Comics And Graphic Novels. [Archive]

Purple Poppy

13th January 2007, 15:49

There was a time, when anyone over the age of 20 who read comics, was labelled as immature, or a geek, or something even less complimetary! I always held the view that so long as people read something, then that was more important. It meant there was always a chance they would gravitate towards something more meaningful later. And anyway, if they enjoyed comics, why not?
Since then, comics have not only held their own, but some have become works of art and some of them iconic pieces of history...Batman /Superman etc, still influencing our leisure art forms today. Now we have also seen the emergence of graphic novels as a new art form.
I know there is at least one massive fan of the graphic novel, on this forum, but what do others think about comics and graphic novels? I grew up on comics, but I have never read a graphic novel, and am not particuarly interested in them. Should I be? And why? Are they as good as a full text novel? What are the differences, the pros and cons?

Over to you!

PP

Icecream

13th January 2007, 20:08

What exactly do you mean by graphic novel? I've never been into comics really.

Purple Poppy

13th January 2007, 22:05

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Catkintails/Tags%20and%20blinkies%20etc/Maus.jpg
The Complete Maus By Art Spiegelman

Review by Junko'coyote crazed'(Amazon)
Id seen this book in a shop and decided to read it - it was unlike anything written on the holocaust and the events in nazi germany mainly beacuse it is written in the form of a comic book. I thought the use if animal characters was excellent with the idea that cats (nazi's) go after mice (jews) and dogs (americans) will go after the cats, pigs are greedy and lazy and cant be trusted (perception of the Polish in the book).
I prefered the first book - Maus 1 - this seemed more consistant in chronology, Maus 2 jumped around a bit especially the section showing the author/artist writing the comic in 1987 I thought this would have been more appropriate at the end.
The images and narration were very moving and although I do think the story jumps about I did like the way that the author kept going back to the present and showing his father telling the story to Art - these sections provided a break between the horrific story with a more relaxed and in some places, humourous narration - showing Art, his father and second wife in present day New York (hard for a book to do with this sort of subject). On the whole I thought this was an excellent way to present the subject of the holocaust especially for people learning about the subject.

This is an example, Icecream. If you go to Amazon and search for graphic novels you'll see a whole selection.

PP

Purple Poppy

13th January 2007, 22:17

C'mon Amy! Where are you when I need you???;)
I think you are the expert on graphic novels...:friends0:

PP

Gyre

13th January 2007, 23:15

Hello...

I have in total, 2 graphic novels and they are by Clive Barker, they are:

The Yattering and The Jack (from the books of blood - volume one)

Revelations (from the books of blood - volume four)

Saint Sinner, which is a comic, I have three parts out of seven, unfortunately discontinued.

I enjoyed reading all of the above. If they are written well and none of the original story is missed graphic novels can be brilliant. The artwork can be amazing, so much time and effort has went into it. You still get the essence of the story, I have to admit I was pretty skeptical when my husband gave me my copy of 'The Yattering and Jack', I am a big fan of the books of blood so I thought there was no way they could portray that story into a graphic novel but they did and I enjoyed seeing The Yattering in living colour, so to speak (it was how I had imagined him but a different colour).

I think graphic novels deserve as much merit as a written novel, a lot of work goes into it.

And speaking of comics, I have a fair collection of 2000AD's

:readingtwo:

Purple Poppy

13th January 2007, 23:20

Thanks Paula. That's interesting. I must say that after looking on Amazon, I'm intrigued.
Another parcel arrived this morning, BTW. Thanks.:friends0:

PP

Gyre

13th January 2007, 23:29

Thanks Paula. That's interesting. I must say that after looking on Amazon, I'm intrigued.
Another parcel arrived this morning, BTW. Thanks.:friends0:

PP

You are welcome, glad it arrived ok...

:friends0:

princessponti

13th January 2007, 23:40

My fella has gotten me to read quite a few graphic novels now and I really enjoy them. He says that the US government has done a study and found that the most efficient way of imparting information into your brain is to use a combination of words and pictures (unsuprisingly!). So when thinking of this, it makes sense that these books are so easy to get abosorbed in! I tend to read them between 'real' books as they are so easy and tickle different areas of my brain, a change is as good as a rest they say!

I agree with you PP it is certainly better to read something than nothing, and comic books certainly have their place, but, as you said, graphic novels are a whole new art form; I wouldn't compare the two. I've tried recently to read a supergirl comic (having loved her when I was young) and really didn't enjoy it at all, it lacked any real substance. Whereas, generally, the graphic novels I have read have been as absorbing and as gripping as any novel; I would definately recommend that you give them a try!

'Maus' is an award winning graphic novel, and one that I am desperate to read; it sounds like a perfect example of what a graphic novel actually is. 'Blankets' by Craig Ringwalt Thompson is utterly fantastic; it is a large book (by graphic novel standards) and tells the tale of the authors journey as he is 'coming of age'. It is incredibly intimate and delicate and I truely didn't want it to end. The art work suits the words, the feelings and the story so well and are very beautiful. I think as a first forray into the world of graphic novels, this would be a great place to start. I found it very touching.

