Best graphic novels tackle hard-hitting issues

By Matthew Price
Published: December 29, 2006

In 2006, traditional book publishers looked more and more to the graphic novel format. Quality entries from both book publishers and comic-book publishers make up 2006's best graphic novels, which examine racism, freedom, family relationships and more.

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"Pride of Baghdad,” written by Brian K. Vaughan and published by DC Comics' Vertigo imprint, is one of the year's best graphic novels.

1. "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic.”

Alison Bechdel's memoir of growing up and her father's death is a moving autobiography. Comic strip writer-illustrator Bechdel examines her childhood with her father, who hid gay affairs from his town and his family for years. Recently named the best book of the year by Time magazine, Bechdel's story peels back layers through her diary entries of the time, mixed with her later perspective on events.

Bechdel's father died — in a possible suicide — just weeks after Bechdel came out to her family, and after her mother made her aware of her father's affairs. It's a complex portrait, not sugarcoating the father's perfectionism or absence of affection, yet still honoring his love of literature and his children.

2. "Pride of Baghdad.”

Brian K. Vaughan ("Y: The Last Man”) collaborated with Niko Henrichon on this graphic novel, inspired by the true tale of three lions that escaped the Baghdad Zoo during an American bombing raid. Vaughan looks at the nature of freedom through these lions, which speak with each other and the other animals. While the anthropomorphized adventure may have some thinking "Lion King,” it has more in common with George Orwell's "Animal Farm.”

3. "Scott Pilgrim Vol. 3: Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness.”

Bryan Lee O'Malley continues his video-game-inspired story of indie rock 'n' roller Scott Pilgrim. In the third volume, Scott must fight another of his girlfriend's exes: a vegan with superpowers.

4. "American Born Chinese.”

Gene Wang mixes Chinese fables with John Hughes movies in "American Born Chinese.” A Chinese-American student in an all-white high school is the focal point of this rumination on life as a Chinese-American.

5. "Seven Sons.”

This retelling of the famous story of the Chinese brothers with amazing powers is moved to Gold Rush-era California, as the mother and the seven brothers of this version flee the Taiping Rebellion.

When some of the town's children fall into an iced-over lake, the oldest brother uses his power to swallow the ocean in an attempt to save them. But when the attempt fails, he's accused of being a killer. Now, the angry townspeople seek his head — or that of his brothers, whom they mistake for the oldest.

By moving the tale to America, writer Alexander Grecian confronts the racism inherent in the townspeople's blame of the eldest son.

6. "Emily Edison.”

Writer David Hopkins ("Karma Incorporated”) and artist Brock Rizy create a sugar-rush, Saturday-morning cartoon of a graphic novel. Emily Edison is a teen superhero whose mom and dad have divorced. But unlike many children of divorced parents, visiting her mom means traveling to her mother's alien dimension. Her grandfather decides the best way to get Emily full time is to destroy the Earth — and it's up to Emily to stop him.

7. "Fate of the Artist.”

Writer/artist Eddie Campbell creates a challenging narrative that investigates his own disappearance. In "Fate,” Campbell has created a mixed-media rumination on the nature of art, including photographs, mock vintage comic strips, paint and crayon.

8. "Iron West.”

Doug TenNapel ("Creature Tech”) creates another action-packed science-fiction yarn, this time mixed with an Old West setting. In 1898, in Twain Harte, Calif., swindler and train robber Preston Struck finds himself an unlikely — and unwilling — hero when robot outlaws begin taking over the town. TenNapel, who created "Earthworm Jim” and the "Catscratch” cartoon for Nickelodeon, has created an exciting tale of robots versus cowboys.

9. "Sloth.”

Miguel Serra, tired of his suburban teenage life, wills himself into a coma. Reviving a year later, Miguel finds himself moving at a slower pace than the rest of the world. Miguel, his girlfriend Lita and their best friend, Romeo, will cross paths with each other — and the mysterious Goatman, who lives among the lemon groves — in this surreal tale by Gilbert Hernandez ("Love and Rockets”).

10. "Gray Horses.”

Art exchange student Noemie comes to Onion City in the United States from Dijon, France. She becomes friends with her neighbor, Anna, and begins a flirtation with a photographer. She also begins having dreams, of herself as a noble horse, aiding a sick girl. Hope Larson's fanciful designs capture the feeling of being young and exploring a new place.