Graphic Grown Up

It's no secret that children and YAs are clued in to graphic novels (GNs) and that comics-loving adults are positively giddy that this format is getting the recognition it deserves. Still, there is a whole swath of library card–carrying grown-up readers out there with no idea where to start. Splashy movies such as 300 and Spider-Man and their children are bringing GNs to more adults' attention, but those curious readers can easily be overwhelmed by the variety of titles and genres to be found in this format.

Adults are also harder to hook on something new. Often those with the inclination don't have the time to explore an entirely new format of storytelling. And applying what a reader likes in prose to GNs can pose difficulties; pacing, tone, and atmosphere in a graphic novel are strongly affected by the artwork, so there's an additional visual/aesthetic aspect to consider in recommendations.

Nonetheless, take heart: many of the strategies that libraries employ to advise YAs on GNs would work for adults, e.g., genre reading lists, themed displays, and tossing in a graphic novel suggestion when a patron asks for readalikes.

When introducing a new adult reader to the format, keep in mind the following:

• GN geeks in the know tend to push the classic titles (e.g., Maus or Watchmen) when asked for recommendations, but, just like with prose, classics aren't necessarily a good gateway into reading. No one expects all novel fans to have read Moby-Dick or Don Quixote. In readers' advisory for GNs, it's important to understand the nuances of a patron's reading preferences before offering titles.
• A movie based on a graphic novel often generates preconceived notions about the book. For example, Constantine is based on the long-running Hellblazer comic; the protagonist in the film is a dark-haired American who lives in Los Angeles, while the comic Constantine is a blond-haired Brit based in England. Also, the GN counterparts tend to be more violent and explicit than the movie versions, especially with regard to nonsuperhero comics adaptations.
• Consider patrons' film and TV preferences. These visual media offer clues to the pace and tone readers may appreciate in graphic novels.
• The gap between fiction and nonfiction is narrower in the GN format, since the incorporation of illustrations to “tell” the story instead of additional text can provide a seamless, narrative feel.
• Don't give up! Offer a variety of GNs in different styles to see what appeals the most.

FICTION

Horror & the Supernatural

IF THEY LIKE World War Z, The Zombie Survival Guide, the movie 28 Days Later, horror videogames like Resident Evil, eating brains...basically, all things zombie, try:
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman (text) & others (illus.). 10 vols. ongoing series. Image Comics. Already considered a modern GN classic, this character-driven take on the “human survivors in a zombie-infested world” setup is one of the most compelling comics out there. It also may appeal to fans of the GN Y: The Last Man and the movie and book I Am Legend and those who like postapocalyptic books in general. (Vol. 5, Xpress Review, LJ 3/20/07)

Also recced:
Deadworld by Gary Reed (text) & others (illus.). ongoing series. In this, the “original zombie comic,” the intelligent, Harley-riding King Zombie menaces the remaining humans in post-apocalyptic earth. The original series is two volumes; Image Comics “rebooted” the series with Deadworld: Requiem for the World, which is a good start for new readers. Watchmen movie co-writer David Hayter and Coraline producer Bill Mechanic are teaming up to bring it to the big screen to kick start a possible franchise.

Zombie Tales. 2 vols. ongoing series. Boom! Studios. An anthology series of punchy, twisty zombie tales of quality.

Zombie World. 2 vols. completed series. Dark Horse. The first volume, Champion of the Worms, is written by Hellboy-famed Mike Mignola and sets up the zombie outbreak, while the second volume, Winter Dregs, is a collection of mini-series set in a zombified New York.

IF THEY LIKE vampires but are allergic to Twilight, try:
Life Sucks by Jessica Abel & Gabe Soria (text) & Warren Pleece (illus.). First Second: Roaring Brook. A vegetarian vampire with a dead-end convenience store job in Los Angeles tries to woo a Goth girl in this unconventional undead tale reminiscent of the movie Clerks. (LJ 7/08)

Also recced:
Night Trippers by Mark Ricketts (text) & Micah Farritor (illus.). Image Comics. In this sophisticated story depicting Swinging London days, a vampire exploits the music and culture of the Sixties in his plan for world domination. (LJ Xpress, 7/4/06)

30 Days of Night by Steve Niles (text) & Ben Templesmith (illus.). ongoing series. IDW Pub. Rogue vampires terrorize the town of Barrow, AK, in this read for members of the “vampire are evil, bloody fun” camp and who enjoyed the movie 30 Days of Night. There are 13 other volumes in set in this world, although the first volume can stand alone.

IF THEY LIKE their supernatural sleuthing or urban fantasy to be dark and gritty with horror elements, try:
Criminal Macabre by Steve Niles (text) & others (illus.). 3 vols. ongoing series. Dark Horse. Netherworld monsters, gore, and gallows humor are what ails paranormal detective Cal MacDonald, besides drugs, booze, and broads, of course. A definite for fans of B-movie star Bruce Campbell.

Also recced, with a humorous slant:
The Goon by Eric Powell. 8 vols. ongoing series. Dark Horse. Rough-and-tumble brawler the Goon battles ghosts, ghouls, zombie priests, curses, and more in this Eisner Award-winning series. (Vol. 5, LJ Xpress, 12/19/06)

Hellboy by Mike Mignola (text) & others (illus.). 8 vols. ongoing series. Dark Horse. The adventures of our favorite recalcitrant paranormal investigator and company is always a good bet.

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse by Ben Templesmith. 3 vols. IDW Pub. A snarky maggot operates corpses and solves crime in this offbeat GN described as “Lovecraft on laughing gas channeled through Ralph Steadman." (Vol. 1, LJ 9/15/07)

Also recced, with a deadly serious slant:
Fell by Warren Ellis (text) & Ben Templesmith (illus.). 1 vol. ongoing series. Image Comics. For less over-the-top action (although, just as bizarre and gruesome happenings) and a more Lovecraftian, atmospheric tone and pace.

Hellblazer. 33 vols. ongoing series. Vertigo.This amoral, charismatic antihero takes the cake, as Constantine pits himself against heaven, hell, and everything inbetween in often horrific and explicit tales of magic and mayhem. A good volume to start with is Dangerous Habit, on which the movie was partially based on.

Preacher by Garth Ennis (text) & Steve Dillon & others (illus.). 9 vols. completed series. Vertigo.A disgruntled Texas ex-preacher goes off to search for, and confront, God in this ulta-violent, offensive, and compelling series populated with scheming angels, demons, vampires, what have you. Fans of Quentin Tarentino, John Carpenter, etc., and the GN Hellblazer should enjoy.

IF THEY LIKE tales of the sympathetic, philosophical monster try:
Concrete by Paul Chadwick. 7 vols. completed series. Dark Horse. A man's mind is transferred to an indestructible rock-like body by aliens and he must deal with the consequences of his newfound body and fame on Earth. This sensitive, contemplative comic touches on issues of environmental conservation, celebrity culture, and the vagaries of human nature and desire.

Science Fiction

IF THEY LIKE Dean Koontz's dog-focused suspense novels, the movie I, Robot, or military experiments gone awry, try:
We3 by Grant Morrison (text) & Frank Quitely (illus.). Vertigo. A cat, a dog, and a rabbit who were transformed by the military into intelligent, robotic weapons make an escape when they're slotted to be “decommissioned.” Beautiful, violent, and all too brief.

IF THEY LIKE Hunter S. Thompson, dystopian fiction, and nihilistic cyberpunk, try:
Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis (text) & Darick Robertson (illus.). 10 vols. completed series. Vertigo. Cynical journalist Spider Jerusalem digs for the truth in a futuristic, twisted, and corrupt America.

Fantasy

IF THEY LIKE high-concept fantasy, such as Charles de Lint or Clive Barker's Imajica, try:
Sandman by Neil Gaiman (text) & others (illus.). 10 vols. completed series. Vertigo. The quintessential fantasy GN about the Endless: the personifications of the universe's most eternal concepts.