I think for me (apart from the obvious), the main difference between a 'real' novel and graphic novel is that you don't have any clunky narration or descriptives leading you on the journey. You literally have a snapshot of the scene and the dialogue to draw your own conclusions. There are some fabulous artists working with writers to produce these books, and the pictures will often reveal as much, or even more than the text. You get to see the joy or heartbreak painted on the characters face; you get to explore the environment, the posters on the bedroom walls and the magazines on the table; you get to see other peoples faces as they glance across the room; you may even pick up clues to the story if you look hard enough! It is this aspect to them that I find fascinating and the pictures can keep me interested for hours (I often find myself flicking back through, wondering to myself (for example), "hhhmmm, were they wearing the amulet at the time this happened?") - it adds a whole other dimension!

Alan Moore (inventer of Constantine, the Watchman, V for Vendetta, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the list could go on... prolific graphic novelist!) Spends as much time writing the story as he does writing out every single frame for the artist to draw (I imagine others work much the same way). He takes as much care and attention over how the artwork will look, as he does the intricaces of the plot and characters; so the art of 'writing' seems to me to be a very different mechanism from a regular novelist.

A lot of the novels are serialised first, so you can get them in instalments! I find this an exciting way to read as you get a chunk of the story and then have to wait and anticipate what will come next, whilst pondering and theorising your own outcomes (kind of like the achingly long wait for a new Harry Potter!).

I really do think they are worth reading, as part of a healthy, balanced book diet. :readingtwo: You are missing out on a whole genre of wonderful stories and beautiful pictures!!

...sorry, I went on a bit! --give em a go!!--

Purple Poppy

14th January 2007, 00:01

Wow, Princessponti! Thanks for that wonderful review / description. Probably most of us on here have never picked one up, let alone read a graphic novel, so its really interesting to read about them from someone who knows. I think somewhere you and PGR discussed Blankets and that's what led me to ponder about this new art form. Don't tell me, it's probably been around awhile? I really liked the idea behind Maus with the animal representations.
Well my birthday's coming up soon. I will have to do some research and maybe put out a list to help people choose for me. You think Blankets is a good one to start with?
Thanks for taking the time to write such a good piece. I'm sure quite a few of us will benfit from it. :friends0:

PP

princessponti

14th January 2007, 00:22

...I'm glad you liked my ramblings! :mrgreen: I have to edit it tomorrow for sense, too tired!

Blankets I think is really good, very easy and similar in structure to a normal novel, but, as with anything, you'll only enjoy it if the story floats your boat!

- What sorts of stories do you generally like? - I'll see if I and boyf can recommend something more targetted!

Mia

14th January 2007, 20:38

And speaking of comics, I have a fair collection of 2000AD's

:readingtwo:

Me too! From about Prog 79, I think (showing my age). I have read a few (very few) graphic novels. I think I don't buy many because (a) they seem to be quite expensive, and (b) there seem to be so many that I'm not sure where to start. Also, you see a story that looks interesting, only to find it's already on the eighth book of the series, and numbers 1-7 are out of print. :mad:

The ones I've read have been by authors I already knew from 2000AD, and I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Icecream

14th January 2007, 21:20

Yes thank you Princessponty for that. Sounds very interesting, and something worth looking into at least.

princessponti

14th January 2007, 22:36

Princess Potty!!!! ...is that how I come across?! - or did my brother put you up to this?!!!!

:10_confused: ...that's what he calls me! ...that and 'stinky' and various other charming yet appropriate insults for his 31 years!!!

Purple Poppy

14th January 2007, 22:38

:lol:
Do we know your brother??

princessponti

14th January 2007, 22:40

He's not really a reader... unless he has just crept in here to find a new way to tease me!!! Bah!! :mad:

Purple Poppy

15th January 2007, 00:53

Hi Princesspotty, sorry Ponti...

in reply to your kind offer yesterday to give some thought to my first read of a graphic novel:
I have been thinking about it, and really so long as its not too violent or spookey, I probably don't mind. I thought the Maus one might be good, partly because of the animals, but also because of the way they deal with the topic. But I am happy to be guided bu you. :friends0:

PP

Polka Dot Rock

15th January 2007, 10:41

C'mon Amy! Where are you when I need you???;)
I think you are the expert on graphic novels...:friends0:

PP

I'm here!! Finally... :lol:

Well Princess Ponti is VERY good with the whole graphic novel genre, I have to say :mrgreen: But here's my 'two-penneth worth' anyway, lol:

The Complete Maus (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Maus-Art-Spiegelman/dp/0141014083/sr=1-1/qid=1168855407/ref=sr_1_1/203-7535896-7645539?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Art Spiegelman is just FANTASTIC. It's so utterly wonderful and just an incredible achievement. It's not always the most comfortable read at times, but it's not violent or graphic at all (like some graphic novels can be). I think some people who haven't read it see the people-as-animals concept a bit weird, but it works amazingly well, as it allows Spiegelman to explore the Holocaust in a more depth than using human figures.
Once you've read Maus, you'll never think quite the same way about comics!

