Looking for graphic novel rec's for casual comic reader (me!)

[TylerH]

Hi All!

 

Just looking for some good graphic novels. I'm a very VERY casual reader of comics. The only series I follow monthly is The Walking Dead, and the only Collected volumes I really read are The Goon.

 

I know over the years since I actively collected (Stopped in early 90s) I have probably missed some great stories. So Im looking to kind of go back, hunt out used graphic novels, and just enjoy reading comics again...

 

Some of the stuff I liked are - for example

 

The Brubaker (Spelling) Capt america run - I ready issues 1-50

Batman: The Long Halloween

I really like RIchad Sala (The Chuckling Whatsit)

 

I was recommended "All Star Superman" which I actually didnt like. I kind of like stories that dont need a ton on back info on the characters (Like I would have no idea where to start reading X-Men nowadays) and I kind of like more horror / dark mystery comics!

 

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

[piper]

Superhero only?

[miraclemet]

If you liked Sala try any of the Darwyn Cooke "Parker" books.

 

Also if you already liked Brubaker, and like Noir try his "Criminal" series (there are a few trades/omnibuses of them.

 

if you want a slightly more super-hero noir book, try Gotham Central, Brubaker's take on the Gotham City Police Department.

 

none of these require any meaningful background

[Maccai3]

The Black Beetle is a great noir detective book, i highly recommend that. Mesmo Delivery gets reprinted in April which is worth a pickup and i just started Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem in which a small jewish town create a Golem to protect them from Nazi's.

 

Also just ordered Daytripper which i have heard alot of great things about. I've been following artists alot more than writers of recent.

[Davenport]

... and I kind of like more horror / dark mystery comics!

 

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Grab a copy of Swamp Thing, Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing and have at it. If you enjoy dark literary horror, you'll have a great time.

 

[miraclemet]

 

Also just ordered Daytripper which i have heard alot of great things about. I've been following artists alot more than writers of recent.

 

+1 I read Daytripper once a year.

 

A fantastic read.

[TylerH]

Thank you all! I wrote down ALL of your recommendations and they all sound great to me - I have never heard of Darwyn Cooke before so I look forward to checking him out!

 

I have had the Swamp Thing Saga rec'd to me a few times before and just never pulled the trigger. I think it's time.

 

As for superhero / non superhero.... I really like both, I just dont know a lot of these hero backstories very well, so if I pick up a "new" issue of Avengers or Green lantern, etc... I am TOTALLY lost!

[Davenport]

You should check out reviews of Planetary Vol 01: All Over the World. I bet you'd like it given your tastes. There is no backstory, other than what unfolds as you read the tales.

[spectrumofpain]

Also make sure to visit your public library. They uaually have a good selection of trades and are free to check out!

[kav]

incognito, sleeper

[miraclemet]

ok... I have a big list of "books I'll recommend to non-comic book readers if they ask"

 

here it comes... and it leaves off some "Best" books that (to me) require a decent background in super-hero continuity (so no Watchmen, no Saga of Swamp Thing, no Dark Knight Rises.. cause I think without the history of capes in your back pocket you lose a lot to the reading)

 

ok here goes (author, title)

 

Like Crime?

Darwyn Cooke Parker series

Ed Brubaker Criminal

Matt Kindt SuperSpy

Matt Kindt Red Handed

Matt Kindt MindMgmt

Ed Brubaker Sleeper

Matt Fraction Casanova

Jason Aaron Scalped

Ed Brubaker Gotham Central

 

Something wistful?

Ba & Moon Daytripper

Jeff Lamire Essex County Trilogy

Marjane Satrapi Persepolis

Craig Thompson Blankets

 

Are you into Sci-Fi?

Brian K Vaughn Saga

Brian K Vaughn Y: The Last Man

Brandon Graham Prophet

Brandon Graham King City

James Stokoe Wonton Soup

Nate Simpson Nonplayer (only one issue so far)

Rick Remender Fear Agent

Johnathan Hickman The Manhattan Projects

Johnathan Hickman Red Mass from Mars

Johnathan Hickman Pax Romana

Warren Ellis Global Frequency

 

No Capes! Fantasy

Mark Buckingham Fables (1-48)

James Stokoe Orc Stain

Mike Mignola BPRD

Mike Carrey The Unwritten

Jeff Smith Bone

Neil Gaiman Sandman

 

Not your usual superhero

Warren Ellis The Authority

Warren Ellis Planetary

Alan Moore Top 10

Brian Michael Bendis Powers

J Michael Strayzinski Rising Stars

Robert Kirkman Invincible

Kurt Busiek Astro City

 

Horror

Scott Snyder American Vampire

Joe Hill Locke & Key

 

Political Thriller

Brian Woods DMZ

Johnathan Hickman The Nightly News

Brian K Vaughn ExMachina

 

 

that should keep you busy

[Quicksilver Signs]

Saga is a great read and very original IMO

 

You can get the first 12 issues in TPB

 

 

[techvoodoo]

The whole Moore run of Saga of Swampthing was amazing. It sort of starts out mid-story, and a friend of mine who read the first TPB said he didn't follow what was going on, but if you stick with it all the characters get explained fairly well and it gets fleshed out.

[chrisco37]

If you like horror, check out Locke & Key.

 

I'm loving Manhattan Projects at the moment. It's my current favorite.

 

Planetary is my all-time favorite. And Preacher is comic book crack.

