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 top 20.
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 top 20.
obviously and blatant copyright infringement. SAD!
Support the artist https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Club-Matt-Furie/dp/1606999192
e: wtf guys, grow up. break the law because the artist has a different political view? ya'll sound like the salty left. don't steal shit, it's common sense.
Yeah, I was turned on to this train of thought in my late teens from Derrick Jensen's graphic novel As the World Burns: 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Stay in Denial, which I read at about the time my peers were going two feet in on An Inconvenient Truth. It seemed so obvious to me that switching lightbulbs and taking shorter showers were drops in a bucket, but nobody wanted to hear it.
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Pride of Baghdad
>Written by Brian K. Vaughn Art by Niko Henrichon In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escapes from the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives.
This page is edited with parody dialogue.
No of course not. In fact I recently read this graphic novel by a Japanese WW2 vet, which shows the human side of many Japanese soldiers http://www.amazon.com/Onward-Towards-Our-Noble-Deaths/dp/1770460411/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZSA1R2F6BGA1NRYC9RR
With that said, the average Japanese soldier committed monstrous acts. Murder of Chinese civilians was required, and the torture spread across the Asian mainland was systematic, not relegated to just a few evil soldiers.
It's more terrifying this way. Because it's not just some bad apples, but it shows how with the right institutions and cultures what we view as moral and good can utterly and completely disintegrate.
See also:
Andre the Giant: Life and Legend
http://www.amazon.com/Andre-Giant-Legend-Box-Brown/dp/1596438517/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1452257515&sr=8-2&keywords=andre+the+giant
Best place to start. The man teaches writing for comics at an art school and most of his notes are online for free. Enjoy. Great advice.
EDIT: Alan Moore wrote a book on writing (it's an essay in book form really) that is helpful. That can be found here. There's also a DC Writing Guide. In terms of format, if you know about three act structure and such (a knowledge of screenwriting would be VERY helpful) you are on your way. A pdf. template for writing in comic scripts can be found at the BBC's writers room (cool writing resource all around) and at Darkhorse Comic's submission page. Finally, there is a free (from what I can tell) cloud based writing page called Five Sprockets which has templates for writing screenplays and comics.
Introduction to Comics
How to Get Into Comic Books (13:40) | Patrick Willems
Consider your intent/commitment. Think about your favorite shows, movies, books, etc. Reading primarily for enjoyment or encyclopedic knowledge? Collecting? Have the time/resources to read 50 or 500 comics per character?
Don’t try to read everything at once. There’s too much. Forget about catching up, continuity, universes, etc. for now. Older comics can be an acquired taste for modern audiences, so they aren’t necessarily ideal starting points. Writers change often, characters get re-worked, and origins are re-told. Remember, there are many great characters, creators, publishers, etc. to explore.
Pick an interesting character/team and seek their most popular/acclaimed stories. Focus on self-contained, complete stories in one corner of the universe. There will be unexplained references/characters, just persevere or Wiki. Don’t let the tangled web of shared-universe comics overwhelm you. Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle one small piece at a time until you finally see the big picture.
Discover your preferences and let them guide you. Don’t get stuck preparing/over-analyzing, just start reading. Do you like/dislike old/new comics? Specific writers/genres? Cartoony/realistic art? Familiar/weird concepts? References/self-contained? All-ages/mature content? Follow these instincts. Didn’t understand a reference? Maybe read that next.
Acquire/Buy comics:
Marvel
DC
Or skip to the 2016 re-launch DC Universe: Rebirth event and then any Rebirth series #1.
Other
I like well-drawn comics, but that doesn't mean they have to be intricate and detailed - just that they match the content very well. For example, I think John Campbell (Pictures for Sad Children) is great because he can get the emotion of scenes across really well with his simple drawings. (Though I equally love artists like David Hellman.)
I like funny comics as well as serious comics. I dislike comics that aren't even remotely funny (but are trying to be). I dislike comics that could have been funny, but they ruined themselves by either going on too long (Ctrl Alt Delete) or by explaining their punchline ((Ctrl Alt Delete) again).
I love comics that are consistently good, or at least only foul occasionally.
I dislike comics that are nothing but essays with pictures added. (I'm looking at you, 50% of Subnormality.) I think the comic form is a unique medium in itself and should not be treated in such a manner.
I like comics that are self-contained to a certain extent, in that either each comic is a unique situation (SMBC) or they only have particular story arcs (Dr. McNinja) and don't just go on forever with no resolution (Megatokyo). This is why, when I go to comics stores, I buy comic books (like Blankets) rather than serials (like X-Men). (There are exceptions to this rule, when a comic book is finished and the entire collection is sold as one, like Watchmen or Marvel 1602.)
I'm sure there's more, these are just my thoughts for now.
Barefoot Gen is written by a survivor of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It's very moving and raw and personally I think it's better than Maus or Blankets. It should be required reading in all schools.
Persepolis is another amazing read. It's written by someone who grew up in Iran and witnessed and ran away from the revolution in the late 70's. It shows that the people in Iran and that part of the world are just like us, though because of America's (and other foreign powers) intervention, has become really conservative and hostile. I think this is another book that should be required reading in schools.
Fun Home is another personal tale about a woman's recollections of growing up and about her father.
Adrian Tomine's Shortcomings Adrian often writes very personal stories that are heart felt and touching.
American Born Chinese Gene Yang writes about growing up as an Asian American.
Epileptic French, David B writes about his Epileptic brother.
Link to Boy's Club Amazon
Anything by Alan Moore. Promethea is a personal fave, but might not be the best place to start. Top Ten is also very good if cop drama overlaid with some super-hero stuff sounds appealing. Watchman is a cornerstone of the form, but you will definitely appreciate it more if/when you have a fair bit of 'capes & tights' superhero work under your belt.
Blankets is just stunning. I've bought it 3 times already and have the new hardcover edition on perorder.