Blankets (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blankets-Craig-Ringwalt-Thompson/dp/1891830430/sr=1-2/qid=1168855713/ref=sr_1_2/203-7535896-7645539?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Craig Ringwalt Thompson is very good - probably a good starting point for the uninitiated (although I insist on everyone reading Maus *nudge nudge*). It's a thick book, but the beauty of graphic novels is that it takes at least half the time it takes to read a novel, lol.
BTW: on Amazon, you can take a look inside it. Handy.

Back in the day, I started with a series called Gloom Cookie by Serena Valentino. Now these are great graphic novels, particulary if you love a bit of fantasy reading (and I know a lot of people on the forum do!). The different stories within are all great, and the love story/triangle is really moving. It really appealed to my inner goth! I haven't read the Volumes from Vol 4 onwards, but I'm getting around to it.

Alan Moore is a legend, even in the serious literary circles, mainly for his reinvention of traditional comic book themes (such as Superheroes). I'm still waiting for Watchmen (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Watchmen-Alan-Moore/dp/1852860243/sr=1-1/qid=1168856213/ref=sr_1_1/203-7535896-7645539?ie=UTF8&s=books)(written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons), so I can't personally recommend it, but I know all of his work is very loved and respected so definitely worth a look (also V for Vendetta, From Hell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, to name the most famous).

Now, although not for the very faint hearted (and I'm definitely faint hearted!), Frank Miller's Sin City series are great. My favourite is Sin City: That Yellow Bastard (if you've seen the film, it was the storyline with Bruce Willis and Jessica Alba). The weird thing with Sin City is that for all their grittiness and outrageousness, they're frequently heat-wrenchingly moving.

On a completely different scale, there's more to Raymond Briggs than The Snowman! I'd heartily recommend When the Wind Blows (http://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Wind-Blows-Raymond-Briggs/dp/0140094199/sr=1-9/qid=1168857067/ref=sr_1_9/203-7535896-7645539?ie=UTF8&s=books) (about an elderly couple caught up in a nuclear fallout. Funny but very tragic) and Ethel and Ernest (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ethel-Ernest-Raymond-Briggs/dp/0224046624/sr=1-13/qid=1168857107/ref=sr_1_13/203-7535896-7645539?ie=UTF8&s=books) (Briggs' biography of his parents - really beautiful).

I'm at work so I can't remember everything, but hopefully that was helpful :)

And PP, I think you should definitely give Persepolis (by Marjane Satrapi) a go - it's such an easy read, and despite the subject, it really isn't intense at all. I think it's probably the best example of what graphic novels can do.

Polka Dot Rock

15th January 2007, 10:50

Ooh, forgot to mention a couple that I haven't read but heard good things about:

Frank Miller also re-invented Batman, in The Dark Knight Returns and did it so successfully that Chris Nolan pinched most of his stuff for the film Batman Begins, lol. I've flicked through the first one, and it looked really impressive.

Neil Gaiman is amazingly prolific and I know his graphic novel series The Sandman is hugely popular. I really want to read them, but am afraid of how much it's going to cost me! There's loads! Might try the library for them...

Purple Poppy

15th January 2007, 11:16

My goodness Amy! I knew you were an expert. Princessponti has been helping out, and you both give wonderful and very knowledgable descriptions, for which, I for one, and I'm sure many others on the board are grateful.

And guess wot! I've read a graphic novel! Many moons ago, probably when it first came out, I read Raymond Briggs, 'when the Wing Blows'. To be honest I really can't remember it in any detail, so will have to read again. Also the Bogeyman...loved that on TV too. I just didn't make the connection.

So I'm not a novice...(dancing cat time:D )...

But seriously, I will look at all the books you mention,on Amazon, and take it from there.
Thank you again for all your help, you and Princessponti...great gals:friends0:

PP

Icecream

15th January 2007, 14:31

Polka Dot Rock

15th January 2007, 14:37

princessponti

15th January 2007, 23:07

Sorry. I have amended. don't worry. It is just me who can't read.

That's cool Icecream, it was pretty funny! :lol: ...I think I'm gonna have to keep an eye on PurplePoppy though.. she seems to have run with it!...

Although for now... thanks PP for the nice words x :friends0: I love a group hug!!

Purple Poppy

15th January 2007, 23:18

:friends0:

savagespawn

30th January 2007, 03:34

poppy

30th January 2007, 22:50

Asterix!!!! Got introduced to these as a young teenager and been hooked ever since. They are a very clever form of comic, if you knew Latin, I'm sure they'd be even funnier. You've just got to love Asterix and his fellow villagers, Obilix, Dogmatix, Cacophonix, Chief Vitalstatistix and the crew.

Acesare*

31st January 2007, 03:04

I loved Asterix! I used to have an Asterix omnibus (it's currently in a big pile of books at my parent's house ready to go to the charity shop), I also loved Tintin :D

Polka Dot Rock

31st January 2007, 10:11

I used to really enjoy Asterix, too. I think I had an omnibus as well. I always loved the little dog - it reminded me of mine!

