In lieu of the weekly new comic book list, True North Country Comics presents the top 10 go-to comic book/graphic novel list from Richard Comely.

Richard is a penciller, inker, letterer, colorist editor, publisher, convention organizer and more. However he’s best known for creating Captain Canuck.

Here’s Richard’s top 10 go-to comic books and graphic novels:

1.    Swamp Thing #11 to #23, art by Nestor Redondo. Written in turn by Len Wein, David Michelinie and Gerry Conway.
The late Nestor Redondo was one of the best illustrators to walk the earth and the writing is above average. Swamp Thing, our tragic hero is constantly moving; searching for redemption while being hunted. The Fugitive and the Hulk are of the same narrative mode.

2.    Superman: Secret Identity four-issue mini-series, written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by Stuart Immonen.
This series is the work of one the best writers (Busiek) and one of the top artists (Canadian Immonen) in comics today. This series is an enjoyable and at times a moving read. 

3.    Martian Manhunter: American Secrets,1992. A three-issue limited series published in prestige format, written by Gerard Jones with illustration by Eduardo Barreto.
Possibly, the late Barreto’s best work. Story and art are top notch. I found the series engrossing. The story has unusual depth and at the same time a fun read.

4.    Superman: Secret Origin by superstar creative team: writer Geoff Johns and British artist Gary Frank.
These two do a masterful job of redefining the origin of Superman for the 21st century. The art by Gary Frank brings you into the book and Johns’s writing kept me turning the pages.

5.    Blankets, an illustrated novel by Craig Thompson.
Well written with whimsical free flowing illustration. The book has a lot of moving, tender moments and it all felt very real.

6.    The Loxleys and the War of 1812. Written by Alan Grant, illustrated by Claude St. Aubin. This book won the Alberta Book of the Year Award for illustrated books for children and young adults. Claude’s masterful art is what makes this book so special.

7.    DC: The New Frontier by the late Darwyn Cooke, writer and illustrator with Dave Stewart as colourist.
The art by Cooke and the colour by Stewart kept me wanting to just look at the art. This book is a treasure.

8.    Dong Xoai, Vietnam 1965 Written and illustrated by Joe Kubert.
I’ve always been a huge fan of Joe Kubert’s art and this book features some of the very best examples of his work. The story and added features covers actual events that took place during the Vietnam war.

9.    The Rook (Warren Magazines) which first appeared in Eerie Magazine in 1977 and got its own title in 1979.  Written by Bill Dubay and Jim Stenstrum with gorgeous art from Lee Elias for #1–6.
The magazine included backup strips – all major bonuses.  Alfredo Alcala’s barbarian epic ‘Vector’ (#2–7), Sherlock Holmes, handsomely drawn by Anton Caravana in #10, Noly Panaligan in #13–14 and “Bolt” by Alex Nino in #1. Other features of note include Nestor Redondo’s gorgeous Bat, two features from Joe Kubert’s obscure Sojourn comic as well as Lee Elias’ detective strip “Kronos” (8–11), John Severin’s Western Eagle (#12–14), Alex Toth’s “Bravo For Adventure” in #3 & 4 – a terrific 1930s adventure strip by one of comics’ finest creators.

10.   Pride of Baghdad graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Niko Henrichon DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint September 2006.
This beautifully illustrated story is a fictionalized account of the true story of four lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo after an American bombing in 2003. It won the IGN award for best original graphic novel in 2006.

You can discover more about Richard on Twitter at @richard_comely