I feel like I've read all the popular stuff and I'm really craving some overlooked graphic novels and hidden gem comics. I'm talking about those books that won awards but never got mainstream attention, or indie series that just quietly did their thing and were amazing.
Recently I discovered The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon which is this beautiful graphic novel about OCD and relationships that won awards but I never see anyone talking about. The Property by Rutu Modan is another one that's just brilliant storytelling about family and history.
What are some of your favorite underappreciated comic series? I'm especially interested in best unknown comic books that flew under the radar.
Great topic! The Nao of Brown is such a beautiful book. Glyn Dillon's art is stunning and the way he handles mental health is so thoughtful.
I'd recommend The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg. It's this beautifully illustrated collection of interconnected myths and stories that feels like discovering an ancient civilization's folklore. The art style is unique and the storytelling is just magical. Definitely a hidden gem comic.
Also, Building Stories by Chris Ware. I know he's critically acclaimed, but I feel like his work is still underappreciated by general readers. The way he plays with comic book form and architecture is just mindblowing. It's one of those comics that deserve more attention for how it pushes the medium forward.
The Property is excellent! Rutu Modan has such a distinctive style and her storytelling is always so nuanced.
I want to mention My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris. It won awards and got some attention, but I still think it's underrated relative to how groundbreaking it is. The way she uses the notebook format and combines horror, autobiography, and art history is just incredible. It's definitely one of the best unknown comic books in terms of ambition and execution.
Also, Sabrina by Nick Drnaso. It was the first graphic novel nominated for the Man Booker Prize, but I still don't see enough people talking about it. His deadpan style and exploration of modern anxiety through the lens of a missing persons case is just brilliant.
Great recommendations. I'd add The Arab of the Future by Riad Sattouf to the list. It's a memoir about growing up between France, Libya, and Syria in the 70s and 80s. The storytelling is both hilarious and heartbreaking, and Sattouf's clear line art is perfect for the material. It's won awards but still feels like an overlooked graphic novel in mainstream circles.
Also, Paying for It by Chester Brown. It's a memoir about his experiences with sex workers that's both deeply personal and thoughtfully analytical. The way he approaches the subject matter with such honesty and clarity is really remarkable. Definitely an underappreciated comic series in terms of its bravery and execution.
I'm loving this thread. Adding The Hard Tomorrow by Eleanor Davis. It's a nearfuture story about activism, relationships, and trying to build a better world that feels incredibly timely. Davis's art is beautiful and her storytelling is so emotionally resonant. It's definitely a hidden gem comic that more people should read.
Also, Clyde Fans by Seth. It took him 20 years to complete this graphic novel about two brothers running a fan business, and the result is this masterpiece of melancholy and memory. The pacing and atmosphere are just perfect. It's one of those comics that deserve more attention for its patience and craftsmanship.
Great suggestions everyone. I want to mention The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui. It's a memoir about her family's escape from Vietnam and their struggles as refugees in America. The art is beautiful and the storytelling is so personal and powerful. It's won awards but still feels like an overlooked graphic novel in terms of mainstream attention.
Also, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. I know it's critically acclaimed and had a musical adaptation, but I'm still surprised by how many comic readers haven't read it. The way she explores family, sexuality, and memory through the lens of her father's death is just masterful. It's definitely one of the best unknown comic books in terms of literary quality.