I'm STILL waiting for Watchmen... I swear amazon keep moving the despatch date back. Grrr!

princessponti

31st January 2007, 18:24

My current favorite is Y the last Man by Brian K. Vaughn. This is the story of the last man on Earth; everyone else with a Y chromosome has died. This is an ongoing with a new volume coming out about every 3 months.

I'm reading this too!!! :mrgreen: It's fantastic! The last edition I thought I was finally understanding what was going on, then it was left on a cliffhanger again!!! ...I'm going to re-read the whole lot and look for clues.. Let me know if you have any theories!

... I used to watch Asterix when I was young, have never read the books though, forgot they ever existed actually!! I love the dog!

Mia

1st February 2007, 12:44

For Asterix fans wishing to revisit their childhood (like me!) - I just bought a pack of 10 Asterix books from Red House children's books for £30 instead of about £100!! Mega bargain. :)

Sugar

10th February 2007, 22:02

I am going on a course in May that will have half a day devoted to Graphic Novels and Manga. If I remember (or someone prompts me!!) I will post here the recommendations that are made.

Having read one or 2 Graphic Novels as part of our evaluation process at work, I am really looking forward to some pointers about how to read them!

Polka Dot Rock

13th February 2007, 09:11

I am going on a course in May that will have half a day devoted to Graphic Novels and Manga. If I remember (or someone prompts me!!) I will post here the recommendations that are made.

Ooh what's the course, Sugar? I'm intrigued!

Gyre

13th February 2007, 09:45

The course sounds great Sugar...

The Dark Tower graphic novels are due out this year (see my avatar, that is the artwork), I am looking forward to seeing how mid-world pans out in glorious colour.:D

Polka Dot Rock

13th February 2007, 11:42

Gyre

13th February 2007, 11:57

Yes PDR it is, and I can't wait, if you are interested, this is the rest of the artwork.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Pictures_073/DarkTower_p02_col2--1.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Pictures_073/DarkTower_p01_col2-.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Pictures_073/NewTattoo-1.jpg

^ that is my tattoo based on the dark tower..

Gyre

13th February 2007, 11:58

Hey Paula :) Is that the Stephen King series?

I really want to read this graphic novel that's just come out: Fluffy by Simone Lia (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fluffy-Simone-Lia/dp/0224080482/sr=1-1/qid=1171364684/ref=sr_1_1/202-5585201-1151049?ie=UTF8&s=books). It looks amazing!

Fluffy sounds brilliant x

Gyre

13th February 2007, 12:08

I forgot this...

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Pictures_073/DarkTower_p0304_col2.jpg

Polka Dot Rock

13th February 2007, 14:43

Oooh pretty... What made you decide to have the tatoo from it?

Gyre

13th February 2007, 14:45

Because I liked the idea of it, I just got it done in that photo, I hope you didn't mind me showing it and I love the whole series of the Dark Tower.

The rose and The Dark Tower are connected, its different sort of a tattoo...:D

Polka Dot Rock

13th February 2007, 14:53

Gyre

13th February 2007, 15:06

I like tatoos that mean something.

I don't have any, but if I did, I always think I'd like to have "There By The Grace Of God". But I think that might look weird, as I'm not actually a Christian. Or believe in any God. So I might get a teensy bit fed up of explaining to people :lol:

You should never need to explain but I know what you mean, I have 7 tattoos, and the amount of questions I get asked. I put a lot of thought into the rose, it was originally supposed to be something else , actually my tattoo is a cover up of a tattoo I got done in my early twenties and thought 'Nope, don't like this anymore' so the original picture would not cover, and after numerous discussions with the tattooists, we agreed on the rose.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Pictures_073/DarkTower.gif
This is where the idea came from..:D

Acesare*

13th February 2007, 15:12

I forgot this...

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o154/Pictures_073/DarkTower_p0304_col2.jpg

Is this Roland?

Gyre

13th February 2007, 20:40

Yes it is Aces :D

wrathofkublakhan

19th March 2007, 03:43

Well yeah -- graphic novels are expensive. There is a lot to them and must be expensive to print.

I've enjoyed the Batman Dark Knight books, so awesome and ...dark. Especially good if you grew up reading the comix.
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman is brilliant and worth a re-visit if you've bought them.
Cerebus by Dave Sim hasn't been mentioned yet, so I'll offer that title up.

It makes me wish I could draw.....

Comics now ... I read them as a kid! Archie, Superman, Richie Rich, Spiderman, Fantastic Four ... the list is enormous. I own the issue that the Spiderman movie was made from. I doubt it's worth anything, it's beat. I'm sure I had it folded in my back pocket as I ran around the back yard as a child.

