10 Graphic Novels for the Literary Minded

For fans of detective fiction:  'Stumptown' by Greg Rucka (writer), Matthew Southworth (artist), Lee Loughridge and Rico Renzi (colors). Oni Press, 2011. Hardcover. Full Color. 144 pages. $29.99

A tightly plotted detective story that follows P.I. Dex Parios as she investigates the disappearance of a casino owner's granddaughter. During her investigation Dex encounters two different sets of thugs, the 7th richest man in Oregon, his well-intentioned daughter, and his ill-intentioned son, among other things. The story begins with our hero being shot in the chest and then cleverly works its way backwards. A nice character piece, Stumptown is filled with evocative, moody art that well-captures the tone of any good detective story and capitalizes on the Portland setting.  Originally published as five single issues in 2009 and 2010, the hardcover edition is stunning, with matte paper and a larger size. 

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If you like this, also try:  'Alias Vol. 1' by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos, 'Batwoman: Elegy' by Greg Rucka and J.H. Williams III, 'Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl Vol. 1' by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, and 'Batman: The Black Mirror' by Scott Snyder, Francesco Francavilla, and Jock.

For fans of sci-fi: 'Black Hole' by Charles Burns (writer/artist). Pantheon, 2005. Hardcover. Black & White. 368 Pages. $29.95

One of the greatest sci-fi graphic novels ever created, Charles Burns’ Black Hole effortlessly sets up a metaphor for sexual awakening and adolescence by making mutations a sexually transmitted disease.  Burns’ teenage characters deal with the results of their sexual activity in a variety of ways that are shockingly honest and painfully real.  Fundamentally about being different, finding yourself, love, and loss, Black Hole’s twelve single issues were collected in one volume in 2005.  With impeccable writing that captures a timeless teen voice and stark black and white artwork that has the atmosphere of 70’s teen horror films, Black Hole stands out as one of the boldest graphic novels in print. 

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If you like this, also try: 'Preacher' by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, 'Top 10' by Alan Moore and Gene Ha, 'Planetary Volume 1' by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday, and 'DV8: Gods & Monsters' by Brian Wood and Rebekah Isaacs. If you prefer your Sci-Fi with a dystopian bent, as is all the rage, you should consider the excellent: 'Y: The Last Man' by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, 'The Walking Dead Vol. 1' by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, and 'Revolver' by Matt Kindt

For fans of young adult:  'Friends With Boys' by Faith Erin Hicks (writer/artist).  First Second, 2012.  Softcover.  Black & White.  224 pages.  $15.99

An energetic and thoroughly engaging story about a teenage girl headed to high school after being home schooled her whole life.  Though her three older brothers are already installed safely at high school, Maggie faces her own challenges, especially as their mother has recently vanished, with no sign of returning.  With incredibly expressive art and vivid character design, Hicks’ story leaps off the page with its enthusiasm and sweetness, tinged (as all high school stories probably should be) with just enough darkness to keep things interesting.  There's also a supernatural element to Friends With Boys, and the way it resolves is decidedly unexpected and strengthens the book’s metaphors even more powerfully.

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If you like this, also try:  'I Kill Giants' by Joe Kelly and J.M. Ken Niimura, 'Anya's Ghost' by Vera Brogsol, and 'Ghost World' by Dan Clowes

For fans of literary fiction:  'Asterios Polyp' by David Mazzucchelli (writer/artist).  Pantheon, 2009. Hardcover. Full Color. 344 pages. $29.95

David Mazzucchelli’s Asterios Polyp is the not terribly unique tale of a man’s midlife crisis, told in a brilliant and effective way.  Asterios, unhappy with his life, sets out on a journey to make himself a better person, and through introspection and deed comes to potent and emotional realizations. Told with subtle beauty that constantly pushes the boundaries of creativity and utilizes the comics medium to its fullest potential, Asterios Polyp is one of those books that sets the standard for what comics can be. 

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If you like this, also try:  'Big Questions' by Anders Nilsen, 'Exit Wounds' by Rutu Modan, and 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson.

For fans of action/adventure:  'Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E' by Warren Ellis (writer), Stuart Immonen (artist), Wade Von Grawbadger (inks), Dave McCraig & Paul Mounts (colors).  Marvel, 2010. Softcover. Full Color. 304 pages. $34.99

Nothing has more action and adventure and balls to the wall superhero fun than Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E.  A “big two” comic book that feels unabashedly unlike a “big two” comic, Nextwave somehow manages to both celebrate and parody the superhero genre, and the result is a raucously funny adventure that includes everything from samurai robots and broccoli men to killer koala bears.  The characters have huge witty personalities and are insanely flawed, which makes them all the more interesting.  Warren Ellis expertly plays them off one another and the visuals pop with unbridled enthusiasm, creativity seeping from every inch of every panel.  In a perfect world, far more superhero comics would be like Nextwave.  

