Comic Books and Manga

I did a write-up on graphic novels for English.

Watchmen
Perhaps the greatest graphic novel of all time. The plot, chockfull of side threads and elaborate back story, is nearly impossible to summarize. Essentially, it revolves around the gruesome murder of a retired superhero called the Comedian. This prompts his fellow colleagues, also burned-out heroes of various sort, to reunite and investigate. In their exhaustive efforts to find the killer, they unveil something far more sinister than they could ever have imagined. Alan Moore takes this basic skeleton and injects it, so to speak, with blood. He even finds time (and reason) to insert a tragic pirate story into the mix. The characters are rich and memorable, ranging from a powerful blue Martian to a certain masked detective named Rorschach. The end chapters don’t disappoint in terms of sheer carnage, a horrifying doomsday magnificently portrayed by artist Dave Gibbons, ultimately leading up to a somber, yet hopeful conclusion. However, reading a short review cannot do the comic justice. It must be experienced for oneself.

The Dark Knight Returns
The Dark Knight Returns is arguably the most famous and important graphic novel ever released. It put to shame the image of a televised caped buffoon running around defusing nefarious, far-fetched plots and fighting even more ridiculous villains, complete with ZAP! POW! effects. Frank Miller, hot off the heels of his now-legendary Daredevil run, created a serious glimpse into a hero that hadn’t been taken seriously for years. He dared to age Bruce Wayne, show his disturbed side, the side distressed by criminals that continue to grow more perverse, the side that begins to suspect his long fight against crime may have been in vain. While not quite as groundbreaking as some make it out to be, The Dark Knight Returns is responsible for introducing legions of readers to comic books.

From Hell
Serialized throughout the 90s and spanning 16 parts, 600 pages total, From Hell can perhaps be labeled Alan Moore’s magnum opus, at least in terms of scope. From Hell is an extremely graphic, meticulously researched dissection of the infamous Jack the Ripper case, a truly fascinating history lesson slash horror story. The Hughes Brothers (Menace II Society) made it into a 2002 movie starring Johnny Depp and Heather Graham that – surprising for the controversial filmmakers – cut back considerably on the gory details. The graphic novel encompasses multiple characters to great effect including a troubled detective and the murderer himself, cleverly revealed from the start. This allows Moore to highlight his genius and increasing psychological instability simultaneously, depicting the murders (of a horrifying brutality never before seen in this format) from his perspective. In addition, the victims – a group of aging prostitutes – are given ample exposition. As the last one realizes there is no hope for her, the reader cannot help but feel pity. Artist Eddie Campbell’s black and white drawings are heavily sketchy, yet scrupulously detailed. They evoke a thick Victorian atmosphere, making the uglier parts all the more unsettling.

Sandman saga
The Sandman saga, masterminded by prolific author Neil Gaiman, is by far the most ambitious comic book extravaganza ever attempted. Spanning ten large volumes, the painstakingly crafted tale revolves chiefly around Dream, also known as Morpheus. Dream is a dark, brooding figure that produces, appropriately, dreams, using assorted surrealistic tools and metaphors to do so (a clever process that needs to be seen to be believed). He is one-seventh of the Endless, best described as a close-knit family of immortal Gods: Delirium, Destiny, Destruction, Despair, Desire, and Death. Together they knit and mend the fabric of life itself, establishing an often precarious balance. Sandman is a mixture of bizarre humor, psychedelic imagery, and disturbing horror. The best introduction to the series is Book 2, entitled The Doll’s House.

Daredevil: Born Again
As most know (or don’t), Daredevil’s origin involves a chemical spill that blinds a young boy named Matt Murdock. Fortunately, all is not lost as his sense of hearing gains a considerable boost and he subsequently uses this remarkable ability to fight crime, harshly taught by a fellow blind man, Stick. Lawyer by day, costumed crime fighter by night, Murdock balances his priorities reasonably, if not completely effectively. That is until a cocaine-addicted ex reveals his identity to arch-nemesis William Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, supreme ruler of the underworld. Thus begins Frank Miller’s classic Born Again arc, revitalizing a previously stale hero. Kingpin, all too conscious of the immense power he commands, sets out to destroy Murdock’s personal and professional life over the course of six arduous months. Daredevil is barely seen – Miller concentrates almost entirely on the unraveling of the man behind of the mask. The characterizations are impeccable and the illustrations, done by the criminally underrated David Mazzucchelli, stunningly dramatic. Witness an early scene in which Murdock appears to be talking to his best friend Foggy on a pay phone, but turns out only to have been speaking to the dial tone. Witness a later scene in which a certain news reporter’s expression gradually contorts into one of pure terror as he is forced to listen to a colleague get strangled. Born Again is perhaps the pivotal example of how comics can transcend their boundaries as an art form, combining mature, intelligent writing with enrapturing images.

I'll also add Ghost World and Batman: Year One as honorable mentions.

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