My solution is to find a fan who loves something and let them suggest a title.

kitty_kitty

19th March 2007, 09:51

My Oh introduced me to the world of Graphic Novels and here are the ones i have loved:

The Dark Knight returns
The League of extraordinary gentlemen
The league of extraordinary gentlemen 2
From Hell
1602
Watchmen

I love them and the art work and i want to read or buy more in the future as i love them

fireball

20th March 2007, 03:08

Hi there fireball here.!:eek2: Just a word or three, give or take, about Graphic Novels.! There's one lady I'd like to thank for mentioning some pretty interesting GNs,and that is kitty_kitty. Fair play old thing your friend's a good 'un. GNs, Graphic Novels are in a sense a comic (book) for grown-ups, there are as in books proper, bloody drop dead brilliant ones as there are crapola ones. There's a site I'd like to send anyone who's of the mind to expand themselfs and it is THIS.: http://www.tcj.com If live near a city North or South in old blighty, and there's a 'Forbidden Planet' near you,you can get the magazine of The Comis Journal. Well then your away.
Comics Journal is if you like a cross between The Guardian books review and or The Indie books review, only it deals with both comics, yes those rather peculiar chaps, (there usually blokes,!!! http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/scared.gif) the odd woman or so, and of course Graphic Novels, brill ones and bloodyawfull ones, and there's interviews too nice one.
No, I'm not a writer for it or even contributor either, I just get every month.!

I'm a http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/nerd1.gif and a booka :readingtwo: oholic too.

Over to you ladies.http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/08.gif :D

Polka Dot Rock

20th March 2007, 13:03

I came across the Comics Journal whilst writing my MA funding application: two of their writers got quoted! I don't think they were supposed to tho' so *shhhhhh*

I think it's quite likely that I'm going to do my MA dissertation on graphic novels :mrgreen: The arguments alone will be worth it!

fireball

20th March 2007, 13:59

*shhhhhh* Mum's the word then I shan't tell Gary he's (at last?) famous. :lol: Glad you know of TCJ, its not at all a bad read either!:lol: Thanks Aimz.

Polka Dot Rock

20th March 2007, 14:12

*shhhhhh* Mum's the word then I shan't tell Gary he's (at last?) famous.

Sadly, I don't think it was Gary... But his time may come...

Polka Dot Rock

21st March 2007, 13:26

I bought a comic today for the first time in years: scanning the Guardian website, I discovered that Joss Whedon has written the 'eighth' series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer... but as a monthly comic! (http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/03/buffys_back_as_a_comic.html)

I was so excited, I pratically flew out of the fire escape at work :mrgreen: So I trotted into town and got my mittened hands on the first issue (out last week).

Sooooo looking forward to reading it!

fireball

21st March 2007, 16:11

OH God.! More mangling of the English language then.?:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Must say that it was a pretty good show been thinking of buying the DVD set, for some reason though I haven't got around to it yet, too busy buying books and reading 'em. I wager.! :giggle:

scottishbookworm

21st March 2007, 17:46

was v for vendetta a comic? I know it was a grapic novel.

I mention that title because I've seen the movie.

:typing:

Polka Dot Rock

21st March 2007, 19:07

OH God.! More mangling of the English language then.?

Like, don't wig out over it...? It's no biggie, it's all five-by-five you know...?

fireball

21st March 2007, 19:13

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Nice one ;)

George Whitefield

24th March 2007, 14:22

I'm 26 and am only just getting into graphic novels. I gotta be honest, I love them! I was never massively into comics when I was younger, though like most kids I enjoyed them. Its only recently thought that I've become to really appreciate them.

The first reason was probably because of Batman - I always loved the dark imagery of Batman, and how you always felt that there wasn't really much sepearating him from the bad guys, just his all-consuming desire for vengeance. Frank Miller's books in particular are fantastic.

V For Vendetta is just the most mind blowing book I've ever read. I've read about 5 times this past year and each time I read it I get more and more out of it. It's just phenomenal. While I'm reading the book and for a while afterwards its all I'm thinking about, whether at work or in leisure, its on my mind!

I'm also just getting into the X-Men: Age of Apocalypse series which is also fantastic. I dunno why I've gotten into them all so much though, it just captures something in my imagination that I can't let go off.

I'm trying to write a superhero book, but a straight forward novel, as oppose to the grahpic novel. I've done about 8 chapters so far. It's quite a bit different from the standard grahpic novel ideas, but it contains a lot of influences from the genre too. Not that that's particularly relevant here! :tong:

wrathofkublakhan

24th March 2007, 16:08

Hi George,
There have been many superhero novels.

The most recent I've read is It's Superman by Tom de Haven.
Good stuff.

princessponti

26th March 2007, 22:10

O's

7th May 2007, 17:29

And I use my necromantic powers to raise this thread from the dead.

I have just finnished the graphic novel JLA: Identity Crisis and wow, thats got to be one of the best darn comic I have ever read. I'm a fan of the JLA, but this book surpasses my expectations.

I have also just added batman: Hush and the two tpb of the supreme power series (Marvel writers reimagining the DC universe). I have the bug, must buy more.

Polka Dot Rock

7th May 2007, 21:03

Thanks O's, for your powers of resurrection :D

I've just finished Watchmen by Alan Moore & David Gibbons and I loved it! Thought it was extremely powerful and a beautifully constructed novel, graphic or no.

