Comics/Graphic Novels

Comics Recommendation Engine: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Andi Miller

Staff Writer

Andi Miller is a proponent of fauxhawks, gaudy jewelry, country music, and writing. When she’s not publicly relating at her day job or teaching university English courses online, she’s a hardcore reader, social media addict, 10-year book blogging veteran at Estella’s Revenge, and host of Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. Her favorite literary snacks are comics, literary fiction, and foodie memoirs. Her favorite real snacks are Froot Loops, fried catfish tails, and serial Twitter unfollowers. Blog: Estella's Revenge Twitter: @EstellasRevenge

If you’re a Neil Gaiman fan, and especially if you’re a lover of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, there are a bevy of comics you need to seek out right this minute. Ocean is one of a handful of books I don’t mind re-reading, and there are some very specific things I love about it that I looked for in my comics recommendations.

  1. Mythological elements
  2. Powerful characters/kick-ass magic
  3. Wise character(s)
  • Commanding women

    coralinegraphicnovelCoraline: The Graphic Novel OR The Graveyard Book: The Graphic Novel, both by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell. It’s an obvious choice that if you like Gaiman’s brand of fiction, you should probably try out the graphic novel versions of these books. The plot doesn’t change, but experiencing the story with images is definitely a good time. That Other Mother? She’s wicked in print or illustration.

     

     

     

     

    prettydeadly1Pretty Deadly Volume 1: The Shrike by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios because I recommend this at the drop of a hat. However, it also hits on all of the elements I’ve listed above. Deathface Ginny is a commanding, magical, old world kind of character, and she’s got mythos to boot. Just as the Hempstock women in Ocean represent something bigger and older than what’s overtly discussed in the story, such is the case here. Death and his daughter are bigger and better (badder?) than the characters that normally make their way to the page, and when it comes to re-reading, this one is at the top of my comics list just as The Ocean at the End of the Lane is one of my most re-read novels.

     

    TheWickedAndDivine_vol1-1The Wicked + the Divine Volume 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie is set in the contemporary moment, but these gods are older than time. While they may not always be wise, they are always up to something worth reading, and this series in general gets me fired up with its twists and turns. There are some comics that make me feel exhilarated to the point of wonder. It’s kind of like being a kid again and while Wicked is not child-friendly stuff, it gives me that same throwback feeling of reading awe.

     

     

    wonderwomanbloodWonder Woman Volume 1: Blood (New 52) by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang goes off the beaten path when it comes to Wonder Woman’s back story and mythology, but if you’re open to a bit of veering, I think it’s a worthwhile read with unique art and a great sense of humor.