Graphic Novel recommendations

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Anyone know any good graphic novels that are Catholic-friendly??
 
Are you into graphic novels of Japanese origin? If so, the first thing to realize is that on some level, they are all inherently different from Catholic thinking simply because they originate from a non-Catholic culture. It is your responsibility to read them critically and have a strong sense of your own faith before you do so.

That being said, I know you asked for graphic novels but what I recommend is an anime series called Escaflowne. It may have the appearance of being about giant robots and lots of fighting, but if you look beneath the surface, this is not the case! It is actually a story about free will. I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but I found it absolutely fascinating and cannot recommend it enough. (Plus, it’s scored by Yoko Kanno, one of the greatest composers of our time that sadly nobody’s heard of.)

Chris
 
I have not read any Japanese ones, but certainly would not be opposed. Right now I am looking for the books…but I’ll keep your series in mind. 😃

I’d also be happy to read any graphic novels that are Catholic-neutral. Preferably with some supernatural element, monsters, or paranormal, or sci-fi, etc…

So who can help me with some recommendations? 😃
 
The works of Miyazaki Hayao, in manga form. I just watched Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (again). They can’t help but put in some Christian-type allegories, even if they didn’t mean to. 👍

Rurouni Kenshin features elegant artwork, likeable characters and a classic tale of good versus evil—but only up to Volume 17, the end of the Kyoto arc.

One-Pound Gospel, by Takahashi Rumiko, features a novitiate nun whose life is complicated by a young boxer (I haven’t read the whole things, so can’t give it a no-reservations recommendation)

AND… Dean Koontz’ Odd Thomas series is adding a graphic novel. Can’t get much more Catholic-friendly than that.
 
I would suggest Watchmen by Alan Moore. It’s sort of a superhero story sans conventional superheroes (with the notable exception of Dr. Manhattan), and it’s much more interesting and literary than the ordinary fare that genre has to offer.
 
JimmyJazz said:
I would suggest Watchmen by Alan Moore. It’s sort of a superhero story sans conventional superheroes (with the notable exception of Dr. Manhattan), and it’s much more interesting and literary than the ordinary fare that genre has to offer.
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Also by Alan Moore, V for Vendetta which was made into a so-so movie–the only caution I have for Catholics is after V feeds a poisoned Host(“Anglican” so not even the Blessed host to begin with) to a pedophile bishop, two cops in the aftermath say “It was still poisoned bread when it reached his stomach!”
 
I’ve always loved Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series. Not sure if you’d consider it Catholic-friendly, but Neil Gaiman is just such an awesome writer. His characters are always so vivid.
 
DAREDEVIL by Marvel Comics is Catholic friendly! The Daredevil graphic novels are a wonderful read…👍
 
Watchmen by Alan Moore is definitley one of the best graphic novels ever and one of the best told stories ever. It made Time’s list for the best novels from I think 1920 to today. It raises some posing moral questions and makes you wonder who did the right thing. It probably be good one to read to due to the movie coming out so you wont have the movie affect your idea of the book.
 
ladylinguist said:
I’ve always loved Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series. Not sure if you’d consider it Catholic-friendly, but Neil Gaiman is just such an awesome writer. His characters are always so vivid.
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I second this one. Sandman is always great, and if you’re looking for a religious theme the Season of Mists story arc is particularly good.
 
Just thought of another one: All His Engines by Mike Carey. It’s a graphic novel in the continuity of the Hellblazer series, which has always been a favorite of mine. Be forewarned, though: contrary to the movie Constantine, the protagonist isn’t Catholic, nor is he an exorcist in the strict sense. I don’t recall any specific instances of anti-Catholicism in All His Engines, although there is a scene in which sacramentals are shown to be ineffective against a particular preternatural evil (an explanation is offered in the book, though).
 
Absolutely seconding Jharek on Watchmen, Eisner, and Alan Moore!! Oh yes, and Constantine too, great character, such a rogue. 😉

I’d also add The Brothers Hernandez’ Love and Rockets which while isn’t for kids, unless they are VERY precocious indeed, definitely has both some deeply Catholic themes and characters, as well as dealing with some very serious human issues without meaning to offend, though those with scrupulosity issues may be a bit irked now and then. It is a still-ongoing work of great beauty and power, set half in a (probably) Southern Californian barrio, and partly in a small Mexican town, with enough surreality to satisfy even my voracity. It is very much a work of Latin American Magic Realism that can stand tall with the classics of Garcia-Marquez and Fuentes and all those giants, and I can think of few higher praises.