I'm also continuing to enjoy Joss Whedon's new Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 comic series. It's so popular that I've had to place a standing order from now on!

Purple Poppy

9th May 2007, 12:03

I read Fluffy a couple of weeks ago, and agree with Princess that it is very cute. It's a clever story, not for children, as it's about adult situations. I liked it and read it fairly quickly, but I wouldn't say it was great.
Pp

fireball

9th May 2007, 18:36

As I mentioned here a few days ago I get TCJ have a look at this months offering. : http://www.tcj.com/index.php

Also there old blighty's answer of sorts to TCJ too,! and it's called Comics International. Here's their web site: http://www.comicsinternational.com/
You should also be able to get their monthly magazine too at your local Forbidden Planet or the equivalent. Not a bad magazine either, they've recently celebrated their 200 edition.!
:D ;)

Icecream, hi there, to your question "What exactly do you mean by graphic novel? I've never been into comics really."
A very honest answer to query can be found here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_novel

fireball

9th May 2007, 18:55

Polka Dot Rock, hi, you might just be interested in THIS bit of info.

: http://www.comp.dit.ie/dgordon/League/loeg0023.html ;) :lurker:

princessponti

2nd December 2007, 00:27

A friend lent me Runaways, Volume 1: Pride & Joy by Brian K Vaughan today and I've read it already and really enjoyed it, so here I am recommending it as a good graphical novel to dip your toe in the water.

Brian K Vaughan also wrote the Y: The Last Man series, which was great, and some of the later episodes of Lost, and this seems to be a somewhat lighter story, almost for a teenage audience (judging by the book itself, cover art etc). It is about a group of young adults that find out that their parents have been keeping a hideous secret from them. The first book deals with the scene setting, and the mystery of what the secret is and just touches on the action that I'm sure will follow. I sat and read it all in one sitting, probably for an hour (or a little less) and was fully immersed. It's a great break from heavy books!

Linky:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Runaways-Pride-Joy-v/dp/0785113797/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196555220&sr=8-1

fireball

2nd December 2007, 05:06

Some good things over the last few months in TCJ. Have a look at THIS months offering. http://www.tcj.com/index.php
The only really mature magazine that treats this incredible art form from the late sixties to the present, with the respect, (and some brickbats!) it warrants. Informative magazine as too is it different, and not an awful lot about those weird and strange things in equally very odd garbs.! ;) The second, (the first being books proper) only way of expanding your mind without it being an ill-legal subantance.! :lol::lol: "Shouldn't be aloud" !

princessponti

2nd December 2007, 10:02

Thanks for this Fireball; I totally agree! People seem to see graphic novels as some lower thing that you should be ashamed of reading. I see the amount of work that goes into them, they really are an art form. I've just read the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (behind the times I know), and the amount of detail in the art work is incredible, it really adds to the story in a way that you wouldn't get with a 'real' book. When reading a traditional novel you have everything explained, but with a 'picture' book, you look at the images and notice things that make your brain tick over, it's strangely satisfying to see something in the background that lets you work out what might happen next! Love it!

fireball

3rd December 2007, 02:28

:smile2: may thanks to you PP.
Have read the second volume 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' and your really that not behind at all it's STILL selling!!:mrgreen:
Very, very different, from the first, but good all the same.
thank you again.

O's

3rd December 2007, 20:30

If you want some good comic readin' then check out DC's Identity Crisis and the more recent 52 for some ace stories.

Pierced Musie

3rd December 2007, 21:55

I've always been fascinated by comics & graphic novels, but been too embarrassed to buy any. I bought three comics based on Elektra a couple of years ago because I loved the artwork so much.

I would like to get my hands on the graphic novel of The Crow because I've had a passion for that for about 3 years. There is something so beautiful about that story.

I'm trying to wait for Buffy Season Eight to be brought out in volume books, but it's so bloody tempting to buy. I am also planning on getting a copy of the new Heroes graphic novel because I love the artwork.

I love words and I love beautiful artwork!

O's

3rd December 2007, 21:59

The crow is a very good read, you can get it from waterstones.

finrod

6th December 2007, 14:50

I spent some time in Spain earlier this year, and when the weather was bad (as it often was), retreated to the library, Here I discovered an Italian artist Hugo Pratt and his creation 'Corto Maltese', a "rogue with a heart of gold, ...tolerant and sympathetic to the underdog.. ". The type of illustration harks back (a bit) to the 1950s - kind of Dan Darish (it's certainly retro, and no worse for that). I believe a French film has recently been made. The hero has various adventures, many with adult (though not obscene) themes set in various locations around the world before, during and after the First World War. I enclose two links, one to the author, the other to some examples of the artwork:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Pratt

http://mapage.noos.fr/dardelf3/Corto.html

There are many others, some of which take an age to load

During my sojourn, I found the series to be well-researched and illustrated with great finesse and fidelity - I hope some may find this of interest if you are not yet familiar with HP or CM.

fireball

6th December 2007, 18:35

finrod, many thanks for that. Speaking of those wonderful Spanish artists there's one sometimes overlooked person, sadly no longer with us, and that is Jesús Blasco. Born November 3, 1919
Barcelona, Spain. Died October 21, 1995

He was a very fine artist who could the likes of :http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/th_untitled1a.jpg The Steel Claw, one of my all time favourite character, and shares the 1st&2nd name as me, Spooky or what;?! :smile2: this : http://www.dandare.info/artists/images/blasco_fairythrone.jpg

See this on a very versatile man. My late wife was very taken with him too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jes%C3%BAs_Blasco

finrod

6th December 2007, 18:59

Thanks for this O Steelclaw.

