Michael Hatchett
Last week, Marvel announced five new movies, adding to its ever-growing list of comic book adaptations. A few weeks prior, Warner Brothers announced at least 10 DC movies that will premiere in the next decade. It’s great news if you’re a fan of superhero movies but the downside is that none of them will be out until 2016. So, if you love superhero movies but need something other than Marvel and DC to whet your appetite, here are some alternative comics and graphic novels that you can check out while you wait.
We3: This strange comic mini-series written by Grant Morrison follows three weaponized animals (a dog, a cat and a rabbit) as they attempt to flee from their military captors. This Homeward Bound meets Blade Runner formula is a little strange at first, but it’s so well-written and beautifully illustrated that you get invested rather quickly. It’s short, sweet and serves as a great introduction to the bizarre world of alternative comics.
Invincible: Written by comics mastermind Robert Kirkman (creator of The Walking Dead), Invincible follows the story of a young man who discovers that his father is a member of a super strong race of aliens who have come to protect Earth. This may sound clichéd, but trust me, it’s worth it. I can’t really reveal what makes the story so great without spoiling a few key details but it tackles conventional superhero stories with ingenuity and originality. If you ever wished Superman was way darker and more realistic, you’ll love this series.
Y: The Last Man: This series is a brilliantly crafted dystopian story that follows a man and his monkey who survive the strange simultaneous death of every living male on Earth. The series’ wonderful opening sequence pairs statistics of male-dominated societal roles (pilots, conductors, etc.) with images of the resulting death and destruction (planes crash, trains derail, etc.). The main story, written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Pia Guerra, follows Yorick (the titular last man) and his monkey, Ampersand, who travel across the world as humanity must come to terms with the possibility of its own extinction. Filled with biting social commentary about how gender influences power, Y: The Last Man is a must-read for any lover of dystopian fiction.
Saga: This excellent series, also written by Brian K. Vaughan, is an ongoing series that centers on a pair of literally star-crossed lovers (cause they’re aliens! get it??) and their struggle to survive in a world at war. It sounds conventional and unoriginal but Saga is fantastically illustrated and flows easily with snappy dialogue. It’s heart-breaking, funny, tragic and charming all at the same time. Vaughan crafts a well-rounded story by following the perspectives of several other characters, both good and evil. As I said, it’s still ongoing, so head over to your local comic shop over break and catch up!