Variations on a Theme: Books with Pictures!

I should probably start keeping a file of ideas for Variations on a Theme. It took me forever to think of a topic for this month. Then again, that's what happens when I wait until the last minute to work on these posts. If you've got an idea or theme you'd like to see, leave me a comment.

In honor of Comic Con, I present this months theme: Graphic Novels. For the first time ever, I've read all of the main featured items.

The Watchmen
Alan Moore

Its the classic. It's a superhero story without any superheros. I liked it.


Sandman Series
Neil Gaiman

If you are in the mood for a unique, creative, and kind of trippy graphic novel... then you can't go wrong with Gaiman. Not only is it fun to read - the complexity of the story will stick with you and make you think long after you've finished the series. This is one of my favorite graphic novel series.

Maus
Art Spiegelman

This graphic novel is critically acclaimed and with good reason. The Holocaust can be difficult to grasp emotionally. The art and story style of the books humanize the story by using animals as characters. The metaphors of cats and mice make the themes of the book easier to understand, but in no way lessons the impact of the horrors of this genocide.

Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi

Iran and it's Islamic Revolution are to parts of history and society that I find fascinating. Satrapi's dramatic work does a fantastic job of showcasing one person's experience in the country. While the graphic style of this novel is amazing, what I found most intriguing was the human encounter with the politics and society of the time. I also recommend the movie.

A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge
Josh Neufeld

This item is another book that brings a vast (and ongoing) tragedy down to a tangible human level. Neufeld writes a compelling story without exploiting those he chronicles. Also, the visual images of this book are amazing - particularly the colors. Twas quite a good read.


The Arrival
Shaun Tan

A story told entirely pictures... and what glorious pictures they are. The Arrival is a brief work, but the images, story, and emotional impact resonates far beyond the covers. A beautiful story and one that is beautifully drawn.



Other Graphic Novels and Related Titles:
American Born Chinese - Gene Luen Yang
American Splendour: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar - Harvey Pekar
American Widow - Alissa Torres (My review)
Graphic Novels: Everything You Need to Know - Paul Gravett
The Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders - Emmanuel Guibert
Pride of Baghdad - Brian K. Vaughan (My review)
Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992-1995 - Joe Sacco
The Ten Cent Plague: The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America - David Hajdu
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art - Scoot McCloud
V for Vendetta - Alan Moore
Y the Last Man - Brian K. Vaughan (My reviews)