So, I was thinking the other day, that if I was going to make a list of favorite books for someone, you know, in one of those fantastical celebrity interviews you do in your head when your bored, "what would they be?". In addition to talking about how I managed to write the bestseller of all time while simultaneously directing the number one movie in America in the same year that I won all those Grammies, I would tell the interviewer that my reading preferences are not traditional. That some of my downright, all-time favorite novels would be in the graphic form.
(from Watchmen)
So my mind began to wander to my favorite comic books, and I assembled a list in my head that was, in my humble opinion, pretty respectable. "What could I do with such a list?" I asked myself. And so I concluded that, despite Party Ends probably never having mentioned a comic before on this site (though John and I both are somewhat active readers of such), that I would include my list of favorite comics and graphic novels for any readers who might be interested in dedicating the time to expand their minds with alternative literature. I also concluded that I would force / shame John into doing the same.
So here is my list. I'm sure there are hardcore Comic-con geeks out there who will call me an amateur and an idiot for not including, I don't know, Spiderman: Years 65'-70' or something. But, I'm not really into all that; so heres what I got, in the two years or so that I've been reading them:
1. Bone (Jeff Smith) - When you first pick this book up, you'll start reading it and enjoy the silly colorful characters, the clean, sharp, cartoon quality, and the loveability of the overall package. You might be a whole chapter in before you come to me and say: "this is a kids book Luther! Why would I want to read this?", but I will only say "Read on, good friend, and you'll see." By the end of this graphic novel, which in it's entirety reaches over 1300 pages, you'll understand that this literary treck, written and drawn over ten years, grows into a full blown epic. The story grows increasingly complex, revealing a lush and thought out history in a fantasy universe only rivaled by J.R.R. Tolkien. Beloved characters grow, fight, and die; and, you'll get a pretty good laugh pretty often, and pretty much all the way through the book. You won't be disappointed. Plus, for some reason Scholastic (purveors of such fine literature as the Fear Street Series) bought the rights to the book and are gradually releasing incredible full color trade paperbacks of each chapter. Look for those. And also keep your eyes open for a feature length film, since the story rights were recently purchased by none other than Pixar Animation. Fly.
2. The Watchmen (Alan Moore) - There is no way to describe how something involving "superheroes" can be so fucking affecting. Alan Moore may be a lunatic, but he can bring out more about the human condition in one chapter of a book like this than a lot of classics can in an entire cover-to-cover. Epic in story with memorable, human characters; the writing is as gritty as the beautiful 80's artwork. If it isn't already somewhere, this will be standard reading in college classrooms everywhere in the near future.
3. The Sandman Chronicles (Niel Gaiman) - Another piece of literary masterwork stretched out over ten books, this will also be in classrooms (along with some of Gaiman's novels that already are). Drawing on an extensive knowledge of classic literature and mythology, Gaiman weaves a tragic story over eons of characters stretched too thin and locked into events that they can't break away from. The artwork gets pretty shady in parts, as the series winds through both the 80's and 90's and several illustrators, but the writing is solid and researched. The spin-off books about central characters are good too. I can't wait for them to at least try to make a movie out of this.
4. The Hellboy Series (Mike Mignola) - Yes! So far as series that are still being written, this is my favorite. Mignola's love of mythology, crypto-zoology, and Lovecraftian mythos is fused with his love of drawing bad-ass monsters and writing witty dialog. Weather illustrated by Mignola himself (a true innovator) or one of his friends, these are always entertaining, smart, and downright cool. This also includes the excellent B.P.R.D spin-off aswel as the movie by Guillermo del Toro, which is incredible.
5. Black Hole (Charles Burns) - This book if fucking scary. Explaining the subtlety of how frightening this piece is doesn't really work, you have to read it for yourself. Set in a present day town that is plagued by some elusive, physically mutating STD that only effects the towns teenagers, the levels of interpretation are infinite. The detail and brilliance of the artwork also defy explanation. Each frame should be on the wall of a gallery.
6. The Fables Series (Bill Willignham) - Another series that is still being written, and snatching up some great awards. When you try to explain the premise of this series(characters from fables are being forced out of their 'worlds/dimensions' and into ours and they have to try to get by here in modern day America), you sound like an imbecile; but, it presents so many opportunities for so many interesting plotlines. Well developed, lovable, rich characters, all based on fables from well known (Snow White) to somewhat obscure (Little Boy Blue). Brilliant. The art is pretty damn good, too.
7. V for Vendetta (Alan Moore) - Yes, Alan Moore is a genius. Great movie, great book. The writing rivals, probably everything else on this list, and only looses points for being a little slow and confined in it's characters, though that gave Moore the opportunity to create such personal depth that it's not unusual to be brought to tears while reading this book. A must own.
8. Stray Bullets (David Lapham) - This is a little lesser known than some others on my list, but in the comic world, it's still a big gun (no pun intended). Following the eventful, unbelievable, and often times sadistic lived of some colorful careere criminals, this series goes from comic to depressing in swoops and dives. A little scattered (again, no pun intended), the story lines eventually begin to interweave as the books go on, cobbling together a sort of alternate universe in which crime in much more prevalent and profitable than most stories would lead you to believe.
9. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Alan Moore) - Again, and for the last time on my list (though taking up almost a third of it) Alan Moore does it again. I have heard nothing but bad things about the film version, staring everyones favorite Scott. This was not their favorite movie. This short series of comics mixes some of my favorite elements: arcana technology, turn of the century mustaches, and literary characters. Based mostly on nineteenth century literary fiction, the League consists of fleshed out versions of far from perfect literary heroes, from the invisible man to Jekel/Hyde. More of a 'comic' than others on this list, it's still fun, cool, and vaguely disturbing.
10. Blankets (Craig Thompson) - Finally, this is the first graphic novel I ever read, at the suggestion of several of my friends (including John). Touching, sad, true to life, and ultimately uplifting, even life changing. This book struggles with some tough issues as you follow the protagonist (Craig himself) through his recollection of his first love, and loss. Everything from religion to sex is explored with excruciating candor. I have been waiting way too long for his next book, so check this one out before hand, so you can help me picket his publishers till they push the new one out.
The point here is that you should buy Bone. You should also, at least read the rest of these books, especially if you consider yourself well rounded when it comes to literature and you haven't read at least some of them. Come on!
P.S. My favorite curse word is probably "holy fuck".
