7 Graphic Novels You Should Read in January 2015

Over the weekend I let you know about the new comics you should be reading in January, which included a wide variety of choices. But if you are the kind of person who would rather read graphic novels or prefers to trade-wait here is 7 graphic novels you should read this month.

In this list, comprising of original graphic novels and collections, we have a variety of different genres represented. There should be something for everyone including science fiction, crime, manga, fantasy, superhero and we even get a little biblical.

As always let me know if any of these picks take your fancy in the comments section.

Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever

Written by Harlan Ellison, Scott Tipton and David Tipton. Art by J.K. Woodward. Published by IDW Publishing.

If you a fan of Star Trek you might be familiar with the episode The City on the Edge of Forever. It won a Hugo Award and is said to be the one of the most acclaimed episodes. But what you might not have known is that it went though many revisions before it went to air. Although, thanks to IDW the original script from Harlan Ellison has been adapted in comic book form.

Just like The Star Wars, it will be interesting to see what the original script was like in comparison to what was finally produced. Presented in a nice hardcover, this is definitely a must read for any Star Trek fan.

Star Trek: The City on the Edge of Forever is available on January 28th.

Criminal Volume 1: Coward

Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Sean Phillips. Published by Image Comics.

The highly acclaimed Criminal returns to Image Comics with a new presentation that will look great on your shelf. If you are unfamiliar with Criminal, it’s a hard-boiled crime noir series which plays on the clichés of the genre – but with much more realism.

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are an unstoppable duo when it comes to crime and noir comics. If you have been reading The Fade Out, or any of their other work, and you are looking for more then Criminal deserves your attention.

Criminal Volume 1: Coward is available on January 28th.

Henshin

Written and art by Ken Niimura. Published by Image Comics.

In Japanese Henshin means transformation. That is a suitable title for this original graphic novel about life in Japan, all centred around that theme. With 13 stories over 288 pages there is plenty to sink your teeth into with this odd manga.

If you are looking for a story with a slightly odd sense of humour or looking for a manga that is more on the alternative side then Henshin will appeal to you.

Henshin is available on January 14th.

Death Of Wolverine

Written by Charles Soule. Art by Steve McNiven. Published by Marvel Comics.

As you might have heard already, Wolverine is dead. If you were curious about this event, but didn’t get a chance to read it in single issues then this nice hardcover is your chance to see how it all happens.

This collection collects all four parts of this miniseries as well as plenty extras including process art and creator commentary from everyone involved.

Death of Wolverine is available on January 7th.

Judas: The Last Days

Written by W. Maxwell Prince. Art by John Amor. Published by IDW Publishing.

It’s not very often that How to Love Comics gets biblical, but Judas: The Last Days sounds like an interesting story worth sharing. Two thousand years after he betrayed Christ, Judas is still walking the earth. As much as he want to – and he has tried – he can’t die. So instead he walks a world where fantastical being such as monsters and immortals are real, attempting to end his life. This original graphic novel documents his history and what he has been up to over the past two millennia.

Judas: The Last Days will appeal to anyone who enjoys “what-if” style stories. I don’t think you will need to be particularly religious to understand the story, especially considering the fact there is plenty of fantasy elements.

Judas: The Last Days is available on January 14th.

Green Lantern By Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 1

Written by Geoff Johns. Art by Daniel Acuna, Ivan Reis, Simone Bianchi, Carlos Pacheco, Patrick Gleason, Ethan Van Sciver, Dave Gibbons. Published by DC Comics.

Back in 2005 Geoff Johns shook up the Green Lantern franchise in a big way and continued to do for 8 years. He brought back Hal Jordan after a long period of absence and rose the title to the top of the charts with one big storyline after another. This is the first omnibus collection of his classic run collecting a good chunk of his early Green Lantern material.

If you have ever wanted to to read any Green Lantern but were not sure where to start this is a great starting point. Not only does it have some great stories but an amazing roster of artists which sweetens the deal even more.

Green Lantern By Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 1 is available on January 28th.

North 40

Written by Aaron Williams. Art by Fiona Staples. Published by DC Comics.

A supernatural force has arisen in a small rural town, which has awoken all kind of malevolent trouble. Monsters have arisen and there looms an even greater evil in the form of Cthulhu. Can a group of unlikly heroes and misfits stop this evil from swallowing up their town and life as they know it?

If you are a fan of Fiona Staples’ work on Saga and want to check out some of her previous work then definitely pick up this new edition of North 40.

North 40 is available on January 21st.