Apparently yesterday was
such a lazy Sunday, I never even blogged what I meant to blog! I needed something distracting but not intense, so I finally got to the box of graphic novels sent to me by one of my SFF Audio cohorts. Later that day, I e-mailed a GoodReads friend about the dilemma I find in reviewing graphic novels. I worry I don't rate them equally with books to begin with, like I'm treating them unfairly (yes, I fret about these things, call me crazy). I think some of what I don't "like" is more of a question of familiarity with the genre, and I might like it more as I read more. However, I might be second-guessing myself. At this point I've read all of the Sandman, The Watchmen, Persepolis, and a few scattered random volumes. I'm not a complete newb. Also, I'm not convinced I care that much about superheros.
What do you read, if you read graphic novels or comics?
Yesterday, I read the following titles:
What I liked:
- Humor. I enjoyed the humor in Scott Pilgrim and Wormwood very much, whether it comes from awkward kids or talking rabbits.
- Learning about the real lives of superheroes, like Batwoman.
- The art, of course. Every style fitting the story, amazing use of color (except Scott, who is black and white), and creative use of space.
What I wasn't a fan of:
- Superheroes superhero lives. I can't help it. Daring feats? Boring to me.
- Overly preachy. Several of these titles were. Not that I disagreed with what they were preaching, but I don't need a didactic comic.
See... I wonder if the elements I'm not a huge fan of are just graphic novel elements, and it could be that I just don't care for graphic novels! If the story is good, I usually enjoy it, no matter the format.
Other graphic novels I have enjoyed:
I can't get into graphic novels. I've tried, but I find that I can't focus my attention on the words, especially if there are a lot of words in each frame. In the interest of full disclosure, I have the same problem with wordy comic strips. :)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I have read one graphic novel (well it was a collection) that I really really enjoyed: Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic.
For whatever it's worth, I don't care much about superheroes, either. I assure you, this makes me not fit in well at work. ;)
"Other graphic novels I have enjoyed: ..."
ReplyDeleteUm, something is missing there.
If you don't like superheroes, you don't like superheroes. No problem. There's plenty of other stuff to read! I'd recommend the following:
Locke & Key
The Unwritten
Daytripper
Phonogram (if you like pop/rock music -- hard to find)
Return of the Dapper Men
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (by Alan Moore, pretend the movie doesn't exist)
V for Vendetta (by Alan Moore)
Hellboy/B.P.R.D. (by Mike Mignola -- if you like Lovecraft)
Fables
Blankets
Why I Hate Saturn
Echo (by Terry Moore)
The Cape (not the NBC TV series, something completely different by Joe Hill)
Y: The Last Man
Blacksad
Sandman Mystery Theatre (not the Sandman you're thinking of, but kind of related, set in the 1930s)
Nexus (by Mike Baron & Steve Rude)
Death: The High Cost of Living (1993)
Death: The Time of Your Life (1996)
Ronin (by Frank Miller)
Xenozoic Tales
Cages (by Dave McKean)
The Invisibles (by Grant Morrison)