I am not always a fan of Wizard magazine or their opinions, mostly because they never really delve deeper than the most popular pile of comics on the market. That’s not to say that they don’t have some great information from time to time. In the upcoming Wizard # 211 (special Wizard Fan Awards Issue) they are running an article listing what they think are the top 25 must read indie books of all time. I still think that these are some of the most commercialized independent books of all time, IE… “Bone” (which isn’t necessarily bad, but very much keeping to form with Wizard). To get to the point, I am happy that Wizard has begun to spend more time on our indie brethren, some of the best comics made over the last 10 years have been independent.
Wizards top 5 Independent books:
#1. Acme Novelty Library
Presenting the ultra-detailed and compellingly melancholy work of Chicago cartoonist Chris Ware. The one-man anthology format of Acme Novelty Library has already unleashed a number of inarguable comics classics since its mid 90s debut. From Ware’s acclaimed Jimmy Corrigan, The Smartest Kid on Earth graphic novel to the currently running Rusty Brown serial, virtually every installment of the over-sized ongoing series comes packed to the gills with Ware’s dizzying layouts and compelling storytelling.
#2. American Splendor
The series that married the rough aesthetic of the underground comix scene and the poignant, relatable true-life tales of Harvey Pekar, American Splendor still presents a “can’t go wrong” comics reading experience. While Pekar’s cantankerous life as a Cleveland file clerk inspired the acclaimed 2003 film, it’s his comics that really bring the author’s journey to life.
#3. Black Hole
Forget Friday the 13th! Never before has teen sex been more dangerous than it is in Charles Burns’ epic masterpiece. Romantic stoner Keith and disillusioned popular girl Chris (on whom he crushes) stand at the center of the darkly detailed, 70s-era Seattle high school scene on which Burns unleashes “the bug,” an STD that mutates its victims in unpredictably gruesome ways-and that’s before kids start getting murderers. Fusing the erotic with the horrific in and impactful, unforgettable style, Burns creates on suffocating, surreal nightmare that boasts the lingering revisit potential of Watchman.
#4. Blankets
clocking in at nearly 600 pages, Craig Thompson’s stunning graphic memoir about finding young love while struggling under the weight on an intensive Evangelical Cristian upbringing blew the doors wide open foe a new generation of cartoonists. Upon its release, Blanket’s lavishly illustrated and supremely expressive pages, along with its heartfelt story, won over waves of new readers who had never picked up a comic before, setting up the model for how 21st century graphic novels would be received by the public.
#5. The Blot
The Blot is a powerfully weird book, and in reading it, you may find yourself like creator Tom Neely’s protagonist-drawn into the darkness. Working in a style reminiscent of a 1920-era Micky Mouse cartoon, Neely sets an idyllic tone that’s shaken when a black inkblot sets upon the story’s four-fingered everyman. As the blot relentlessly pursues and eventually absorbs him, the situation turns hopeless, serene, then hopeless again, as Neely tests his nameless subject while subverting and twisting his reader’s emotions with both disturbing and beautiful results.
This is a good list of top 5 indie books but my question is, what’s your top 5? I’m curious to know about your “must read” books. Send me your top 5 “must reads” and why you think everyone should have already read them and I will post them for the world to see. Email me at shawn@twelvefingers.com or if you would like to remain anonymous, just post them in the comments below.
I’m confused… I don’t read Wizard, either. And I’m really surprised (and happy) to be on their list. I just went to the comic shop and looked through the latest Wizard, but didn’t find the article in issue #211. And I can’t find the article online. Do you have a link or anything? Thanks- Tom Neely
This is confusing. Wizard seems to have 2 issue 211s. One is a special issue. I have updated the post to fix the description as follows:
Wizard # 211 (special Wizard Fan Awards Issue)
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