Key Comics Vault

This list is by no means exhaustive and is instead an introduction to some of the best non-superhero comics and graphic novels, offering something for everyone, from new readers to regulars.

Maus

There is a reason Maus is always on the list of all-time great comic book stories. Spiegelman’s anthropomorphic characters reflect very human emotions during the horrors of the Holocaust and Second World War.

Writer & artist: Art Spiegelman

Published: 1980-1991, Raw & Pantheon Books

Genres: History, Biographical

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

From Hell

From Hell looks at the investigation into the Whitechapel murders. It is not a ‘whodunnit’ story as instead Alan Moore shows us a possible Jack the Ripper, following their violent acts with a theme of dark Freemasonry throughout. A genuinely disturbing read.

Writer: Alan Moore

Artist: Eddie Campbell

Published: 1989-1998

Genres: Horror, History

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

Hellblazer

The magic wielding, chain smoking, drug using, John Constantine is not a good person. Unlike most heroes, he will routinely throw people under the bus to save his own skin and we love him for it. There are highs and lows across the series as different creative teams takeover during the 300 issues, but Hellblazer stands out as a gem in DC’s library.

Writer and artists: various

Published: 1988-2013, DC & Vertigo

Genres: Horror, Supernatural

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

Stray Bullets

Written and illustrated by David Lapham, Stray Bullets is an ongoing series that features stories focused on crime. The noir comics are critically acclaimed for telling emotive stories with fascinating and enduring characters.

Writer and artist: David Lapham

Published: 1995 – ongoing, El Capitan & Image

Genres: Crime

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

Blankets

This autobiographical mini-series tells the story of Craig Thompson’s childhood in a evangelical Christian home. Blankets explores the forays into first love and family dynamics with care, making it widely regarded as one of the best stories ever written in the comic book medium.

Writer and aritst: Craig Thompson

Published: 2003, Top Shelf Productions

Genre: Autobiographical

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

Asterios Polyp

The great David Mazzucchelli stretches what can be done in the comic book medium with Asterios Polyp. The story blends the break down of a relationship, hubris, and humour into a Greek tragedy. Every line, colour, and letter throughout the book is placed with extraordinary care, creating as close to a perfect book as there can be.

Writer and aritst: David Mazzucchelli

Published: 2009, Pantheon Books

Genre: Personal

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

Bone

Three cartoon cousins get transported to another fantastical world of dragons and rat creatures. Their quest to get back home starts off humourous but takes a more serious tone as the series progresses. Bone is one of the more accessible series on this list, but this not mean it is less deserving of its place on here.

Writer and artist: Jeff Smith

Published: 1991-2004, Cartoon Books and Image

Genre: Fantasy

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

Berlin

Jason Lutes’s Berlin explores the lives of those experiencing the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi Party with unflinching resolve. Berlin reflects the cacophony of political ideas and social unrest prevalent at the time, while blending in a celebration of sexual and gender non-conformity, as an undertone of deep national shame.

Writer and artist: Jason Lutes

Published: 1996-2018, Black Eye Productions and Drawn & Quarterly

Genre: Historical

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

The Adventures of Tintin

Tintin is European comics’ biggest export, with hundreds of millions of copies sold around the world. The detective/explorer and his faithful companion, Snowy, became embroiled in adventures wherever they went. Although aspects might feel a bit dated now, Tintin’s colourful and endearing supporting cast keep the series popular.

Writer: Hergé

Artists: Various

Published: 1929-1976

Genre: Adventure

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

The Walking Dead

While The Walking Dead might not have the critical acclaim som of the others on this list do, it is arguably the most well known having a hit TV series based on it. Robert Kirkman delivered an almost 200 issue long series with illustrator Charlie Adlard, showing that in a zombie apocalypse, the worst thing is your fellow humans.

Writer: Robert Kirkman

Artists: Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard

Published: 2003-2019, Image

Genre: Horror

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK

Daytripper

Winner of the 2011 Eisner Award for Best Limited Series or Story Arc, Daytripper is a beautifully crafted work that examines key moments in a writer’s life. Written by brothers Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon, each issue raises questions about life’s meaning and the endless possibilities of daily life.

Writers and artists: Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon

Published: 2011, Vertigo

Genre: Personal

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

Black Hole

What if a sexually transmitted disease could mutate you into grotesque forms? No doubt a question that regularly crosses the mind of many and Black Hole answers it in its 12 issue run. Written by Charles Burns, Black Hole is a unique take on growing up and adolescence.

Writer and artist: Charles Burns

Published: 1995-2005, Kitchen Sink Press and Fantagraphics

Genre: Coming of age, Horror

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

The Incal

Complex, sexy, funny and distinctly French. The Incal is a dystopian space opera, from the mind of avant-garde filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by legendary artist Moebius (Jean Giraud) before other artists joined. A prequel, Before the Incal, and a sequel, Final Incal, followed making it a world to embrace and get lost in.

Writer: Alejandro Jodorowsky

Artists: Moebius, Zoran Janjetov, José Ladrönn

Published: 1980-2014, Métal Hurlant, Les Humanoïdes Associés, Humanoids, and Marvel

Genre: Sci-fi

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

Footnotes in Gaza

This could easily have been Joe Sacco’s Palestine on this list, but Footnotes in Gaza just edges it. Graphic journalism is the best way to describe the work as Sacco uses interviews and reports to detail the violence perpetrated against Palestinians by the Israeli state, covering the massacre at Khan Yunis to the murder of American Rachel Corrie.

Writer and artist: Joe Sacco

Published: 2009, Henry Holt and Company

Genre: History

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK,

Persepolis

Beautifully illustrated, Persepolis is an autobiographical story depicting life for Marjane Satrapi during and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Satrapi moves to Austria and back again, grappling with her role in society, as well as the violence and oppression around her.

Writer and artist: Marjane Satrapi 

Published: 2000-2003, L’Association and Pantheon Books

Genre: Personal

Buy: Bookshop.org US, Bookshop.org UK, Forbidden Planet

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