Where to start.....

[Pedro Del Mar]

Hi all,

I've been considering reading some graphic novels yet don't really know where to begin.

I have read Watchmen recently which I enjoyed.

To help give me some advice I enjoy reading the following:

Fantasy
Horror
Sci-fi to a lesser degree

I'm not too interested in super heroes which seems to cancel out the vast majority of graphic novels.

I spent an hour in Waterstones in the Trafford Centre recently going through their collection of graphic novels but couldn't really decide so walked away empty handed.

Any suggestions?

cheers
Crooksy

 

[thatollie]

Okay, here's a few Fantasy/Horror GNs that you might like.

Sandman
Swampthing
John Constantine, Hellblazer
Caballistics, Inc
Preacher
The EC Archives

I hope that's enough to get you started.

 

[antiloquax]

My faves:
Alan Moore: "From Hell", "V for Vendetta".
Frank Miller: "Sin City".
Bryan Lee O'Malley: Scott Pilgrim books.
Brian K. Vaughan: "Y: The Last Man".

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

thank you for these suggestions, I'll check these out

 

[Mladen]

It might help if you mention some of the tv shows you really like?
Are you into political thrillers or the Wire or things like that?



Fantasy and horror you'll find plenty of!

There's a lot of stuff out there, but the usual "beginners" books are the following:

"Sandman" - By well known fantasy writer Neil Gaiman. These are chronologically collected in volumes 1 to 10 (there's a few one-off collections, but don't worry about those), but with all of them, each volume tells a complete story which you won't really have need to have read any of the previous volumes to understand or enjoy. But don't go reading volumes 8 to 10 first, since they in particular refer back to previous volumes a lot!

"Preacher" is great as well, easily available. Must be read in order though.

As for done-in-one novels, a few people will probably suggest a lot of books by somebody called Alan Moore. "V for Vendetta" you'll like if you enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 & 1984, its not at all like the film that was based on it.

Frank Miller is a name you'll hear a lot of too. Sin City is almost exactly like the movie that was made about it, so if you don't like the look of that, skip the books. A lot of his work is similar in that style.


If you're REALLY into horror though, and not just the unimaginative stuff that relies on gore, take a look at the work of a guy called Junji Ito. Skip his series 'Tomie', but absolutely grab "Uzumaki" (Spirals), or any of the "Museum of Terror" collections. "Gyu" is good too.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

I've been having a look through the suggestions and have ordered the full set of Y-The Last Man, looks great.
I've also ordered all of The Courtyard and Neonimicon as these seemed to catch my eye.

Ebay's been great for these.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll read the ones I've ordered and let you know how I get on.

Cheers
Crooksy

 

[CyBeR]

What is this travesty? No one bothered to mention Transmetropolitan AT ALL? I am forlorn and dismayed!
It's a very tongue in cheek series about reporter Spider Jerusalem telling the hard truth in a hardcore cyberpunk universe, with no limits to parody, humor and social commentary. It's the only complete series I have in my bookcase and it was worth every damn penny (10 volumes).

On the fantasy side I highly recommend Fables. I'd have to look up the author but right now I'm way too comfy in my nice chair. But it's a great read about fable characters being at war and seeking refuge for centuries among humans. Great read if you ask me, at least up to issue 70.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Now Fables sounds interesting!

One of my all time favourite stories is Cabal by Clive Barker (or you may know it as the film Nightbreed). I've always wished he'd done a follow up so we could find out what happened to the creatures after they left Midian.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Not quite sure Fables is up my street after having a look.

Fables 1 precis:

When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. But when Snow White's party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it is up to Fabletown's sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf, to determine if the killer is Bluebeard, Rose's ex-lover and notorious wife killer, or Jack, her current live-in boyfriend and former beanstalk-climber.

I was hoping for something closer to Nightbreed than this......

Any ideas?

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

I've discovered there's actually a comic titled Night Breed and is based upon what happens to the creatures post the movie. Looking difficult to obtain them all but I'm on the case.

By the way - started Y The Last Man and have to say it's amazing.
Thanks very much for the recommendation antiloquax, it's much appreciated

Cheers
Crooksy

 

[thatollie]

What is this travesty? No one bothered to mention Transmetropolitan AT ALL? I am forlorn and dismayed!
It's a very tongue in cheek series about reporter Spider Jerusalem telling the hard truth in a hardcore cyberpunk universe, with no limits to parody, humor and social commentary. It's the only complete series I have in my bookcase and it was worth every damn penny (10 volumes).

You know I would have, but Crooksey asked for Horror/Fantasy.

 

[SeaGhost]

Is Stephen King's N. is good?

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

What's "N" about?

 

[thatollie]

You mean this N?

And also, you've had a month to get into it. What have you been reading? Are you enjoying it? Have you found anything else that looks cool? Tell us, we like to know.

 

[Magnus85]

If you're into music as well, then check out a new comic by Soule and Podesta called 27: First Set.

It's a nice mix about creativity, numerology, music and demons.

 

[thatollie]

You may also like The Unwritten

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Hi chaps,

Thanks agaion for the recent recommendations.

thatollie - yes I've been really enjoying reading them. I'm currently 3/4 of the way through "Y - The Last Man". Really interesting concept and I'm enjoying it because it doesn't involve superheroes - just an ordinary guy in exceptional circumstances.

Next up I've picked up "The Courtyard" and "Necronomicon".

I then went a bit extravagant and bought "Absolute Sandman" Vol 1, which is beautifully presented and looks like a great story.

Lastly, I'm collecting the Night Breed comics, managed to do quite well so far, and missing 14 - 20, 23 - 25. So once I've managed to pick them all up I'll go through them but expect this could take quite a bit of time.

Thanks again guys, without these recommendations I wouldn't have taken a step down this road.

Best wishes

Crooksy

 

[thatollie]

Well, keep us informed.

 

[Pedro Del Mar]

Hi chaps,

Thought I'd give you an update and let you know what I've read and enjoyed so far.......

Watchmen - really enjoyed it and thinking of giving it another go.

Y: The Last Man, volumes 1-10 - absolutely excellent but felt it kind of faltered in the pace towards the end with a slightly dubious ending.

The Courtyard - beautiful artwork and engaging story - didn't want to put it down

Neonomicon vol 1-4 - as above - beautiful artwork and could easily have been expanded to more than 4 comics.

Currently reading American Vampire Volume One in hardcover. What a quality book, from the quality of the paper to the illustrations and the writing. Very well recommended so far. Have volume 2 on the shelf and volume 3 pre-ordered.

Yet to read:

Absolute Sandman: have volumes 1 and 5 waiting on the shelf, volume 2 coming for Christmas and aim to pick up the remainder early next year.

On my wishlist:

Venom volume 1: very well recommended, anyone read this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0785158111/?tag=brite-21

Locke and Key Volumes 1 to 4: Anyone had the pleasure, they look pretty good

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1600102379/?tag=brite-21

That's it for now. Any other recommendations appreciated.

Cheers

Crooksy

 

[Magnus85]

I've just read two HC volumes of Locke & Key yet, but they are amazing. Hill and Rodriguez really compliment each other. The story and art works so well, and you get dragged into the story easily.

Good stuff!