I would also recommend 'Spider - Man: Blue' by Jeph Loeb. This graphic novel is a beautiful love letter to the early days of Spider - Man. It focuses on Peter Parker's relationship with Gwen Stacy and is full of emotion and great art.
You should start with 'Amazing Spider - Man' by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. It's the classic that introduced many of the core elements of the Spider - Man mythos.
Another great one to start with is 'Ultimate Spider - Man' by Brian Michael Bendis. It reimagines the Spider - Man story in a more modern and accessible way, which is great for new readers. It has a fresh take on the characters and their relationships.
One must - have graphic novel is 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman. It's a powerful and unique take on the Holocaust, using animals to represent different groups. Another great one is 'Watchmen' by Alan Moore. It's a complex and thought - provoking work that deconstructs the superhero genre. 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi is also a must. It tells a personal story set against the backdrop of the Iranian revolution.
Definitely 'Civil War'. In this story, Spider - Man reveals his identity to the world which has huge consequences for him. It's a great read as it shows how his actions are affected by the greater events in the Marvel Universe. Also, 'Kraven's Last Hunt' is a classic. It explores the complex relationship between Spider - Man and Kraven the Hunter. It's a dark and intense story that really challenges Spider - Man both physically and mentally.
I would also recommend 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. This graphic novel is a memoir that gives a personal and eye - opening look at life in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. The simple black - and - white art style effectively conveys the emotions and experiences of the author, and it's a great way to learn about a different culture and its history.
One must - read is 'Spider - Man: Into the Spider - Verse'. It has a unique take on the Spider - Man story, introducing multiple versions of the character from different dimensions. The art style is amazing and really brings the story to life.
One must - read is 'The Amazing Spider - Man: Birth of Venom'. It delves deep into the origin of one of Spider - man's most iconic villains. Another great one is 'Spider - man: Blue'. It's a beautifully illustrated and emotionally charged story that focuses on Peter Parker's relationship with Gwen Stacy. And 'Ultimate Spider - man' is also essential as it reimagines the Spider - man story in a modern and engaging way.
One must - read is 'Aquaman: The Trench'. It's a great starting point as it really dives into the unique world of Aquaman. It shows his powers in action and introduces some of the key threats he faces, like the terrifying creatures in the Trench. Another good one is 'Aquaman: Throne of Atlantis'. This graphic novel is part of a larger story arc that involves other Justice League members. It's exciting because it shows Aquaman's place in the DC universe and how important he is in big - scale battles.
I'd also recommend 'V for Vendetta'. It's not only a great DC graphic novel but also a powerful story about resistance and freedom. The character of V is iconic, and the dystopian setting makes for a very engaging read.
Definitely check out 'Deadpool by Daniel Way'. This run really delved deep into Deadpool's character. It has his crazy adventures, his interactions with other Marvel characters like Cable, and his signature humor. The art style also complements the chaotic nature of Deadpool really well.
Another one to consider is 'Planet Hulk'. In this story, the Hulk is exiled to a far - off planet where he has to fight for survival. It's full of action, and it shows a different side of the Hulk. There are epic battles and interesting new characters that you'll love.
One must - read is 'The Dark Knight Returns'. It's a classic that redefined Batman for a new generation. It shows an older, grittier Batman coming out of retirement. Another great one is 'Batman: Year One'. It tells the origin story in a really engaging way, showing how Bruce Wayne became Batman and his early days in Gotham. And 'Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth' is also a must. It has a very unique and dark take on Batman and the villains in Arkham.