Just recently I have been discovering this sub-culture of graphic novels. Seen likes it's really taking off these days. Looking for good suggestions of graphic novels to look for. I'm interested in anything that's not marvel or DC related. Not that they aren't good, it's just too complicated for me. I was a big fan of Lenore , the spooky dead girl and into the invader zim style cartoons. I was just recently introduced to Bones (love it, I need more). Was also told to check out Sandman, Watchman, American Elf, 100 bullets and Erfworld. Anybody else have any other good suggestions?

 

^^^I realize it can be kind of annoying when you post this in a thread and someone suggests 100 GN's for you to check out. So let's just keep this simple and say that you should go ahead and read Watchmen right now. After that, go read the first volume of The Sandman. And by this point, I guarantee you'll be a big fan of graphic novels.  

 

I'm going with Watchmen as well. Definate read. Also, I'm a huge fan of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Ex Machnia.

However if you enjoy what you mentioned, you might like more indy stuff like Cerebus. Also, a tie-in to lenore is Johnny the Homicidial Maniac.

 

My first bit of advice to check any local libraries to see if they have a graphic novel section, if they do you will be pleased.

Hoo boy, I could list a ton but I'll just list a few.

Maus is always recommended, just about anything by Alan Moore, the first few volumes of Cerebus...well, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and Squee if you haven't read them yet. That should be good for now.

And you could always read Erfworld online for free. I know it was in this one list of the top ten graphic novels of last year but I really can't understand why. I mean, the PBF one came out this year too and that wasn't even on it.

 

Graphic novels....no longer a graphic novel in a sense, it got reprinted as a Manga by DC Comics (it also got reprinted as a TPB)...is Elfquest

also, my favorite title that i buy both the comic and TPB is Fables by DC Comics/Vertigo

 

walking dead is my favorite. Still ongoing. Great if you like movies like dawn of the dead.

 

Finally got around to reading Watchmen, and it lives up to every shred of hype... best example of the medium out there...

Ministry of Space is a pretty fun short read that doesn't have much storyline by itself, but has spectacular art and effectively sets the scene for a fantastic alt. history universe...

I tend to stick to pretty traditional comic-book type GNs... I could think of a few more given some time.

 

Invincible.

 

I agree with ROCK LEE,Walking Dead is a good read if you like zombies.

Also like Schide said,check your local library and see if they have a GN section.Mine does and it has a ton of great GNs.They have a few Titan TF GNs but nothing new as far as TFs go.

Another pretty good one if you're into Star Wars is Star Wars Legacy.

 

Very very cool! Thanks guys! I will have to check all of the titles mentioned. I think this will keep me busy for a while. I"m at the point where read regular books doesn't excite me anymore. Plus, since I have to read so much for school, a little break will help. Thank!

 

i would say that besides being late to the party, you are also wrong on the latter. GN has actually been on the downslide with the rise of premium format tradepaperbacks, which are essentially collection of contemporary releases (which in itself is stealing sales numbers of monthlies).

the glory days of stories purpose written for the GN format (keep in mind that even watchmen is a TPBK of a mini series) was the late 80s/90s. something like elektra lives again would be reduced to a mine series these days to reduce sales risk. there arent many true GNs that are good these days. you have to look at independents for the good ones.

 

An addition to what I suggested.
I know you didn't want any Marvel stuff but check out Nextwave (only two volumes  )

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll think 'What the hell just happened?'

 

Maus might be one to check out.

Also, it's technically a TPB, but if you want something different and self-contained that's Indian Jones-ish, with good adventure, humor, and historical fiction The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck by Don Rosa is an Eisner Award winning series. There is also a companion volume available too with "missing" chapters of Scrooge's life.

 

I know you aren't looking for DC because you think it's too complicated but The Dark Knight Returns is a stand alone story with no ties to previous DC comics for simplicity, although this is also a TPB.

Go to your nearest B&N and you should find a display of Sin City compilations for different stories. I recommend To Hell and Back, The Hard Goodbye, A Dame to Kill For, and That Yellow Bastard.

And as everyone here has said, Watchmen is a true example of great comic literature.

 

Halo fer shure.

 

That too!! The Halo GN has some nice art and back story on the Arbiter, Chief's armor, and Sergeant Johnson.

 

I know you said No DC but I have to recomend Jeph Loeb's Batman work. The Long Halloween, Dark Victory and especially Hush.

 

If you're a fan of the Roman Dirge and Jhonen Vasquez stuff, try tracking down a book called "Gregory". It's an older book and I think there's more to the title but I tried doing a search for it and came up empty. Anyway, it's about a little boy in an insane asylum and a rat.

 

Check out Flight volumes 1 through 4, they've got a sorta Bone vibe, all-ages adventure stuff, but they're anthologies so you get lots of different bang for your buck.

Also along the Bone vibe, check out Pride of Baghdad, if nothing else it's REALLY PRETTY.

Anything by Alex Robinson is super great, Box Office Poison and Tricked. Seth does great stuff too, Wimbledon Green should be owned by anyone who collects nerdy crap, esp comics and toys.

Good luck.

 

Is it this?

http://www.amazon.com/Gregory-Treasury-1/dp/1401202713

Looks very very cool.