[piper]

ok... I have a big list of "books I'll recommend to non-comic book readers if they ask"

 

here it comes... and it leaves off some "Best" books that (to me) require a decent background in super-hero continuity (so no Watchmen, no Saga of Swamp Thing, no Dark Knight Rises.. cause I think without the history of capes in your back pocket you lose a lot to the reading)

 

ok here goes (author, title)

 

Like Crime?

Darwyn Cooke Parker series

Ed Brubaker Criminal

Matt Kindt SuperSpy

Matt Kindt Red Handed

Matt Kindt MindMgmt

Ed Brubaker Sleeper

Matt Fraction Casanova

Jason Aaron Scalped

Ed Brubaker Gotham Central

 

Something wistful?

Ba & Moon Daytripper

Jeff Lamire Essex County Trilogy

Marjane Satrapi Persepolis

Craig Thompson Blankets

 

Are you into Sci-Fi?

Brian K Vaughn Saga

Brian K Vaughn Y: The Last Man

Brandon Graham Prophet

Brandon Graham King City

James Stokoe Wonton Soup

Nate Simpson Nonplayer (only one issue so far)

Rick Remender Fear Agent

Johnathan Hickman The Manhattan Projects

Johnathan Hickman Red Mass from Mars

Johnathan Hickman Pax Romana

Warren Ellis Global Frequency

 

No Capes! Fantasy

Mark Buckingham Fables (1-48)

James Stokoe Orc Stain

Mike Mignola BPRD

Mike Carrey The Unwritten

Jeff Smith Bone

Neil Gaiman Sandman

 

Not your usual superhero

Warren Ellis The Authority

Warren Ellis Planetary

Alan Moore Top 10

Brian Michael Bendis Powers

J Michael Strayzinski Rising Stars

Robert Kirkman Invincible

Kurt Busiek Astro City

 

Horror

Scott Snyder American Vampire

Joe Hill Locke & Key

 

Political Thriller

Brian Woods DMZ

Johnathan Hickman The Nightly News

Brian K Vaughn ExMachina

 

 

that should keep you busy

 

Great List. May I add Rachel Rising by Terry Moore to your list?

[techvoodoo]

If you like Spiderman, I can't recommend the Ultimate Spiderman run from 2000 (I think) enough. I wasn't crazy about how Bendis wrote and reimagined a few of the villains, but it's still great and Bagley's art for the first 110 or so issues is awesome. I dismissed the title back in the day because of the terrible covers, but going back and picking up the TPB's has proven that sometimes you shouldn't judge the book by it's cover.

[techvoodoo]

If you're a TMNT fan, the current run from IDW is good and one of my few monthly books, along with Chew and TWD. Pick up the TMNT reprints of the originals, in full color, in the collection "The Works Edition". Vol 1 of that was a lot of fun to go back and read. Vol 2 wasn't nearly as good but still worth picking up.

[sclemons]

Great list. Includes all my top favorites except for one...

 

Crime 100 Bullets

 

[miraclemet]

ok... I have a big list of "books I'll recommend to non-comic book readers if they ask"

 

here it comes... and it leaves off some "Best" books that (to me) require a decent background in super-hero continuity (so no Watchmen, no Saga of Swamp Thing, no Dark Knight Rises.. cause I think without the history of capes in your back pocket you lose a lot to the reading)

 

ok here goes (author, title)

 

Like Crime?

Darwyn Cooke Parker series

Ed Brubaker Criminal

Matt Kindt SuperSpy

Matt Kindt Red Handed

Matt Kindt MindMgmt

Ed Brubaker Sleeper

Matt Fraction Casanova

Jason Aaron Scalped

Ed Brubaker Gotham Central

 

Something wistful?

Ba & Moon Daytripper

Jeff Lamire Essex County Trilogy

Marjane Satrapi Persepolis

Craig Thompson Blankets

 

Are you into Sci-Fi?

Brian K Vaughn Saga

Brian K Vaughn Y: The Last Man

Brandon Graham Prophet

Brandon Graham King City

James Stokoe Wonton Soup

Nate Simpson Nonplayer (only one issue so far)

Rick Remender Fear Agent

Johnathan Hickman The Manhattan Projects

Johnathan Hickman Red Mass from Mars

Johnathan Hickman Pax Romana

Warren Ellis Global Frequency

 

No Capes! Fantasy

Mark Buckingham Fables (1-48)

James Stokoe Orc Stain

Mike Mignola BPRD

Mike Carrey The Unwritten

Jeff Smith Bone

Neil Gaiman Sandman

 

Not your usual superhero

Warren Ellis The Authority

Warren Ellis Planetary

Alan Moore Top 10

Brian Michael Bendis Powers

J Michael Strayzinski Rising Stars

Robert Kirkman Invincible

Kurt Busiek Astro City

 

Horror

Scott Snyder American Vampire

Joe Hill Locke & Key

 

Political Thriller

Brian Woods DMZ

Johnathan Hickman The Nightly News

Brian K Vaughn ExMachina

 

 

that should keep you busy

 

Great List. May I add Rachel Rising by Terry Moore to your list?

 

Nope.

 

 

 

I haven't read it but I've heard good things, and you reminded me that Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise should be on the list!

[Norrin_Radd]

Invincible is my favorite comic series. Period. Currently re-reading the series from the beginning.

 

I also recommend The Damned by Hurtt & Bunn.