Comic books and fantasy authors

[Stephen Aryan]

It can be incredibly difficult to know where to start if you want to get into reading comics. Comic shops can be intimidating to new readers and the same ten well known comics, like Watchmen, are often trotted out as great places to start. I think that is a horrible and cruel thing to do and it will put some people off comics for a long time. It's the equivalent of giving a newcomer to fantasy a copy of Lord of the Rings. It might be where fantasy came from and an absolute classic, and it might be the most famous fantasy book ever written, but it's not where fantasy is now, it isn't a great example of how broad the genre has become, and it is not an easy read. Same goes for Watchmen.

Instead of me talking about which comics I like, I recently sent out a few questions to some well known fantasy authors. They've told me how they got into comics and what they are currently reading, to show people more of what is out there.

The first week it was Sam Sykes - author of Tome of the Undergates

Week 2 - Adrian Tchaikovsky - author of the Shadows of the Apt series

Week 3 - Patrick Rothfuss - author of The Name of the Wind and forthcoming The Wise Man's Fear

Week 4 - next week on Wednesday it's Mark Charan Newton, author of Nights of Villjamur and City of Ruin.

For more info visit the book blog

 

[fruit]

thanks for your information

 

[JenJen]

Fantastic. I have bookmarked your blog and will read through it when I have a coffee break. Always interesting to see what fantasy authors read.

I personally have difficulty finding good fantasy graphic novels. Maybe the authors mentioned have read/are reading one!

 

[Stephen Aryan]

You're welcome.

And if you need ideas for some good comics, I'm happy to recommend some to suit you, not just throw out the usual ten books that are the most well known.

 

[JenJen]

You're welcome.

And if you need ideas for some good comics, I'm happy to recommend some to suit you, not just throw out the usual ten books that are the most well known.

Shoot.

I have been trying to find some fantasy-like graphic novels for ages, but I'm just starting to think there aren't any out there. Only I know of (although it's in comic format) is Fables.

Might also be because I am notoriously picky. If the art doesn't interest me, I won't go further than a few pages.

 

[Stephen Aryan]

I know we're not supposed to be getting people not to visit the site, but drop me an email via the book blog contact details and I can try to fit some comics to your interests in terms of tv, films, books, and genres.

Steve

 

[JenJen]

Sure thang I hope you like a challenge.