Illustrated and Graphic Novels - a list by skyekat

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About this list:

I love fiction, and I love pretty pictures and design. So put the two together, and you've got a match made in heaven. I'm not a huge fan of superheroes, in general, although there are exceptions for exceptional storytelling or art, but generally I tend to indie, or Vertigo-style comics and novels.

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Viewing 1-7 of 7 Items

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1

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No, it's not ALL about Alan Moore, but it's very, very hard to build a "best of" list and not mention him over and over. This is another old idea -- P.J. Farmer among many others has done it in text -- but nobody does it better, from his bleak and alcoholic Challenger to his giddily pornographic Invisible Man...it really is classic stuff.

Updated Aug 30, 2006

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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 2: Alan Moore, Kevin O'Neill

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Another great installment of the League from Moore. This time he takes the conceit of using characters from literature to a new level, and uses "War of the World" as the scaffolding or this story. I love the twist of incorporating Dr. Moreau as well. I wish some of the stuff that happens on Mars at the beginning of the story was fleshed out more, as I found it fascinating. The story-telling is quirky and fun, and it's a very enjoyable ride. The encyclopedia-like almanac at the end has some interesting tidbits in it, and does contain some explanations useful if you plan on reading the Black Dossier, but otherwise I found that section a bit dry.

Updated Jul 3, 2008

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Good-bye, Chunky Rice: Craig Thompson

First to recommend

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This book just broke my heart. And I mean that in the best possible way. It's a touching tale about friendship and letting go. I loved the illustration style, whimsical and fun, the perfect counterpoint to the plot. There's no lesson to be gleaned, or easy happy endings, just life soldiering on with maybe a little solace to be found by the sea. It's a beautiful and perfect book that might just leave you thoughtful if perhaps a bit sad.

Updated Jun 9, 2008

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The Facts In The Case Of The Departure Of Miss Finch by Neil Gaiman & Michael Zulli

First to recommend

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This book was a long time coming, originally slated for release over a year ago, but this adaptation of a short story by Neil Gaiman is worth the wait. If you've liked Michael Zulli's adaptations of Mr Gaiman's writing in the past, then you're sure to like this.

The story, also available in Fragile Things, centers around a "true story", in so much as the characters are ostensibly Mr Gaiman and some of his friends. These friends are obliged to entertain an acquaintance, and ask him along to the theatre and sushi. The theatre doesn't pan out, so instead they go to a circus held in underground caverns in London. While there, the cheesy stage-show develops into a very real threat, and a member of their party never returns...

The rich illustration style of Michael Zulli compliments this dark tale well. A visual feast, as well as a story-telling treat.

Updated Jun 8, 2008

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Secrets of Pistoulet

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I, like many people, was completely taken with the whimsy of Griffin and Sabine. A book where you could take parts of it out and read it! How amazing. This book is similar, but for those with a penchant for cooking. Recipes, as well as letters, can be pulled out and read. Set in the French countryside it contains drawings, photographs, snippets of diaries, and mysterious maps that tell the tale of Mademoiselle J., who arrives at Pistoulet with a broken heart.

Updated Nov 2, 2007

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Hall of Best Knowledge

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I happen to be a big fan of Ray Fenwick and his typographical work. You can check my tags and see how excited I get whenever his work is used. I love the fact that he hand letters things and the detailing is amazing. I first found out about Mr. Fenwick via his Flickr set "Hall of Best Knowledge". It was a great weekly cartoon that chronicled wisdom passed down from a benevolent seer to the rest of us minions. Tragically, the series ended, and Ray has moved on to bigger, better, less weekly things. But here Fantagraphics has collected the series in all of its glory and printed it for our perusing pleasure. Go buy it now. It will enrich your life.

Updated Mar 7, 2008

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The Dangerous Alphabet: Neil Gaiman, Gris Grimly

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Two children and a gazelle romp through a gruesome alphabet filled with even more grisly illustrations . . . and a whole lot of rhyming fun. Just the right amount of thrills and chills and alphabetical humor for ages 5 and up.

Updated Oct 17, 2009

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