James Hardiman Library Reading List
This is by no means an exhaustive link, please feel free to contact us and let us know if we’re missing something!
(NOTE: We’ve been made aware there are Asterix and Tintin comics available…)
Author: Eoin Butler Thornton
Watchmen, Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons:
This graphic novel is perhaps one of the most influential graphic novels of all time and the only one to make it on to the Times 100 Best Books of the 20th Century.
Link to Library Availability Page
Batman: Year One, Frank Miller & Dave Mazzuchelli:
An essential starting point for wannabe contemporary Batman Fans, follows Miller’s reinvention of a darker, more realistic Gotham. Fans of Batman Begins may see comparisons.
Link to Library Availability Page
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Frank Miller:
Miller’s original reinvention of the Batman universe shows Batman coming out of retirement to combat new threats to Gotham.
Currently on order
A Contract With God, Will Eisner:
Often dubbed the first graphic novel ever written, this book will never let you forget the address 55 Dropsie Avenue with its simple stories of human life in the pre-war Bronx.
Link to Library Availability Page
Blankets, Craig Thompson:
This simple story of childhood, growing up and a first love showcases a perfect synthesis between words and pictures. Highly recommended.
Also recommended reading, a review of Blankets from our former auditor, Matt Burke - LINK!
Link to Library Availability Page
Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth, Chris Ware:
This graphic novel tells the story of a father and son and what a little courage can do to a seemingly desperate and awkward separated family.
Link to Library Availability Page
V for Vendetta, Alan Moore & David Lloyd:
This political thriller, massively different to the simplified and sanitised movie adaptation, dwells on Anarchism Vs Fascism and was a response to the Thatcherism that ruled in Britain at the time of its publishing.
Link to Library Availabilty Page
Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi:
This book is the equivalent of The Diary of Anne Frank for Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War. Only Book 1 is available.
Link to Library Availability Page
One Bad Rat, Bryan Talbot:
A young girl runs away from home and follows the path of her favourite author, Beatrix Potter.
Link to Library Availability Page
Logicomix: An Epic Search For Truth, Apostolos Doxiadis & Christos Papdimitriou & Alecos Papadatos:
This graphic novel focuses on Bertrand Russel and the struggle for the so-called ‘’foundational quest’’ in Mathematics.
Link to Library Availability Page
Jar Of Fools, Jason Lutes:
This is the story of a down-and-out magician who struggles to get his life back on track after the drowning of his escapist brother.
Link to Library Availability Page
Ghost World, Daniel Clowes:
What happens when a friendship becomes so close, exclusive and insular that those involved start shutting themselves off from everyone else?
Link to Library Availability Page
Sin City: Chapter IV – That Yellow Bastard, Frank Miller:
It is what you think it is.
Link to Library Availability Page
Hard Boiled, Frank Miller & Geoff Darrow:
Think Blade Runner, but on lotsa lotsa steroids.
Link to Library Availability Page
Also, some great books on Comic Books:
Comics And Sequential Art, Will Eisner. - Library Location
Understanding Comics, The Invisible Art - Library Location
Making Comics - Library Location
Reinventing Comics - Library Location
All by Scott McCloud.
