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!
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
- Maus by Art Spiegelman
- From Hell by Alan Moore
- Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
- Blankets by Craig Thompson
- Watchmen by Alan Moore
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
- A Contract with God by Will Eisner
- Daytripper by Gabriel Bá
- Nimona by ND Stevenson
- Saga by Brian K. Vaughan
- Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware
- Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth by Grant Morrison
- V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
- Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
- My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris
- Marvels by Kurt Busiek
- Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore
- The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
- Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli
- Epileptic by David Beauchard
- Batman: Year One by Frank Miller
- Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O’Malley
- Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
- The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
- Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
- This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
- Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi
- How To Be Happy by Eleanor Davis
- Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
- The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
- Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud
- All Star Superman Vol. 2 by Grant Morrison
- Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle
- Here by Richard McGuire
- 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!
Thank you for this, I have to look for a bunch of these, we have similar tastes, and I value your opinion.
Watchmen should definitely have made the list! There are three others by Alan Moore, but not his magnum opus?
I shall look it over and add it if it meets the qualifications
Thanks
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.
It’s 5th on the list
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.
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 🙂
How could you leave off Bone?!?
People often forget the work of Lynd Ward like Gods’ Man and Madman’s Drums done in woodcuts with powerful artistic impact
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.
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.
Displacement by Kiku Hughes
Sandman is 25?!?!
So no credits for the illustrators who are coauthors of numerous said books? They wouldn’t be graphic novels without them.
I think you mostly got it correct. I’m glad to see Watchmen at the number 5 spot. I think it’s only slightly overrated. However, I think that Batman Year One and V for Vendetta would be a bit higher, but thats just my opinion.