Top 10 Graphic Novels of All Time

 The second entry of my Top 10 series and this time around it's the Ten Greatest Graphic Novels. And before I start off this list, I must inform you that only publications of DC or MARVEL Comics are listed. Whether you're at the age of 5, 15 or 50, comic books have played a huge played a huge part of your life (admit it!) For me it started out as a childhood fascination and now I see it as a valid art form.

Well, here is my list of the the 10 Best Graphic Novels of All Time, some entries will be obvious and some may be obscure but one thing they all have in common is their greatness. And if you're planning to get into comics, these entries will serve as the best starting points. It should be noted that over 90% of this list is composed of comics of the 1980s. So anyway, without further ado, here is the list as follows:

10. "X-MEN: GOD LOVES, MAN KILLS"
(1982)
The first entry in the list goes to the X-Men's "'God Loves, Man Kills". The graphic novel is often overlooked but it's a masterwork nonetheless. Following the Dark Phoenix Saga, the X-Men come full-circle and face their greatest (non-mutant) foe - Man. But this time around it's Reverend William Stryker who sets out to kill anything related to the word "mutant", whether the victims are our beloved team of mutants or Stryker's very own son, the man will stop at nothing. The comic not only was a major influence on X2 but is also one of the first time super-villain, Magneto forms an alliance with the X-Men to fight a common foe. It is one of the most clear-cut examples of X-Men comics using mutant relations as a metaphor for real life race relations as well as being a general critic of prejudice. The graphic novel is a powerful tale of prejudice and is filled with great and striking moments and not to mention, some haunting imagery.

09. "MARVELS"
(1994)
The grittiest (and most depressing) publication of MARVEL since Gwen Stacy's death. The story follows photographer, Phil Sheldon as he (and the rest of the world) witness the inception and ultimately the deception of, what he calls, "Marvels". This four-issue graphic novel makes us relive the great and infamous moments through out the Marvel Universe except from a (very) different point of view, that is the POV of the often dim-witted, short-tempered, ignorant and ungrateful public. The story channels the history of MARVEL comics from the beginning of the Golden Age up to the Bronze Age. No MARVEL comic before or since quite captured the realism, the grit and the humanity of the superheros' world so well. Sometimes the most negative and depressing story telling makes for a great novel and not to mention, it makes for a Hell of an enjoyable read!

08. "BATMAN: THE LONG HALLOWEEN"
(1996-1997)
Batman, DC's knight in shining armor, never had an adventure as nail biting as the mystery of the Holiday killer and all surrounding it. The graphic novel centers around a noir-ish story and with a rather Gothic twist on the gangster/murder mystery plot. The story as it develops is so nerve-racking and twisted that you almost forget that it's about a guy in a bat-themed costume. The comic features all our beloved characters each with their own little sub-plot to go along with the ride. Writer Jeph Loeb deserves extra credit not only for creating a striking and original storyline but also for breathing new life into some fading and uninteresting characters (*cough*Calendar Man*cough*) 'The Long Halloween is a roller coaster of a ride, with twists and turns in every corner and is packed to the brim with memorable moments and striking visuals. By the time you finish this 13-issue tour de force, you will be left screaming for more - that's were Dark Victory comes in. But even without it's sequels, 'The Long Halloween acts as a great standalone piece as well.

07. "BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE"
(1988)
A classic Batman tale courtesy of comics' great legends, Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. The Joker, the main character for a change, breaks out of Arkham Asylum (yet again) but this time sets out with a major goal, that is to drive everyone as insane as he is. The story tells of the origins of the Clown Price of Crime (which is widely accepted in the DC cannon), who as it turns out used to be an ordinary guy and was ultimately driven to his now-known insane persona. The graphic novel really left it's mark on the DC Universe, with all it's bizarre moments that would leave your mouth open for a while (either in laughter or in awe). In all his years since 1940, The Joker or the Batman franchise never looked so disturbing as it did in Alan Moore's masterpiece, The Killing Joke.

06. "ARKHAM ASYLUM: A SERIOUS HOUSE ON SERIOUS EARTH"
(1989)
In this beautifully painted gem of a comic by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, we get to see the inside of the dreaded Arkham Asylum and subsequently inside the mindset of the criminally insane inmates. The graphic novel is much like Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, only much more violent and demented than one can possibly imagine. The story follows the inmates of 'Arkham who have taken over the facility and taken several hostages on April Fools Day and led by, none other than, The Joker, who wants nothing in return but for Batman to join in (what a delightful fellow!) And not to mention convincing Batman that he is utterly insane, after all he is dressed up like a flying rat. This twisted Batman tale was groundbreaking to say the least, composed of darkly demented imagery and an atmosphere that is downright creepy. It also kick started a whole new trend of lettering treatment thanks to Gaspar Saladino's distinctive lettering work, giving characters their own fonts, and lending the Joker's dialogue an ink-spattered manic intensity. The practice of giving characters customized lettering treatments has since become widespread, especially in DC's VERTIGO line and many Marvel comics. Through it's innovative ways of capturing the atmosphere, the novel strikes a major chord. It is as unsettling as it is beautiful.

