What are the five best, non-manga based, graphic novels?

Question

If I was building a library starting tonight, which 5 books should I go out and get?

Please nothing serialized in Japan. I asked a simular question once before and allowed manga answers and that's all I got.

Answer 1

GREAT question!
And some really good answers, though I'm going to eschew "Maus," and focus on the books that stand out both conceptually AND artistically.

1. The Watchmen, by Alan Moore and Frank Gibbons.
I'm sure you can find in-depth reviews, critiques, and commentary on-line, but this is almost universally heralded as the beginning of serious storytelling in mainstream western comics. Though a tiny bit dated by todays standards, it shook up comicdom at large, and paved the way for much of today's material. Despite its length, Its very well drawn, with a clean, almost european BD look to the art. A must-have.

2.A Batman book.
There are 3 to choose from, all worth mentioning, all excellent.
The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, has already been mentioned, and its impact on the industry is almost as profound as that of Watchmen. Its a "future" story, where Batman is pushing 60. Its gritty and grimey - text and art - but the overall effect is awesome. However, if dystopian Batman isnt your thing, you should try-
Batman: Year One, by Frank Miller and Dave Mazuchelli. This captures Bruce Wayne at the BEGINNING of his career, though told with a modern edge. Though short length-wise, the excellent characterization and jaw-droppingly elegant art make this one to own. Actually my favorite of the three. But we cant forget-
Batman: The Killing Joke, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. A truly saddening tale, this BEAUTIFULLY drawn story tells the definitive origin of the Joker, along with a pivotal moment in Batman's history as well. Also short.

3. The Sandman, by Neil Gaiman and various. This was a long running series, which has been collected into trade paperbacks. There's nothing I can say about this series which hasn't already been stated. The tales of Morpheus and Co. turned on many adults and non-comics types to the medium, and remains one of the most innovative and imaginative works out there. I don't know anyone who has read this and been disappointed.

4. Essential X-Men Vol. 2, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. I know another person already mentioned "The Phoenix Saga" but I recommend this tome over that one. Vol. 2 contains not only the Phoenix saga, but nearly all the Claremont/Byrne stories leading up to it, considered by most to be some of the best classic stories ever told, and without doubt the main reason behind the X-Men's enduring popularity. Though these stories are in black and white, the revolutionary art by Byrne and Austin makes color seem an afterthought. This is the cannonical X-Men, and no one should be without it.

5. Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 3, by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Though this isn't TECHNICALLY a "graphic novel," these stories have shaped a generation, and are part of the REASON there are comics around for you to read. This is Stan and Jack at their creative peak, and are arguably the greatest FF stories of all time. If someone were to teach a Comics 101 class, this would be the textbook. Though VERY dated (1960's), this work remains impossibly relevant. Required reading.

There are, of couse, hundreds of graphic novels that you should read. This list, however, is aimed at that person who wants to start from go and build a library, exploring all the different aspects of comics along the way, from super heroes to mature/independent type material. You've got Batman and X-Men, two of the most perpetually popular franchises from the two biggest publishers. You've got Watchmen and Sandman, concepts that brought a lot of much-needed maturity and adult readership into the comic world. And finally, you've got the wellspring of where it all began, Lee and Kirby.

Honorable mentions: Promethea, The Golden Age, Transmetropolitan, The Books of Magic, Essential Silver Surfer, Showcase presents Green Lantern, Crisis on Infinite Earths, From Hell, Arkham Asylum, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Miracleman, Marshall Law, Cinder and Ashe, The Invincible Iron Man TPB, Ghost World, Corto Maltese, The Invisibles, Legion: The Long Goodbye, V for Vendetta, Preacher, The Authority, Wanted.

Answer 2

1: Watchmen by Alan Moore. This book is the best story ever told. EVER.

2: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Before this arc they were comics, after, graphic novels

3: Dawn: Lucifer's Halo by Joseph Michael Linsner. Just the right amount of religious pretentiousness, with some of the best art ever put on paper.

4: Kingdom Come by Mark Waid. Another superheroes gone bad story, this one did it the best. Beautifully painted by Alex Ross, you will think about the classic heroes in a new light...

5: Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaimen. Not the best in the series, but necessary reading to get into the rest. To steal a line from Stephen Colbert: Not just a great series... The Greatest Series.

Answer 3

ok, here is what I suggest:

1. The Golden Age by Dc Comics - awesome Elseworlds book!

2. Punisher - Welcome Back Frank - began the newest adaption of the Punisher

3. X-Men - God Loves, Man Kills - awesome story

4. Preacher, volume 1 - great writing plus great art

5. Batman - The Dark Knight Returns - Frank Miller! Frank Miller! Frank Miller!

more good ones - Top Ten vol 1 and 2, Secret Wars, Avengers:Disassembled, Avengers Forever, Fantastic Four Visionaries - George Perez, Avengers: the Korvac Saga, Watchmen

Answer 4

1. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
$11.99 Used & New from: $11.39
A masked vigilante tries to save a fascist, post WWIII England, with the aid of a teenage prostitute.

2. Maus: a Survivors Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
$10.78 Used & New from: $4.84
The first part of Art Speigelman's father's journey through the horrors of Auschwitz.

3.
Watchmen by Alan Moore
$12.99 Used & New from: $11.09
The best superhero comic of all time; visual metaphor on every panel, unbelievable detail. The 20th century through the eyes of a superhero.

4. A Contract with God: And Other Tenement Stories by Will Eisner
Used & New from: $12.95
Classic, human stuff by the man who invented the graphic novel.

5. On its publication in 1986, Frank Miller’s THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS changed the landscape of the graphic novel irrevocably. With its dark vision of Batman’s future and its stunning artwork....unforgettable.

Answer 5

Watchmen and From Hell (Both Alan Moore) are excellent 1-volume deals. V for Vendetta is another great one by him but I don't want to over-Moore you : )

I'm a big fan of Planetary (Warren Ellis), which I believe has 4 or 5 graphic novels out, and The Punisher's Marvel Knights series (Garth Ennis).

Happy choosing!

Answer 6

Try the Elf Quest series. Heavy Metal mag may have solutions for you. Sorry I've drawn a blank as far as novels go. I enjoyed the various Conan Magazine series. Do you like superheros? I found several in my local library. The Bone series of comic books were put into book form. I enjoyed that. Good luck in your search.

Answer 7

Maus I and II without a doubt.
Maybe Kingdom Come, Books of Magic, or the Long Halloween.

Answer 8

Sin City
A History of Violence
The Mask
and I think The Green Mile
sorry but thats all I can think of.

And thats only because I'm not counting comicbooks like spiderman or the avengers.

So enjoy.

Answer 9

Mage (may be hard to find, but worth it)
Sandman
Grendel
any Marvel Essentials title
The Phoenix Saga

Answer 10

I know what you are talking about.

"X-Men: The Phoenix Saga" by Chris Claremont
"Hellboy" by Mike Mignola
"Batman: Year One"
"Marvel Comics: Weddings"
"Wolverine: Origins"