Stardust is another great one by Neil Gaiman. It's also unique in that if you enjoy the story you can experience it in 3 different, but all very good, forms. The original comic, the prose novel, and the film all work quite well and give a nice window into what bits a pieces work better in each form.
Of course no comic list is complete without Maus and Understanding Comics.
> i dont see how it is within his intellectual property any longer
Here's how: that's the way the law is written.
It doesn't matter whether a bunch of people stole it. He clearly created the character. He has claimed copyright on it. He has sold products bearing the character's image. Just because you feel like it doesn't belong to him anymore doesn't at all change that. That's not at all the way the legal system works.
Also, re this point:
> since Furies short lived comic strip
FYI the creator released a new comic less than 2 years ago and it is still for sale online. It's not short lived, it is still going and has been a thing for around a decade.
Do you like comic books? A lot of those have really beautiful physical editions. I will point to Blankets and to the Hellboy library editions. Those are two of my favorite possessions.
Blankets or Habibi
Get the full trilogy. It is incredible.
IMHO one of the greatest artists of our time. Building Stories is a masterpiece.
If you enjoy stories about Andre, I urge you to purchase this graphic novel by my friend, Box Brown, https://www.amazon.com/Andre-Giant-Legend-Box-Brown/dp/1596438517.
It is as heartbreaking as it is lovely. A fine read. I am quite looking forward to this documentary as well.
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Safe Area Gorazde By Joe Sacco
The Photographer by Emmanuel Guibert
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Not non-fiction but
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware is about as non-pop, non-pulp as it gets.
You might wanna read this
There's another really good André graphic novel by Box Brown. Surprisingly well-researched, too. IIRC, there's a section of citations and sources in the back.
Andre the Giant, life and Legend, par Box Brown
essex county
Here's a few off the top of my head!
Sooo many others, but this is good starter list. Fair warning: I have not read these with an eye as to what would be appropriate in a Christian environment. I am fairly certain that Stitches, Maus, and Locke and Key are all "safe."
Edit: Eff it here are some more.
You have already mentioned all of my other would be suggestions. :)
The Hobbit in graphic novel form is really amazing, and readable at all ages. Graphic novels generally might be a great option. Also manga books might be good.
Some links:
Wrinkle in time graphic novel:
A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel https://www.amazon.com/dp/0374386153/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_baA4CbY2SYGER
The Hobbit
The Hobbit (Graphic Novel) with a subtitle of An illustrated edition of the fantasy classic https://www.amazon.com/dp/0345445600/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WaA4CbW3CW7JR
Blankets (more for young adults, very good though):
Blankets https://www.amazon.com/dp/177046218X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pbA4CbV1CPP6M
Good list:
https://www.npr.org/2017/07/12/533862948/lets-get-graphic-100-favorite-comics-and-graphic-novels
The Watchmen, imho, is one of the greatest books ever written, but dunno...it’s more action-y/comic book esque . Some girls may like it.
xox
(n.b. the blurred book that teresa is in front of here is building stories by chris ware, which is a graphic novel story collection that takes place in a single apartment building and is presented in a variety of forms [a book, a fake newspaper, etc.]. i own one of the pieces, which is about a woman with one leg. it's an absolutely stunning piece of literary work and i recommend it to anyone. i wish it had a thematic link to tre and her story that would make it grimly ironic, but it's all about people's quiet, contemplative interior lives so its only connection to teresa is in representing her exact opposite.)
Is Blankets any good?
I liked Blankets
It's not so much about CS in general, it's more focused on encryption, but The Code Book by Simon Singh is a big recommendation - unlike the impenetrable tomes of many other CS books, It was easy to read and I learnt a fair amount about encryption. It goes into the history of encryption as well. In fact, it starts at the earliest examples of encryption we know of and builds up to modern day and potential future encryption techniques, which I thought was pretty cool.
If you like a lot of the really theoretical stuff (abstract logic, is a problem solvable, ect) you might like Logicomix. It's about the life of Bertrand Russel, his work, and the lives and works of his peers. It's a graphic novel, and it's a story, rather than just "a book about stuff", if you know what I mean. It's not entirely accurate, sometimes changing events that happened for the purpose of making a better story, but they address everything that they changed in the appendix, which was nice of them. Some (not me) would argue that it's more about maths than CS, but I certainly really enjoyed reading it and it's definitely relevant to CS.
Neither of these books are about CS per se, but both of them should be pretty relevant to anyone with an interest in CS - and both of them were good books in their own right.
Just finished this and immediately ordered her strip collection Dykes to Watch Out For. This is a really odd and heart-wrenching tale regarding a father/daughter relationship all told through the lens of different pieces of literature.
I think of it as a cross between Blankets and Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth.
how about comic books (Graphic novel)?
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang:
A really simple, nicely drawn Graphic novel and poignant story of an ABC boy struggling with his identity, Asian American stereotypes, and guest starring the monkey king:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Born-Chinese-Gene-Luen/dp/0312384483
Adrian Tomine's "Shortcomings":
The protagonist is Japanese American but it's the same struggle of the Asian American male's identity, relationship and hankering of white women.
http://www.amazon.com/Shortcomings-Adrian-Tomine/dp/1897299753/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
A very long list that I believe is full of gems:
Preacher, Volume 1 by Ennis
Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Gaiman
Invincible: Family Matters by Kirkman
Southern Bastards
Kingdom Come
Marvels
Watchmen
Saga
Mind MGMT
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear
Batman: The Long Halloween
Pride of Baghdad
All Star Superman
The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye
Thor: God of Thunder
Annihilation (read it digitally on Marvel Unlimited, finding it in print is costly)
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman, Volume 1 (by far, my favorite take on the characters. Hickman writes them to perfection.)
Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt
Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine is quite good (fiction, but very non-pulp).
