Nakia Mann's Top Ten Graphic Novels

Nakia Mann is our resident comic book guru. He's a published comic book artist and fan for more than 20 years. He designed the "Zoom Suit" that was published by Superverse Comics in 2006. Nakia runs an artist workshop at War and Pieces every Sunday from 2 to 6pm.

"My top 10 is a list of graphic novels that changed the comic book industry or changed me personally. The following are what I believe to be the top ten graphic novels ever. Feel free to pull up a chair, a glass of lemonade and enjoy my favorite ten comics." --Nakia Mann

10. Superman Batman Vol 1 Public Enemies (DC Comics 2005)

This is a comic book I had been waiting on forever. I was always a fan of the old “World’s Finest” stories, where Superman would team up with his polar opposite, Batman. These stories were always a great read, and Jeph Loeb does a fantastic job of bringing that old school nostalgia back. This story has everything: a great mystery, villains galore, the entire Batman/Superman family. It's a variable who’s who of the DC universe and an insane attempt to bring president Lex Luthor down. Accompanied with the art of Ed McGuinness this is a book that belongs on everyone’s shelf.

9. Girls Conception (Image Comics 2007)

The Luna Brothers are amazing, and this tale is one of the most original and twisted stories you’ll ever read. Words can’t describe the twist and turns you’ll experience while reading this book. If I even tried to tell you the plot you’ll think I’m insane, trust me. However, this is one of the greatest comics I’ve ever read.

8. Fables Legends in Exile (Vertigo Comics 2002)

What if all your favorite fairy tale characters were kicked out of fantasy land and forced to live in the real world? Bill Willingham (the writer of Fables) deals with that very question. The story never falls short, and to this day “Llegends in Exile” (the 1st story arc) is one of the greatest murder mysteries I’ve read in a long time. It’s all my favorite characters, some with a new twist and others with all too frightening realism. This comic deals with a lot of adult themes, being more Grimm Fairy tales and less Disney fairy tales. A must read.

7. Batman Hush (DC Comics 2003)

Words can’t describe how good this book is! Jeph Loeb delivers another masterpiece! If you’re a Batman fan you need to read this comic book! If you’ve never read a Batman comic book ever, you need to read this book! Jeph, with the talented pencils of Jim Lee, weaves a mystery tale that takes the Dark Knight from Gotham to Metropolis and everywhere in between. Gathering every major ally of Batman, and every major villain, this story is amazing. It’s a good jump on point for new readers as well, exploring all of the rogues and allies in Batman’s universe. Plus this book gives us the 1st (in continuity) knockdown drag out fight between Batman and Superman! This book is total perfection; my only gripe is that Batgirl isn’t in it.

6. The Walking Dead: Days Gone Bye (Image Comics 2007)

If you told me a year ago that I would be reading a black and white zombie comic book, written by a guy I had never heard of, published by neither marvel nor DC, drawn by a guy I never heard of, and that I would be loving it I would have called you crazy. However, that’s exactly what happened…The Walking Dead isn’t a horror comic, there isn’t a lot of blood and guts, it’s a survival comic book. It's a survival comic book that’s written so well that ten pages into it you find yourself caught up in the story so much that you feel like you’re right there with these characters. The protagonists are written realistically. I identify with a lot of them, and when a character dies, you can’t help but get emotional. There isn’t a page that will disappoint you in this story.

5. Crisis on Infinite Earths (DC Comics 2000)

DC comics has had a few Crises but none will compare to the Crisis on Infinite Earths. This book kept true to its original tagline “worlds will live, worlds will die, and the DC universe will never be the same”. This story killed off a lot of my favorite characters, and changed a lot of others. While long (it’s well over 350 pages) it’s one of my favorite reads, and a perfect (yet risky endeavor) for any company to pull off. Fixing over 20+ years of convoluted continuity and streamlining its universe for new readers, it’s a tactic that other companies (with the same problem) should do.

4. Wanted (Top Cow Comics 2008)

Closing in on the number one spot comes one of the greatest reads of all time. Soon to be a major motion picture, which sadly, doesn’t look like it’s going to be true to the book at all. Everyone needs to get up and run to a comic shop near you (preferably War and Pieces :) ) and get this book! Never have I read a book that made me root for the bag guys, like this book has. Mark Millar gives us a story about finding one's identity, finding one's purpose, and shooting people in the face! Chock full of awesome scenes, memorable one liners, and more comic book easter eggs than you can shake a stick at. This book never fails to deliver.

3. Watchmen (DC Comics 1987)

If you don’t own a copy of this comic book you should be ashamed of yourself! It's one of two graphic novels that are required to be in every school library (the other one is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns). This comic book will also become a major motion picture, one that looks like it’s going to stay true to the source material. Well I hope it does, if not I’m still going to be first in line to see it. Alan Moore is one of the most prolific writers in the business, and this story doesn’t let you down, ever. Another long read clocking in at 250+ pages, and well worth it. I guarantee that this book's ending will forever change the way you look at superheroes, super villains, and comic books in general. You need to buy this comic book.

2. Y The Last Man Volume 1 (Vertigo Comics 2003)

If someone told me that I was going to be the last man, on an earth totally populated by women, my first words would be “sweet!” Well, that’s what any guy would say. It’s a good thing that writer Brian K. Vaughan is here to show us the error of our thinking. This was one of my favorite ongoing series. (I use was because the series ended last month.) The writing is unbelievable, and it’s a very real take on the whole last man on earth idea. Trust me it’s not a pretty picture, but it’s an enjoyable read. This is the comic book I recommend for someone who’s just getting into comics. Trust me, read one issue, and you won’t want to put it down. Ever.

1. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (DC Comics 2002)

This is it. The most quintessential graphic novel of all time sits nicely at the number one spot. This comic is required to be in every school library. I personally own two copies of it. Frank Miller takes this book and does something that forever changes comic books as a whole. This was done at a time when all the heroes were “nice” and everyone smiled. However, frank Miller takes Batman and brings him back to his dark and gritty roots. Soon after, other companies started doing the same thing, but none of them can touch the book that started them all. This book has everything, Batman vs. the Joker, Batman vs. Superman and Batman vs. himself. It's an amazing book, that just gets better every time you read it.