Graphic Novel recommendations (best art + story)

[Fuzzy Necromancer]

Runaways. The art quality is variable (animesque accursedness, it makes Gert look the same size as Nico), but the plot is engaging, the characters are ragtag and colorful, and there's serious humor and genuine portrayal of adolescent life, plus some great jokes on parental cliches. Gert is a sublime character. She's a stock character, but she's well done, and she's the only existing member of her species. She's original and memorable, an iconic persona unto herself. She's also a genuine cute pudgey girl, something that is despicably rare in graphic novels.

[SaucyRossy]

With covers that are just awesome throwbacks to what comics used to be like....and a story and characters that you actually like and care about...Invincible is easily my favorite comic series going right now.

The art is fantastic and the writing is just really refreshing and enjoyable....

[Tyrant]

  The Crow. Pretty darn good for someone who's a self taught artist, methinks.

[Pak-Man]

I'm gonna re-plug Doug Tennapel's work and elaborate on his best work a bit. :^)

Creature Tech: A tale of faith and humanity set against the backdrop of an alien symbiote crashing in a small town.

Tommysaurus Rex: A kid gets a pet dinosaur. If you don't cry at the end, you have no heart or you've never had pets.

Earthboy Jacobus: A father-son tale set against the backdrop of an evil alien insect invasion.

Gear: 3 cats discover a giant mech and chaos ensues.

They're all wholely unique stories and they've got a lot of heart. Tennapel is an excessively creative person (You may know him as the creator of Earthworm Jim, or Neverhood) and he's able to whip up strange and unique universes in which time-honored tales become new again.

http://www.tennapel.com/

[AmazingThor]

Vertigo has been kicking butt lately. I love Y:the Last Man, Fables, DMZ, 100 Bullets, and Loveless.

Anything Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead) or Brian K. Vaughan (Runaways, Y, Ex Machina) write I buy.

[kodiakthejuggler]

Captain America is Dead.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/03/07/captain.america/index.html?section=cnn_latest

But he will live on in the hearts of comic book geeks, convention attendees and costumers the world over.

[J-Proof]

I just purchased my own copy of 300 by Frank Miller yesterday, and really loved the novel. It's neat cuz with graphic novels that get turned into movies, you get a good idea of how the movie will play out (especially since graphic novels read at about the same pace) but there's still enough room for awesome directorial surprises!

That being said - 300 is a great graphic novel. I advise you buy it NOW.

[J-Proof]

PS -

While 300 is a great novel, I think the artwork in Sin City is "cooler" than the artwork in 300. Hard to say since Miller is just flippin' awesome.

[Pak-Man]

Need to pick 300 up and give it a read before Friday. Me and Tyrant ALMOST got in to a sneak peek showing on Monday, but they overbook those things and they were out of seats by the time we could get to the theatre. We'll probably be there front and center Friday night though. (So thank you for not releasing a Rifftrax and conflicting me. :^))

[J-Proof]

lol! I am going to the midnight showing thursday - I'm /very/ excited!

did you get any feedback from folks that went, perchance?

[Pak-Man]

Naw. Didn't stick around that long. IGN gave it a 5 out of 5 though, and they're pretty stingy with comic movies, so that says something.. :^)

[kodiakthejuggler]

I'll be seeing 300 with a couple co-workers on Monday, at a local DLP theater.
I'm sure it will look and sound spectacular!!

I'm not going to read the graphic novel until after I see the flick. I'll be going in unspoiled.

p.s. Did anyone recognize the lead character? It's none other than Christian Bale's Scottish sidekick from Reign of Fire!

[the long undertow]

I have to add my voice to those who have already mentioned Sandman & Watchmen.  Those are the ones I read over and over.  Some others that are worth reading:  100 Bullets, Y: The Last Man, The Walking Dead, Preacher, and Cerebus.  Usually the people behind all these series have some other good stuff too.

There's also a pretty good one called Mouse Guard.

And of course, Sam and Max.

[Tyrant]

Walking Dead is brilliant!! I dig Kirkman's whole take on a zombie infestation. I also like how he doesn't care how controversial he gets with his story. And man....has he ever pushed some limits.

[J-Proof]

Walking Dead is brilliant!! I dig Kirkman's whole take on a zombie infestation. I also like how he doesn't care how controversial he gets with his story. And man....has he ever pushed some limits.

How so? Does he have zombie-lovin' in his novels or something?