As promised (I hope), this should be my last offering related to the recent WATCHMEN release.
In a GQ issue with a little something for everyone (trying to make it in the publishing biz with Lenny Dykstra sounds more awful than any horror story I’ve caught in recent years about the comics industry), the April 2009 issue of GQ has a feature entitled “The 20 Graphic Novels You Should Read (After “Watchmen”).”
The men in tights are kept to a minimum (Batman doesn’t even get a mention that I’m aware of, save for citing Ed Brubaker — Superman and Madman earn high marks one time each), and it’s a respectable look at how comics aren’t just kids stuff, a noble venture by a magazine geared to get male consumers everywhere to buy $300 Hugo Boss t-shirts.
Of course 20 items isn’t even going to scratch the surface, but what additional suggestions would YOU make to a mainstream publication like GQ?
March 24th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth
March 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Well, it’s ridiculous that Batman doesn’t get mentioned at all. I mean, c’mon… Year One, The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum, The Long Halloween and Hush are all highly worthy. Then there’s lesser-known but still excellent reads like Blind Justice, The Cult, The Man Who Laughs, the recent Joker GN and plenty more.
I don’t know what did make the list (I’m too lazy to sit through their slideshow, just gimme a list please) but I’d have to include more Moore himself with V For Vendetta, some Brian Vaughan goodness (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina and a bonafide GN in Pride of Baghdad), and pretty much anything that Ed Brubaker’s written.
While I’m sure All Star Superman made the list I’d also put in a vote for the beautifully written and drawn Superman: For All Seasons too.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:04 am
It’s a pretty good list. Surprisingly good, actually.
I haven’t read a few things on their list, but they cover a pretty nice range of voices and styles. Really, if it weren’t so fresh and probably pressing on the writer/editor’s mind, they could easily have skipped All Star Supes and gone with a list entirely devoid of the classic DC/Marvel hero set. Which would’ve been cool.
Depending on the person I’m suggesting books to (meaning I’ll very often suggest something other than these titles), my personal recommendations usually start with Beto Hernandez’s LUBA, Wagner’s MAGE, Shanower’s AGE OF BRONZE or, my favorite, Sakai’s USAGI YOJIMBO. All art smart, engaging, challenging and extremely well written and drawn.
For those who don’t want to read it, GQ went with Madman, Invisibles^ (bravo, GQ!), All Star Superman*, Nightly News, Alias*, Black Hole, The Girl from H.O.P.P.E.R.S.^, Summer Blonde, Y: The Last Man#, Concrete^ (sweet!), Criminal*, Pyongyang^, Heavy Liquid^, La Perdida, Safe Area Gorazde, Fell*, It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken*, Super Spy*, Bottomless Belly Button, and Tekkonkinkreet*.
* denotes titles I’ve not read (though often one I’ve wanted to).
# denotes a run I didn’t finish.
^ denotes best five, in my never humble opinion, of the listed titles.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:35 am
Actually, that’s not a bad list at all! I haven’t read most of the things on it, but I have read some of them, and several others are books I’ve either been wanting to or at least know of their reputation. Maybe, when time and cash allow, I’ll try a few more of these out. Thanks, Michael.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
This is a really good list of comics, although I don’t think Batman got the credit he deserves. I will definitely check out the comics on the list which I haven’t read yet