Stock Suggestions #3

[Byron Virgo]

After the success of my new Graphic Novel section in West Hampstead Library [plug plug], I've now been given another ?200 for even more books. But even more exciting than that is that I've been asked to stock from the ground up the new Kilburn Library Graphic Novel (I really hate that term!) section, and I've been given a grand (that's ?1000, for those not versed in the parlance of the streets) to do it with, with the possibility of a further ?500 if I need it.

So basically, what I want from you guys are suggestions of what I should buy to make a stock list that is both mixed but that will be popular with the general public. I'm building from the ground up here, so all suggestions, of whatever form, are welcomed.

[Dudley]

Popular with the public?

Hmmmmm...

Garfield?
The Simpsons annual?
Striker?

[Dan Kelly]

Just got the 15th Anniversay Edition of Morrison and Mckean's Arkham Asylum

As well as being a good hardcover GN (in the true sense - i.e. not originally single issues), it also has a copy of the original script and dev sketches by Grant.

Dan

[Byron Virgo]

Interesting, but ultimately let down by being not very good (no offence).

"Garfield?
The Simpsons annual?
Striker?"

You're taking the piss Dud!
Sensible suggestions only, please.

[feridian]

This is probably a way too obvious suggestion, but a library needs a bit of everything:

some 'mainstream' books, e.g. Jimmy Corrigan, Craig Thompson's Blankets, Art Spiegelman (for those who don't like 'comics'), some of the groundbreaking GNs, i.e. Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Sandman, Bone, some classic superheroes (not all movie tie-ins), and as many current big names as you can afford, e.g. Preacher, Losers.
And some manga, which I can't comment on.

Oh, and some 2K stuff. And the Alan Moore Top 10 GNs. And Duds is right that you need some Simpsons too, and some Buffy tie-ins. But go easy on Star Wars stuff - it's just not necessary.

The aim of a library collection has to be to have a varied range so that everyone browsing will find something they recognise, but also will have plenty of other things to pick up and get to like. (I wanted to work in a library, but got sidetracked.)

[Jared Katooie]

Hitman.

[Pyroxian]

Understanding Comics might be a good addition.

   Steve

[IndigoPrime]

Some of the Ultimates stuff would probably go down well (Spider-Man is good, as is The Ultimates).

[DavidXBrunt]

Seriously, what's your problem with Mark Waid?

[Byron Virgo]

There's some nice Marvel reprints of their old superhero stuff (Essentials?), which I haven't bought, since I gave up superheroes some while ago, but looking back at some of that Frank Miller Daredevil stuff, it was pretty tempting. My boss specifically asked for Daredevil and The Hulk.

So apart from those, and titles like Watchmen, Sandman, Dark Knight Returns, Maus, Jimmy Corrigan and Understanding Comics, what do people think I should get?

Top 10? From Hell? Some Will Eisner? And what 2000AD-related collections should I go for - the new DC stuff is pretty tempting, but it'd be good to support Rebellion's independant publishing.

[DavidXBrunt]

Really, Mark Waid must be the most inoffensive writer the world has ever known. What#s your beef?

[Byron Virgo]

What?!

I never mentioned Mark Waid (at least not on this thread).

I just don't like his work since I read that Kingdom thing: after all the hype, I expected something grand and epic, but in the end all I got was a pale imitation of Alan Moore's Twilight of the Superheroes treatment. It just fell really flat for me, and there's just something I find ever so slightly grating about his writing I've read elsewhere. Nothing personal, it's just the way it is.

[Pyroxian]

Marvels
Astro-City

   Steve

[Byron Virgo]

Never read any Astro City. Good is it? I hear good things.

[Lord Running Clam]

If you're going for newspaper strip collections as well as comics,I'm sure Calvin and hobbes,would go down well.