The Best Graphic Novels of All Time 

Graphic novels are often made into blockbuster movies and many of them are adapted straight from the source material. There have been many great graphic novels and we decided to list them. Keep reading for the best graphic novels of all time! 

The Best Graphic Novels of All Time

Many superheroes rose to fame before they made an appearance on the big screen. Nowadays, almost every hero seems to be getting a movie adaption. But there was a time when you would have to go to a comic shop to keep up with your favorite hero’s adventures. And there have been a bunch of iconic comic book writers that are responsible for some of the best storylines written. 

The Best Graphic Novels of All Time 

  1. Maus by Art Spiegelman 
  2. From Hell by Alan Moore 
  3. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel 
  4. Blankets by Craig Thompson 
  5. Watchmen by Alan Moore
  6. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller 
  7. A Contract with God by Will Eisner 
  8. Daytripper by Gabriel Bá 
  9. Nimona by ND Stevenson 
  10. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan 
  11. Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware 
  12. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth by Grant Morrison 
  13. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore 
  14. Ghost World by Daniel Clowes 
  15. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi 
  16. My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris 
  17. Marvels by Kurt Busiek 
  18. Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore 
  19. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi 
  20. Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli 
  21. Epileptic by David Beauchard 
  22. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller 
  23. Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O’Malley 
  24. Through the Woods by Emily Carroll 
  25. The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman 
  26. Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol 
  27. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki 
  28. Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi 
  29. How To Be Happy by Eleanor Davis 
  30. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton 
  31. The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui 
  32. Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud 
  33. All Star Superman Vol. 2 by Grant Morrison 
  34. Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle 
  35. Here by Richard McGuire 
  36. Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb 

Great Writers and Lesser Known Works

DC Comics had a great run in the 1980’s and the 90’s and part of the reason was because of their writers. Alan Moore, Frank Miller and Neil Gaiman were some of the writers responsible for the storylines that made DC Comics a household name. Even now, DC Comics is still adapting those stories and that is something their rival Marvel Comics haven’t matched in skill. 

Other graphic novels include Maus by Art Spiegelman, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, and Through the Woods by Emily Carroll. There are a lot of graphic novels that haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. With a few companies dominating the business, it isn’t easy for newcomers to gain entry especially when a name brand holds a lot of power.  

Conclusion 

That is all for our best graphic novels of all-time list. What graphic novels should have made the list but didn’t? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading! 

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17 thoughts on “The Best Graphic Novels of All Time 

  1. Rei Clearly says:

    Thank you for this, I have to look for a bunch of these, we have similar tastes, and I value your opinion.

    Reply
  2. Oliver DeMille says:

    Watchmen should definitely have made the list! There are three others by Alan Moore, but not his magnum opus?

    Reply
      1. Ahaqir says:

        So… it was supposed to be on the list but it may have accidently got deleted or I may have skipped it when curating the list. It has been added and I appreciate you pointing it out.

      1. Oliver James DeMille says:

        It wasn’t originally, if you look at the reply from the articles author on this comment you’ll see that the comment made them at it.

  3. Andrea says:

    The list is really interesting, and it makes me want to read more more and more, so thanks!
    Just one stupid comment: all (but two, madame Satrapi and monsieur Beauchard) are American authors, plus few Canadians and some British ones yet working for American publishers. Even Mr Spiegel wrote (and published) Maus when he established in US, unless (probably) his wonderful work wouldn’t had the correct applause. Gabriel Bà himself moved to US to be published and, someway, recognised by American readers.

    Personally I think you have a big responsibility: spread culture and sort up gems for a wider public who doesn’t have the chance to discover them.

    So let me list some comics for your attention 🙂

    The Incal (Moebius, Jodorowsky)
    Akira (Otomo)
    Nikopol trilogy (Bilal)
    The six voyages of Lone Sloane (Druillet)
    Blue is the warmest color (Jul’ Maroh)
    Corto Maltese (Pratt)
    Uzumaki (Ito)
    Aya of Yop City (Abouet)
    Onward towards our noble death (Mizuki)
    20th Century Boys (Urasawa)
    Nègres jaunes et autres créatures imaginaires (Alagbé)
    Poem Strip (Buzzati)
    Arzach (Moebius)
    Torpedo (Abulì)

    And then Blacksad, the Manara’s works, Asterix series, TinTin, Morbus Gravis by Serpieri, the Argentinian masters (Altuna, Trillo, Gimenez), and more more more 🙂

    Reply
  4. Dave Petersen says:

    People often forget the work of Lynd Ward like Gods’ Man and Madman’s Drums done in woodcuts with powerful artistic impact

    Reply
  5. Ian Matthew Paul says:

    The first I ever read was the original teenage mutant ninja turtles graphic novels from the 80s. Before the role playing game, before the movies and mass marketing of them.

    Reply
  6. johnstondaniel3724 says:

    I understand that the original Persepolis is a masterpiece and deserving of a spot on anyone’s”Best of” list. But then you’ve included it’s sequel which I wouldn’t have but it’s your opinion and your list so I respect that and have no issues with it. But then you’ve also included the Complete Persepolis which brings me to my question, is it different from the original? Does it combine both into one? Or is it just a newer edition of the original story? This one has my brain really fried NGL.

    Reply

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