Graphic novels of today are a far cry from the comic books of yesteryear. Featuring incredibly beautiful and evocative artwork, and storylines so powerful that many have been snapped up by movie studios and turned into blockbuster hit films.
While connoisseurs all have their favorite authors, artists and characters, and the debate over which books are the best of the best will probably rage on into the indefinite future, the following books are some good ones to try if you’re new to graphic novels, but curious about what they have to offer fans of true literature. Don’t be dissuaded by the fact that graphic novels tend to be priced a few dollars higher than text-only novels; remember: with a graphic novel you’re getting so much more, in the form of the incredible artwork.
Note that all of the books described below include graphic violence, strong language and other adult content, and are intended for adults only. All of these books also feature the wonderful Kindle Panel View technology that allows you to view each panel individually, and enlarged. To launch Kindle Panel view, just double-tap any panel on any page. Now when you swipe the screen, you will move from panel to panel instead of page to page. Double-tap the current panel again to exit back to full page view.
From Hell by Alan Moore (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $7.49)
From Hell is the story of Jack the Ripper, perhaps the most infamous man in the annals of murder. Detailing the events leading up to the Whitechapel killings and the cover-up that followed, From Hell is a meditation on the mind of a madman whose savagery and violence gave birth to the 20th century. The serialized story, presented in its entirety in this volume, has garnered widespread attention from critics and scholars, and has been adapted into a major motion picture from Twentieth Century Fox starring Johnny Depp and Heather Graham. Often regarded as one of the most significant graphic novels ever published, From Hell combines meticulous research with educated speculation, resulting in a masterpiece of historical fiction both compelling and terrifying.
Winner of the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards for Best Graphic Novel. A New York Times Bestseller!
“Remarkable.” — Leo Carey, The New Yorker
” … dark, fearsomely complex …” — Douglas Wolk, Publishers Weekly
“My all-time favorite graphic novel … an immense, majestic work about the Jack the Ripper murders, the dark Victorian world they happened in, and the birth of the 20th century.” — Warren Ellis, Entertainment Weekly
“Moore’s works have often defied the public’s expectations of the medium, and his most ambitious work, the massive graphic novel From Hell, is no exception. … The result is at once a meditation on evil, a police procedural and a commentary on Victorian England. … an impressive piece of work.” — Patrick Day, The Los Angeles Times
“… a massive exploration of the Jack The Ripper murders that incorporates British history, Masonic ritual, and London geography in a fascinating and horrifying conspiracy theory.” — Tasha Robinson, The AV Club
The film adaptation of From Hell is available in Amazon’s Instant Video Store.
Watchmen by Alan Moore (4.5/5 stars, currently bargain priced at $3.99)
This Hugo Award-winning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings. Along the way, the concept of the super-hero is dissected as the heroes are stalked by an unknown assassin.
One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, WATCHMEN has been studied on college campuses across the nation and is considered a gateway title, leading readers to other graphic novels such as V FOR VENDETTA, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE SANDMAN series.
The film adaptation of Watchmen is available in Amazon’s Instant Video Store.
V for Vendetta, New Edition by Alan Moore (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $10.43)
“Alan Moore outdoes himself…. Extraordinary … a poetic celebration of the powers of the imagination.” – Kurt Loder, MTV
A powerful story about loss of freedom and individuality, V FOR VENDETTA takes place in a totalitarian England following a devastating war that changed the face of the planet.
In a world without political freedom, personal freedom and precious little faith in anything, comes a mysterious man in a white porcelain mask who fights political oppressors through terrorism and seemingly absurd acts in this gripping tale of the blurred lines between ideological good and evil.
The film adaptation of V for Vendetta is available in Amazon’s Instant Video Store.
300 by Frank Miller (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $14.99)
The armies of Persia—–a vast horde greater than any the world has ever known—–are poised to crush Greece, an island of reason and freedom in a sea of madness and tyranny. Standing between Greece and this tidal wave of destruction are a tiny detachment of but three hundred warriors.
Frank Miller’s epic retelling of history’s supreme moment of battlefield valor is finally collected in its intended format—each two-page spread from the original comics is presented as a single undivided page.
The film adaptation of 300 is available in Amazon’s Instant Video Store.
Frank Miller’s Sin City Volume 1, The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $9.99)
The first volume of the crime-comic megahit that introduced the now-infamous Marv and spawned a blockbuster film returns in a newly redesigned edition, with a brand-new cover by Frank Miller-some of his first comics art in years!
It’s a lousy room in a lousy part of a lousy town. But Marv doesn’t care. There’s an angel in the room. She says her name is Goldie. A few hours later, Goldie’s dead without a mark on her perfect body, and the cops are coming before anyone but Marv could know she’s been killed. Somebody paid good money for this frame . . .
With a new look generating more excitement than ever before, this third edition is the perfect way to attract a whole new generation of readers to Frank Miller’s masterpiece!
* Over a million Sin City books in print!
* New cover by Frank Miller!
* With Miller and codirector Robert Rodriguez gearing up for Sin City 2, this third edition is being released at just the right time!
* The Hard Goodbye was the lead story in the Sin City film, starring Mickey Rourke as Marv!
Frank Miller’s Sin City Volume 2, A Dame To Kill For by Frank Miller (4.5/5 stars, currently priced at $9.99)
The second volume of Frank Miller’s signature series is now planned as the lead story in the upcoming Sin City 2! This newly redesigned edition sports a new cover by Miller- some of his first comics art in years!
Stuck with nothing but a seedy gumshoe job and some demons, Dwight’s thinking of all the ways he’s screwed up and what he’d give for one clear chance to wipe the slate clean, to dig his way out of the numb gray hell that is his life.
And he’d give anything. Just to feel the fire.
One more time. But he can’t let himself lose control again, can’t ever let the monster out. And then Ava calls.
The film adaptation of Sin City is available in Amazon’s Instant Video Store.