What Is The Best Comic Book Story… Ever?

 

 

What is the best comic book story... ever?

I've been in discussions with a few comic book folks who were offended by my declaration of my abject love for The Killing Joke. I even went so far as to offer the "blasphemy" of declaring that I believe The Killing Joke is the best comic book story ever written... even though I made it obvious that I was offering MY OWN PERSONAL DECLARATION! I'm not telling ANYONE that they have to love what I love... or agree with me. But to take offence? Well, that's a little extreme.

I have been reading comics for about 47 years! I have ALWAYS read the story before admiring the art. I'm a reader, that is what I am. And Alan Moore has produced some of the best reading in comics... ever! And, to you... which of his stories is number 1?

That's your call!

I respect Watchmen! Look at my picture. I collected each of these books as they were released on their original dates. I wish I would have purchased doubles, so that I could have had reading copies. Even as these books were being released, the talk of the graphic novel collection was strong! -- so I have never opened the comic books you are looking at! I waited until the first graphic novel was released before I read Watchmen.

That first edition of the Watchmen graphic novel was my bible for two years straight. I have read that 1st edition so much that I have rubbed some of the ink off the cover. I dreamed Watchmen! I ate Watchmen! I talked Watchmen! And then The Killing Joke was released -- and I found my new comic book obsession!

I read Swamp Thing from the 1970's through issue 171. I read Watchmen! Then I read The Killing Joke! Oh, and Miracle Man... and V for Vendetta! Oh yea, I'm a Alan Moore fan!

And... I still believe that The Killing Joke is the best comic book story ever. Why?

Watchmen -- THE BEST! But, it is not of the mainstream DC universe!

Swamp Thing -- THE BEST! Mainstream DC horror! Swamp Thing actually is something like a DC swamp god right now!

The Killing Joke -- THE BEST! And the story is right there in the middle of the DC universe, even though DC can't seem to make up its mind what the hell it is these days!

OK, again... my reasons for my love for The Killing Joke.

I mean, really... thank god I didn't declare my love for Jeff Smith's 'Bone!"

RLJ

Beware The Vampyre's Kiss -- Adult Stuff, To Say The Least...

In the 1980's and the 1990's Malibu Graphics put out some extremely provocative comic books. They put out great main stream books... and some extreme adult work. This is a prime example of the extreme adult work.

That top line of text right there says, "ADULTS ONLY. This Comic Is Not To Be Sold To Anyone Under 18 Years Old! ADULTS ONLY

And they meant that warning! If child prostitution, graphic sex and a female vampire who will attack a child, as well as an adult... sexually, before draining them dry... is your kind of story, well here you go.

The artist is Barry Blair. He also writes the story.

If you're under 18 years old, you never read this review!

RLJ

Black Orchid -- Now Out In Hardback Form For The First Time Since 1988!

Hello fan of horror writing and its relationship with beautiful art. Have you read this fantastic three issue arc in Black Orchid's development in the DC universe?

These books are beautifully drawn/painted by Dave McKean. And, they are written by Neil Gaiman.

Talk about a fantastic tale.

Black Orchid has always been a character of complete mystery. Neil Gaiman explains who, and what, she is as only he can. And these books quickly morph into literature as the story unfolds... even though Black Orchid had been mostly a mysterious hero, Neil Gaiman gives her life and a history that seems like it has always been around and known.

Neil Gaiman definitely mixes horror elements into the super hero tropes, and throws in a great surprise hero who helps to explain her mystery.

I love these books. They are beautiful, full of emotion and showcase what a master comic book writer Neil Gaiman is. These books are another elevation of DC literature.

These are my first edition copies, gingerly read twice over the decades.

DC has just published, for the first time since 1988, these book in a hardcover edition. Buy it! It will sit right alongside Arkham Asylum, The Killing Joke, Watchmen and your Swamp Thing volumes. And while you read the book, remember that you are reading another early masterwork from one of the masters of comic book writing... Neil Gaiman.

RLJ