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If you like this, also try:  'Strange Tales Volume 2' (from Marvel, by various independent artists), 'Freakangels Vol. 1' by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield, also, being collected in April, 'Legion of Monsters' by Dennis Hopeless and Juan Doe. 

For fans of short fiction: 'Demo Volume 2' by Brian Wood (writer), Becky Cloonan (artist). Vertigo, 2011. Softcover. Black & White. 160 pages. $17.99

A collection of connected but independent stories rendered in expressive black and white.  Each story focuses on a different character as they adjust to unique circumstances in their lives. All the stories connect thematically by suggesting "superpowers" of a sort, but in a realistic, real-world, and non-spandex way.  How each character embraces (or shuns) their circumstances, and how Brian Wood weaves the aberrations into his characters' lives is fascinating.  Becky Cloonan's lovely, fluid work captures emotion and character so quickly you'll be astonished.  

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If you like this, also try: Gabrielle Bell's 'Lucky', Jeffrey Brown's 'Unlikely', Adrian Tomine's 'Shortcomings', and Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly's 'Local'.

For fans of fantasy: ' Castle Waiting Volume 1' by Linda Medley (writer/artist). Fantagraphics, 2006. Hardcover. Black & White. 472 pages. $29.95

Castle Waiting, a brutally funny book with a giant heart, has a new spin on fairy tales with a feminist bent that will draw you in and keep you reading from page one. Focused on the Sleeping Beauty Castle, abandoned by its princess, Medley’s story highlights previously minor characters, as the castle becomes a home for misfits, thus creating an endless tapestry of intriguing stories spinning out from the castle residents.  Medley’s world is expertly crafted and completely believable, while her black and white artwork is clean and highly detailed with an emphasis on character design and acting.

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If you like this, also try: 'Finder' by Carla Speed McNeil, 'Castle Waiting Volume 2' by Linda Medley, 'Mouse Guard' by David Peterson, and 'Fables Volume 1' by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham

For fans of mystery: 'Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites' by Evan Dorkin (writer), Jill Thompson (artist). Dark Horse, 2010. Hardcover. Full Color. 184 pages. $19.99

If there's anything wrong with a group of talking, supernatural crime solving animals, rendered in stunning watercolor, then I don't want to be right.  Beasts of Burden has no right to make any sense, but it just does.  Evan Dorkin creates, in these talking dogs and cats, characters that you will instantly fall for amid smart mysteries that expertly unravel. Equal parts mystery, humor, and adorable, the only thing better than Dorkin's writing is the Jill Thompson watercolor artwork that accompanies it.  This gorgeous hardcover edition collects a four-issue mini-series, as well as three previously published short stories.  

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If you like this, also try: 'Greendale' by Joshua Dysart and Cliff Chiang, and if you enjoyed the animal angle more than the mystery angle, try out 'We3' by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.

For fans of noir:  'The Last Of The Innocent' by Ed Brubaker (writer), Sean Phillips (artist), Val Staples (colors). Icon, 2011. Softcover. Full Color. 112 pages. $14.99

Smarter than your average noir, this story by Ed Brubaker about a man trapped in an unhappy life (and nostalgic for the life he might have had) is impossible to put down. Like any good noir, you can’t help rooting for your main character, even though he’s even worse than those he strikes out against.  Clever visuals by Sean Phillips- which alternate between dark, noir-appropriate art and Archie comics inspired art to represent the main character’s nostalgic longing- come together in a brilliant way that fully realizes Brubaker and Phillips’ themes of nostalgia.

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If you like this, also try: the rest of the 'Criminal' series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips as well as Darwyn Cooke’s adaptations of 'Richard Stark’s Parker' series, 'The Hunter' and 'The Outfit'.

For fans of memoir/non-fiction:  'Paying For It' by Chester Brown (writer/artist). Drawn & Quarterly, 2011. Hardcover. Black & White. 292 pages. $29.95

A memoir of Chester Brown’s own experiences soliciting prostitutes in his native Canada, Paying For It is somehow the opposite of titillating, despite the subject matter.  Brown’s story insightfully examines both the sociopolitical aspects of prostitution as well as the very nature of long-term romantic love, and perhaps more to the point, if such a thing even exists.  Illustrated in a stripped down style that fits the matter of fact approach, Brown’s book will make you think long after you put it down.  

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If you like this, you might also try:  'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel, 'How To Understand Israel In 60 Days or Less' by Sarah Glidden, and 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi, which though all wildly different in subject matter from 'Paying For It' are all excellent comic memoirs/non-fiction.

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