People love essential books.
Put the two concepts together and what have you got?
This guide really does exactly what it says on the tin.
And if your wallet can stand the strain, it also gives some further recommendations.
For example, if you likeAsterix And The Great Crossing, you should check out the Smurfs…
It has to be said that their definition of a graphic novel is fairly broad.
Trade paperback collections of comics count as graphic novels in this instance.
This is one hell of a read and has been impeccably researched.
Pretty much everything Alan Moore has ever written has made the cut, which is fair enough.
Several works by the comics journalist Joe Sacco are also included.
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The great thing is that500 Essential Graphic Novelsis not elitist or snotty.
HergesTintin In Tibetrubs shoulders with Frank MillersSin City.
Some are in the book for their historical significance.
Few would argue with Dan ClowesGhost World butMarvel Zombies?
I mean, really?
And whileSpy Vrs Spymakes it onto the list, theres no Dilbert.
Surely, that cant be right?
And therein lies the appeal of this book.
Comic book fans will spend hours pouring over every detail, recommendation and comment.
It is a bloggers dream.
And without wishing to go offend too many people I thought it was a load of rubbish.
Hopefully, this book will give some of the lesser-known graphic novels out there a chance to shine.
So consider yourself warned.
They have come from the back pages of the daily newspapers to pride of place in every bookshop.
You even see people reading graphic novels on the Tube these days.
Mainstream respectability doesnt get much better than that.
I even saw a middle-aged man, who was wearing a suit, readingWatchmenon a Virgin train recently.
Theyll be adapting these things into movies next you just wait and see!
Rating:
4 out of 5
