News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

You may have seen Shane around and about Wellington – if you’re a graphic novel reader then you most definitely have!   Shane has been a dedicated Comic Book reader and collector for 35 years.  He’s been lucky enough to have been enjoying them as a career by managing  ‘Graphic: Comics & Toys’ in Wellington for the last 18.

He’s this week’s graphic novels display curator.  This is the full list of his choices; below are his Top 10 of All Time.

Frank Miller’s Sin City
“Sin City is a place as tough as leather and dry as tinder. Love is the fuel, and the now-infamous character Marv has the match–not to mention a “condition.” He’s gunning after Goldie’s killer, so it’s time to watch this town burn!” (Syndetics summary)

Watchmen / Alan Moore, writer ; Dave Gibbons, illustrator/letterer.
“Celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Watchmen” with this oversized hardcover collection, packaged inside a beautifully designed slipcase. Each page of art has been restored and re-colored by WildStorm FX, and 48 pages of supplemental material offer a cornucopia of rare and historically valuable treasures, including samples of Moore’s “Watchmen” scripts, the original proposal, conceptual art, cover roughs, and much more.DC Comics” (Syndetics summary)

Batman : year one / Frank Miller, writer ; David Mazzucchelli, illustrator.
“The story of how Batman’s career started, told in graphic novel form.” (Syndetics summary)

100 bullets series / Brian Azzarello, writer ; Eduardo Risso, artist.
“What would you do if you were given the opportunity and the means to get away with murder, scot-free? Thats the question posed in 100 Bullets, a new graphic novel that combines elements of hard-boiled crime stories and paranoid espionage thrillers. The mysterious Agent Graves offers his clients a gun and immunity from prosecution, enabling them to get revenge against those who ruined their lives. Suggested for mature readers.” (Syndetics summary)

V for vendetta / Alan Moore, David Lloyd.
“In an alternate future in which Germany wins World War II and Britain becomesa fascist state, a vigilante named “V” stalks the streets of London trying tofree England of its ideological chains.” (Syndetics summary)

Preacher series / Garth Ennis, writer ; Steve Dillon, artist.
“Preacher Jesse Custer begins his dark journey to find God.” (Syndetics summary)

Batman : the dark knight returns / Frank Miller, with Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley.
“After 10 years away from the public eye, a wave of violence in Gotham City brings Batman back as a vigilante.” (Syndetics summary)

Lone wolf and cub series / story, Kazuo Koike ; art, Goseki Kojima.
“Few works can legitimately lay claim to the mantle “landmark”. Dark Horse Comics is proud to present one of the authentic landmarks in graphic fiction, Lone Wolf and Cub. Acknowledged worldwide for the brilliant writing of series creator Kazuo Koike and the groundbreaking cinematic visuals of the late Goseki Kojima, Lone Wolf and Cub contains unforgettable imagery of stark beauty, kinetic fury, and visceral thematic power that influenced a generation of visual storytellers both in Japan and in the West.” (Syndetics summary)

Batman : the killing joke / Alan Moore, writer.
“One of the most controversial tales from Batman’s career. When the Joker commits an unspeakable crime, Batman must use all his skill to outwit the crazed criminal. But in the end, how different are the Dark Knight and his quarry? Legendary writer Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland present this all-time classic story” (drawn from Amazon)

Daredevil / by Frank Miller & Klaus Janson.
“A Marvel Comics mainstay since 1964, Daredevil got a new lease on life in a landmark 1979-1983 run by writer-penciler Frank Miller and inker-penciler Klaus Janson, whose daring reinvention of the character quickly made Miller one of the biggest and most influential stars in the comic-book industry. Miller put his own stamp on established cast members such as reporter Ben Urich, femme fatale Black Widow, mad assassin Bullseye, the saw-fisted Gladiator, and monstrous crime boss Kingpin. Miller also introduced Daredevil’s mysterious mentor Stick, deadly ninja foes the Hand, and Matt’s long-lost love Elektra, a beautiful assassin who would become one of Marvel’s most memorable characters” (drawn from Amazon)