Also recced:
The Crow by J. O'Barr. Kitchen Sink Press. The classic gothic tale of love lost and revenge from the beyond. A must for fans of the movie, Edgar Allan Poe, and, well, you know, Goths (they're hard to miss). Will also appeal to fans of revenge flicks and books, such as a the movie Kill Bill.

Fables by Bill Willingham (text) & others (illus.). 12 vols. ongoing series. Vertigo. The other highly acclaimed series (usually mentioned in the same breath as Sandman) that set the bar for fantasy comics. (Vol. 8, LJ 5/15/07).

IF THEY LIKE fantasy and adventure with a Jane Yolen or Princess Bride feel, try:
Castle Waiting by Linda Medley. 1 vol. ongoing series. Fantagraphics. “Drawing on Sleeping Beauty and The Canterbury Tales for starters,” this charming, whimsical story of an abandoned castle and its eccentric denizens features “talking animals, romance, demons, magic, and miracles aplenty.” A gentler, more all-ages tale than either Sandman or Fables. (LJ 9/15/06)

Crime/Thrillers

IF THEY LIKE the movie Sin City, Mickey Spillane, or noir, try:
Sin City by Frank Miller. 7 vols. completed series. Dark Horse. The over-the-top, stylized noir classic. One of those rare instances where you can say that if they loved the movie, they will definitely love the GN.

Also recced:
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello (text) & Eduardo Risso (illus.). 13 vols. completed series. Vertigo. The ultimate sprawling crime saga.

Scalped by Jason Aaron (text) & R.M. Guera (illus.). 5 vols. ongoing series. Vertigo. “Film noir melds with the Western” when hard-bitten Dash Bad Horse goes back to the rez undercover to bring down a crime boss. (Vol. 1, LJ Xpress, 12/11/07)

Criminal by Ed Brubaker (text) & Sean Phillips (illus.). 4 vols. ongoing series. Icon: Marvel. Hard-boiled noir stories of crime and consequence.

IF THEY LIKE The Da Vinci Code, they may be intrigued by:
Rex Mundi by Arvid Nelson (text) & Juan Ferreyra (illus.). 5 vols. ongoing series. Dark Horse. In this alternative history GN, the Catholic Church reigns supreme, the Inquisition runs rampant, magic is wielded, and one man tries to unravel the conspiracies behind ritual murders. Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil bought the film rights in 2006 as a vehicle for Depp; a hunt for a director is ongoing. (Vol. 3, Xpress Review, LJ 9/5/06)

IF THEY LIKE true crime and/or have an interest in Victorian history, try:
From Hell by Alan Moore (text) & Eddie Campbell (illus.). Top Shelf. A historically accurate fictional dramatization of Victorian London and one of history's infamous serial killers: Jack the Ripper.

Also recced:
“Treasury of Victorian Murder” series by Rick Geary. 8 vols. NBM. Including volumes about Jack the Ripper, H.H. Holmes, Lizzie Borden, and more. The first in his next GN series, A Treasure of XXth Century Murder: The Lindbergh Child was a PW Best Book of 2008.

Historical Fiction

IF THEY LIKE Greek classics and mythology or the movies 300 and Alexander, or mythology-based video games such as Age of Empires, Age of Mythology, and their spinoffs, try:
Age of Bronze by Eric Shanower. 3 vols. ongoing series. Image Comics. An epic retelling of the Trojan War, synthesizing legend, scholarly research, and mythology.

IF THEY HAVE an interest in USSR history, the Cold War, animal tales such as Dewey, or tearjerkers, try:
Laika by Nick Abadzis. First Second. Abadzis blends fact and fiction with this account of Laika—a charming little dog who had the dubious honor of being the first living creature sent into space—and the Russian space program circa 1956. (LJ 1/08)

True-to-Life Fiction

IF THEY LIKE tales of postgraduate life, try:
Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson. Top Shelf. An unexaggerated soap opera revolving around two young guys dealing with postcollege life in New York City. Robinson's follow-up, Tricked (LJ 11/15/05), continues with strong characterization and relationship building but is more plot oriented.

