Graphic Novels

I read a lot. That isn't a secret. I read classic literature, children's literature, world war literature, fantasy, sci-fi, biographies and autobiographies, and the list of genres goes on. What I haven't read widely are Graphic Novels. It's an area that intrigues me, I just don't really know where to begin.

My Handsome Man has started to get into graphic novels a lot more recently. He is doing a class at Film School called 'Writing For Comics' which has accelerated his enthusiasm for graphic novels but he was already requesting graphic novels for christmas and birthday presents.

I knew I needed to tackle this genre which, if I'm honest, I find a little daunting. Armed with a list of possible purchases I entered the book shop and found my way to the graphic novel section. I eventually found one of the items on the list and was able to purchase My Handsome Man a birthday present!

Since then My Handsome Man has borrowed and read quite a graphic novels. As his knowledge has grown, he's been able to teach me. For example, the name before the ampersand is the writer and the name after is the illustrator.

He regularly gives me the graphic novels he has read and tells me I need to read them. I read 'Civil War' before the film was released and really enjoyed being able to compare the graphic novel to the film.

I have asked him to share some of his favourite graphic novels:

'The Wake' by Scott Snyder & Sean Murphy

He says that he loved the story but was disappointed with the ending. They took a direction he didn't expect and he didn't like the direction they chose.

'The Dark Knight Returns' by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson

He sums this up in one word: perfect.

'Batwoman: Elegy' by Greg Rucka & J. H. Williams III

Astounding. Some of the best artwork he has ever seen.

'300' by Frank Miller

Amazing Artwork

'Game of Thrones' by Daniel Abraham & Tommy Patterson

'Black Panther' by Ta-Nehisi Coates

'Wayward' by Jim Zum & Steven Cummings

This he described as 'exciting and fresh'.

Titles that are on his to-read list:

'Watchmen' by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman

'V for Vendetta' by Alan Moore & David Lloyd

'Batman: The Killing Joke' by Alan Moore & Brian Bolland