Also, just since it has to be said, Sandman is lovely, touches on Catholicism and its themes and plenty of other religions as well and my favorite of the graphic novels in the series would have to be Fables and Reflections. It is sheerly gorgeous, and boasts a fine introduction by Gene Wolfe (his style has a lot of Chesterton, a big dose of Graves’ utter confidence as a 1st-person narrator, and a load of Jack Vance too, not to mention Wolfe’s own amazing scholarliness), an absolutely brilliant writer who also happens to be a very enthusiastic Catholic convert himself. Oh right, and Constantine and his relatives show up quite a bit in Sandman too, and tweak a few noses and pull a few strings, as Constantines will do. 🙂

PS- Jharek, we seem to share a lot of tastes in the arts, we should trade stuff sometime, I think. ^^

Ack, and how could I forget Bone? Now THERE is one that will delight the whole family. It isn’t Catholic per se, but there is nothing to offend anyone, and if you like Walt Kelly and Chuck Jones (and who doesn’t?), great plot and perfectly timed gags and seriousness, then by all means, grab the first copy of the Bone compendium you can get your mitts on, and enjoy with everyone of every age you can collar!
 
Nepenthe said:
Ack, and how could I forget Bone? Now THERE is one that will delight the whole family. It isn’t Catholic per se, but there is nothing to offend anyone, and if you like Walt Kelly and Chuck Jones (and who doesn’t?), great plot and perfectly timed gags and seriousness, then by all means, grab the first copy of the Bone compendium you can get your mitts on, and enjoy with everyone of every age you can collar!
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I’m not very familiar with graphic novels but Bone is the one thing that came to mind when I saw this thread. I read it last summer and I loved it. It’s funny, has lovable characters, and the artwork is great.

Quiche, anyone??
 
Why yes, some quiche would be delightful! ^^

And I am ashamed at myself for not yelling cheers for Maus as well - I bought those the minute they were published back in the day (and yeah, all the original Watchmen Comics even…I’m a nerd, but I’m not a tasteless nerd, I hope!), and I fully endorse Spiegelman too. That work deserves every single praise and award it has recieved, which is lots.
 
I recently purchased the graphic novel, *In Odd We Trust *by Queenie Chan and Dean Koontz based on his character Odd Thomas from the series of regular novels. This story is a prequel to those books. Although I have not read it yet, I loved the prose novels and thought this looked interesting.

Chan is apparently known for manga comics and that is the style this book is done. And Koontz is a Catholic and it usually shows in his writing (though not always overtly so, as he writes for a mainstream audience). His stories, though sometimes dark, always seem to have some positive message.
 
***DAREDEVIL
Figure I would re-emphasize my post just a bit…😃
 
AnthonyM2 said:
I recently purchased the graphic novel, *In Odd We Trust *by Queenie Chan and Dean Koontz based on his character Odd Thomas from the series of regular novels. This story is a prequel to those books. Although I have not read it yet, I loved the prose novels and thought this looked interesting.

Chan is apparently known for manga comics and that is the style this book is done. And Koontz is a Catholic and it usually shows in his writing (though not always overtly so, as he writes for a mainstream audience). His stories, though sometimes dark, always seem to have some positive message.
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How do you like it so far? It’s on my must-read list (just finished Odd Hours).
 
couldnt fit any text in the post above.

It’s a series called mouse guard collected as a graphic novel.

It is truly awesome, has honor,courage,bravery and loyalty.

IT ROCKS!!!
 
Nepenthe said:
Absolutely seconding Jharek on Watchmen, Eisner, and Alan Moore!!

Also, just since it has to be said, Sandman is lovely, touches on Catholicism and its themes and plenty of other religions as well and my favorite of the graphic novels in the series would have to be Fables and Reflections. It is sheerly gorgeous, and boasts a fine introduction by Gene Wolfe (his style has a lot of Chesterton, a big dose of Graves’ utter confidence as a 1st-person narrator, and a load of Jack Vance too, not to mention Wolfe’s own amazing scholarliness), an absolutely brilliant writer who also happens to be a very enthusiastic Catholic convert himself.
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First, Neil Gaiman is a Catholic convert?

Also, I must be the loner in the room and the rest of the world. I wasn’t that impressed with Watchmen and I’m in the middle of *From Hell *by Alan Moore, and I’m not that impressed with him either. The women in Watchmen are little short of promiscuous. And Moore has a way of dragging things out, especially in the Watchmen, which I thought could have been a fraction of the length that it was…you will hear fans of it say that the critics just can’t take a book without an explosion all the time. I think I am one of those people…while I don’t need an explosion, I don’t care so much for long philosophical soliloquies. I like good story! I about fell asleep reading the part in From Hell where Gull gives his driver a tour of London. But don’t get me wrong, I am entertained enough by them both that I’d see the movies. They are decent and well drawn…I just don’t get the “these are the greatest” attitudes when it comes to Moore.

I’d like to hear more about Sandman…what is the premise?
 
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