I haven't read it yet, but Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli is on my to-read list (also fiction).
https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Club-Matt-Furie/dp/1606999192
https://www.comixology.com/Boys-Club/digital-comic/358184
Since you mentioned you're looking for books featuring DC's magical realms, Neil Gaiman's Sandman series (Books 1-10, Endless Nights & Overture specifically) is not to be missed.
They're easily among the best comic storytelling that exists in the medium, everyone owes it to themselves to read it!
EDIT: Just wanted to add a few more recommendations that came to mind, all of which are well worth anyone's time:
Box Brown's graphic novel is incredibly good (his Andy Kaufman/Jerry Lawler graphic novel is too).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JO0ULZ6/
Lulu Anew. A really excellent, very realistic graphic novel about a French woman experiencing mid-life doubts. Beautiful drawings, too.
I'm sort of amazed no one's mentioned Jaime Hernandez. His comics very occasionally have elements of fantasy and sci-fi, but they're basically realistic present-day fiction, and I think he's the best cartoonist working today. The Death of Speedy is a good place to start, showing Jaime at his full powers (and at his most realistic), and (at least in the US) is available cheaply used. If you'd prefer to start at the beginning, check out Maggie the Mechanic.
[This One Summer] (http://www.amazon.com/This-One-Summer-Mariko-Tamaki/dp/159643774X/) was marketed as a young adult novel, but is an amazing read for adults as well. A very realistic coming-of-age story about two young girls on summer vacation.
Maus by Art Spiegleman, of course.
To The Heart of the Storm, by Will Eisner. IMO this is the best of Eisner's novels, showing a young man's trip to army training during WW2, as he reflects on his life and his parents' lives.
Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse. This semi-autobiographical graphic novel, about a closeted young gay man in the civil rights era south, is simply incredible- it's a crime that it got so little attention. At least in the US, available very cheaply used.
It's a Good Life If You Don't Weaken, by Seth.
Footnotes in Gaza, by Joe Sacco. (This one is non-fiction.)
Human Diastrophism, by Gilbert Hernandez.
Song of Roland, by Michel Rabagliati. If you like this one, there are a bunch of other Rabagliati graphic novels available in English.
Tamara Drewe, by Posy Simmonds.
Notes for a War Story, by Gipi. Very smart, very realistic graphic novel about young men in a Balkins nation that has collapsed.
Another one that is available very cheaply used. Also look for Gipi's graphic novel "Garage Band," which is about exactly what the title says, and also available very cheaply.
Forgot Epileptic (http://www.amazon.com/Epileptic-David-B/dp/0375714685) and Ghost World (http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-World-Daniel-Clowes/dp/1560974273). though Black Hole and persepolis are amazing
Take a look at Will Eisner's Contract With God trilogy. It's different in some ways from the ones you listed, but shares a lot of the same sensibilities. Not to mention it's a major part of comic book history.
Jeff Lemire's Essex County trilogy is an absolute must for anyone who loves Blankets. It's a totally different story but strikes a similar tone.
Bit more deep and emotional and a true story (autobiography) but Blankets by Craig Thompson is really good.
Edit - sorry, couldn't get site to link properly...
From this album by Derrick Jensen and Stephanie McMillan http://www.amazon.com/As-World-Burns-Simple-Things/dp/1583227776#reader_1583227776
Sigh and I used to like Jensen. Not everything about him, but I did like As the World Burns
Do you feel you are missing out on things by not having sex outside of brothels? Are you craving a more traditional relationship or are you content seeing prostitutes?
You should read, if you haven't, "Paying for it" by Chester Brown
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paying-Chester-Brown/dp/1770460489
For anyone who hasn't, I highly suggest reading Box Brown's graphic novel Andre The Giant: Life & Legend. It's a really heartfelt and moving biography of Andre's life, but it's also brutally honest. It talks about the trials of growing up the way he was, how he later became sort of an alcoholic and could often be an asshole to people, how he had a daughter he pretty much abandoned, but how he was also constantly in pain and wrestled up to the bitter end because the boys were basically the only family he had and he was lonely when he was home.
And of course, it covers all the big moments (Wrestlemania 3, Princess Bridge, etc.)
REALLY great read.
Andre had a long career before WWE where he was actually much more active. Since we're talking comics and wrestling, check out Box Brown's Andre the Giant biography. Very entertaining.
oooo, this made me think of one of my favorite graphic novels; I think, other than JTHM,. it's one of the first ones I've ever read...
Pride Of Baghdad by Brian Vaughan; beautiful story about a pride of lions that escapes from the Baghdad zoo during the Operation Iraqi Freedom; great story, but it has a bit of a sad ending. Nonetheless, I highly recommend it :-D
Introduction to Comics
How to Get Into Comic Books (13:40) | Patrick Willems
Consider your intent/commitment. Think about your favorite shows, movies, books, etc. Reading primarily for enjoyment or encyclopedic knowledge? Collecting? Have the time/resources to read 50 or 500 comics per character?
Don’t try to read everything at once. There’s too much. Forget about catching up, continuity, universes, etc. for now. Older comics can be an acquired taste for modern audiences, so they aren’t necessarily ideal starting points. Writers change often, characters get re-worked, and origins are re-told. Remember, there are many great characters, creators, publishers, etc. to explore.
Pick an interesting character/team and seek their most popular/acclaimed stories. Focus on self-contained, complete stories in one corner of the universe. There will be unexplained references/characters, just persevere or Wiki. Don’t let the tangled web of shared-universe comics overwhelm you. Think of it like solving a jigsaw puzzle one small piece at a time until you finally see the big picture.
Discover your preferences and let them guide you. Don’t get stuck preparing/over-analyzing, just start reading. Do you like/dislike old/new comics? Specific writers/genres? Cartoony/realistic art? Familiar/weird concepts? References/self-contained? All-ages/mature content? Follow these instincts. Didn’t understand a reference? Maybe read that next.
Acquire/Buy comics:
Marvel
DC
You can skip to the 2016 re-launch with DC Universe: Rebirth and then any Rebirth series #1.
