True North Country Comics presents Aaron Navrady’s top 10 go-to comic book and graphic novel list.

Based in Calgary, Aaron is the creator of his self published comic The Cold Fire, a medieval series about a Norman Crusader who joins a company of knights tasked with pursuing heretics across the Alps during the Albigensian Crusade.

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

10. Je, Francois Villon by Luigi Critone
“While I have yet to read this historical trilogy, it is on the list because Critone’s ink and watercolour work is fantastic and I am chomping at the bit to get these BDs from across the ocean.”

9. The Further Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix by Peter Milligan and John Paul Leon
“Most Marvel titles are near-dead to me, but I enjoyed this one very much, (the first AOC&P was also very good) mostly to do with the gritty drawings (would love to see a 4 colour process version on pulp) and an dynamic rendering of Mr Sinister and Apocalypse.”

8. Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
“Mazzucchelli’s articulation of gesture, movement and figure have a clean, classic simplicity and yet are maddeningly perfect. Also the writing is superb.”

7. The Upturned Stone by Scott Hampton
“The story’s slow burn intertwines with a rich depth of watercolours for a truly haunting coming of age Hallow’s Eve horror.”

6. The Black Diamond Detective Agency by Eddie Campbell
“I couldn’t put this down.”

5. Whatever by Karl Stevens
“A hidden gem of collected vingettes playing out alt-indie young adulthood in Massachusetts. I can’t explain why this book is so damn good, other than its fantastically rendered drawings and its punchline-less punchlines that still make me laugh out loud.”

4. Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan
“A search for a missing father in modern day Tel Aviv. Her organic drawings have a quality that evokes the emotional complexity of humans dealing with the messiness of relationships and reality.” 

(2 and 3 are somewhat interchangeable in order)

3. Elektra Assassin by Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz
“My trade paperback copy is worn out from re-reads, both for the endlessly fascinating art and dry-wit narrative.” 

2. Batman: Faces by Matt Wagner
“A stylish, nuanced take on Batman as detective in a thought-provoking story with rich plot twists and turns. My fav Batman.”

1. Notes From a War Story by Gipi (pseudonym of Gianni Pacinotti)
“A story that at once explores the ravages of war, adulthood, masculinity, power, pride, shame and vulnerability, told with line and watercolours that roll freely from panel to panel. A huge inspiration.”

You can discover more about Aaron on Twitter @aaron_navrady and online at www.aaronnavrady.com