Project Fandom Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Comics & Graphic Novels
Geeks can be a picky bunch, but our tastes become even more discerning when it comes to comics. That’s why, in many ways, this is the most important section of our gift guide. Don’t worry; we’re here to help you find your friends and family members something they’re sure to love.
These are some of our favorite comics and graphic novels we discovered in 2013:
Lazarus by Greg Rucka
This highly anticipated series finally landed in our hands over Summer 2013, and it did not disappoint. Coming from the mind of Greg Rucka and the ink of Michael Lark-wait… no, Michael Lark doesn’t secrete ink; he provides the artwork for this series featuring yet another patented strong, female lead from Rucka. The setting is a dystopian future created with a pleasant mixture of pseudoscience and cutting edge, actual science which is evolving every day. This is a great gift for anyone, but especially women (probably age 13+, for violence and whatnot) who enjoy seeing female characters that are drawn for business rather than pleasure. - ProFan John
RELATED: Lazarus: Family Above All
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan
I’m new to graphic novels, but I couldn’t have picked a better place to start. The Saga series is raunchy, beautifully rendered, and laugh-out-loud funny. The series follows Alana and Marco, a star-crossed couple from two warring species. They’re running across the galaxy with their newborn daughter, trying to stay one step ahead of the military and bounty hunters determined to kill them. I am determined to be Alana for my next foray into cosplay. Get this series. You won’t be sorry. - ProFan Nina
Fables by Bill Willingham
Photo Credit: ComicBookMovie.com
Fables is like Once Upon a Time if Once Upon a Time was on HBO. Your childhood fairy tale character are exiled to New York after a dark force has taken over their enchanted homeland. I’ve only read the first volume which included Snow White trying to solve the murder of her sister Red, with the help of the Big Bad Wolf in human form. Not as funny as Saga, but there was a lot of humor and sharp dialogue. I’m looking forward to diving into volume 2 as it is a take on one of my favorite novels, Animal Farm. - ProFan Nina
Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor
Marvel. Meet, Hip-Hop. Explore the history of hip-hop from its New York inception in the late ’70s as told through beautifully colored pages that pay homage to the Marvel comics of the same era. Originally serialized on the popular website Boing Boing, this graphic novel appeals to both fans of hip hop and people who don’t know the difference between Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Dope, yo. - ProFan Margeaux
Age of Bronze: Vol. 3, Betrayal Part 2 by Eric Shanower
Eric Shanower’s meticulously researched retelling of the Trojan War in graphic novel form. I’ve bought the preceding volumes (Vol.1 A Thousand Ships, Vol. 2, Sacrifice, and Vol. 3 Part 1) over the years. Just picked up Betrayal Part 2. Available as either hardcover or trade paperback. - ProFan Rivka
March: Book One by John Lewis & Andrew Aydin
With a heavy subject matter and a writer in John Lewis who is overflowing with experience in life-as not only a politician but as a longtime activist who lived through the civil rights movement-but not so much experience in the writing of comic books, this first book of March (a planned trilogy) had every opportunity to result in a bland and boring history lecture; instead, with the help of veteran comic artist Nate Powell’s (Swallow Me Whole) excellent artwork and Congressman Lewis’ talent for making his anecdotes feel welcoming and organic, this comic not only succeeds in putting in print historic information about the path of the civil rights movement but also made it an entertaining and enlightening read that feels like an actual comic book that just happens to include a history lesson. If all schoolbooks were fun and inviting comics of this caliber, I imagine every student would not only pass every test but retain the information and want for more. Buy this for students, buy this for teachers, buy this for anyone who can read, or buy it for someone who can’t read and use it to teach them. - ProFan John
