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Favourite Comics and Art Books of 2007

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I’ve read a lot of great comics and graphic novels this year and I wanted to share some of my personal favourites. Please add your favourites to the comments so I know what to read next year! These are not in any order – just a bunch of stuff I really enjoyed.

Notes for a War Story and Garage Band by Gipi
Thanks to First-Second Books, two of Gipi’s amazing graphic novels were translated into English this year.

Do Not Disturb My Waking Dream (minicomic), Laura Park
Wonderful black & white minicomic from Laura Park. This minicomic packed as much inspiration as any graphic novel I’ve read this year.

Trois Ombres (Three Shadows), Cyril Pedrosa
Another great French graphic novel from former-Disney-animator, Cyril Pedrosa. First Second is coming to the rescue again with an English translation due in Spring, 2008, which is available for pre-order now.

John Cuneo’s nEuROTIC
Electrifying, wildly un-self-conscious illustrations from John Cuneo.

Ragni, by Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl
Graphic novella meets soaring rock album. (Disclosure: These guys are my pals!)

Shortcomings, Adrian Tomine
Tomine’s much-anticipated first long-form graphic novel.

The Other Side by Jason Aaron and Cameron Stewart
A Vietnam war miniseries from Cameron Stewart and Jason Aaron.

Paul a la Peche (Paul Goes Fishing), Michel Rabagliati
Despite the simple title, this is the largest and most epic-feeling of the “Paul” series by the Quebec illustrator. This is the French version, but Drawn & Quarterly will be releasing the English translation in March, 2008.

Scott Pilgrim 4, by Bryan Lee O’Malley
The fourth installment of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s hilarious Canadian manga series.

This Will All End in Tears, by Joe Ollman
A collection of funny, sweet and profound short stories by cartoonist, Joe Ollman. Also, this year’s winner of the Doug Wright Award for Best Book.

Process Recess 2 by James Jean
A collection of 20 prints, with additional sketches and commentary by James Jean.

Flight 4 by various artists
Nearly 400 pages of fantastical short stories by emerging cartoonists and animators.

Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan
The stunning debut graphic novel by Israel’s Rutu Modan.

Also of interest:
John Cuneo
Ragni
The Other Side
Process Recess 2, by James Jean
Gipi
Flight 4 Preview
Rutu Modan’s Visual Blog
Laura Park’s minicomic
Amazon’s Best Comics and Graphic Novels list.

  • http://asphaltessays.blogspot.com/ birdgirl

    I’ve been looking everywhere for a comprehensive list! This is so useful. Thanks a lot. I’ve also been looking for a website/forum-thing dedicated to graphic novels. There’s ones for comic books, video games, mmorpgs, etc, but I’ve yet to find one solely for graphical novels. This is great, thanks a lot… What is most comforting is I’ve already either heard of or read part of most of these.

  • http://asphaltessays.blogspot.com birdgirl

    I’ve been looking everywhere for a comprehensive list! This is so useful. Thanks a lot. I’ve also been looking for a website/forum-thing dedicated to graphic novels. There’s ones for comic books, video games, mmorpgs, etc, but I’ve yet to find one solely for graphical novels. This is great, thanks a lot… What is most comforting is I’ve already either heard of or read part of most of these.

  • ztoical

    really enjoyed The blot by Tom Neely [http://www.iwilldestroyyou.com/]

  • ztoical

    really enjoyed The blot by Tom Neely [http://www.iwilldestroyyou.com/]

  • http://badlibrarianship.blogspot.com/ Marc Kardwell

    No PULP HOPE? Shurely shome mishtake.

  • http://badlibrarianship.blogspot.com/ Marc Kardwell

    No PULP HOPE? Shurely shome mishtake.

  • http://www.comingupforair.net/ Matt

    oh. AND PulpHope!

  • http://www.comingupforair.net Matt

    oh. AND PulpHope!

  • fabulousrice

    Laura Park’s one is the best one! Too bad you didn’t show a decent scan of the cover.

  • fabulousrice

    Laura Park’s one is the best one! Too bad you didn’t show a decent scan of the cover.

  • http://www.joebluhm.com/ Joe Bluhm

    Thanks for the heads up on a lot of these… It’s hard to really call out all the great books – there are just too many and they keep on coming!

  • http://www.joebluhm.com Joe Bluhm

    Thanks for the heads up on a lot of these… It’s hard to really call out all the great books – there are just too many and they keep on coming!

  • http://users.rio.com/bamm/illustrationISM/others.html illustrationISM

    And a late comer, from 2007, from the back
    of the room (the one with the BAMm hat) I’m
    entering the Italian Renaissance
    Graphic Novel AMBROGIO BECCARRIA?! it’s
    quite enthralling!
    Click HERE for a preview!

    Thanx – ‘a friend’, of Jonathan M. Prince
    (the author & artist of ‘Ambrogio Beccarria’),
    at illustrationISM

  • http://users.rio.com/bamm/illustrationISM/others.html illustrationISM

    And a late comer, from 2007, from the back
    of the room (the one with the BAMm hat) I’m
    entering the Italian Renaissance
    Graphic Novel AMBROGIO BECCARRIA?! it’s
    quite enthralling!
    Click HERE for a preview!

    Thanx – ‘a friend’, of Jonathan M. Prince
    (the author & artist of ‘Ambrogio Beccarria’),
    at illustrationISM