★best-of-all-time.comAll 50 lists

The top 50

Graphic novels of all time

50 standout choices selected for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

What earns a placeVisual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership. Every pick combines lasting value with current availability.
#1

Maus

Maus by Art Spiegelman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#2

Watchmen

Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#3

The Sandman

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman and collaborators is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#4

Persepolis

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#5

Fun Home

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#6

The Complete Maus

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#7

V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#8

The Complete Persepolis

The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#9

The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes

The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#10

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#11

Batman: The Killing Joke

Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#12

Saga, Volume 1

Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#13

Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned

Y: The Last Man, Vol. 1: Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#14

Blankets

Blankets by Craig Thompson is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#15

Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#16

Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile

Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#17

The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye

The Walking Dead, Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#18

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life (Scott Pilgrim, #1)

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life (Scott Pilgrim, #1) by Bryan Lee O'Malley is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#19

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#20

Bone: The Complete Edition

Bone: The Complete Edition by Jeff Smith is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#21

Batman: The Long Halloween

Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#22

Sin City Volume 1: The Hard Goodbye

Sin City Volume 1: The Hard Goodbye by Frank Miller is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#23

Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas

Preacher, Volume 1: Gone to Texas by Garth Ennis is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#24

Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom (Death Note, #1)

Death Note, Vol. 1: Boredom (Death Note, #1) by Tsugumi Ohba is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#25

Ghost World

Ghost World by Daniel Clowes is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#26

The Arrival

The Arrival by Shaun Tan is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#27

From Hell

From Hell by Alan Moore is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#28

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 by Alan Moore is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#29

Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1: Back on the Street

Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1: Back on the Street by Warren Ellis is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#30

Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft

Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#31

Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth

Batman: Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious Earth by Grant Morrison is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#32

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#33

Akira, Vol. 1

Akira, Vol. 1 by Katsuhiro Otomo is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#34

Black Hole

Black Hole by Charles Burns is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#35

Hellboy, Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction

Hellboy, Vol. 1: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#36

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#37

Asterios Polyp

Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#38

Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come by Mark Waid is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#39

Daytripper

Daytripper by Fábio Moon is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#40

Superman: Red Son

Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#41

300

300 by Frank Miller is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#42

Habibi

Habibi by Craig Thompson is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#43

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth

Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#44

Marvel 1602

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#45

Swamp Thing, Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing, Vol. 1: Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#46

Death: The High Cost of Living

Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#47

All-Star Superman, Vol. 1

All-Star Superman, Vol. 1 by Grant Morrison is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#48

Marvels

Marvels by Kurt Busiek is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#49

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1

Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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#50

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1)

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1) by Marjane Satrapi is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.

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