Below are the ten graphic novels that I think will make the perfect gifts for either you or your friends and family this Christmas! As well as a little information about each of them, I've gone into detail as to why I think they're well worth spending your money on! Of course, I'm sure you guys have your own opinions and recommendations, so please share those in the usual place! And be sure to check back in a few days for part two, where I'll be covering video games and movies!
10. Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn
Spinning out of Batman RIP, the new Dynamic Duo hits the streets with a bang in their new flying Batmobile to face an assemblage of villains called the Circus of Strange, and tackle their first mission - investigating an abduction by the mysterious Domino Killer. But will everything go smoothly? And who exactly are the new Batman and Robin? The newest era of the Dark Knight begins here.
The Dark Knight Rises is still a couple of years away and there are way too many amazing classic stories to recommend. That's why this might seem like an odd choice...especially as during this story, Bruce Wayne is believed dead and its former Nightwing (Dick Grayson) who holds the mantle of Batman. Joining him is Damian, son of Bruce and Talia Al Ghul, and it’s duo’s chemistry that makes this book so damned great. Primarily this series is about having a good time, and the reversal of the typical Batman/Robin dynamic (with the latter more stoic and the former more eager to make quips) makes for a very interesting and unique take on these classic characters. Frank Quitely and Philip Tan do some stellar work with art, and both artists’ unique styles lend some amazing visuals to their respective arcs. Grant Morrison’s entire run on the series was very enjoyable, and despite this book featuring a very poor portrayal of Jason Todd, its great fun nonetheless.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Batman coverage, simply click HERE!
9. Kick-Ass
Dave Lizewski is just an ordinary American teenager; he has a MySpace page, loves comic books, and is unable to find a girlfriend. Then an idea hits him: why not become a real life super hero? His life will never be the same again...now a major motion picture directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Jane Goldman, "Kick-Ass" takes comic book realism to a whole new level!
If you’ve still not seen the fantastic movie adaptation from director Matthew Vaughn, stop reading this and go watch it. Pretty good, huh? Well, if you enjoyed that, you’ll love the book it’s based off! It doesn’t really matter whether you decide to watch this before or after the big screen adaptation, but both complement each other nicely. While there are some major differences here and there (caused by the movie starting filming before the comic series was finished) this isn’t an issue, and makes it all the more enjoyable. With art from critically acclaimed Amazing Spider-Man’s John Romita Jr, this book is just as much fun to look at as it is to read. The two manage to deliver an enjoyable story which is not only realistic enough to be believable, but will make you laugh and wince (it’s pretty darned violent in places) all at the same time. One word of warning: like the film, this is very much aimed at an adult audience, so it might not be the most suitable of books to introduce your young kids to comic books with!
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Kick-Ass coverage, simply click HERE!
8.Thor
Not a clone! Not a robot! Not an imaginary story! The God of Thunder is officially BACK! You've waited for it, you've demanded it... and we say thee YEA! But how does a god return from Ragnarok? And what place will he find in a world torn by Civil War? The Odinson comes roaring to life in this highly anticipated ongoing series by red-hot superstars J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel!
Marvel couldn't have picked a better writer than JMS to bring Thor back from the dead and make him interesting again. With the movies New Mexico setting a definite nod to the comics location of Oklahoma and the scene where the God of Thunders hammer crashes to Earth translated from page to screen almost directly (not to mention JMS' involvement with the movie) this is a must have for new and old fans alike! Joining the acclaimed writer is joined by Olivier Copiel on art, and boy does he deliver! His art is stunning and there are literally too many great moments to single out a piece of his art as being better than the rest...it's consistently brilliant. In this first volume, we see Thor come back to Earth as well as the return of his human host: Donald Blake. Considered by some to be a controversial and somewhat pointless character, JMS manages to make him both interesting and an essential addition to the Thor mythos. Not to be missed is Thor giving Iron Man a well deserved beating in the streets of New Orleans. Epic.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Thor coverage, simply click HERE!
7. Superman: Birthright
From his humble beginnings in Smallville, to the excitement of big-city life in Metropolis, Superman: Birthright chronicles the life of Clark Kent and shows the events that transformed him into the World's Greatest Super-Hero. Witness his first heroic feats, his first meeting with Lois Lane, and the beginnings of his friendship-turned-rivalry with Lex Luthor!
