Graphic Novel Picks

Parsifal · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:55 am Post subject: Graphic Novel Picks

Okay, a while ago Joel got the bright idea to try and use comic books to help his students learn and learn to love reading. He asked Dave and myself to accompany him to our local comic shop of custom (Comics Factory here in Pasadena, CA) and help him pick out suitable reading material. I found this all rather ironic seeing as Joel simply /hated/ to have to read anything. I'd been after him to try reading some of the things I had for years (the Garth Ennis "Punisher" mini-series in particular) and he just wouldn't budge. Regardless we went and picked out a bunch of stuff and waited to see what the result would be (I may have talked about this somewhere else here). His students absolutely loved the whole thing and kids who hadn't even given books a second glance were coming up to him and asking what certain words were so they could keep reading (and learning;)...) The whole thing has been a major success so far and Joel has gone back to buy more stuff several times (usually to the tune of $200-500 each time, amounts which luckily are muted by several discounts I have and the fact that certain portions of his orders are funded by the school program he's working for.) Of course, not all of it is totally for his students....

You see, Joel has gotten hooked. He finally read "The Punisher" series I was trying to get him to read (I bought the hardcover of the series and "donated" it to the cause along with a few others later) then hoped onto "New Avengers" and "The Ultimates" and he went and picked up the whole "No Man's Land" series and ended up unable to sleep one Saturday night because he just couldn't put them down unread (he finished the series by morning).

He's reading. Thats good. But that also raises a quandry. He's reading pretty fast and playing "catch-up" with things that he hadn't been able to take a look at since he quit comics (he stopped during the Batman "Nightfall" storyline and man was he angry that they got so good immediately after..). He's got more "Punisher" to read and the "JLA" has caught his interest along with several of the Loeb/Sale Batman books (I even bought him the first "Starman" graphic novel to see if it gets him hooked into buying more;) ).

To put it simply: Do you guys have any reads you can recommend to Joel? He likes moral dilemma and certain tragedies. Revenge stories are a personal favorite of his (this from westerns and asian cinema). If its actually well written he finds it that more attractive. He's a budding young reader with so much good stuff out there and no idea where to go next, help out with suggestions will you? (Ongoing series suggestions are welcome too, though collection in trade paperbacks makes it more likely he'll get them)
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Steve · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

I absolutely, positively love Fables and the benefit of such a read is the curiosity it builds as to who these fables are and what their tale is.
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Dipsosis · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:07 pm Post subject:

I find it ironic that he took Dave, seeing as how his extent of comic book consumption is limited to Sonic teh Hedgehog. Forget Joel, we need to get Dave to read more stuff, to like...you know, learn more visual story telling techniques? Smile

As for Joel, I shall reiterate one more time: he will fucking love Criminal written by Ed Brubaker. The first story arc is now available in TPB. It's the best crime noir I've ever seen in comic book form, by far, and absolutely dripping with the very Joelish factors you mentioned (tragedy, ethics, revenge, etc.)

jynexia · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject:

Must read Batman: Year One, The Killing Joke, and Kingdom Come. All great for beginners and revenge lovers. Also I feel Joel would be interested in the Comic memoirs like Persopolis and Palestine. (that is basically the list from the comic class i took last semester but in all honest they were great books.)
Also if Dave hasn't read Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, he needs too. Arturo I assign said task to you and therefore will blame you if he doesnt.
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Dave · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

I've read Batman: Year One, Killing Joke, and Kingdom Come.

I've also read Understanding Comics as well as Making Comics.

I have no idea what Persopolis or Palestine is. If Joel gets it, I'll read it. If not, I'll look it up and see if I want to pick it up myself.
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Parsifal · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

Dipsosis

Dave · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:09 pm Post subject:

Yeah. My "problem" is that I'm not a regular comic book person. Dee would like me to actually pick up a few titles and keep them up. I prefer to read the trades.
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"Addiction can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be changed."
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I (heart) Hanners of Questionable Content.

Parsifal · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject:

Nothing really wrong with that, you just need to keep up with the trades.
(Also in Joel's collection: "The Punisher: Born" and "Wolverine: Enemy of the State")
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Dipsosis · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:45 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, the awesomeness of Kingdom Come will most likely fly over the heads of anyone not steeped in DC Comics lore. Kind of like how great Marvels is, but the emotional impact of many of the sequences won't mean anything to a non-Marvel zombie.

I also feel that as great as Batman: Year One and Killing Joke are, they are eclipsed by Dark Knight Returns. That mini-series is a textbook on how to handle characterization and internal narrative.

Palestine was pretty good; missed Persopolis. If anyone's into memoirs and biographies though, particuarly those that are historically/politically driven, Maus is still the definitive comics work thus far. I mean, hello, Pultizer Prize winner.

Joel MUST read Watchmen. Frankly, everyone should. It is the singular pinnacle of achievement in the format, period. Not arguably, mind you - it definitively reigns with conviction and authority from on high.

And no, Dave, I don't care if your read monthlies or trades. I just want you to be versed in your chosen trade. All those things I've been teaching you over the past several years, I learned by consuming comics. And these are things that aren't the domain of a writer. I could flip through a copy of Understanding Comics and easily point out flaws in our own abilities. We must learn the essential principles and put them into action.

Unfortunately, for guys like you and me, we can't afford to simply enjoy comics. We need to take a deconstructionist approach to study what works and what doesn't. You have to critically examine visual storytelling techniques, so that you don't waste time reinventing the wheel every time you need to try something new to you. I need to break down pacing, narrative options, dialogue...all that good stuff. Sure, when we read great comics we need to enjoy them, but we also need to figure out precisely why we do, so that we can apply those skills in our own endeavors.

Steve · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject:

well allow me to jump in on that lesson too
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jynexia · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

Umm. I agree. And I'm pretty much out of ideas. All my comic reading has come from Liam (I.E. Chaosdwarf). I would also recommend The Walking Dead, and Powers. Well maybe Powers. I like them anyway. If you haven't read Transmetpolitan then you need too. As difficult a read as it is it was the first comic I read and subsequently got me reading comics for a hire value then just entertainment.
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Sadsiren · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject:

>.> <.<

....how about some good mangas while you're at it?

Dave · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject:

I've only ever read the Love Hina books.
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"Addiction can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be changed."
-Clango, Diesel Sweeties
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I (heart) Hanners of Questionable Content.

Parsifal · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:10 pm Post subject:

Sure, why not? Smile

I do know Joel is picking up some manga, but its pretty much bishoujo stuff for his students. Don't think he's getting anything for himself.
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jynexia · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 2:26 am Post subject:

My favorite is Chobits. But the traditional Trigun and Cowboy Bebop are also high on the list. Correction my favorite is Helsing. The first thing I read was Chobits. But I like it all the same.
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~jynx~
I need to go to my Happy place, but I accidentally blew it up, so now I have to find a new one... Sad