Listmania!
Graphic novels/comic collections - no particular order
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Batman (DC Comics Paperback))Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Batman (DC Comics Paperback)) by Klaus Janson
Buy new: £14.99 / Used from: £5.14
One of the best Batman stories out there. Great social commentry about the 80s. A little nihilistic for some
Superman for All SeasonsSuperman for All Seasons by Jeph Loeb
Buy used from: £5.50
One of the few superman stories out there that captures the essence of the character, and the spirit of the film
Batman: Year OneBatman: Year One by Frank Miller
Buy used from: £2.77
Miller again doing another great Batman story. Dark Knight returns may have gotten the better publicity and the glossy paper, but for many this is the one with the better story
WatchmenWatchmen by Alan Moore
Buy new: £8.09 / Used from: £3.99
The beginning of the 'dark' era of superheroes. "Who watches the watchmen?"
V for VendettaV for Vendetta by Alan Moore
Buy used from: £5.74
This exudes an atmosphere similar to Orwell's 1984. Read this one slowly and live the experience. You may not agree with the protagonist's views and actions, but they will make you think.
Lucifer: The Divine ComedyLucifer: The Divine Comedy by Peter Gross
Buy used from: £30.71
Recommendation is for the entire series- don't judge on the quality of the 1st trade alone or you'll miss out on one of Vertigo's best, and ironically most moralistic books
The Complete MausThe Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
Buy new: £10.17 / Used from: £9.00
Pullitzer prize winning tale using cats and mice to illustrate the horrors of the holocaust. If you were troubled by Schindler's list, you may have reservations about reading this tale
Fortune & Glory: A True Hollywood Comic Book StoryFortune & Glory: A True Hollywood Comic Book Story by Brian Michael Bendis
Buy used from: £9.21
Genuinely funny comic from a time before Bendis started working for the big companies
The Sandman: Doll's HouseThe Sandman: Doll's House by Neil Gaiman
Buy new: £7.77 / Used from: £2.99
One of the best series of the 90s. Redefining mythology in its own poetic way. Read the whole series, not just the 1st trade (which is lacking compared to the ones that follow).
The League of Extraordinary GentlemenThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore
Buy new: £8.39 / Used from: £2.76
The heroes of yesteryear team up to fight evil. There's references to classic literature aplenty, but it's written in such a way that anyone can enjoy this ripping adventure yarn
Bone: One volume collection: Vol 1 (Bone Series)Bone: One volume collection: Vol 1 (Bone Series) by Jeff Smith
Buy new: £21.46 / Used from: £18.50
If you like Disney films, you'll like this. Great flights of fancy. For those children out there and those who are children at heart.
Queen and Country: Operation: Blackwall v. 4Queen and Country: Operation: Blackwall v. 4 by Greg Rucka
Buy new: £6.29 / Used from: £3.00
Stories of espionage, and the fallout from such operations politically and on a personal level for the agents in the field
Saga of the Swamp ThingSaga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore
Buy new: £8.09 / Used from: £6.39
Horror comic series that bring a warm glow to the heart. The characters live and breathe, with rounded if often disturbed personalities.
Sleeper Vol 01: Out in the ColdSleeper Vol 01: Out in the Cold by Ed Brubaker
Buy used from: £3.43
Drips with 'noir.' Conspiracy, murder, sex and the daily compromises that one man must make just to stay alive.
Punisher Vol. 1Punisher Vol. 1 by Garth Ennis
Buy used from: £12.99
Well comics are meant to be fun. Over the top violence, thrills and spills by the team that brought you Preacher
Captain BritainCaptain Britain by Alan Moore
Buy used from: £17.79
Classic series finally collected together in one big book. Political satire from a superhero comic in the 80s? Surely not
Daredevil Legends: Born Again v. 2Daredevil Legends: Born Again v. 2 by Frank Miller
Buy used from: £6.49
Miller's best Daredevil tale. Daredevil's life is torn to pieces, leaving only that which makes him a hero to cling onto
The Flash: Rogues (Flash (DC Comics))The Flash: Rogues (Flash (DC Comics)) by Geoff Johns
Buy used from: £11.63
People seem obsessed with finding 'superheroes with a twist' or viewed from a 'different angle.' Writing good stories about 'standard' superheroics where heroes are heroes has become a lost art
The Authority : RelentlessThe Authority : Relentless by Warren Ellis
Buy used from: £6.15
This book starts where superhero teams such as the JLA/Avengers draw the line. It may be little more than an action fest to some, but it's done well. Play nice or they'll be round to have words.
Batman: Killing JokeBatman: Killing Joke by Alan Moore
Buy used from: £6.38
A little too similar in tone to watchmen, but a good read nonetheless. Well written, chilling story essential to current Batman continuity despite being labelled mature readers only.