Graphic Novel recommendations (best art + story)

[mlcorcoran]

Darwyn Cooke's New Frontier is one of my favorite graphic novels.

The actual comics of this time (50s/early 60s) were cheesy and dumbed down so as to not offend censors. But Cooke creates a picture that captures the nostalgic feelings about this period in time while creating a deep, thought-provoking, multi-dimensional story.

The artwork is fantastic. Superman looks just like he did in the Fleischer cartoons of the 1940s (which are brilliant by the way). We see Batman go from being the "creature of the night" as imagined by Bob Kane and Bill Finger to being the brighter "new look" created by Neal Adams in the 50s and 60s. And a lot of the characters are drawn in a style that pays homage to Jack Kirby, the king of comic books.

By far my favorite thing about this book is the way it combines all the different types of comic books of the time and juxtaposes them with real world events. Sci-fi comics like the Challengers of the Unknown, war comics like the Losers and the Blackhawks, and of course the pantheon of superhero comics all come together in a way that flows brilliantly.

I think the Challengers' subplot has a chance to still be in the movie because of Ace Morgan's connection to Hal Jordan in the story. Their place in the story might be downplayed but I don't think it'll be completely written out.

[RoninFox]

Just picked up Batman Death and the City.  I found Batman Detective on shelves a couple months ago, loved the look of it and noticed it was written by Paul Dini, which based on my love of the Batman Animated Series I took as a mark of quality.  I wasn't disappointed in it, and Death and the City is great for the same reasons, plus it includes a Harley Quinn story, which is a sure method for catching my interest.

[mlcorcoran]

Has anybody here read Superman: Red Son?

if not I highly recommend it, even if you're not a Superman fan.

it's an Elseworlds that explores what the world would have been like if Superman's ship had landed in Soviet Russia rather than midwestern USA.

[annearchist]

Has anybody here read Superman: Red Son?

if not I highly recommend it, even if you're not a Superman fan.

it's an Elseworlds that explores what the world would have been like if Superman's ship had landed in Soviet Russia rather than midwestern USA.

Supes lands in the U.S.S.R., not Russia itself. He lands in Ukraine actually, if one wants to be technical.
Which, being a Ukranian Superman fan, I do. And you're right. It is a good read.



But as far as great Elseworlds stories go, my first is still one of my favorites.
Superman: Speeding Bullets, where little Kal-El is found and adopted by the Waynes. 
Great story by J.M. DeMatteis (whom I've liked since Moonshadow).



Another fav Elseworlds is Wonder Woman: Amazonia, which is Wonder Woman in 19th century London.
It was written by William Messner-Loebs and has some really amazing artwork by Phil Winslade.

[gbeenie]

I wasn't that crazy about Speeding Bullets. Personally, I preferred The Nail



(although the sequel, Another Nail, left me pretty cold)


Holy Terror


and, the one that started the whole Elseworlds thing, Gotham By Gaslight.



BTW, have you had a chance to read RealWorlds?

[Tripe]

BTW, have you had a chance to read RealWorlds?

Que?

[gbeenie]

Basically, the premise is that these stories are set in the "real" (as in our) world, and each tells stories in which DC Comics'  cultural (and sometimes visual) iconography plays a prominent part.

I didn't read the Wonder Woman one, and the JLA volume was, in my view, a little flat, but I very much enjoyed the Batman and Superman books.

[Tripe]

I'll have to track them down 

[annearchist]

JLA: The Nail was good. I didn't even know they'd done a sequel.

The RealWorlds covers look familiar, and I vaguely remember a plot or two. I guess since I can't remember them they didn't leave much of an impression.

I really liked Superman: It's A Bird as far as stories from the real world go.

[Jinto]

Batman: Holy Terror and Gotham by Gaslight are pretty good. I remember getting them when they first came out. I still have 'em around here somewhere.

[zoom]

Since everyone's covered a lot of classics, I'd recommend anything by Geoff Johns, Ed Brubaker, Brian K Vaughn, and Robert Kirkman.  Specific stories by the writers:
Johns - Green Lantern Rebirth (actually turned the mess of Emerald Twilight into something reasonable and brought back Hal, plus Ethan Van Scriver's art is always good) or Flash Blitz and Rogue War (Wally's rogues got a major overhaul in terms of character.  The Flash's baddies are now my favorite ones due to John's excellent writing).
Vaughn - Dr. Strange the Oath (made Strange more human while still utilizing his God like powers.  This is the book that made me go from liking to loving Strange)
Ed Brubaker - Any Captain America, Iron Fist or Daredevil work.  Also his Batman: the Man Who Laughs ranks as my favorite Joker story since Laughing Fish and Five Way Revenge and my favorite Joker origin of all time (he pretty much stays true to his 40's origin).
Kirkman - others have mentioned Walking Dead, but I'm really into his Irredeemable Ant-man series (canceled damnit).  Spider-man was the first really down to earth hero, kinda guy who just wanted to get by until his guilt and responsibility caught up to him.  This Ant-man is just a despicable hilarious human being.  He'll save the day if he looks good doing it, then ask you for some money or a date if you're a hot damsel in distress.  And if you deny him, he'll just shrink to his ant size and watch you shower in his spare time.  He's that great of a hero.

[annearchist]

Since everyone's covered a lot of classics, I'd recommend anything by Geoff Johns, Ed Brubaker, Brian K Vaughn, and Robert Kirkman.  Specific stories by the writers:
Johns - Green Lantern Rebirth (actually turned the mess of Emerald Twilight into something reasonable and brought back Hal, plus Ethan Van Scriver's art is always good) or Flash Blitz and Rouge War (Wally's rouges got a major overhaul in terms of character.  The Flash's baddies are now my favorite ones due to John's excellent writing).

rouge (rzh)
n.
- makeup consisting of a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks.

rogue (rg)
n.
- a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

It's a common mistake, and I try to avoid being that person who corrects spelling/grammar, but the idea of a whole storyline devoted to Flash and Co. fighting it out over makeup was too funny not too mention. 

[zoom]

God damn it... Seriously, I know how to spell these words.  I have dyslexia and sometimes stupid mistakes like this happen.  I'm not upset at you, it just embarrasses me when I look that dumb.  Thanks for pointing it out though.

EDIT: In my self loathing I remembered another fav of mine.  I love the JUSTICE series by Krueger, but wait for a large copy as it's in three tiny 20 dollar volumes right now.  It's a beyond awesome revamp of the Superfriends basically with the Legion of Doom taking them down.  Great writing and action throughout and it's drawn by Doug Braithwaite and painted by Alex Ross.  I tend to like Alex Ross' works but I do have to get over his "BOXMAN" syndrome.  I don't mind Supes looking 40, he looks distinguished, but does he and Wonder Woman have to have the build and shoulders of a door?  Still, it's a great book.

[Fig Neutron]

Hands-Down Daniel Clowes--well hands-down as a recommendation, not saying he beats everyone else.

He brings you into his world with both his visual style and writing.  'Ghost World' felt so personal--truly is a newer 'Catcher in the Rye.'

That scene in the diner where they realize how their fun little prank brought great sadness to a real person (and Josh hating being a part of it all)...priceless.  Enid reveals how self-obsessed and judgmental she is.  Not in a hopeless sense, but in a coming-of-age sense.

I care nothing about skateboarding, but I feel I purchased a great piece of art in spending $100 on one that he designed.

[annearchist]

And it embarasses me when my teasing makes someone actually feel bad. Please accept my apologies.