New to Comics? Here are my top 5 picks

Payal Maloo
Oct 20, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Oct 26, 2024

I have always been inspired by visual arts – be it Platon’s powerful photographs, Christoph Niemann’s ingenious illustrations, Kahlo and Van Gogh’s paintings, or Miyazaki’s profound movies. Having grown up reading Tintin, Archie comics, Tinkle and the likes, I was fascinated with comics. Yet, I always thought it to be a child’s pastime. Little did I know that there is a whole treasure trove in the guise of comics aka graphic novels to indulge adults in. I came across one such book in 2018 called Understanding Comics and it changed my worldview around comics.

Here are the top 5 comics among the many comics I have read till date:

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud: I would 100% agree with Neil Gaiman on this one – “You must read this book”. Without being an academic read, this book is the single biggest touchpoint for anyone who wants to know about the “what”, “why” and “how” of comics. There is a follow up to the first book called “Reinventing comics” which is going to be my planned read for this November. McCloud covers many aspects of comics in his nine chapters explaining how the medium operates—its distinction from art and literature, the use of the art form, and the fine balance of words and images that form this unique medium. In fact, the easy, casual, but highly informed tone of the book makes it a very interesting read. The big triangle theory by McCloud explains the relationship between three key elements: artistic style, subject and degree of realism. The way these interact can create different messages and impact on readers.
Daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá: This comic is nothing short of breathtaking. The writing and illustrations are exquisite, making every page a delight and will leave you dreading the book's conclusion.
The story follows Brás de Oliva Domingos, the son of a renowned writer, who writes obituaries—succinct summaries of lives that have ended. While he yearns to become a novelist and write about life, he finds himself preoccupied with thoughts of death. I won't delve too deeply into the plot, as I fear I would reveal the important parts which a reader must discover on their own. The theme of Daytripper is death is not the opposite of life, it is rather a part of life. It isn’t something to be feared because it is inevitable.
The artistic duo of Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá masterfully employs color contrasts throughout the narrative. Shades of blue convey sadness or grief, while reds evoke horror and danger, and blacks introduce elements of mystery. Their use of color enhances the emotional depth of the story. If you can get a copy of this book, READ it. This book will blow your mind!
Maus by Art Spiegelman: If you still doubt that comics cannot be great pieces of work, here's my next recommendation. Spiegelman’s Maus is the first comic to talk about the Holocaust. It is a serious recounting of the event told in this medium. However, Spiegelman does something that sets this comic apart - he uses anthropomorphic animals to represent different nationalities, adding a unique layer of symbolism. He represents Jews as mice, Germans as cats, Americans as dogs, Poles as pigs and French as frogs. Characters that might belong to other countries wear a mask. There is a parallel story of the author trying to understand his family history and impact of the Holocaust on them. What I realise is that the present is inextricably bound and shaped by the past. When that past is filled with a traumatizing experience such as the Holocaust, it is sometimes almost impossible to escape.
Maus was among the early comics I read and was surprised to see how effectively this medium, often dismissed as trivial, could tackle such a grave subject, resulting in a deeply moving experience.
From Hell by Alan Moore (illustrated by Eddie Campbell): If you are someone who enjoys true crime and historical mysteries, here is one of the best comics for you. From Hell is a chilling graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell that delves into the gruesome world of Jack the Ripper. You can clearly tell how meticulously the authors have researched on this topic by the intricacy of every detail presented in this comic. Every character, scene and motive is described in such detail that it provides a rich illustrative portrayal of the reign of terror. The illustrations are dark and gritty, with heavy use of shadows and detailed line art. The expressionistic elements used, and the black and white nature of the comics makes it more effective in conveying horror and mystery.
Sea Prayer by Khaled Hosseini (illustrated by Dan Williams): Unlike other comics mentioned above which would generally feature in the top 5, Sea Prayer’s mention might come across as a new addition. This poignant short book is a letter from a father to his son, written on the eve of their perilous journey by sea to find safety—an uncertain venture with no guarantees of survival.
Inspired by the heartbreaking image of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian toddler whose lifeless body washed ashore in Turkey, Sea Prayer addresses the ongoing refugee crisis. It is a 10- minute read – but let me tell you this – you will go back to it time and again. The illustrations of this book are impeccable and is a master collaboration between Hosseini and Williams.
The visual storytelling has a notable progression; the book begins with soft, warm scenes of Syrian city life. As you turn the pages, the tone shifts, becoming painful and the illustrations get darker reflecting the devastation of war. I revisit this book from time to time for the powerful imagery and poignant storytelling.