Top Graphic Novels At Harrison's
December 14, 2015 By: Joe Aubrey
1. Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan
From the acclaimed writer of popular titles like “Runaways” and “Saga” comes the best dystopian comic possibly ever made. Vaughan creates a story that is so hard to stop reading right from start to finish. In a world where every single Y-chromosome individual has suddenly died from an unknown virus, the surviving females that populate the earth must struggle to survive. However, it seems that the only male survivor is Yorick Brown and his baby monkey. How did these two males survive the man-killing plague? What will happen on their quest to find the answers? How will an all female population react to something this shocking? Every volume of the series keeps you asking more and more questions.
2. Preacher by Garth Ennis
This is a very addicting series that I wouldn’t really recommend to anyone with strong religious beliefs. It’s about rebel pastor Jesse Custer, who is suddenly possessed by the spirit of the Antichrist and develops the ability to manipulate the actions of his foes. Joined by his ex-girlfriend Tulip and a century old vampire named Cassidy, Jesse sets out on a quest to find God himself and ask why he has let this predicament happen to him. Ennis’s blend of dark comedy and stylistic violence, along with artist Steve Dillon’s outstanding character designs, help create the right ambient mood for a storyline many would consider highly controversial. Also, be on the lookout for the upcoming AMC TV adaptation that’s due for release early 2016.
3. Marvel Zombies by Robert Kirkman
Ever wonder what would happen if beloved super heroes like Spiderman, The Hulk, and Captain America became cannibalistic zombies? Robert Kirkman, the writer of “The Walking Dead” comics, creates a dark and gritty take on the Marvel genre. After devouring the entire population, the zombie heroes are forced to improvise in order to find nourishment. If this comic sounds like fun, be sure to also look for the prequel “Army of Darkness VS Marvel Zombies”, and witness the famous Ash Williams fight his way through the undead Marvel universe.
4. Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire
Thanks to Lemire’s captivating writing and unique stenciled style of drawing, Vertigo Comics released one of the most original dystopian graphic novel series that doesn’t feature flesh eating zombies. After a deadly plague has wiped out half the population and spawned a race of half animal/half human hybrids, a young orphan named Gus, who’s part boy and part deer, must struggle to survive. With the help of a traveling rogue named Jepperd, Gus must escape the clutches of wicked scientists who are determined to experiment on him to find a cure for the plague. Dark and disturbing at times, Jeff Limire’s intriguing story rides on the intelligence that made “The Walking Dead” comics fun to read.
5. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore
From Alan Moore, the acclaimed author of the famous “Watchmen” comic, comes the ultimate storybook crossover/action comic in years. It features famous public doman characters like Captain Nemo (2000 Leagues Under the Sea), Allan Quartermain (King Solomon’s Mines), Mina Murray (Dracula), The Invisible Man, and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Each of these infamous figures must ban together to form a 19th century super hero team. Don’t let the concept fool you. Moore’s brilliant writing and Kevin O’Neil’s bizarre art style tell an unpredictable and exciting adventure story. Also be sure to look out for cameos of other famous characters from classic European literature.
6. The Graveyard Book, vol. 1&2 by Neil Gaiman
Based loosely on Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, P. Craig Russell beautifully illustrates Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed book about young Bod who is raised by the ghosts that inhabit a lone graveyard after his family is brutally murdered. With the help of his guardian, the ambiguous being, Silas, Bod soon discovers that eventually he must come face-to-face with the man who killed his family. Despite its dark content, Gaiman’s style of storytelling still runs as fresh as in his popular “Sandman” series.
7. Chew by John Layman
Here’s a totally original take on the police storyline. Tony Chew is an FDA agent and a known Cibopath, meaning he has the ability to read the identity of anything that he eats. If he eats an apple, he knows where that apple had grown from. If he tastes human blood, he knows the identity and perspective of whom the blood belongs to. Sound interesting? Definitely worth checking out.
8. Girls by the Luna Brothers
Here’s a series from the Luna Brothers that will definitely keep you reading till the end of each of its four volumes. It’s about a deadbeat town that suddenly becomes overrun by strange female clones that show a violent attitude towards regular women. These abnormal clones breed by laying large eggs that comes as a result of procreating with men from the town. It’s like a feminist view of the apocalypse.
9. Johnny the Homicidal Maniac by Jhonen Vasquez
Definitely a must-read for every fan of Vasquez’s cult classic cartoon, Invader Zim. Famous for his dark humor and distorted macabre art style, cartoonist Jhonen Vasquez presents the classic that helped jumpstart his career. It tells the story of Johnny (Nny for short), a psychotic hermit with a lust to punish the unjust. If anyone steps out of line around Johnny, things don’t really end well for them. Expect tons of gore, but lots of laughs.
10. Blankets by Craig Thompsom
Have you ever felt lonely? Isolated? Or unable to relate to other people outside of your own family or religion? Artist and writer, Craig Thompson gives a voice to every outcast in this poignant tearjerker. It tells the autobiographical story of a lonely young teen, Craig, who finally meets the girl of his dreams. After a life of social isolation and a heavy religious upbringing, Craig’s life is changed when he meets the kindhearted Raina. But what happens when these two different worlds suddenly collide? Word of advice, read with a box of Kleenex tissues.
Contributor's Note: Joe Aubrey is an art major and theatre minor.