Icecream

6th December 2007, 20:52

I was reading an article in my Christianity mag yesterday about new versions of the bible that are out and apparently there is a graphic bible called Manga Bible.

Kylie

6th December 2007, 21:48

There's also a Lego Bible called the Brick Testament (http://www.thebricktestament.com/). It's very well done.

fireball

6th December 2007, 22:20

graphic bible Wrote Icecream.

Blimey wonder how'll they handle Herod's killing of all children under the age of two in Bethlehem, whilst attempting to do away the infant Jesus.

Better still, how will they show that racey little vixen, who had Joseph (he of the technilcolour dream coat!) flung in the clink for not laying with her.!!! http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/bigblush.gif

Mind you, they'll probably out do Hollywood, with the parting of The Red Sea.! :lol:

If it's a Manga thing, they'll have those gaudawful big eyes & pixie nose's.:roll: I'd stick with the book myself. ;)

kitty_kitty

8th February 2008, 14:35

My OH has just got me into graphic novels and i love them, in fact i am addicted here are some of my favs so far.

What do other people recommend

From Hell
Wuthering Heights
Maus
The League of Extraordinary gentlemen
The gunslinger born
Heroes
The dark knight returns
v for vendetta

Kell

8th February 2008, 18:18

I read quite the most beautiful graphic novel I'd ever set eyes on last year - The Plucker by Brom (http://undermindbooks.blogspot.com/2007/06/plucker-illustrated-novel-by-brom.html). Total 10/10 stuff!

Laramie

8th February 2008, 19:09

by graphic novel do you mean like a novel in the form of a comic strip type thing? if so, the artemis fowl one looks good. i've not read it but it looks quite cool!

fireball

8th February 2008, 20:01

D-W-M-G see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_novel for the meaning of Graphic Novel. ;)

Gyre

9th February 2008, 03:19

I just recently read 'Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born' by Peter David and Robin Furth, the new graphic novel from Marvel comics, based on 'The Dark Tower' by Stephen King. The pictures are stunning I have to say and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

fireball

9th February 2008, 07:28

Gyre, just how many "Dark Towers" did Mr. king write as a matter of interest. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/steelclaw32/bigblush.gif

Laramie

10th February 2008, 08:53

ta fireball :) It is, basically, what I said, then. So yeah, the Artemis Fowl one looks quite cool

Gyre

10th February 2008, 15:26

Fireball, in answer to your question, there are 7 Dark Tower books.

The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger (1982)
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987)
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991)
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997)
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003)
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004)
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2004)

Liz

10th February 2008, 17:09

Are these seven books the complete series, or will he be writing anymore?

Gyre

10th February 2008, 17:21

Yes Liz that is the complete series, as far as I know there will be no more but the 7 books will be made into graphic novels by Marvel. :D

Liz

10th February 2008, 18:11

Thank you, Gyre. :friends0:

fireball

11th February 2008, 02:05

Ditto here, as a rule I'm not a Steven King fan, but that particular series has been pricking at me for some time..... well Bolen Books are getting a return visit. Again.!:lol: OH! ma poor hands.

Gyre

11th February 2008, 06:29

Fireball, I avoided The Dark Tower series for a long time, I kept to books like 'Carrie' and 'The Shining', it was by accident I starting reading the series, I saw a copy of 'The Gunslinger' for 50p in a charity shop, read it, thought it was okay but I wanted to know what happened, read 'The Drawing of the Three' and I was well and truely hooked!

:D

And you and Liz are both very welcome:D

fireball

11th February 2008, 08:30

Gyre fair play, nice going on 'The Gunslinger' for 50p' nice one:smile2:

Well, I toddled off down to Bolen's and believe it or not GOT all SEVEN of The Dark Towers books, on top of that I'm in the process of downloading the Audio unabridged version too!, but while on my travels through the internet I came on this bit of good site http://www.darktowercompendium.com/dtc-menu.html .

Oh and rumour running about is "Dark Tower" movie.! ;)

Thanks for the heads up on DT, ohhh ma poor handies. :)

kateleopald

11th February 2008, 21:37

Maus is indeed an excellent work. I had a boyfriend who was obsessed with graphic novels and i always dismissed them as being 'comics'. Then he bought me maus for my birthday one year and I changed my mind! I would also reccommend The watchmen and V for vendetta (which was made into a film recently).

JudyB

11th February 2008, 21:40

by graphic novel do you mean like a novel in the form of a comic strip type thing? if so, the artemis fowl one looks good. i've not read it but it looks quite cool!

