I’ve enjoyed reading different answers to the “What five comics would you take to a desert island?” question that’s been floating around. I feel like I should just do one list of comics regardless of nation of origin, but I also feel like cheating so I can mention more titles.
So, manga first:
- Buddha, by Osamu Tezuka, Vertical. I’ve loved what I’ve read so far, and there’s something terribly satisfying about the meticulous reproduction and beautiful presentation. Having that stack of hardcover classics would be really comforting.
- Fake, by Sanami Matoh, Tokyopop. This will always be one of my favorite shonen-ai/yaoi titles, I think.
- Kindaichi Case Files, by Satoh Fumiya and and Kanari Yozaburo, Tokyopop. I love a good mystery.
- Sgt. Frog, by Mine Yoshizaki, Tokyopop. Surely you all knew that was coming. I’m stranded, for Pete’s sake! I’ll need some laughs.
- Fushigi Yugi, by Yuu Watase, Viz. Imadoki! is my favorite work by Watase, but it’s disappointingly short at five volumes. There are tons of volumes to Fushigi Yugi, and I’ve only read the first few so far. This would allow me to indulge in shiny new Watase goodness.
Now, for the rest:
- Lost at Sea, by Bryan Lee O’Malley, Oni. Much as I love the Scott Pilgrim books, this is my favorite work from O’Malley, and it’s endlessly re-readable.
- Odds Off, or, L’Amour foutu, by Matt Madden, originally published by Highwater Books. It’s very observant and funny in its look at tangled relationships.
- Owly, by Andy Runton, Top Shelf. This would be pure, soothing comfort-food reading.
- Keith Giffen’s run on various Legion of Super-Heroes titles prior to the five-year gap, DC. These are some of my favorite spandex comics, and I haven’t sat down with them in a while.
- The Steve Gerber run on Defenders, particularly the Headmen-Nebulon arc, Marvel. Great, weird comics, and the best reason for another Essential volume for the title.
Those lists aside, I’d still rather not be stranded anywhere that doesn’t have an indoor pool and room service.