Maus
Maus by Art Spiegelman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
The top 50
Graphic novels of all time
Fifty researched picks for the graphic novels of all time, selected for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
How we choseVisual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
Why it belongs →
Watchmen
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
Persepolis
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
Fun Home
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Blankets
Blankets by Craig Thompson is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ghost World
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
The Arrival
The Arrival by Shaun Tan is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
From Hell
From Hell by Alan Moore is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Black Hole
Black Hole by Charles Burns is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
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.
Asterios Polyp
Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come by Mark Waid is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
Daytripper
Daytripper by Fábio Moon is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
300
300 by Frank Miller is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
Habibi
Habibi by Craig Thompson is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
Marvel 1602
Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
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.
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.
Marvels
Marvels by Kurt Busiek is a durable graphic novel choice, recognized for visual storytelling, influence, thematic depth and lasting readership.
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.
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.