Other
Are they into history at all? Berlin is a classy addition to any bookshelf.
Ooh, also! Blankets!
Blankets. It's a graphic novel, so it definitely isn't audible. But, despite it's size, it's a quick read.
https://www.amazon.com/Blankets-Craig-Thompson/dp/177046218X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536095569&sr=8-1&keywords=blankets+graphic+novel
I've just finished Go ask Alice, it is pretty great :)
Geisha: A life by Mineko Iwasaki, is also one of my favorite book...
If you like comics and graphic novels, read The league of extraordinary gentlemen, Watchmen, The crow, Essex county a book about the rural lifestyle, hockey and family issues...
All of those are books I really loved and hope you will like if you read them :)
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.
They were able to trick the media into thinking Pepe the Frog is a nazi cartoon.
Anything by Scott McCloud for sure.
And I can't vouch for them, but Alan Moore wrote a book on it, and Brian Michael Bendis so those might be helpful.
And now I know the depressing truth that we are cutting down 11 million trees a day for paper. Thanks. Makes me think of this.
EvilPants is right, The Spirit is what he's most famous for.
Also, he pretty much created graphic novels as a medium with The Contract with God Trilogy
There's a ton of advice I could give you - and I'll try to throw a bunch of it at you - but keep in mind I've barely begun this process myself. This is what I can tell you based on what I've observed, take it as you will.
My first piece of advice is to do the thing you said you never do. Put them down to paper. These little scenes and random thoughts you have swimming through your head are exactly where "we all find ideas to start from." It could be a simple scene in the middle of a larger story, it could be the very last words you want to someone to hear. Regardless of what it is, put it down on paper. I always carry a small moleskin notebook with me and have gotten into the habit of just jotting down something whenever it goes through my head. When you're used to just thinking of things, it's a little jarring at first to stop and write it down, but believe me - it will be worth it. This is the fountain of ideas you're looking for.
Arguably the most important thing I can tell you, is to write. Don't worry about whether it's formatted right, if you've structured your characters enough, or if you've done a good outline. Write. Whenever, wherever, as much as you can. You're only going to get better at writing by writing.
That being said, worry about format, structure, and outlines. And what I mean by that, is look back on the work you did, figure out where you could have done better and the next time try to do that. The first thing I ever wrote, I did without thinking about my characters, what they really meant, their back story, the environment they lived in, and said to hell with an outline. After it was finished, I knew for my next project that this had to change.
Consume the media you want to create. Not only should you actively read comics, you should try to consume anything that gives you insight to the business and how other people work. This is a list of books I bought and think have been extremely helpful. They give insight into the importance of creating characters, environments, etc before you even begin a script. I've listed them in the order I personally liked from best to still pretty damn good
The last one is great because you get to see the various script styles of in-the-business writers. For comics, I also actively listen to these podcasts:
In addition to all that, I follow /r/writing and try to stay active on this subreddit. We've done a few writing prompts, which I think are great ways to get you writing - though I wish more people would take part.
JoshLees has compiled a larger list of resources, definitely take a look at that. The above listed things are what I consume personally.
That's all I have for now, and the community can feel free to correct me or add to it, but other than that good luck!
Since this is not a graphic novel, the illustration would need to add so much that it made sense to be there vs. not being there and using words instead.
As an example, think about how visual memes are used or Diary of a Wimpy Kid (or perhaps Hyperbole and a Half, the adult version of this idea). Is there something that is being translated that must be done visually? A joke, some juxtaposition of design that crafts new meaning that could not be achieved otherwise?
This will be easier achieved with comedy but with a deft hand I don't see why it couldn't be achieved with drama if it's appropriate to the work. The medium must serve the story.
It's tempting to want to include visuals because they are easy for people to digest. I leave loads of concept stuff on the side when I take something to market. Some of it is professional sketch, some of it is fully rendered painting by professional artists. It has other uses but doesn't belong in the novel/script or on the cover.
I'm just returning to comics after several years' absence. Also, my tastes are...suspect.
Alright OP, here's what I've got for you:
Good luck reading OP! Feel free to ask any questions.
I haven't read Genius yet, so I'll try that out. Thanks for the recommendation. I really liked Logicomix, a graphic biography about Bertrand Russell, so I think I'll give Feynman a shot too.
You might also enjoy this: Alan-Moores-Writing-Comics
​
There seem to be some pdf version on scribd, but I can't see them behind my company's firewall.
Yep
Here's a list of my personal favorites:
Do you have any strong interests? For example, I love math, and the book The Man Who Loved Only Numbers, which is a biography of Paul Erdos.
If you are interested in graphic novels, and they are allowed for the assignment, Logicomix is the quest of Bertrand Russell for an ultimate basis of mathematics, and how the journey of understanding can often lead towards obsession and madness.
If you're interested in physics, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman is a great book that is arguably a biography.
So, what are you most interested in?
Not about the Mormon church specifically, but [Blankets,] (http://www.amazon.com/Blankets-Craig-Thompson/dp/177046218X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464970032&sr=8-1&keywords=blankets+craig+thompson) by Craig Thompson, is a MUST READ.
Reminds me of Box Brown's wrestler comics. He is a master of capturing character in a simplified style like yours.
Off the top of my head, I tend to refer to these four the most:
Self-Editing For Fiction Writers -- When it comes to editing, this book is what helped me break things down and showed me how to get the most out of my writing in a way that clicked.
Alan Moore's writing for Comics -- Nifty if you're really into comics or want to write your own. Spotted this in a thrift store. Best $1.00 I ever spent.
On Writing Horror -- Writer's Digest has quite a few of books on writing. And they all have exercises and excerpts, but out of the small collection that I have this one is my favorite. Kind of gave me an idea of what to watch out for. It's like reading bits of advice from different authors.
