Comics, Graphic Novels, and Sequential Art
Comics are about so much more than super people in super capes fighting super crime. Here’s a list of some great comics, graphic novels and graphic arts you might have missed:
The Works of Edward Gorey: full of dark humor and sharp wit, Gorey’s simple gothic illustrations and cryptic captions and stories are a delight. Where have you seen his art? Many recognize his work from the eerie opening
of PBS’s Mystery, or from John Bellairs’ children’s mystery books.
Amphigorey
Amphigorey Too
Amphigorey Also
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
This Printz Award winner discusses with humor and creativity the difficulties that nearly everyone experiences while trying to discover their own self identity. The protagonist grapples with his dual Chinese and American identities as he searches to find himself in junior high.
Jim Woodring’s Frank books
Weird, d
isturbing, wonderful. Jim Woodring has a bizarre talent for turning doodle-like creations into a wonderland all his own. These cryptic, wordless stories are full of mystery, humor and strange discovery.
The Portable Frank
Weathercraft
Congress of the Animals
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
Both biting and poignant, this exploration of teen Gen-Xers is a fascinating look at identity, maturity and American values.
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Zombies seem to be everywhere these days, in books, movies and comics, but The Walking Dead remains fresh, interesting and fun to read. Plus, it’s a wonderful view of society, relationships, and the nature of our consumerist culture.
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan
Imagine that a killer disease has killed every man on earth, but one. That’s the premise of Brian K. Vaughan’s Y: The Last Man, an examination of patriarchy, and American society, it’s also a darn good post-apocalyptic yarn.
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware
At turns bleak and poignant, Jimmy Corrigan follows several generations of Corrigan men and their estranged fathers. Chris Ware jumps back and forth between generations, focusing on the Chicago’s World Columbian Expo of 1893 and the life of Jimmy Corrigan and his first meeting with his father in 1983.
Did we miss any of your favorites? What would you put on this list?
Check out this list and more at the Orem Library Blog, Just Browsing
Not sure what to read next? Just read something great that you can't wait to talk about? Check out book, movie, and music reviews from library patrons just like yourself, and add your own on the Orem Public Library Catalog Review Page.
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