of learning the same material your CFI will teach you. They will help fill in gaps that the other may have left.
> Is there a preferred online ground school?
I ended up buying Gleim's online ground school based on a search of posts in /r/flying on the subject. However, all of the posts had numerous suggestions as I am sure this one will.
I would focus on reading the FAA handbook first. It gives you a good basis on most things. Then, if you are a working person, I may even think about taking the knowledge test before you start training. I work 50+ hours a week and giving it the amount of time I Want to give it, and working, and keeping my gf from breaking up with me is a hell of a juggle. But I did not take the test first so I am just saying that if I did it again I would probably do it though as I sit here today I don't know what the consequences of that choice are, if any.
Furthermore, I like to give myself low-cost hurdles before making a high-cost decision. If you say to yourself "I won't train until I finish reading the FAA handbook", and you don't read it, you will save yourself the money you may have wasted on half ass training for your PPL. If you do it, you will start training with a damn good base of knowledge and know that you really will follow through.
Finally, make sure you train when you have enough time and money to train at least 1-2x a week. You and your instructor will take it all more seriously. (Not that your instructor won't take training seriously, but he may take you more seriously.)
Just my .02 sitting here with 30 hours. Others are far more knowledgeable than me.
This week I ready Goliath by Tom Gauld. Beautiful, understated, and powerful artwork. Take it slow.
If you want something really different, why not try something like this? Or this. Or this. Or this.
If you want to keep with the psycho Marvel character though, there simply is no other way to go than Deadpool Max (I think there are other available collections).
Charles Burns does some nice trippy stuff, you should definately check him out. I would recommend the X'ed out trilogy for maximum trippiness:
http://www.amazon.com/Xed-Out-Charles-Burns/dp/0307379132/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1414582826&sr=8-4&keywords=charles+burns
Black hole is also sweet:
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Hole-Charles-Burns/dp/0375714723/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1414582826&sr=8-3&keywords=charles+burns
edit.
If you're into surrealism you could look up Ed the Happy Clown by Chester Brown
http://www.amazon.com/Ed-Happy-Clown-Chester-Brown/dp/1770460756/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414583044&sr=1-1&keywords=ed+the+happy+clown
From an Amazon customer's review:
"Yummy Fur focuses on Ed, a hapless clown living in a dystopian world filled with callous doctors, evil police and truly mad scientists. The story kicks in when Ed finds a severed hand under his bed, and mistaking it for something left by the tooth fairy, reports his findings to the police, only to be thrown in jail. What follows is a quick descent into a world filled with sewer dwelling pygmies, a beautiful vampire, a President from another dimension and an increasingly uncomfortable view of how inhuman man can really be."
Can't believe I forgot that one. For a similar degree of mindfuckery, you may enjoy this
Tricked - Not about music per se but music is a theme throughout. It follows the lives of six people — a reclusive rock legend, a heartbroken waitress, a counterfeiter, an obsessive crank, a lost daughter, and a backstabbing lover — whose lives are unconnected until an act of violence affects them all in different ways.
I kill Giants, Black Hole, and V for Vendetta.
I've also been really enjoying the trade paperbacks for Chew, though I'm quite behind on those.
45 comments and no Castle Waiting yet? I'm a bit surprised, I always see it touted for having a pile of strong female characters and an exceptional plot.
No one seemed to have mentioned Andi Watson's stuff either. I guess he hasn't made much in the last couple years other than children's comics, but his romcoms and dramas like Breakfast After Noon and Slow News Day were frequently extolled for their strong female characters and plots.
And I don't know anyone who reads Adrian Tomine's stuff that's not female. His recent little autobio about planning his wedding just came out, and it seems like it's well received. I thought it was cute.
Can't recommend Long Walk to Valhalla enough. It's really, really great.
Long Walk To Valhalla?
The exact count is more like 26 or 27 since right around Christmas to be more precise.
I was always a fast reader, but the past couple of decades of hyperlinking and non-linear jumps ruined my concentration. So, I made a commitment to reread all the novels that I'd grown up with by this guy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alistair_MacLean
Some of these books were already decades old when I first read them, but it's amazing how well they stand the test of time.