The negative Trait Thesaurus -- Actually, I love the entire series as a resource. The kindle has to be good for something. (Much cheaper) But it helps keep my traits together and my character's reactions from getting stale. Out of everything I'm always pulling these books out.
*Started with three, but I really had to mention the trait thesauruses.
Blankets!
I thought he was just from that comic Boys Club which is pretty hilarious. It's really a masterwork. Here you can buy it and probably pay the author:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1606999192
I just noticed I confused the manga with another one but from the same mangaka. I will give them a chance in the future. Thanks.
Blankets https://smile.amazon.com/dp/177046218X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AH-gDbJCT2WD5
Here's three that I can think of that haven't been mentioned yet.
The Contract with God Trilogy by Will Eisner (528 pages)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Omnibus) by Alan Moore (416 pages)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Two Volume Box Set) by Hayao Miyazaki (1104 pages)
Learn from the masters.
I could not agree more.
I have all 4 of the Boy's Club comic books... including 2 copies of #3 so I can keep my signed copy in pristine condition.
Got them years before even most of the chans knew what Pepe's name was. They were always fun coffee table books and conversation pieces. They're also hilarious, and Matt Furie is a great artist. I have a more substantial print of his hanging up in my place as well.
​
I think Matt Furie is probably the only person saltier than I am about what's happened with Pepe. Don't stop fighting back! At least Matt has gained some ground in the fight here and there!
I WANNA ROCK
Also this graphic novel. I love graphic novels and this one just looked really good.
First of, go ahead and buy this. This is not to encourage of you to stop believing in God, but rather, to develop a different view about Christian beliefs and sexuality. Also, it should easily become on of your favorite books, and a good guide to your next few years.
Next, let me tell you, not only is it possible to believe in Jesus Christs' teaching and having healthy, sexual thoughts (and yes, even masturbating to them), but actually, keep in mind that you are not harming anyone. Sexual abuse is wrong, very much so. But just having sexual fantasies? Who, exactly, are you doing wrong to?
So worry not. It is alright. You have not sinned.
we have very similar tastes. check some of these out... the first 2 would be great ones to ask for, since they are a little pricier.
Criminal- Deluxe Edition
Essex County
Hellboy - Vol. 1
DMZ - Vol. 1
Excellent suggestions!
I would also recommend Eisner's Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative - Comics and Sequential Art is essential reading, and this later volume complements it nicely.
Ivan Brunetti has produced an excellent book called Cartooning, which is based on the content of a course he teaches - a set schedule of exercises to follow and some excellent guidance.
Lynda Barry is another wonderful comics creator who teaches, and I can't recommend her books What It Is and Picture This highly enough - previews here. They're often more about creativity in general than comics specifically, but they do use and discuss comics and are among my very favourite books, comics-related or otherwise. They're certainly more artefact than textbook, but they're priceless.
Turning to the writing side, there's a small volume reprinting (and revising) advice from a younger Alan Moore in Alan Moore's Writing for Comics Volume 1 (don't bother looking for further volumes, though).
There are probably some more titles on the shelves back home I've forgotten about - I'll check after work. It's mostly going to be independent-oriented, but good advice is good advice.
Building Stories, (graphic novel)
Ratcatcher, (film)
Decalogue, (Polish tv series)
La Haine, (film)
Fish Tank, (film)
On the not-superhero side, here are some of my faves:
If you liked that you might really enjoy Chris Ware's Building Stories.
It's a box set graphic novel, all different format books, all telling stories inside an apartment building over time. You can read the books and many of the panels in any order.
"Bone" by Jeff Smith -- Don't let the simple, cartoon-like style fool you; this one is a killer. From start to finish, Smith takes you on an epic adventure packed full of action, genuine humor, and plenty of heart. What I like best about "Bone" is that it didn't try to be the next "Watchmen." It didn't try to be grim or gritty. It's great.
"Blankets" by Craig Thompson -- They just re-released a hardcover edition of this story, which makes it a perfect time to pick it up. I can't say much about this story, except that it is a great example of autobiography in comics form. Anybody who has ever been in love will resonate with this story.
"Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth" by Chris Ware -- This is an intimidating piece of work; it's lengthy, the story jumps around, and there is a lot of responsibility placed on the reader to understand the story. Still, Jimmy Corrigan is a unique, heart-felt story about the ties that bind and influence a family across generations. I'm sorry: that might have made it sound like a schmaltzy piece of fluff -- when it actually is a heart-wrenching piece of heartbreak.
"All Star Superman" by Grant Morrison -- This isn't Watchmen. It isn't dark. It isn't full of sex or drugs or over-the-top violence. It is, however, an incredible look at what makes a Superman and what he has come to mean to our culture.
Give those four a shot. You might like them.
Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang - This memoir is what the upcoming ABC sitcom is based on, and it's what WSJ journalist Jefff Yang has said, if unedited, will be "a game-changer for Asian Americans on screen." It's a witty and insightful story of how Eddie Huang bridges his old school parents' background and the American lifestyle of hip-hop and Air Jordans.
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang - graphic novel that weaves the story of the Chinese tale of the Monkey King, a second generation kid who moves into a primarily white neighborhood and doesn't want to be considered a "Fob", and a white American boy whose Chinese cousin "Chin-kee" visits.
No-No Boy by John Okada - A Japanese American returns home after being interned during WWII and struggles with where he belongs in US society. The term "no-no boy" refers to how interned Japanese Americans answered to a "loyalty questionnaire."
Native Speaker by Chang-rae Lee. The protagonist is Henry Park, a Korean American whose identity as an American with a Korean upbringing has impacted all facets of his life, including the strain on his marriage and his excellence as a spy. He goes further into cultural turmoil when he is assigned to spy on a Korean-American politician who during his run for mayor of NYC has to deal with tensions between Blacks and Koreans.
Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine - graphic novel whose protagonist Ben Tanaka is in a struggle with his own identity. His girlfriend is politically active and is involved in the Asian-American community, which he doesn't care much about. Ben denies the relevance of race, yet he has a certain attraction towards white girls and complex about his own attractiveness as an Asian male. Ben is bitter and angry, and his rejection of many things, including his own race distances him from people.
I also liked American Son (story of two Filipino brothers and their mother navigating violence and a new culture in America) by Brian Ascalon Roley and The Dead Do Not Improve by Jay Caspain Kang. The latter is Kang's first novel and it was not spectacular, but I did like his writing style and his use of pop culture from the view of a Korean American. He incorporates the story of the shooter Seung-Hui Cho, which he originally wanted to write a book about to reflect on Korean American male anger. Jay Caspian Kang is already in the media for his journalism pieces, but I'm looking forward to more of his writings and possible continued foray into literature.
Pride of Baghdad
It's an autobiography of Chester Brown transitioning from relationships to being a John. He's a bit creepy but it's mostly just an honest look at prostitution and all the arguments for and against it. I really enjoyed it.
http://www.amazon.com/Paying-Chester-Brown/dp/1770460489/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1
You'll never make money unless you get into Diamond and they take a decent chunk.
Here's some links:
https://www.amazon.com/Alan-Moores-Writing-Comics-1/dp/1592910122
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Comics-Graphic-Novels-Peter/dp/1600616879
Blankets by Craig Thompson. Beautiful, heartbreaking, helped me learn a lot about growing and maturing.
Here you go. I got you a book with pictures so you wouldn't get bored.
http://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Mechanic-Rockets-Jaime-Hernandez/dp/1560977841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406161976&sr=8-1&keywords=love+and+rockets
These are pretty cheap.
Kind of an odd intertwined story about a bunch of people from a rural area in Canada. Its much better than it sounds. Also, if you're into hockey, the second part of the book may end up being your favorite comic of all time. Sweet Tooth is by no means bad and I would recommend it, but Essex County is better and cheaper.
I hope it isn't too late, but here are some that haven't been mentioned yet and are definitely warranted a look:
Berlin books one and two by Jason Lutes. Two graphic novels following the lives of many different characters in the city of Berlin, Germany in the 1930s leading up to the war. It has a very diverse cast of characters, and it's portrayal of Berlin as a very cosmopolitan city very slowly being transformed is a gripping read.
Jar of Fools, also by Jason Lutes. The story of a failing magician, his mentor suffering dementia, and his ex-girlfriend all recovering from the tragic death of his brother, and how their lives intersect an aging con-man and his younger daughter. Really great read.
Top Ten by Allen Moore and Gene Ha, this is kinda a super hero comic but it's really more than that. The premise is all the super heroes live in the same big city, and the series follows the people who police this city. It's more sci-fi mystery than super hero comic. It's very good. There are two collections for this series, and two spin offs.
Anything by Jason, but my favorite of his is his graphic novel I Killed Hitler. But all of his comics are amazing and right up your alley.
Mail Order Bride by Mark Kalesniko, seems like it would be right to your tastes.
And if you liked Blankets, I'd recommend Goodbye Chunky Rice by the same author. It's a bit more childish, but very sweet, and thematically all about friendship and growth.
And thought it's been mentioned before, I just want to iterate Atomic Robo. It's one of the best if not the best current series published. Check out http://www.atomic-robo.com for free samples of the stories. I dare you not to get hooked.
Y: The Last Man is a really well written read. Most people go immediately towards the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman (which is a great choice also) or Watchmen (Alan Moore) because they have received a ton of awards and are known in literary communities. Of those two Watchmen would probably be most book club friendly. I love Gaiman but holy wow it takes a very long time to get through that series. If you would like to read something by Brian K Vaughn that is a single book is Pride of Baghdad. It is really politically topical and heart wrenching. Y is less so but is a multi-book series so yeah.
Love & Rockets. The Maggie the Mechanic collection followed by The Girl from HOPPERS is a good place to start.
Maybe Building Stories by Chris Ware? It's really cool and comes in a big box with a ton of little pieces with the comics all over them. Like a map, a pamphlet. Not really a proper book.
I completely and wholeheartedly agree with your choice and motivations. The book to read on this, in case you ever waver in your commitment to this lifestyle is Paying for it where he delineates all the amazing reasons hookers trump relationships every time.
Have you considered graphic novels?
Persepolis
Ghost World
just this guy who wrote a graphic novel about his history with escorts. he gave a lot of information exactly like you did.
http://www.amazon.com/Paying-Chester-Brown/dp/1770460489
Blankets by Craig Thompson
http://www.amazon.ca/Blankets-Craig-Thompson/dp/1891830430/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323905693&sr=8-1
The Plain Janes perhaps?
http://www.amazon.ca/Plain-Janes-Cecil-Castellucci/dp/1401211151/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323905834&sr=8-1
Multiple titles by Brian Wood: Local, Demo (1 or 2), New York Four
http://www.amazon.ca/Local-Brian-Wood/dp/193496400X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323905857&sr=8-1r
http://www.amazon.ca/Demo-2-Brian-Wood/dp/1401229956/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323905877&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.ca/York-Four-Minx-Brian-Wood/dp/1845767101/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323905895&sr=8-1
hey, I believe you would really like this comic
It is a sort of autobiographical comic and the author makes some points that you may identify with.
recommended reading; https://www.amazon.ca/Paying-Comic-Strip-Memoir-About-Being/dp/1770460489
I've got two for you because being a full time student and working freelance makes the crockpot my best friend.
Cheesy Chicken, Bacon and Tater Tot Casserole Not high cuisine but it's delicious and the leftovers reheat way better than you'd think. I insist on using real bacon for mine though instead of bacon bits. I just cook the bacon in the oven and chop to use in the recipe. Also, if you wanna make things a little more easy on yourself you can opt for using canned chicken breast instead of cutting up the chicken, but it cooks fine either way.
