You could also start with 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman. It's a Pulitzer - Prize - winning graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust in a very unique way, with the Jews as mice and the Nazis as cats. It's an important and powerful work that is also quite accessible in terms of its storytelling and art.
For beginners, 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman is a great pick. It has a very accessible story that draws you into a rich and magical world. The art is also very good at setting the mood. It's a story about dreams and the entities that inhabit them, which is both fascinating and easy to get into.
Well, in Marvel, 'Civil War' is a must - read. It pits superhero against superhero and explores themes like freedom and responsibility. In DC, 'Identity Crisis' is quite good. It delves deep into the personal lives of superheroes and the moral dilemmas they face. Also, 'All - Star Superman' is a wonderful graphic novel that shows the best of Superman.
The graphic novel 'From Hell' by Alan Moore is also a notable horror - themed work. It delves into the Jack the Ripper murders in Victorian London, exploring not just the killings but also the social and political context of the time. The art is moody and helps to create a very spooky atmosphere.
For beginners, 'Superman: Up in the Sky' is a great choice. It tells a simple yet engaging story about Superman. The art is easy to follow and the story showcases the core values of the character, like his kindness and strength.
For beginners, 'Spider - Man: Into the Spider - Verse - The Graphic Novel' is a great choice. It has a really accessible story that follows Miles Morales as he becomes Spider - Man. The art is colorful and energetic, just like the movie it's based on.
One great non - Marvel or DC graphic novel is 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It's a powerful autobiographical story that offers a unique perspective on growing up in Iran during a time of great political and social change. The simple yet evocative black - and - white art style really enhances the narrative.
Marvel has 'Infinite Crisis' which is a huge crossover event that shakes up the Marvel Universe. DC's 'Batman: Year One' is an excellent origin story for Batman, showing his early days as a vigilante. And we can't forget Marvel's 'Secret Wars', which brought together many of its heroes and villains in a battle for supremacy on a strange planet.
For beginners, 'Batman: The Long Halloween' is a great choice. It has a straightforward yet engaging mystery plot involving Batman and his rogues' gallery. The art is easy on the eyes too. Another good one is 'Superman: Red Son'. It offers a different take on Superman, imagining what would happen if he had landed in the Soviet Union instead of the United States. It's an interesting concept that's easy to follow.
One great option is 'Superman: The Man of Steel'. It introduces the iconic Superman in a way that's easy for beginners to understand. The art is engaging and it showcases his origin story well.
One great non - Marvel or DC graphic novel is 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It's an autobiographical story that gives a very personal view of life in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. The art style is simple yet powerful, and it really helps to convey the complex emotions and experiences of the author.
My top pick from Marvel would be 'Planet Hulk'. It's about Hulk being exiled to a planet and becoming a gladiator. It's action - packed. In DC, 'Flashpoint' is an interesting one. It changes the entire DC timeline and shows how different the universe could be. There are a lot of alternate versions of the characters in it.