I’ve been reading comics since I was 15 years old. They are the lifeblood of my love of reading. I can be super busy in my real life and forget all about the joys of reading – and with the stroke of one good comic – that can all change. Suddenly, I am neglected my man, my work, and my friends because I’m engrossed in a series of amazing comics, which then leads me straight into some historical fiction work for the next month. It’s a beautiful thing.
I’m not sure why some people think reading is boring, but I think it’s the most exciting thing ever. Words hang with you and pop into your mind and create vivid memories that illustrate another world.
Comics bring all this and more to my heart. They opened up an alternate world for me which I could be myself. I would know just what to say when someone was sassing off to me. They taught me how much I love gritty detective novels, spy stories, and heartbreaking unconventional love.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite reads. By no means is this complete. I could go on for days with the number of graphic novels that are filling my book shelves. I’ve separated them into three group for easier categories…
Classics Comics
Hellboy by Mike Mignola (Any book will do.)
Preacher by Garth Ennis
Sandman by Neil Gaiman (Although I really only recommend up until A Doll’s House – after that he gets a little tiresome.)
XMEN’s The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont
Hellblazer by Garth Ennis (he no longer writes for it – but his work on the title really brought new life to the series.)
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
The Invisibles by Grant Morrison
Current OnGoing Titles
Locke & Key by Joe Hill (son of Stephen King – yep. THAT Stephen King.)
Fables by Bill Willingham
The Boys by Garth Ennis (WARNING: not safe if you have kids – a lot of this book is very naughty.)
Powers by Brian Michael Bendis
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Great One Shot Graphic Novels
Fell by Warren Ellis
Desolation Jones by Warren Ellis
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore (The first book of this series is genius – without alienating the audience. Admittedly, Mr. Moore can get a little carried away with his own intelligence.)
The Killing Joke by Alan More
Stray Toasters by Bill Sienkiewicz
The Collected Fantasies of Jean Giraud (Moebius)
Please note that I am a fussy cunt when it comes to quality comic book reading. I do not like to be patronized or pandered too. I demand quality dialogue and characters are as fucked up as real life. I tend to stay away from the typical “super hero” books, except Batman. I love Bats because he’s just as mental as the rest of us.
This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by the Concerned Bloggers Association.
If you would like to become involved, please contact Marleen Vaughan for more information.
coffeesmoke 