As part of our "Bookworms...Assemble!" for this week's Themed Thursday, we thought it would only make sense to include a post about graphic novels/comic books as it is a hobby of the entire team at The Realview Room. We just love losing ourselves in these immersive stories with fantastic imagery! so without further adieu, here is our varied range of graphic novels that we love and recommend that you give a go.
Harleen (2019-2020) by Stejpan Šejic Harleen offers a fresh take on the origins of DC Comics fan favourite Harleen Quinzel and her slow descent into madness emerging as the infamous Harley Quinn.
Harleen starts as a psychiatrist hoping to get into Arkham Asylum as she was working on a project to try cure it's inmates. She gained the attention and approval of Bruce Wayne which granted her the access that she needed. But as you were probably expecting, it didn't go quite to plan because of a certain inmate. You guessed it The Joker. Harleen becomes obsessed and intoxicated with him losing sense of all reality the closer she got to him.
Harleen is Game Guru Jess's all time favourite graphic novel. The story was expertly written and the artwork is just outstanding!! One for Batman and Harley fans!!
Kingdom Come by Mark Waid (1996)
Kingdom Come was a comic limited series created In 1996 and written by the talented Mark Waid with the illustrations beautifully executed by Alex Ross who has done work for both DC and Marvel including the well praised Marvels series. Kingdom come was a part of the Elseworlds series, which explores stories set in a DC multiverse, similar to Marvel's What If...?
This particular story is a fantastic throw back to the DC golden and silver age comic books, which tells the story what happened to these characters if they had not been rebooted. The story itself may start with Superman loosing faith in humanity and justice his very ideals that make him the infamous symbol of hope after the murder of his love interest Lois Lane and everyone in the daily prophet after a attack from The Joker. Superman captures the mass murderer on his way to jail, however he is murdered by one of the new heroes, Magog and is acquitted because everyone believed his zero tolerance approach to criminals is the right way.
This causes Superman to retire for decades and his absence many new heroes rise up and without his guidance. These new heroes choose to stick to this zero tolerance policy, which causes many new villains to arise also. Superman is forced to come out of retirement and try and reunite the Justice League in order to fight for a world that no longer wants the caped crusaders of yesterday and only wants the armoured avengers of tomorrow.
One-Punch Man by "One" (2013)
One-Punch Man story by One and the artwork included is by Yusuke Murata. This is a fantastic ongoing super hero manga series the series is a part of the much beloved Shonen Jump magazine company, this is the company that brought us such massively popular titles like Dragonball, Bleach, Death Note and My Hero Academia.
The series follows many of the same tropes as other Shonen Jump mangas, but turns it on his head as many of their stories follow a protagonist who goes through a journey of growth becoming stronger and stronger and gaining transformations (mainly ones that affect the characters hair either through colour or length), however One-Punch Man asks the question can you tell a manga story about a character who has already reached his peak? The story is based on the hero Saitama, the worlds strongest man that nobody knows, living in a world full of memorable superheroes that protect humanity from monsters. A read that is comical, while also full of heart pounding battles and adventures as he struggles to find his purpose and become recognised.
She-Hulk by Dan Slott (2004/2005)
She-Hulk came to be after lawyer Jennifer Walters sustained an injury which required medical attention. After receiving a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner. Jennifer absorbed some of her cousin's angry, jade alter ego. This is the moment that She-Hulk was born.
This story featured here, shows Jennifer working as a superhuman lawyer, now often referred to as 'Shulkie', she heads into space to practise Universal Law. One of her more interesting cases in this volume involves the legal battles that follow Hercules.
Not only are She-Hulk's stories gripping and intriguing, they also contain really detailed and bright illustrations by Paul Pelletier, Juan Bobillo and Scott Kolins.
The Mighty Thor: The Last Viking by Walt Simonson
This ultimate graphic novel includes stories that follow the life of The God of Thunder from writer Walt Simonson and contains the issues running from The Mighty Thor #337 right the way through to issue #343.
This collection features well known stories from the only and only Thor in an array of adventures, which include characters such as the infamous Beta Ray Bill, who made his debut in the bronze age of comic books.
A little fact about this being with the head of a dragon: Beta Ray Bill was initially introduced into the Thor comics as surprise appearance, however he became a more permanent fixture as he and Thor began a rivalry in order to claim possession of Mjolnir (Thor's Hammer).
The Legend of Drizzt: Homeland by R.A. Saltavore and Andrew Dabb
Homeland is the first Graphic novel adaption of R.A Salvatore's famous Dark Elf Trilogy Series that first introduced the Drow Drizzt Do'Urden. In this book you get a deeper insight into Drow's society and a look at Menzoberranzan one of the cities where they reside.
Drizzt Do'Urden is the youngest prince of his royal household and is a little different to his scheming kin. He has one thing they seem not to possess, honour, instead of their ruthlessness and conniving ways. Can Drizzt navigate through their world and society? Or will he find a new way to live? The illustration team did a perfect job of bringing R.A Salvatore's world to life. if you're not a fan of Graphic Novels, but love the fantasy genre definitely check out the Dark Elf Trilogy novels.
Have you read any of these titles? If so, what did you think of them? If not, do any of them intrigue you? Let us know in the comments section below, contact us over on our social media accounts or send us a message via our website's chat box.
- Written by GG Jess GG Aran and Kim.
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