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff Very rich and very tasty and it freezes well. I add a little more pepper than what's recommended.
As far as what I'd want if I won, I'd love to have this book from my wishlist but I've got a good amount of stuff on there under $10 you could surprise me with.
Happy recipe hunting!
They're old school books: Box Office Poison, Blankets
Those Comic book writers/artists voiced themselves!
EDIT: Might as well.
http://smile.amazon.com/Maus-Survivors-Father-Bleeds-History/dp/0394747232/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409368330&sr=8-1&keywords=maus
http://smile.amazon.com/Watchmen-ALAN-MOORE-ebook/dp/B005CRQ2IU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409368297&sr=8-1&keywords=watchmen+graphic+novel
http://smile.amazon.com/Ghost-World-Daniel-Clowes/dp/1560974273/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409368319&sr=8-1&keywords=ghost+world
I know it's not quite what you asked for but if you're looking for a hard hitting WW2 story Onward towards our noble death by Shingeru Mizuki might be worth a look.
Cue the awesome new Andre the Giant graphic novel!
Not fully true, your statement on the terrible things they did. Although yes, Japanese schools and popular culture doesn't talk much about it, there are lots of instances in Japanese literature and film where they talk about the wrong-doings of imperial japan. I can provide more if needed. Just because its not popular doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor's_Naked_Army_Marches_On
http://www.amazon.com/Onward-Towards-Our-Noble-Deaths/dp/1770460411
I'm not saying the things they did were unjust, they were terrible. The point of a lot of these films is to show that war is terrible and it drives people to do sick shit. The thing that does bother me though how history tends to sweep this stuff under the rug as "whats in the past is the past". It's the same in a lot of US curriculum too. I didn't learn (from the school) about the terrible things the US did until I reached college level courses.
I came here to suggest "Blankets" as well. Here's the Amazon link:
http://j.mp/ecxbVl
I would also HIGHLY recommend "Essex County" by Jeff Lemire:
"In Essex County, Lemire crafts an intimate study of one community through the years, and a tender meditation on family, memory, grief, secrets, and reconciliation. With the lush, expressive inking of a young artist at the height of his powers, Lemire draws us in and sets us free."
Well, for my last relationship, I kept the stuff in a duffel bag and put it in the closet. After a few years I forgot it was there and after redoing my closet I found it, opened it, laughed (nervously) and threw them away. I found no reason to hold on to them.
Anyways, in staying close to the subject, I would recommend you read a graphic novel called Blankets. I won't give away too much of the plot but I think you'll like it as it tells a story about a guy's first serious relationship.
I would spend $3 extra dollars and buy Building Stories by Chris Ware.
It is once of the most interesting "graphics novels" I have ever experienced. I say "graphic novels" because what it really is, is a collection of different items that all help tell a story ranging from newspapers and pamphlets to comics. It is worth experiencing yourself so I don't really want to give any more information away.
If you like experimental visual storytelling, check out Chris Ware's experimental graphic novel, Building Stories.
If you check out the Amazon page for it, look at the reader photos of the "book," where you see you can literally build your story out of the pieces of the book.
It is neatly designed both in terms of its drawings as well as the unconventional structure of the book, which are essentially like puzzle pieces.
I just ordered it (should be coming tomorrow) and I can't wait. It's won various awards.
As others have said, if you want to make money, then you have to employ your writing skills in marketing and advertising. Other options are to do graphic novels, either traditional ones or experimental ones like Chris Ware's books.
You could also look into video gaming. There are lots of interesting games that employ really nice graphic design visuals, and also storytelling as well.
The other option is experimental animation, too, but that isn't a money maker at all. Since the early 1900s, there have been artists employ graphic-design like visuals and making films, sometimes for ideological reasons or other times just to experiment with form.
Andre the giant: Life and legend.
Is this what you found?
Thats a guy!
If you haven't already read it, I highly recommend this.
edit - I totally misread their post and thought they were full on asking how to write a comic book. We get that kind of question a lot more than you'd think! I did link them to a handy site for outlining further in our comments though. :)
"How do I build a house?"
"How do I drive a car?"
"How do I perform a knee replacement surgery?"
The complexity of the thing you are asking cannot be answered in a few sentances...
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.*
If you're really interested in committing to this, you must learn first to research. Asking here is a great first step! We won't have the answers you're looking for, because those answers are book-length text books that will teach you a craft that takes years and decades to learn well.
If you want a fast answer that feels like you learned something, here's Geek and Sundry's help on the topic.
If you want to actually learn something deeply, here's (Volume 1) Alan Moore's two cents.
What comic writers do you like? Seek out any teaching they have to offer.
Source: The Sculptor
Tool: ZingChart
If you like/love/are interested in Andre the Giant, I would definitely recommend Box Brown's Graphic Novel. I got my hands on it a couple of weeks ago, and it's fantastic:
http://www.amazon.com/Andre-Giant-Legend-Box-Brown/dp/1596438517
Boy's Club?
This.
xkcd.com is fantastic, and one of the first comics I ever started reading.
Scott Pilgrim is a great series. Fables is fun. The Sandman series is incredible (I love both Neil Gaiman and the gorgeous artwork), Blankets is good, French Milk is one of my favorites, anything by Liz Prince is hilarious/very true-to-life, but my all-time, end-all be-all favorite is Local
PS: I told my husband, who initially got me interested in comics, about this /r/askreddit/ post and he said, "well, is it a boy or a girl asking?" I don't know the answer to that, but just FYI - I'm a lady and some of these choices may be too girly for you if you're a dude.
He's the model of this comic
http://www.amazon.com/The-Sculptor-Scott-McCloud/dp/1596435739
For anyone who is interested, this is from Scott McCloud's graphic novel The Sculptor. I highly recommended the read!