I also just read this illustrated novel in a single sitting. It's really, really well done, and sobering to read:
http://www.amazon.com/White-Donkey-Terminal-Lance/dp/0316362832/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462572373&sr=8-1&keywords=white+donkey
The end of that one is particularly tough ... but well worth your time.
99% of movies are not worth your time, and pretty much 100% of TV isn't any good.
Fire your TV ... turn on your brain ;)
I think you're not looking hard enough. Sure hero comics are the best selling, but they're hardly all that is out there. Scene's From An Impending Marriage is about the furthest thing from heroes I can think of. [Astro City] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astro_City) is a study in the reality of super humans. I think you see it this way because you're looking at the "big two". Look at Image's lineup (especially lately) and you'll find a wonderful variety of comics. And don't forget that there are even smaller publishers that don't put out monthly comics (like the wedding comic from above). Also: Yay, first comment ever!
For 1 and 2, Sasaki Maki has a book translated and published by Breakdown press.
For 3, Seiichi Hayashi also has a few books published. One is by Picturebox, one is by D&Q, and one is by breakdown.
The graphic novel Mail Order Bride by Mark Kalesniko is pretty good - though kinda depressing, and I have yet to ever meet someone else who has read it.
I Killed Adolf Hilter by jason is pretty awesome and my favorite of his stories.
Jar of Fools and Berlin book one and two by Jason Lutes are outstanding, i can't wait for the final graphic collection to come out. He works so slowly but it's always so worth it.
I've fallen in love with Danger Club by Landry Walker and Eric Jones, the new series from Image, I have no idea how well known it is. But it's awesome!
And this because this should be far more well known, if you aren't reading Atomic-Robo by Brain Clevenger and Scott Wegener you are missing out on a heap of awesome.
The hardest ones to get into are the X-Men books, because their stories are so twisting and turning and there's a god damned crossover every six issues. So the following TPBs are listed from most recent to furthest back. If you pick up all of them, you will be sufficiently abreast of the current details in the X-Men's lives, but you can probably get a general idea if you just pick up the latest one or two.
X-Men Trade Paperbacks:
Also, if you want just GOOD X-Men stories that aren't particularly tied down by tie-ins and crossovers, pick up any of the "Astonishing X-Men" trades.
To know what's going on in the rest of the Marvel Universe (with the Avengers and whatnot) read some of these, again, listed most recent to further back:
Marvel Big Event Books:
There are, of course, nine million spinoff books, but if you pick up the main books, they're generally able to tell the whole story.
Other Great, Non-Crossover-Gold-Foil-Craziness Books from Marvel:
Creator-Owned Stuff That's Amazing:
NOW! That's like... $500 worth of trade paperbacks right there, if not more. Please don't try to buy all of those tomorrow.
But, those are some ideas of books that will be a good read. If I had to give you a top three list of TPBs to go out and buy tomorrow:
You should check out White Donkey: Terminal Lance if you don't mind reading/graphic novels. its about some grunts in Iraq, written by a marine who served a couple tours over there.
physical and digital would be the same but i mean these editions, what are the differences
https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Giants-Fifth-Anniversary-TP/dp/1607069857/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521884988&sr=1-1&keywords=i+kill+giants
https://www.amazon.com/I-Kill-Giants-Joe-Kelly/dp/1607060922/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521884988&sr=1-2&keywords=i+kill+giants
https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Giants-Titan-Joe-Kelly/dp/1607061724/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521884988&sr=1-3&keywords=i+kill+giants
Some graphic novels
Frank Millers 300 ... historical fiction, so he actually learns something. ties in with the movie visuals
Bone by Jeff Smith is pretty good. Small guy ends up on a quest against his will and saves the world.
....Have you read The White Donkey by
Terminal Lance ActualMax Uriarte?If you really want something surrealist, Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron by Daniel Clowes is perfect.
Related
Tangentially related novel written entirely in rhyme.
Bill Kershner's: The Student Pilot's Flight Manual: From First Flight to Private Certificate
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/156027719X
This is THE book.
Here it is.
Am I the only one who thought "Holy shit! It's a gen 1 slamhound!"
(For those of you who may not get the reference, it's on the first page of this book).
