Customer Reviews

The 101 Best Graphic Novels

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In the spirit of graphic novels, this pamphlet (since it is scarcely large enough to be called a book) uses very few words to describe the top 101 graphic novels of all time.

And that is the problem. I'm sure the internet is full of opinions on the graphic novel "canon". I wanted something MORE than just a bibliography, sorted alphabetically by author.

Each book has no more than a four sentence summary with a rating to suggest whether it would be suitable for kids, youths or adults. I would have expected:
* author/illustrator bios
* ratings for plot, characters, design, artwork etc
* ranking of the books in order

Any connection between the attention span of a typical comic book reader and the brevity of this book? You can draw your own conclusions.

If you're interested in the different visual techniques of storytelling, check out the Scott McCloud or Will Eisner books on the subject.

Very disappointing.

Weiner's book credibly describes some of the medium's most important works. It could be a good starting point for those who haven't read comics in many years or perhaps for parents looking to find something to engage their kids. It's also a fine, quick read for those who already know about the industry, offering a few surprises and lesser-known gems.

Stephen Weiner's 101 Best Graphic Novels (1-56163-283-X) provides a critical selection of the best works, with each recommendation including a plot synopsis and notes about illustrations or other notable achievements. Black and white photos pepper the presentation.

The world of literature is rapidly changing. Today people are
bombarded with numerous entertainment formats that were not available in past years. The comic strip has adapted readily
to these changes and has grown. There are numerous sophisticated
graphic novels that prose readers might enjoy, even treasure,
if exposed to them. Further, there are several graphic novels
that do not feature superheroes that might well be enjoyed by
superhero readers. I wrote this book to alert the general
public and the comic book reader to these changes in this oft-
maligned form of communication. This book is intended to help you see an old media a bit differently.