05. "BATMAN: YEAR ONE"
(1987) 
Perhaps the definitive Batman comic, Frank Miller's Year One depicts the realism and the actual shit our beloved hero has to go through. After portraying the flawed future of Gotham, Frank Miller goes back to square one and shows us of the origins of the Caped Crusader like never before. There has been several retelling of the Dark Knight's origins before and after Year One but none will sum up to the sheer brilliancy and relevancy of this particular graphic novel. The absence of any major villains doesn't mean Batman can catch a break. This time, the entire of Gotham City backed up by a trigger-happy SWAT team is out to catch the Bat after misunderstanding his aims. It is perfectly written as well as drawn without a single flaw. It remains to this day, not only a much significant Batman comic but also one of the most important comics ever written.

04. "V FOR VENDETTA"
(1982-1989)
Alan Moore's classic "V for Vendetta" tells of the dystopian, post-apocalyptic, in other words, fucked-up future of the United Kingdom, which by the way is ruled under a fascist regime. In the wake of all this, V (a mysterious vigilante dressed up in a cloak and Guy Fawkes Mask) sets out to bring down the government, convince the people to rule themselves, oh, and murder his former captors - all these are not just a long list of "To-Do"s but also a Hell of a lot fun to watch. Whether V is a hero fighting for a cause or simply insane, one thing we do know about him is that he is just "an idea" - An idea of anarchy, freedom and revolution, and the inevitable violence that comes with. Though written as a stab at right wing politics of the 80s, it is as relevant and powerful at any era and/or culture. And yes, the comic is as awesome as it seems.
 
03. "THE SANDMAN: PRELUDES & NOCTURNES"
(1989)

Dream (left) and his sister, Death

Neil Gaiman's gothic tale of the King of Dream, Morpheus of The Endless and his downfall. Sandman is not only one of VERTIGO's best publications but also one of the best reads of the modern age, as frequently stated by critics. And Sandman's first volume, "Preludes & Nocturnes" will serve as the 'gateway drug' to the Sandman universe. It starts out with the story of a man obsessed with capturing Death but mistakenly captures and ultimately imprisons her brother, Dream instead. This angle opens the "More Than Rubies" storyline that keeps on escalating until all Hell breaks loose. The comic features numerous shout-outs and cameos from various DC characters, with the villain for the second half of the story being a character of JLA fame. Gaiman's dark masterpiece is, from start to finish, pure genius.


02. "THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS"
(1986)
Clearly the most significant Batman story there is and Frank Miller deserves all the credit in the world for it. Taking the Dark Knight out of his then-dominant camp image was indeed a difficult task to do but Miller pulled it off better than anyone expected. Who would have thought that one of the greatest graphic novel would be centered on a character that formerly go-go danced whilst fighting crime? (yes I had to mention that) This four-issue comic single-handedly shook all the camp out of Batman and brought him back to his dark roots. Miller portrayed the Caped Crusader in a completely new light - as a weak and vulnerable old man. Seeing as how bizarre and appalling Gotham City has become, 55-year-old Bruce Wayne plans to come out of retirement and don the Batman costume once more. But coming out of retirement isn't as easy as it sounds and poor Mr. Wayne had to find that out the hard way. After not adding to value that he is now an "unqualified menace" and is as irrelevant as the League of Nations, Batman quickly faces opposition from the Gotham City police force as well as the US government. The Bat faces as much difficulties leaving as he did when he first arrived.

The graphic novel is brilliantly made and is largely responsible for changing the face of comics. And I feel as though if I continue writing about this comic, I'll regret not putting it on the No.1 spot even more.
And Speaking of the No.1 spot...

01. "WATCHMEN"
(1986-1987)
Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' magnum opus, Watchmen redefined superhero comics and everything related to comics. The graphic novel is covered with layers of beautifully detailed artwork and gripping storylines. As I've mentioned before (see No. 09), sometimes the most negative storytelling makes for a Hell of an enjoyable read, and that is exactly what Watchmen is. The initial premise for the series was to depict what superheroes would be like "in a credible, real world". As the story became more complex, Moore said Watchmen became about "power and about the idea of the superman manifest within society." Set in the 1980s, although the story skips through space, time and plot. Centers around the death of renowned superhero, The Comedian, which leads to his former team-mate Rorschach snooping around until he stumbles upon a plot to murder the remaining superheroes.

Filled with memorable characters and mysteries surrounding nearly all of them, Watchmen is a complex thriller that will keep you hooked until there is no page left to read. It was the only graphic novel to appear on Time's 2005 All-TIME 100 Greatest Novels list. There's no denying the influence the twelve-issue comic had. Watchmen is made to perfection.