There are a lot of great origins stories for the Man of Steel available to buy, but in my humble opinion, this one is the best. It’s worth noting that recent reports have indicated that this is the storyline director Zack Snyder is planning on basing the upcoming reboot on, making this an even more essential purchase. Mark Waid crafts a tale that evolves Clark Kent from a young reporter travelling the world to the iconic superhero that we all know. Exploring both this and taking inspiration from Smallville, the writer also takes a fascinating look at the relationship between Clark and Lex as teens and this makes the story all the more interesting. Although Lenil Francis Yu might not be an artist you would at first associate with a character like Superman, his style is actually perfectly suited to this story and he delivers not only stunning art from panel to panel, but also plenty of breath-taking splash pages. A refreshing take on all of the characters, and my favourite of all the modern origin stories, this is a must have for Superman fans and newbies alike.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Superman coverage, simply click HERE!
6. Captain America: Winter Soldier Collection
Cap is awakened in the dead of the night by agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., who need the kind of help only he can provide. But the corpse he finds on the Heli-carrier brings him face-to-face with the unthinkable, and opens doors to terror and manipulation he never dreamed possible! It's a new beginning as four-time Eisner-nominated Best Writer Ed Brubaker makes his Marvel debut, joined by white-hot artist Steve Epting! As the new regular creative team, they will take Cap's life in directions fans will never see coming!
With Captain America: The First Avenger set to be released next year, you might be wondering which graphic novel is the best one to pick up. Well, look no further because there's nowhere better to start than Ed Brubaker's astonishing run on the series! The twelve issue "Winter Soldier" arc kicked off back in 2004, and its effects are STILL being felt in the Marvel Universe. The return of Bucky to the Marvel Universe brings with it a lot of complications; possibly one of the most dramatic Cap stories ever, and it would completely ruin the story to tell you anymore! Needless to say, Brubaker captures all of the characters personalities perfectly and starts laying seeds as mention above, he is still exploring six years later in the series. Perhaps the only problem with this book, is that you’ll desperately want to go out and catch up immediately after reading it! With superb art from Steve Epting and gritty WWII flashbacks handled excellently by Michael Lark, you'll struggle to find a better looking book on the shelves.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Captain America coverage, simply click HERE!
5. The Ultimates: Volume 1 – The Ultimate Collection
Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. The X-Men and Magneto. Strange beings with incredible powers have risen up to challenge the old order, and ordinary citizens are scared witless. The government's solution: a small but lethal army known as the Ultimates, created to protect us all from the newly rising threats to mankind! Millar and Hitch's widescreen super-hero epic helped define Marvel's then-new Ultimate line of comics.
While the CBM community is often split on just how much of the series penned by Mark Millar should influence the upcoming movie, The Avengers, there’s no denying that this is a fascinating tale of what the team would have been like had they formed in a grittier (and arguably more realistic) world than the one they first assembled in in the 1960’s. While the classic characters will always be the true versions, there’s no denying that Millar delivers an interesting and refreshing take on them. A Captain America who actually acts and talks like a WWII era soldier. A Thor that everyone thinks is crazy – after all, how can he really be a God? These are just a couple of examples of the interesting things Millar does with the characters, and whether it’s his version of the Giant Man/Wasp domestic abuse storyline or an epic battle between the team and the Hulk which takes place smack bang in the middle of New York, there’s something for everyone in this superb story. The stunning art from Bryan Hitch is an added bonus and reason enough to buy this great book. While the first 13 issues are a great standalone story, you’d be a fool not to pick up the following volume as well.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Avengers coverage, simply click HERE!
4. Green Lantern: Rebirth
Wielding a power ring - a device that allows a worthy wearer to turn thought into reality - Hal Jordan was one of the greatest heroes in the universe, a member of an intergalactic police force, until tragedy turned him into one of its greatest villains. Today, his soul searches for redemption as the Spectre. But redemption may not be what Jordan himself needs...or wants. The fates of the entire Green Lantern Corps are revealed in this tale of heroism involving a colossal roster of super-heroes! A turning point in the history of the Green Lanterns begins here!
