The comic book creator picks his favourite graphic novels from the genre's 'oodles of awesomeness' encompassing Asterix to Akira
"I've always liked making top ten lists. During my time here on planet earth I've happily categorised my favourite books, films, games, sports, foodstuffs, road kill, enemies, colours, credit cards, teeth and spam email, to name but a few. And to be honest they were all pretty easy (all except for movies, which I had to break into innumerable sub-divisions, from Thrillers Featuring Log Cabins to Comedies Featuring an Amusingly Small Dog).
But then we reach comics; my achilles heel. Where does one start? To pick just 10 titles from the oodles of awesomeness that fill the shelves of book stores and comic shops the world over, well, it seems a shame.
As it happens there are 10 that, for me, stand just a little taller than the rest of the pack. Each is a work of genius that I recommend you consume (when you reach the right age) as soon as humanly possible."
Robin Etherington is one half of the Etherington Brothers, creators of Monkey Nuts and contributors to Star Wars, Transformers, the Dandy and Wallace and Gromit. They also contribute to the Phoenix comic, 32-pages of reading fun by some of the best writers and artists from the UK and around the world, for children age 6-12 years.
1. Calvin and Hobbes (7+)
One of the greatest friendships ever depicted on the page. A boy and his imaginary/real tiger, more adventures than you can shake a stick at, gags piled on gags and big ideas perfectly captured in the simplest form. This is a comic that you will love forever. The complete collection in paperback contains every strip every created, which should keep even the most avid reader busy!
2. Asterix the Legionary (7+)
My favourite comic series of all time. Although there are many brilliant examples of the genius of those indomitable Gauls and their ongoing battles with the Roman Empire, the 10th volume stands apart. Albert Uderzo's art had reached its zenith and Rene Goscinny's writing is near unbeatable. The comedy, pacing, action, characters, setup and payoff are perfect.
3. Bone (9+)
Ten years ago, this comic book fuelled the fire of creativity beneath my feet. Bone is a great big roaring tale of action, love, loss, laughs and stunning art. One big story that rolls through 1300 pages of epic excellence, this is the ultimate independent comic success story. Jeff Smith brings to life a cast of wonderful characters that live on long after their story is told.
4. Usagi Yojimbo (10+)
Stan Sakai has been writing and drawing the tales of his masterless rabbit samurai for almost thirty years, and they just get better and better. With clean black and white artwork Stan brings talking animals, genuine pathos, sublime humour and cartoon violence to the world of feudal Japan. Do not be fooled by his cute style, this is a story of depth and heart and consequence, where traditional Japanese myths and legends rear off the page in one magical scene after another.
5. Dungeon (16+)
Despite our close proximity to mainland Europe, there is a wealth of fantastic material that never gets translated. Thankfully the back catalogue of comics' luminary Lewis Trondheim has been substantially tapped and with Dungeon – his sword and sorcery comedy series (co-created with Joann Sfar) – you can see why. Blissfully funny characters stroll through a surreal fantasy landscape trying to get out of work, avoid the tax man and generally disobey conventions, while at the same time delivering a huge slice of satisfying action. For older readers.
6. Sam and Max Surfin' the Highway (12+)
Funny, funny, funny! There's nothing else to say. Steve Purcell makes great computer games but his oddball opus is the comic adventure of a rabbit and a dog and a lot of jokes.
7. Akira (16+)
At 3000 pages and six giant volumes, Akira is the longest and greatest cyberpunk epic of all time and a game-changing manga. The action is brutal and relentless, each character is stretched to the very limits of survival, Neo Tokyo is reduced to rubble in the most spectacular fashion, and somehow genuine hope survives. An ode to misunderstood youth and telekinesis (what a combo!) this is a fantastic book for older readers. There's simply nothing else like it.
8. Fungus the Bogeyman (7+)
One of the first comic books I can remember reading, Fungus is probably Raymond Briggs's second most memorable creation (after the Snowman). Hundreds of gross visual treats await the reader as we join Fungus on a typical day in his life as a human-scaring bogeyman. The language is rich and colourful, and there is enough snot, slime and generally horrible things to entertain even the most unlikely reader.
9. Lucky Luke (7+)
When Rene Goscinny wasn't thinking up adventures for Asterix he was busy collaborating with Belgian cartoonist Morris (on books 9-31), breathing golden life into an already fabulous cowboy series. Lucky Luke is the fastest gun in the west, a wanderer, a hero, a legend and a fantastic comic creation. Together with his horse, Jolly Jumper, Luke saves the day, time and again. And we all get to go along for the ride.
10. Tintin and the Black Island (7+)
Long before Spielberg was approached by the creator's family to bring the world's most iconic comic character to life, Herge conjured up the Black Island, one of his most action-packed adventures. The Scottish scenery is beautifully rendered, the villains are as crooked as their crimes and the story grips you to the very end. If you only read one Tintin volume in your life, this volume is a must.
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