11 Best Graphic Novels
11 Best Graphic Novels
Reading is one of the most stimulating and useful hobbies one can ever have. An avid reader will truly understand the feeling of completing a book; it takes away a part of you every time you finish reading a book. There are various types of novels that are available these days, and different people are accustomed to reading different kinds of books. For men, it is noticed that they particularly enjoy graphic novels the most. Graphic novels are not similar to periodic comics that are available otherwise. Both are two different kinds of story presentations. Though graphic novels also, in a way, contain comics’ content, which is more elaborate and is available in all genres like fiction, non-fiction or an anthologized work. The term ‘graphic novel’ first came into being in the year 1964. There have been amazing graphic novels written since then that are highly appreciated by the critics, and accepted widely by the readers. Some of the best works in graphic novels have been listed below.
1. A Contract with God by Will Eisner
This particular graphic novel was written in 1978 by an American cartoonist Will Eisner. A Contract with God is a story about poor Jewish characters that reside in a New York City tenement. It is about a man who lost his adopted daughter, and has given up on faith completely. It comes with a mix of melodrama and social realism. This book became extremely popular, and is a sheer work of a genius.
2. Maus by Art Spiegelman
This is one of the greatest names under graphic novels. The creator and writer of Maus was Art Spiegelman, who interviewed his Polish-Jew and Holocaust survivor father, and shared his experiences in the form of a graphic novel. This book is known to be a mix of many genres, including memoir, biography, fiction and history. Spiegelman is at his best when he describes humans as different kinds of animals. For instance, the Jews are called mice, Germans are cats and non-Jewish people are pigs. If you are a graphic novel reader, you cannot miss this Pulitzer Award winning book for sure!
3. Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
One of the most creative graphic novels is Watchmen. This book has been created by three geniuses – writer Alan Moore, cartoonist Dave Gibbons, and colorist John Higgins. Moore created superheroes in this graphic novel that emerged in the 1940s and 60s. The story revolves around a nuclear war, which is bordering with the Soviet Union. Moore along with Gibbons and Higgins made a world of his own with this amazing novel. A must read for all superhero fans!
4. Blankets by Craig Thompson
This is an unusual autobiography of Craig Thompson that was written and published graphically. Winner of the Hugo Award, this book narrates the story of Thompson from childhood to his adulthood; how he grew up in an Evangelical Christian family, and about his first love. The book was widely acclaimed and also came at number 1 in Time Magazine’s ranking for the best comics list. You will curse yourself if you do not read this book!
5. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
This memoir by Marjane Satrapi has illustrations in black and white and is a must-have graphic novel. This series deals with Satrapi’s childhood, growing up in Tehran during great political upheaval. All the issues touched upon in this graphic novel series are done with a sense of humor characteristic of Satrapi. From Iran to Vienna and to self-imposed exile, this autobiographical journey will captivate you to the tee.
6. Hellboy by Mike Mignola and John Byrne
Hellboy is a series of books, which has been illustrated by Mike Mignola and scripted by John Byrne. This book was an immense hit amongst the boys and the men, thanks to its elaborate graphics and content. This book tells a story of a U.S Army official, George Whitman, who with his group of army friends has to fight the Nazis who have come to end the world. It is a fictional work, and is set in the year 1944. A must have in your library.