With Ryan Reynolds bringing the character to the big screen for the first time next summer, now is your chance to catch up on the iconic run that Geoff Johns started back in 2005 which brought Hal Jordan back to the DC Universe. While “Secret Origins” tells the story of how Hal became a member of the Green Lantern Corps, that’s a far more rewarding read if you start at the beginning and make your way there and eventually on to the mega event, “Blackest Night”. This story is an easy jumping on point and it’s not in the least bit necessary to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of all DC things to understand what exactly is going on. Ethan van Sciver’s art is a visual treat, and he proves here why he’s considered one of the best artists in the industry…keep an eye out for his superb take on the terrifying Parallax if you need further proof! Whether you choose to read this as a one-off tale or decide to read on through the entire run, this is an epic tale which will surely make even the most devoted Marvel fanboy excited for the upcoming movie! (Hell, it worked on me!)
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Green Lantern coverage, simply click HERE!
3. Marvel Knights Spider-Man
A mysterious villain has discovered the wallcrawler's secret identity... and is using the information to slowly destroy everything and everyone that Peter Parker cares about. But how far will Spider-Man go to protect the people he loves? Is he willing to cross a boundary we thought we'd never see him cross? Featuring Spider-Man's most fearsome foes and avenging allies!
Spider-Man is my favourite comic book character and this list could have easily been filled with stories featuring him alone. Whether it’s the collections of the classic Stan Lee/Steve Ditko stories, JMS’ superb run or some of the better arcs of “Brand New Day”, there are a hell of a lot to choose from. Mark Millar’s twelve issue run with spectacular art from Terry Dodson (and a couple of equally great looking fill in issues from Frank Cho) starts off with a bang and established itself as one of the best Spider-Man stories of recent years. Norman Osborn is in prison but that doesn’t mean he’s finished with Peter Parker just yet. One of the other classic villains now knows his secret identity and Aunt May’s been taken. To top all that off, this series also sees the birth of a new Venom and the formation of the Sinister Twelve! To say any more would surely spoil it, but this book doubles as a great introduction to new readers and long term fans alike. Although he’s now best known for writing adult tales like Nemesis and Wanted, MKSM proves that Millar’s best work is with Marvel’s range of characters.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Spider-Man coverage, simply click HERE!
2. Fantastic Four: Volume 1 Hardcover
The evil Doctor Doom attacks the Fantastic Four with new-found supernatural power, forcing Reed Richards into unthinkable predicaments as he tries to save his family.
While the term “no news is good news” seems apt when it comes to any comic book movie produced by Fox, there’s no reason why you can’t still enjoy the adventures of Marvel’s first family on page! Writer Mark Waid and the late Mike Wieringo craft tales that many have said are up there in terms of quality with the classic tales of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. During their epic run, the team head on up to Heaven and take over Latveria, while one member dies and another becomes a herald of Galactus! Intertwined with those epic stories are plenty of other great arcs that’ll make you laugh, cry and leave you a fan of the Fantastic Four for life! Fans of Spider-Man will get a kick out of seeing him and Johnny take on Hydro Man in a hilarious game of one-upmanship, and Doctor Doom fans better prepare to see a scary new take on the villain! Waid manages to capture each of the characters personalities (flaws and all) possibly better than any other writer and Wieringo delivers some of the best art I’ve ever seen in a comic book.
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM Fantastic Four coverage, simply click HERE!
1. The Walking Dead: Volume One – Days Gone Bye
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living.
By now, I’m sure that most of you have checked out the fantastic TV series on AMC. But just how many of you are familiar with the comic books it was based off? After watching the first episode, I went out and bought volume one, and am I glad I did! Written by the brilliant Robert Kirkman (Marvel Zombies) and with stunning B&W art by Tony Moore (Ghost Rider, The Punisher) the TV adaptation makes the perfect companion to this superb series. Rather than being a non-stop flurry of gore an violence, Days Gone By is very much a character driven story that realistically shows what one person might face when civilization collapses. However, there are of course also plenty of frightening and edge of your seat moments! The only downside of buying this book will be your uncontrollable desire to go out and buy the other twelve volumes! With art duties being taken over by Charlie Adlard (Judge Dredd) they too are an essential purpose for any comic book fan, and make for an amazing journey following the life of Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors!
To keep up-to-date with all the latest CBM The Walking Dead coverage, simply click HERE!
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