While we can go on and on regarding the differences between a comic book and a graphic novel, both are undoubtedly fun reads, thanks to great use of vivid imagery, illustrations and sketches, all tied up nicely together in great narrative. Here are a couple to pick up and enjoy while you stay home.
Daredevil: Born Again
Chronicling Marvel superhero Daredevil’s descent into madness at the hands of villain Kingpin, Born Again is a series of the titular character that ties up loose ends from the original story. Written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli as a comic book, it was later reprinted in a graphic novel format. Read either or both versions to find out how the masked vigilante of Hell’s Kitchen, New York City struggles to live with himself.
Locke & Key
Now a relatively new supernatural horror drama on Netflix, Locke & Key was originally a comic book series of the same name written by Joseph Hillstrom King under the pen name Joe Hill. Given that the man is the son of bestselling author Stephen King, expect a grand depiction of horror and fright in this one. About an old mansion in New England and its family who live there, leave it to the children of the house to discover the magic keys which unlock secrets to the family’s past.
The Punisher
One of the most psychologically-troubled anti-heroes around gets his own comic book series after appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man. So start with the original 1986 series, a five-issue limited series featuring The Punisher, a brutal Sicilian-American vigilante who employs murder and torture in his defeat of crime. But don’t say we didn’t warn you about the gore.
Watchmen
American comic book maxiseries Watchmen rose to popularity again after it starred Regina King and Don Johnson in its 2019 HBO run. Now go beyond the television show to see how the story unfolded, in the original DC comics. Satirising the superhero concept and structured in a non-linear manner, be blown away by vivid imagery and learn more about the alternate history in which the heroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s.
Through the Woods
A breakout webcomic hit that has been translated into print, get spooked with Through the Woods as the collection features four new stories besides the very tale that popularised the feature. All about fairy tales which have turned disastrous, visit a young bride in a home that holds a terrible secret in A Lady’s Hands Are Cold or find out how your brother’s betrothed isn’t what she seems via The Nesting Place.
Wonder Woman
It is widely acknowledged that female director Patty Jenkins successfully resurrected the DC franchise with the first Wonder Woman film. So check out the comic book series that featured Diana Prince in her natural element; plus, with Wonder Woman 1984 starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine being released anytime now, have a read before you head to the cinema (that is when the theatres reopen).
