What do you think qualifies as a representation of great literary works in comics; something you read and have zero complaints, something with no plotholes and with intelligent themes and subtext? Can you think of any comics (preferably super hero comics but I'm open to anything) that you think are literary genius?
Most Intelligent Comics
Watchmen is really that good eh? I'll pick it up next time I'm at the cmic shop. Any vertigo books in particular?
@pperspectiveandreality: Sandman, Transmetrpolitarian (Don't think I spelled that right..)
Watchmen
Killing Joke
V for Vendetta
I've read Killing Joke and I loved it. V for Vendetta has always intrigued me so I will pick that up as well as Watchmen.
I'm looking for something that really gets you thinking, for something that's complex that really sucks you in.
Greg Rucka's Checkmate.
would you say Brubaker's Captain America fits my criteria?
@pperspectiveandreality: You should also give a try to X-Men God Loves, Man Kills.
@pperspectiveandreality: You should also give a try to X-Men God Loves, Man Kills.
Just read it. A definite must read imo.
Greg Rucka's Checkmate.
would you say Brubaker's Captain America fits my criteria?
Intelligent or complex aren't exactly very specific terms but....no, I generally wouldn't consider Brubaker's Cap to be what you're looking for. His Cap run is well-told and a bit darker in tone than your average superhero book, as well as being more grounded, but it's not exactly a comic that gets you thinking.
I'd still recommend Checkmate. If you want a story that needs multiple rereads to truly understand, with intriguing politics and espionage thrown in as well as an ensemble cast of characters - well there's no better than this.
Or, there's also Morrison's run on Batman (which I'm surprised no one mentioned yet...).
Watchmen is really that good eh? I'll pick it up next time I'm at the cmic shop. Any vertigo books in particular?
Fables seems extremely smart, it feels as if you're reading a novel as opposed to a comic book. Same with Saga.
- Arkham Asylum: A serious house on serious earth: Read the original script and you'll realise that its very smart.
- Black Orchid by Neil Gaiman : Again the first scene questions the very idea of superheroes
- Watchmen: Enough said
- Mircaleman: Again questions superheroes
- Kingdom Come: Asks why we have a Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman among the DC universe
- Fables: Can we live happily ever after?
- Saga: Family and War and how all can be affected.
Or, there's also Morrison's run on Batman (which I'm surprised no one mentioned yet...).
Someone mentioned his Arkham Asylum story.
Saga is my favorite book right now.
Mine too!! I just ordered the Third volume even though I'm still on the first volume!!
It literally just gets better and better as it goes along. BKV is, IMO, the best story teller in comics right now. Not necessarily the best writer but certainly the best story-teller.
@pperspectiveandreality: And Fiona Staples is also amazing!! I'm so happy people recommended it to me!!
The most intelligent comic, the most profound, the most meta, the most emotionally compelling, and unfortunately, the most underrated, is Grant Morrison's Flex Mentallo: Man of Muscle Mystery. I just re-read it two nights ago and it continues to hold up as the greatest comic I've ever read, and stands right alongside my other favorite literary works (Milton's Paradise Lost, Spencer's sonnets, Keat's odes, Macdonald's Phantastes,Tolkien's Tree and Leaf, Lewis' Narniad, Nabokov's Lolita, and Asimov's The Last Question).
Or, there's also Morrison's run on Batman (which I'm surprised no one mentioned yet...).
Someone mentioned his Arkham Asylum story.
That's a good one as well, but not quite as cerebral as his actual run on the Batman title I feel.
@veshark: They're both really Morrison. His real Batman run had different points and styles of literaryness (I know that isn't a word). Arkham Asylum has one distinct style throughout.
@rideaspacecowboy: Flex Mentallo is freaking awesome. I absolutely adore that book.
Corto Maltese, Krazy Kat, Acme Novelty Library, Love and Rockets, American Splendor, Eightball, Yummy Fur, Palookaville, Cerebus, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Pogo, Hicksville, Maus, Cages by McKean, Optic Nerve, Mome, Finder...
Creators in general: Eddie Campbell, Bryan Talbot, Will Eisner, Robert Crumb, Osamu Tezuka, Naoki Urasawa, Harvey Kurtzman, Carl Barks, Don Rosa, Joe Sacco, Moebius, Kyle Baker, Jim Woodring, Chester Brown, Charles Burns, Matt Wagner, Jacques Tardi, Pat Mills, John Wagner, Steve Gerber, Peter Milligan, Taiyō Matsumoto, Walt Simonson, Jack Kirby, Alison Bechdel, Jason, Charles Forsman...
BB
Just read Morrison's 1st volume of Doom Patrol and its awesome.
Just read Morrison's 1st volume of Doom Patrol and its awesome.
I keep meaning to read that, but I've never gotten around to it. I'll start reading it eventually.
I know a lot of people do not actually like this book or the horrible writer Frank Miller has become but the Dark Knight Returns is one of the most gritty, intense, we'll written, fast paced, and gripping stories I have ever read. The political satire is also razor sharp, the main character is compelling and fully fleshed out, and the side characters such as Carrie Kelly, Commissioner Gordon,Ellen Yin, and others are also interesting, and the villains are absolutely amazing, especially the Joker. So if you're looking for an intelligent, dark satire this is for you.
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