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May
07
BTT: Let's Get Graphic!
2009 at 9am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
This week’s topic was suggested by Vega: Last Saturday (May 2nd) is Free Comic Book Day! In celebration of comics and graphic novels, some suggestions:
- Do you read graphic novels/comics? Why do/don’t you enjoy them?
- How would you describe the difference between “graphic novel” and “comic”? Is there a difference at all?
- Say you have a friend who’s never encountered graphic novels. Recommend some titles you consider landmark/”canonical”.
You know, I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I’ve never read a graphic novel. I’ve been meaning to for quite some time, and when the Watchmen movie came out, I swore up and down that I was going to read it, but with everything else on my TBR pile and reading time being as limited as it is, I’ve just never done it. It’s not a format I feel overly attracted or drawn to, but I do want to try one out sometime.
Now, because I don’t have any firsthand experience with graphic novels and comics, this is purely speculation, but I’d guess that the difference between them is that graphic novels are somewhat more literary or have more complexity than comics do. I think of comics as being generally positive, focused on the basic battle between good and evil, and centered on a superhero character that is bound by his special powers to help others/save the world/make an impact/etc; while I think of graphic novels as being darker, deeper, and not necessarily about a superhero but about people who are somehow different and are struggling against something or fighting some major battle.
I dunno, though. I mean, I’ve seen Sin City and 300 (and I love that overly stylized look), and that’s about the limit of my experience with movies based on graphic novels, and I have, literally, no experience with graphic novels themselves. Therefore, I have no idea what would be considered landmark or canonical.
And I’d like to change that. So please, if you read and enjoy graphic novels and comics, suggest a good place for me to start. What should I definitely not miss out on?
No related posts.
I don’t read a ton of graphic novels but I loved Epileptic by David B. It was incredible.
I’ve only read a handful of graphic novels myself, but my absolute favorite is Art Spiegelman’s Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History. Not only is it a great graphic novel, but it’s also just an incredible work. It’s a memoir, of sorts, detailing the author’s experiences growing up and surviving the Holocaust. Really moving. And it won a Pulitzer!
Oops! I meant to say the author’s parents’ experiences surviving the Holocaust. He’s the son of Holocaust survivors!
I’ve got some tips on my post about how to venture into the world of graphic novels, if you’re interested in doing so. I’m very much a literary fiction person myself, so I had to first get a glimpse into the artistry behind them and then I could appreciate them as a wholly separate type of art, rather than comparing them to novels (which helps me).
You can check out my post here.
Persepolis!!!! Both of them are *amazing*!!!!
Most people suggest reading Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series. I think it singlehandedly made people realize that graphic novels are more than just glorified comic books.
I personally don’t read much American or European graphic novels. My favorites come from mostly Japanese artists, where the concept of graphic novels may be slightly different from that of their Western counterparts, but that, however, shouldn’t deter you from trying either one. My answer can be found here. Cheers!
I’m the same way – have never read any and wouldn’t know where to start. I have to admit though, don’t think they are my cup of tea. I’ll have to check out Melissa’s suggestion.
Graphic novels are comics. Someone decided that longer comics should be called something else so that people take the format seriously. It’s unfortunate really. There’s no difference between what’s in a comic book and what’s in a “graphic novel.” “Graphic novels” are longer. They’re sometimes a collection of what were first published as comic books. I believe (though I could be wrong) that Watchmen and Black Hole were first published as single issue comic books. Now you’ll find the volumes compiled and sold in a “graphic novel” format.
Try Watchmen, Blankets, Black Hole, Slow Storm, Jimmy Corrigan, Bone, Box Office Poison. Actually, what you should do is visit your local independent comic book store. I find that the employees are very good about putting me with the perfect comic book.
Walking Dead is a fun read too. As is Rasl. These are comic books. They don’t have superheroes. They’re not what you are expecting a comic book to be.
If you usually read books, you may be tempted to just read the words in comics and maybe glance at the pictures. Don’t do that. Take your time with it.
Enjoy!
I just bought The Complete Persepolis and it’s sitting in my to be read pile- I’m REALLY looking forward to it.
Like you, I’ve never read a graphic novel before. I just don’t think they’re my cup ‘o tea. There are so many other ‘regular’ novels out there that are screaming for my attention that I’d rather spend my time with. Who knows though – maybe one day…
Another shout-out for Persepolis!
Personally, I think Watchmen is better as a historical artifact than as a book. I know that’s pretty blasphemous in certain circles, though.
Mostly I just read Buffy graphic novels!
I’ll second Kat’s recommendation for Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. It is a bit of an epic undertaking, given that there’s ten whole volumes (not including spin-offs), but well worth pursuing. Definitely a landmark of 20th century literature.
You may also want to check out the Best American Comics 2008 anthology. There’s a mixture of complete, short-form comics and excerpts from larger works. A huge range of artistic and literary styles are represented, so you should find something to your liking and thus a few options to explore beyond the anthology itself.
The only graphic novel I’ve ever read is Maus. I’d definitely recommend it, though I had a lot of difficulty reading it because I find graphic novels/comics hard to cope with. I always forget to look at the pictures and go racing on to the end of the page before realising I haven’t understood anything, and when I go back I can still only see the words.
Watchmen is quite good, but the best super-hero graphic novels that I’ve ever read are The Killing Joke (Batman) and God Loves, Man Kills (the X-Men). The Dark Knight Returns is also good.
I have The Sandman sitting on my shelf but haven’t gotten to it yet. I always wanted to read Maus but never quite got around to that one, either.
Another recommendation for Art Spiegelman’s Maus. I’m not a huge graphic novel fan, but this one is amazing.