Mail order bride
Berlin book one and book two
Jar of Fools
Shout out to Hark! A Vagrant. FYI, if anyone else has a nerdy younger brother who needs a Christmas present, this book will work just fine.
Adrian Tomine's Shortcomings was incredibly powerful, especially as an Asian American reader. It's a relatively quick read, but definitely requires multiple reads.
http://www.amazon.com/Shortcomings-Adrian-Tomine/dp/1897299168
I'd want to use a blimp-mounted railgun like from Count Zero. Basically some mercs are waiting to pick up a scientist defecting from one corporation to another, and in the process something goes wrong and the site the mercs have staged gets hit with what was speculated to be a huge chunk of ice travelling at ludicrous speed, propelled from a railgun mounted on a cargo blimp in the area (which subsequently self-destructed with plasma to destroy the evidence). Hell, I'd want one on my car minus the self-destruct after a single shot, of course.
If you're interested, there's a graphic novel that takes a documentary-style approach on this subject alone. It's dark, funny, and interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Three-Fingers-Rich-Koslowski/dp/1891830317/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406151753&sr=8-1&keywords=Three+Fingers
Yoshihiro Tatsumi perhaps? The Push Man and Other Stories in particular features a lot of stories about working class men and sexual relationships.
Mark Millar, Chosen.
http://www.amazon.com/American-Jesus-Chosen-Mark-Millar/dp/160706006X
love this contest! i have a list just for books! but these two are ones that i would particularly love but probably never buy myself.
these are my cheaper ones:
do androids dream of electric sheep?
brainiac
the october country
invisible monsters
thanks for contesting!
300 by Frank Miller
The Mystery Play by Grant Morrison
Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor by Various
The Medusa Chain by Ernie Colón
Almuric by Roy Thomas & Tim Conrad
Joe the Barbarian by Grant Morrison (deluxe edition)
Long Walk to Valhalla
Could be a movie, but there is a lot of ground to cover, so a 6 episode AMC series could work pretty well.
If you like Love and Rockets, check out La Perdida by Jessica Abel.
Also, Tricked by Alex Robinson.
Relevant
for something great and angst-inducing, check out shortcomings by adrian tomine. it's a graphic novel and its totally great! I loved it. :)
If you like slice of life stories I'd recommend Same Difference or Shortcomings.
Why not The Gigantic Beard that was Evil?
Awesome! I'll probably get those to suppliment. Just to confirm, you're referring to these, right?
https://www.amazon.com/Pilots-Handbook-Aeronautical-Knowledge-FAA-H-8083-25B/dp/1619544733/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499377298&sr=8-1&keywords=Pilots+Handbook+of+Aeronautical+Knowledge
and
https://www.amazon.com/Student-Pilots-Flight-Manual-Certificate/dp/156027719X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499377340&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Student+Pilots+Flight+Manual
Thanks!
> My research is focusing on public opinion of urban life, and I just thought it would be cool if I could incorporate pop culture into a portion of it.
I don't know any film that covers this (that others didn't already mention), but something you might wanna look into is some of Will Eisner's work. Specifically A Contract With God gives an amazing and gritty look into urban life in the 1950s (IIRC). There's a couple other books that are very similar to that and some of the alternative work that was done in comics are really amazing. Another GN I loved was Pushman, which is a super gritty look at urban life in Japan in the mid 20th Century, back before anyone published material on sexuality, abortion, and other topics that were considered taboo even by artists themselves let alone publishers.
Honestly I think graphic novels and film are extremely related in how we process them and relate to the characters and you can see that with the commercial success of comic book movies (the suggestions above are nothing like super hero comics though, don't worry).
If you want something more low key and meditative, I really like Tom Gauld's "Goliath" (graphic novel). It shows a very different perspective on how that famous bout might've looked to a reluctant Philistine champion.
It's been "saved for later" in my cart for more than a year now, ever since I read it in the public library. I really ought to pull the trigger and own it. That concept of trying to think about a situation — conflict or otherwise — from the perspective of "the other guy" is something I want to make sure my kids learn.
http://www.amazon.com/300-Frank-Miller/dp/1569714029/
Her recent book is one of the best purchases I've ever made. Sittin' honorably right beside my Calvin and Hobbes/Far Side comics.