National Comic Book Day
Nancy Jones: Partnerships Manager by Day, Comics enthusiast by night
On Wednesday it is National Comic Book Day. For many this means nothing. For me, it means a fantastic excuse to share one of my greatest passions with the Uptree blog’s unsuspecting readers.
It took me a while to get into comic books. As anyone that’s ever walked into their local comic book store will tell you, they often find it very daunting working out where on earth to begin and I was no exception. I couldn’t tell my Wonder Woman from my Captain Marvel or my Batman from my Ironman (hint: one billionaire is more fun at parties). But I persisted and fell completely in love with the stories and characters that I encountered. And I promise you that once you get your stories with pictures in, there’ll be no going back for you either.
In celebration of my favourite medium, I’ve put together a list of comic books that both fans and non-fans alike should read on National Comic Book Day. To the marvel-fatigued amongst us, I promise that it’s not just superheroes.
So pick a book, grab some food, and settle in for comic book fun.
Ms Marvel
Kamala Khan is a fantastic character that really brightened up the Marvel universe. A comic book fan herself, she gets thrown into a world of superheroes she’s read about when she finds herself with mind-bending powers. She saves the world and she has a LOT of fun doing it. Get reading this series ahead of the release of the new TV show!
Maus
When Maus was published, it revolutionised visual storytelling. Maus follows the author as he tries to understand his Jewish father’s experiences in Europe during the Second World War and their relationship in the present. It’s beautifully drawn, excellently told and a book that everyone should read.
Snotgirl
Snotgirl is not your average graphic novel. It centres on the life of Snottie Lottie, an instagram fashion influencer, and is full of glamorous outfits, parties and daring hair colours. However, the plot quickly thickens as Lottie gains a cool, new friend and becomes embroiled in a sinister mystery.
Deathnote
Full disclaimer: Deathnote isn’t technically a comic book. Deathnote is from the Japanese graphic novel tradition ‘Manga’ but I’m going to count it in this list because it definitely deserves some recognition. In Deathnote, a teenage boy discovers a notebook belonging to a Japanese God of Death that causes people to die when their name is written down in it. As he starts wreaking havoc across the globe, a brilliant detective is called in to crack the case and a high stakes game of wills ensues.
Persepolis
Persepolis is a visual autobiography. The author tells the story of her early life which takes place against the backdrop of the Iranian revolution, providing a unique insight into a historical moment and its impact, and on the people that lived it. It’s also been made into an award-winning animated film for those of you that prefer their pictures moving.
Paper Girls
If you like Stranger Things, then get ready for this upgrade. 4 girls on their paper round in a small American town find themselves in the middle of a war from the future. Get ready for time travel, dinosaurs and plenty of sci-fi gear as these paper delivery girls navigate a conflict they’re hundreds of years too young to understand.
Marvel 1602
Anyone who’s been to a cinema in the last decade will definitely know who this comic book is about. But they’re probably slightly less familiar with the setting. Marvel 1602 sees all your favourite superheroes in an alternate universe in the Elizabethan era.
Happy National Comic Book Day!
