pretty graphic novels

[staceass]

this may come off a little weird, but...

i just finished reading v for vendetta, and, as much as i loved it, i didn't enjoy the art work very much -- i actually had some trouble keeping my characters straight because of it, i think.

i'm a bit new to graphic novels, and i was hoping to get a few more while they're on the cheap at dvdboxoffice.com (that's where i've been buying a lot of my books lately... they've got their entire selection of graphic novels on sale this month), just in case i end up not liking them.
is this type of inky artwork that was in Vendetta pretty much standard? are there any particularly nice-looking graphic novels out there?

 

[Occlith]

Thanks for the link. I see a movie is to be released soon.

staceass, it would help if you tell us what your idea of "nice-looking" artwork is. What illustrators and artists do you like? Do you prefer adventure, drama, comedy, etc. when you read a graphic novel?

 

[direstraits]

The best looking graphic novels are the ones painted by Alex Ross. My copy of Marvels is one I treasure and I put it in a solid steel mortar-proof bunker, the book itself cased in multiple layers of plastic protection covers, sandwiched between clear glass in wood veneer frames.

I love it that much.

But then as Occlith said, nice art is subjective. I hated Alex Ross before, but now I like him.

For me, however, the story comes first. The publisher/writer typically finds an artist that meets the atmosphere the story demands, rather than finding a 'good artist' to draw just any type of story. Case in point - From Hell is a great story, but with art like crap. However, the art enhances the story in this instance, which actually moves your attention away from the (admittedly crap) art.

Another suggestion - if you like surreal art, you could try Arkham Asylum, drawn by Dave McKean...

ds

 

[staceass]

a quick googling on arkham asylum and i can tell you that this is a great example of what i'm after.
i think what it is i like about this style of art over the v for vendetta stuff is that the vendetta art seems very crude in comparison-- like it was meant to be a sketch, not a completed drawing...
i like to see skill in art, whether it is traditional or modern. if i can't see that the artist has some chops, i'm usually disappointed. i guess i'm spoiled that way

now the question is... which addition should i go for?

 

[direstraits]

Okay, other McKeans for you then. He did this thing with Gaiman some time back (okay, a long while back) called Mr Punch. I myself have been trying to land myself a copy - but copies are scarce and bloody expensive.

Oh, and watch his movie Mirrormask.

ds

 

[staceass]

Okay, other McKeans for you then. He did this thing with Gaiman some time back (okay, a long while back) called Mr Punch. I myself have been trying to land myself a copy - but copies are scarce and bloody expensive.

is this it?

 

[direstraits]

Sorry for the late reply, Staceass, but yup, that's the one.

ds