Comics for people who don't like comics...

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Thanks to Brad for this nice link for Comics for people who don't like comics:

Comics for people who don't read comics
By Whitney Matheson

Some of you don't want me to go to Comic-Con.

It's OK, I know what you're thinking: You don't read comic books, and you don't understand people who do. You don't know the difference between Harvey Pekar and Harvey Kurtzman, and, on top of that, you don't really care.

But you know what? I'm still not giving up. Below, I've outlined some of my favorite graphic novels -- that's just a fancy term for "long-form comics" -- and compared them to things you probably do know, like movies, musicians and TV series.

I omitted titles I've recommended repeatedly, like Y: The Last Man, Maus and Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth. I've also left out books that have been adapted into movies (Ghost World, Sin City, V for Vendetta, American Splendor, etc.). Though these are all worth reading, they've already gotten their fair share of press.

One more thing: Even though some of these books incorporate elves and animals, be aware that all of them are adult titles.

• If you like ... The Princess Bride, Animal Farm, Faerie Tale Theatre, Harry Potter
  Then try ... Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham (Vertigo, $9.99)
  Why? Because it's the best bedtime reading a grown-up could ask for. Willingham's addictive and imaginative stories follow the residents of Fabletown, including Snow White, Prince Charming, Pinocchio and the Big Bad Wolf. Unlike the characters we heard about as kids, though, these folks cope with with everything from unplanned pregnancies to cheating spouses to bloody crime sprees. Seven trade volumes have been published so far, and I've read every one.
  
  
• If you like ... They Might Be Giants, Fox's The Loop, ToothpasteforDinner.com, other people's diaries
  Then try ... American Elf by James Kochalka (Top Shelf, $29.95)
  Why? Because Kochalka manages to say a lot with very few words. Elf collects five years of the artist's Sketchbook Diary entries, each of them a simple drawing that captures one moment from his day. (To see what he drew today, visit AmericanElf.com.) After you finish this huge book, you feel like you know James, his wife, his kid and his splendid cat, Spandy. I've given several copies as gifts, including one to Patton Oswalt.
  
  
• If you like ... The L Word, Tori Amos, Gilmore Girls, romantic comedies
  Then try ... Strangers in Paradise: Book 1 by Terry Moore (Abstract Studio, $17.95)
  Why? Because Strangers is a great summer beach read, and it's far juicier than soap operas. Moore started this black-and-white comic in the '90s, and it's earned awards from the National Cartoonists Society and GLAAD. The story does a great job of examining romantic and platonic relationships. It's also known for being one of the most popular comics among women, though Kevin Smith and Neil Gaiman are admitted fans. Sadly, this year marks the series' end.
  
  
• If you like ... James Patterson, John Grisham, The Fugitive, superhero flicks
  Then try ... Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer (DC Comics, $24.99)
  Why? Because I don't even like superhero comics, and I loved this book. The story is so well told and the art is so captivating, by the fifth page I felt like I was watching a movie. As you may know, Meltzer is the author of several best-selling thrillers and created the short-lived WB series Jack & Bobby. (Tip: If you want to save a few bucks, this book comes out in paperback Aug. 16.)
  
  
• If you like ... Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gwen Stefani, Dark Angel, Minority Report
  Then try ... Fray by Joss Whedon (Dark Horse, $19.95)
  Why? Because all Joss is good Joss. Seriously, if you liked Buffy, Angel and Firefly/Serenity, there's a 95% chance you'll dig this, too. The one-off tale tells the story of Melaka Fray, a slayer who comes along several generations after Buffy Summers. Even if you haven't seen Buffy, this provides a great introduction to the Whedonverse, where sometimes the good guys are hideous and the damsel in distress is the buffest boy on the block.
  
  
• If you like ... Road trips, the Travel Channel, Bill Bryson, Y Tu Mama Tambien
  Then try ... Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson (Top Shelf, $14.95)
  Why? Because Thompson has both the drawing and writing chops to make you feel like you're traveling with him. Carnet is a sketchbook and doesn't tell a linear story, though it still manages to be a page-turner. Thompson won many accolades for Blankets, but this is my favorite book of his.
  
  
• If you like ... 28 Days Later, Stephen King, Twin Peaks, Y: The Last Man
  Then try ... The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman (Image Comics, $9.95)
  Why? Because it's not just about zombies. Once I ran out of Y: The Last Man issues to read, I asked my friendly comic-shop employee what to try next. He immediately pointed to Dead, and said, "Even if you're not into zombies, I think you'll like it. Trust me." He was right, and now I'm hungry for the next issue to come out. (Five trade volumes have been published.) The Dawn of the Dead-inspired story is set in a world infested with undead. What hooked me were the characters and fast-paced plot, which shows no sign of ending.
  
  
• If you like ... Director Mary Harron, Peaches, Patti Smith, the New York art scene
  Then try ... My New York Diary by Julie Doucet (Drawn and Quarterly, $15.95)
  Why? Because Doucet doesn't sugarcoat her adventures in art, sex or city living. I love how she pays so much attention detail in her drawings and her writing, since you often get one or the other in comics. I only wish someone had shown me this book when I lived in New York, because maybe then I wouldn't have felt so lonely.
  
  
• If you like ... Death Cab for Cutie, Molly Ringwald movies, Douglas Coupland, coffee shops
  Then try ... Unlikely by Jeffrey Brown (Top Shelf, $14.95)
  Why? Because you can't help but like a guy who recounts his heartbreak so honestly. In terms of humility and self-deprecation, Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart have nothing on Brown. Unlikely tells the story of a romance, a breakup and how Brown lost his virginity at 24.
  
  
• If you like ... Reading Lolita in Tehran, Slums of Beverly Hills, Augusten Burroughs, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
  Then try ... Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi (Pantheon, $11.95)
  Why? Because you've probably never heard a story like this one. Satrapi grew up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Her memoir would've been captivating without pictures, but the artwork adds another fascinating layer to the tale. After you read it, I also recommend the sequel, Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return.
  
  
• If you like ... Six Feet Under, Wes Anderson movies, McSweeney's, Iron & Wine
  Then try ... Mother, Come Home by Paul Hornschemeier (Dark Horse, $14.95)
  Why? Because you won't be able to put it down. I think this may have been the second graphic novel that made me cry. (Maus was the first.) Mother tells the poignant story of a boy coping with his mother's death. It touches on several themes, including father-son relationships, and has been compared to Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan.