by Manuelita Beck
Daily Lobo
100 Bullets, written by Brian Azzarello & illustrated by Eduardo Risso, published by Vertigo Comics. First Shot, Last Call is the first volume.
The mysterious Agent Graves delivers a gun and 100 untraceable bullets to ex-con Dizzy Cordova and tells her who's responsible for the death of her family. What would you do if you could kill someone who had completely screwed you over - and not get caught? More than just a revenge fantasy, this gritty crime noir book offers complex characters and fascinating dilemmas.
Fortune & Glory, written & illustrated by Brian Michael Bendis, published by Oni Press.
Bendis turns his experience of pitching a screenplay adaptation of his graphic novel Goldfish into a riotous depiction of the Hollywood machine. This is a must read for anyone planning to pitch a screenplay to Hollywood - or for anyone who wants a good laugh. If you read this, you will never again wonder how movies like "Catwoman" get made.
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Maus, written & illustrated by Art Spiegelman, published by Random House.
No graphic novel recommendation list can leave out this Pulitzer Prize winner. It's the emotional story of how Spiegelman's father survived, yet was damaged by Nazi concentration camps. The Nazis may be cats, and the Jews mice, but the deep emotion makes Maus intensely human.
Starman, written by David Robinson & illustrated by Tony Harris, published by DC Comics. Sins of the Father is the first volume.
I said no spandex, and I meant it. But if you must have superheroes, this is as good as it gets. It's not so much about how Jack Knight learns to be a hero as much as it is about how he learns to be a grown up. The strong writing and beautiful artwork bring alive everything from the supporting characters to Jack's city. Plus, he doesn't wear spandex.
Transmetropolitan, written by Warren Ellis & illustrated by Darick Robertson, published by Vertigo Comics. Back on the Street is the first volume.
Truly great science fiction is really just smart social commentary set in with the fantastic. This series, set in the far future, centers on journalist Spider Jerusalem's quest for the truth and his timely use of his trusty bowel disrupter. This world, full of the hilarious, the bizarre and the horrifying, is so recognizable, it could be our future.