Amazon link
Andre the Giant: Life and Legend https://www.amazon.com/dp/1596438517/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zhDYDbNN02379
Wow I have a ton of awesome recommendations, but first and foremost is the Sandman saga by Neil Gaiman or really anything distributed under Vertigo, they publish all DC comic's darker novels...
Also Watchmen, a classic by Alan Moore...
Johnny The Homicidal Maniac (JTHM) by Johnen Vasquez
Blankets by Craig Thompson...
Scott Pilgrim series...
Fahrenheit 451 graphic novel adaptation...
This might interest you.
It's certainly a very good book.
I have wanted this for a long time to add to my bento supplies, but there is only one left in stock! It is a pesky add-on item, though, so the other thing similar on my list is Ghost World which is one of my favorite movies. I have always wanted to pick up the comic, but I've never gotten around to it.
Actually recently a graphic novel was made of Russell's life, called Logicomix. It's more about his life in the sense that he was a mathematician and later a logician and how he came up with Russell's Paradox etc. etc. It barely mentions his atheism. I did enjoy it though, although I think the writing was pretty weak.
mis4mike wrote:
Sigh and I used to like Jensen. Not everything about him, but I did like As the World Burns
Well, in that case!
This is my favorite book of all time. It draws you in and makes you feel like the characters are family. I also really enjoy the underlying themes of ethics in TV and new technology contrasted against small-town America. Sad and funny and heartwarming.
The autobiographical comic of a teenage boy and his overbearing parents, his relationship with his little brother and his first love. It perfectly captures the confusion of growing up and dealing with the lot life gives you.
Wickedly funny, but also a melancholy look at racial tension and prejudice. The audiobook is fantastic!
Dark, very wtf, confusing at times, but overall a really cool take on the Wizard of Oz universe. Dark City meets Heat meets Wizard of Oz.
A fun, whimsical story about spoiled children being terrible. Ibbotson's books are all really great in that bad people aren't just misunderstood or lonely. They are also assholes. And everyone calls them on it. It is really refreshing in children's/YA books.
This book changed my teenage existence. It's very simple, yet beautifully crafted. It's everything Alice in Wonderland fans have built that mythos into, without any of the pretentiousness/needing to be zany for zaniness' sake.
This is my favorite dark fairy tale. The beginning gets into some heavy stuff, but it has everything that I love: a strong lady protagonist, excellent character growth, and dogs. SO MANY DOGS. Dogs are the real love story.
I stole this from my high school library because I didn't know where to get my own copy. It's a really excellent look at disability in the middle ages, couched in a very sweet romance.
This is the ultimate vicarious experience book. The protagonist goes from mousy and trod-upon to "I don't care what you think, I'm gonna run away with misfits and unemployables and have a grand time, thankyouverymuch". It's everything you want to happen in a non-contrived, excellently paced way.
The first of a classic series! They're short, which is nice, and very dated but still so much fun. Tarzan is the ultimate early 20th century Mary-Sue but it works for him.
I really enjoyed the world built in this book. It's silly at times without trying to be, but it's a cool horse-flavored dystopian coming-of-age story.
The first quartet focuses on a young girl who pretends to be a boy so she can become a knight. The second is about an orphaned country girl who discovers she can communicate with animals just in time to help with a war between humans and immortal monsters. The third is about the first girl allowed to train as a knight and a non-magical war.
The duo is about a spymaster's daughter stuck in a civil war based on the British occupation of India.
The trilogy is set in the past and is a series of intense mysteries/police dramas. Pidgeons are carriers of the dead in this mythos and the main character can hear their voices.
One of my favorite graphic novels is Blankets by Craig Thompson. It's a coming-of-age story. It's just really beautiful in a way that I can't describe; it resonated with me strongly. Habibi is excellent as well--same author, different [darker] story. That one's super interesting because he ties in a lot of Islamic art and references. Please check out the reviews; I'm not good at writing my own :-.
Yes it would. It's his copyrighted character. I own the pepe book. It's called boy's club. He is the creator of pepe.
https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Club-Matt-Furie/dp/1606999192
Ya'll pussies need to quit downvoting that facts. I bought the book used to not give the author money. Quit being sensitive to the truth.
Pride of Baghdad by Brian K Vaughn - A really beautiful story about the real-life escape of a lion pride from the Baghdad zoo during the 2003 American military bombings. Whenever someone tells me they don't understand people who read comics, I try to get them to read this. It's only 1 volume, can be read in one sitting, and reasonably priced (Amazon sells the paperback for $9.35).
My opinion- identifying a problem and then doing something, anything about it to take matters into your own hands and get what you want out of life while it lasts is a step in the right direction. Do you know HOW you would go about hiring an escort and going about the business of negotiating and paying her? (Plenty of online guides about how this works, you may well have researched it already.) You may come out of the experience with a feeling that you are capable and can make things happen, and that sex isn't this giant mystery power ritual only castable by elite magi. Defusing it of that power media and an obsessed society gives it could easily lower the mental wall for you with "regular" women. Note- you might even get a better experience out of it if you tell her up front you're a young guy getting the virginity thing out of the way. You could search through several candidates and see who is best for that scenario.
Here's a comic book novel about a socially awkward penguin guy and prostitution:
http://www.amazon.com/Paying-It-Chester-Brown/dp/1770460489/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345934832&sr=8-1&keywords=paying+for+it
He said "after my first time with a prostitute, it made me realize that I had another avenue. After that, it was like a weight lifted off my heart that never returned."
It's your life- if you think it will help, go for it.
lol, comics are just pictures and words. there are plenty of non-fiction comics in the world
by discounting the medium you are making yourself sound ignorant. you should probably buy what i linked you to, it could save your intellect.
also, you didn't address my comment about pitting two (real or perceived) groups against one another.
Andre the Giant: Life and Legend
I am in no way affiliated with this comic but people should buy it for Andre the Giant but more importantly to support comic artists
http://www.amazon.com/Andre-Giant-Legend-Box-Brown/dp/1596438517