I bought it for my daughter - it looked really good - she was very pleased with it.:D

O's

14th February 2008, 20:46

Green Lantern Rebirth is a great yarn, when Sinestro Corps comes out in tpb then that'll be worth picking up too.

alexM

15th February 2008, 19:28

The Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne the best!!!!)))) my favourite № 18 :readingtwo: :readingtwo:

Pierced Musie

16th February 2008, 10:39

:woohoo:
I saw it! For the first time I saw the graphic novel of The Crow... and it was beautiful. It was like finding the Holy Grail for this fan.

Yet I could not buy the book because my money is going towards new glasses (which I need for reading so not all bad).

But that book will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

And I will squee and bask in the beauty of The Crow here, in hope that others will squee with me.

princessponti

17th February 2008, 20:47

The Crow sounds so cool! Love the film from years of old, gonna keep an eye out for it thanks Musie!

I've recently read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, it was wonderful; another book that has given me an insight into things otherwise unknown. It's autobiographical of Marjane who grew up in Iran at the time of revolution and unrest, and discusses the war with Iraq. It obviously focusses on her personal journey, which I really enjoyed.

I've also just read volume 4 of Marvel's Runaways by Brian K Vaughan (author of Y, the last man and some of Lost on tv!) - I'm really enjoying it, it is very much written for the young adult, but this makes it a nice light read to enjoy between books.

Kylie

18th February 2008, 01:34

I saw one called Nevermore today. It's based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and includes The Raven and several other stories of his. Looked pretty interesting.

O's

24th February 2008, 16:11

Ooooooh World War Hulk is out in tpb and so are 52 parts3 and 4. I'll be shopping tomorrow....

O's

18th March 2008, 20:31

Just finished reading Y the last man. Its a very good GN, which I think lots of people will love.

princessponti

18th March 2008, 22:43

Just finished reading Y the last man. Its a very good GN, which I think lots of people will love.

Y the last man is fantastic!! I recommend this series to anyone with ears :D ..glad you enjoyed it O's :)

Brian K Vaughan has also been writing for Lost and currently has a Marvel series out (aimed more at teenagers) called 'Runaways' - I'm really enjoying it :D

fireball

18th March 2008, 23:39

I'm delighted to see this segment of BCF's still up and running.
:mrgreen:

And would like to remind fellow readers of : http://www.tcj.com/

Now on sale in your local "Forbidden Planet" shop or similar.! ;)

radjack

27th October 2008, 23:19

I didnt' knew where to put this thread so I hope i'm not doing this wrong.
Does any of you like Graphic Novels and comics?
I'm a huge Fan and I spent at least 100€/moth in this kind of books.
Any other fans here?

Kell

28th October 2008, 00:02

I enjoy the occasional graphic novel. We actually chose one for our reading circle a while back - The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman (http://undermindbooks.blogspot.com/2007/02/art-spiegelman-complete-maus-graphic.html). I also loved The Plucker: An Illustrated Novel by Brom (http://undermindbooks.blogspot.com/2007/06/plucker-illustrated-novel-by-brom.html).

Child.of.God.1989

19th November 2008, 02:15

Kylie:
I saw one called Nevermore today. It's based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and includes The Raven and several other stories of his. Looked pretty interesting.

Nice idea, Kylie! The cover looks a little unsettling, but I would love to see someone's artistic interpetation of those dramatic poems. I'll have to look for this one and others like it. Wouldn't an Emily Dickinson graphic novel be sweet?

Child.of.God.1989

19th November 2008, 02:24

I'm here!! Finally... :lol:

Well Princess Ponti is VERY good with the whole graphic novel genre, I have to say :mrgreen: But here's my 'two-penneth worth' anyway, lol:
Blankets (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blankets-Craig-Ringwalt-Thompson/dp/1891830430/sr=1-2/qid=1168855713/ref=sr_1_2/203-7535896-7645539?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Craig Ringwalt Thompson is very good - probably a good starting point for the uninitiated (although I insist on everyone reading Maus *nudge nudge*). It's a thick book, but the beauty of graphic novels is that it takes at least half the time it takes to read a novel, lol.
BTW: on Amazon, you can take a look inside it. Handy.

Thanks for the recommendation, PDR. I forgot to mention I read this in March. I did not like the sexual content or the odd questioning of religion, but otherwise it was a warm, immersive read.

Have you ever seen The Road to Perdition, guys? I have not, since I was very young when it came out, but I flew through the graphic novel version. Maybe the story is a little cliche to people by now, but for this inexperienced crime fiction reader, I found the story of avenging one's family and speculating on the motives of a cold killer so interesting! The illustrations took so much time. They look so realistic, or even better than real life.

For comics, I picked up Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told. At first I checked it out just out of nostalgia from the 1990s dark cartoon, and enthusiasm from Dark Knight, and thinking I would have a chuckle out of the older comics. It turned out to be a great collection! I highly recommend it to those who love and even those who don't know much about the Batman story.