It’s National Read a Book Day! To celebrate I thought I’d re-post a blog from earlier in the year where I spotlight my top five graphic novels of all time (so far). Each of these left a lasting impression on me in both story and artwork and I highly recommend if you haven’t read them yet. This blog was first posted on July 19th.
During 2020, in the midst of a global shutdown alongside everything else, I stopped reading. I just couldn’t stay invested in a novel anymore. So in 2021 made a goal for myself to read 21 books in 2021. I met that goal, but found myself reading mostly graphic novels instead. I mean, I’m a comic artist that loves comics and sequential art, it makes sense. This year I made goal to read 52 books. It’s over half way through the year and I’ve read 31 so far, all graphic novels.
I’ve read all types, middle grade, YA and up; across all genres: crime rings, coming-of-age, horror, superhero, etc. While my To Be Read list is always growing and there’s still a few masterpieces I’ve yet to dive into (I’m looking at you Sandman and Saga), I’ve got quite a list of great books under my belt. I thought, today, I’d list my favorites so far in the tradition of the book/movie High Fidelity. My top five graphic novels (I’ve read so far).
Blankets, by Craig Thompson. This is one of the first major, massive graphic novels I read. It’s a coming-of-age story of first love but also manages to bake in my entire upbringing growing up as a Southern Baptist in South Louisiana. All the guilt, all the shame, all the hypocrisy piled on top of a young man trying to figure it all out on his own because the adults aren’t any help. I identified with this book immediately. The artwork is as beautiful as the story. Bookshop.org
My Favorite Thing is Monsters, by Emil Ferris. An amazing graphic novel about a young girl who’s obsessed with B-horror comics and pulp magazines. Set in Chicago in the 1960’s, she lives in a crummy apartment complex with thin walls and when her beautiful upstairs neighbor-a holocaust survivor-dies, she suspects foul play. Part coming-of-age, part murder mystery, part family drama, part historical fiction, this novel is a masterpiece. Emil Ferris’ illustrations are all drawn using black and colored ball point pens seemingly on ruled notebook paper. This style actually contributes to the story and the main character. It’s a beautiful book even when the drawings lean toward the grotesque, because sometimes life isn’t always so pretty. Bookshop.org
Rachel Rising, by Terry Moore. Looks like I’ve got a thing for black and white line art. Rachel Rising was my first foray into Terry Moore’s work. Later, on his YouTube channel, he’d call this his magnum opus. I think I’d agree. The titular character wakes up buried in a shallow grave, no coffin, no funeral, just underground; dirt, roots and bugs. Awake, she tries to figure out what happened to her. But that mission sets her on a course where she’s confronted by her supernatural heritage, a town with a bloody past, and literal demons. This book also has a host of great supporting characters, all well written and fully realized. AbstractStudioComics.com
Clementine-Book One, by Tillie Walden. My most recent read (from this list) and easily among my top five. Set in the world of the Walking Dead, but very much its own story with its own trajectory, Clementine faces an undead world as a teenage girl, an amputee and a mission to find solitude. Instead she finds friends-and foes-and wonders if surviving is actually worth it. It’s a great story, peppered with quiet moments that speak volumes. Again, the artwork here shines, and the characters are believable. Read an earlier piece I wrote about this book here. This is book one, with two more expected volumes on the way. Bookshop.org
Sheets & Delicates, by Brenna Thummler. I sort of cheated on this one because Sheets is the original story and Delicates, its sequel. But both can (and should) be read together because they compliment each other so well. Delicates is a better book in my opinion, but you need to read Sheets to better understand the story. Thummler does here what Tillie Walden does so well and that is create wordless panels of quiet moments that really speak for the characters. The most colorful of my top five picks-the artwork here is spectacular with several page spreads I found myself pausing to stare at. These both are really great books, pick them both up if possible. Bookshop.org
There are some really great graphic novels I’ve read that have done great things for comics. Watchmen is the first to come to mind, which I’ve read. But, while Watchmen is great, it’s hard to resonate with aging, washed up superheroes who’re trying to confront their past and their future. I mean-great story-but I can’t put it in my top five. I’m also about to dive into Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman Series now that they’re re-releasing the entire collection before the TV show hits. Which is exciting. So my list may grow or change, but for now these are my all-time faves. Find them if you can and give them a read. You won’t be disappointed.
Also, keep in mind, Fanboys has a large variety of Manga, comics and other books at each store location. So, if you’re looking for something new to read, be sure to head to your nearest location and see what’s in store for you!
