Alan Moore's sci-fi/superhero classic. It used to be a 'cult' item, but it has become quite well known after the (flawed) movie was released. One of the greatest stories ever told in any medium. Also notable for its advanced storytelling techniques.

Satrapi's memories about growing up in Iran. Now also a great animated film.

Three classic Will Eisner books collected in one volume. Back in the 40s Eisners "Spirit" stories had graphic design that was ahead of eveything else. These stories are from his comeback in the 70s and 80s as a teller of social realist tales from Bronx.

Brilliantly narrated war memoir. Nothing much happens, but that's sort of the point.

Moore's dark and harrowing Jack the Ripper epic. Mixes social realism and occultism and paints a memorable black and white portrait of Victorian London in the style af David Lynch's "The Elephant Man". The movie version didn't work out too well. Maybe if Lynch had done it instead.... as a four hour movie.

A great collection of classic Crumb strips. Crumb's line work is technically among the best ever seen in the medium, and his ideas were central to the cultural landscape of the 60s and 70s. And don't miss Terry Zwigoff's classic documentary "Crumb", available on DVD. It's a work of art in its own right.

Tardi, The grand old man of European mature reader comics is now getting translated into English by Fantagraphics. This book is a crime book - future translated volumes will hopefully include his works of war comics, surrealism and science fiction.

This award winning book tells an engaging story and showcases Ware's ingenous retro graphic design that's pretty much ahead of everyone else in the medium.

A modern classic...

Great autobiographical book about teenage alienation. Chester Brown is possibly the greatest 'indie' comic artist ever, but he's been somewhat overlooked in the recent graphic novel boom. Partly his own fault for not allowing his surrealist masterpiece "Ed The Happy Clown" to be reprinted. However, the good news is that this means you can pick up used copies of his other books real cheap.

Female angst and anger. Hilarious! A masterpiece.

Classic dystopian sci fi tale from Alan Moore. Made into a somewhat disappointing but not completely disastrous film.

Larry Marder's legendary and peculiar comic book myth is now being reprinted and relaunched for a new generation. Trust me, this is unlike anything you've ever read, and I think it's quite deep and philosophical in its own strange way.

cute tale of young adult love. A little too cute and earnest for my taste, but this book is very much loved by a lot of people.

Osamu Tezuka's manga classic - 3.000 pages, 8 volumes. It's a biographical tale of the life of the Buddha, but with lots of colorful secondary characters. It pretty much works as an all ages adventure tale, although some conservative US parents might not like the occasional semi-nudity.

Grant Morrison's reimagining of Superman. Captures the color and imagination of the legendary 'silver age' of the character, but in a modern setting. This book contains the first six stories in the twelve issue run. The other six are in volume 2. Not too 'mature', older kids will enjoy it too.

"Herge's classic two part Crystal Balls/ Prisoners of the Sun is probably the greatest adventure comic of all time. Very similar to the Indiana Jones movies, but these tales were created back in the 40s"- Pretty dark, but still an all ages classic everywhere except the US.

I could have included an Asterix book instead, but it's worth noting that this funny series from Asterix writer Goscinny is now finally getting translated. An immortal all ages classic in most of Europe. Lucky Luke books can be read in any order.

Usagi Yojimbo is one of the truly great all ages comics. It has much of the depth of a Kurosawa samurai movie, but it's told so kids can enjoy it too. Many volumes available. The first 7 volumes are also available as a 1.200 page "Special Edition" 2 volume hardcover set. The art is still a bit rough in this first volume, but from volume two and onwards it's near flawless.

The concept of fun non-superhero all-ages adventure comics had pretty much been dead in the US for decades, but Jeff Smith's "Bone" has become a bestseller. This is the b/w 1.200 page one volume edition, also available as nine books in color if you want better quality paper.