Also recced:
Breakfast After Noon by Andi Watson. Oni Pr. Set in England, a newly-engaged couple navigate the twists and turns of life and love.

FOR ANGLOPHILES and anyone who likes literary dramas, try:
Tamara Drewe by Posy Simmons. Mariner: Houghton Harcourt. Roughly based on Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd, this is a “Bucolic British melodrama.” (LJ 3/15/09)

IF THEY LIKE Armistead Maupin or soap operas, try:
Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore. 6 vols. completed series. pocket pap. Abstract Studio. An Eisner Award and GLAAD Award–winning drama of twists and turns that has proven itself popular among women.

Also recced:
Cavalcade of Boys by Tim Fish. Poison Pr. The realistic and poignant saga of gay men in California.

NONFICTION

Memoirs/Autobiography

IF THEY LIKE coming-of-age stories set in foreign countries, try:
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi. Pantheon. One of the first GNs that penetrated mainstream readership upon its publication tells of one girl's life during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Sequel is Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return.

Also recced:
Aya by Marguerite Abouet (text) & Clément Oubrerie (illus.). Drawn & Quaterly. A girl grows up on the colorful Ivory Coast. Sequel is Aya of Yop City (LJ 1/09). (LJ Xpress, 12/19/06)

Kampung Boy by Lat. First Second. One Muslim boy's upbringing in a 1950s Malaysian kampung, or village. Sequel is Town Boy.

IF THEY LIKE poignant explorations of identity, discovery, and love, try:
Blankets by Craig Thompson. Top Shelf. Family, faith, angst, and young love in rural Wisconsin are featured in this epicly intimate boy-becoming-a-man chronicle. (LJ 7/03)

Also recced:
Epileptic by David B. Pantheon. A tale of an epileptic brother and how it affects the author's childhood and adult life. (LJ 3/15/05)

IF THEY LIKE Jeanette Winterson, the TV show Six Feet Under, or quirky books about unconventional families, try:
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. Houghton Harcourt. The controversial and engaging memoir of a young girl growing up in a funeral home in small-town America, while discovering her own lesbianism and uncovering her father's secrets.

THE MUST READ for anyone with an interest in World War II–era history and who can appreciate the Animal Farm twist:
Maus I and Maus II by Art Spiegelman. Pantheon. The incontrovertibly controversial Pulitzer Prize–winning classic of graphic Holocaust memoirs. But a background knowledge of the setting and context for the animal caricatures is necessary to appreciate fully the depth and breadth of the storytelling.

Also recced:
Alan's War: The Memories of G.I. Alan Cope by Emmanuel Guibert. First Second. Guibert writes and draws for the American G.I. Cope, expressively and honestly portraying his World War II experience and his life afterwards. Also good for an older readership.

FOR SOMEONE looking for a less epic and more intimate portrayal of Holocaust survival in the vein of Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, try:
We Are on Our Own by Miriam Katin. Drawn & Quarterly. A mother and daughter fake their own death to escape the Nazi occupation of Budapest and go through a harrowing journey of survival and faith.

Journalism

FOR THOSE INTERESTED in war documentaries, Middle Eastern or Eastern European history, and current events, Joe Sacco has penned four journalistic GNs, two on Bosnia (War's End: Profiles from Bosnia 1995–1996, Drawn & Quarterly; Safe Area Gorazde: The War in Eastern Bosnia 1992–1995, Fantagraphics), The Fixer: A Story from Sarajevo (Drawn & Quarterly), and American Book Award–winning Palestine (Fantagraphics). Forthcoming: Footnotes in Gaza (Metropolitan: Holt); see Prepub Alert, p. 52.

IF THEY LIKE John Wood's How I Left Microsoft To Change the World or Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, try:
The Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Didier Lefèvre & Frederic Lemercier (text) & Emmanuel Guibert (illus.). First Second: Roaring Brook. Photojournalist Lefèvre's photos “tell his story of the wonderful, intriguing Afghani people and their sweeping country, while Guibert's drawings tell the story of Lefèvre telling his story” in this moving account that has the potential to “inspire another generation of humanitarian heroes.” (LJ 5/15/09)