Summer Reading Lists: Justin Vahoski, Comic City

Today, Plymouth-Canton Patch launches a summer feature, Summer Reading Lists. We'll poll people in the community (book club members, librarians, etc.) to see what they'd recommend for other readers this summer.

Given that we're in the midst of a blockbuster movie season with comic book-themed movies The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises, Justin Vahoski of in Canton is helping to launch the series with some comic and graphic novel recommendations for both older and younger readers.

1. Joker

This Batman graphic novel by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo depicts the caped crusader's most notorious nemesis, its title character. Vahoski says the version of the Joker depicted in Joker draws heavily from Heath Ledger's Joker in the 2008 film The Dark Knight. He recommends the book for older readers.

"It's really sinister," Vahoski said.

2. Aquaman

Vahoski said the new Aquaman comic series (and trade hardcover compilation) is a good read for older readers.

"It's gritty," Vahoski said. "Very violent."

3. Spider-Men

Vahoski recommends Spider-Men, a series depicting parallel universes with different versions of the weblinging superhero.

"It's good for all ages," he said.

4. Batman: Court of Owls Vol. 1

The Court of Owls run of Batman comics, compiled in a first volume and with several editions remaining in its second volume, offers a fresh take on the Batman legend, Vahoski said.

"You don't know the villains," he said, indicating there's plenty of new faces in Gotham City this time around, making for an unpredictable story.

5. Avengers vs. X-Men

Marvel's top two superhero teams square off in a book Vahoski said is good for all ages and a good tie-in for the recent Avengers film.

Older fans of comics might also be interested in this year's high-profile Before Watchmen series, a hotly anticipated (and highly divisive) prequel series to Watchmen, the top-selling graphic novel of all time.

See also: Stephanie Smethers of Comic City discusses this year's blockbuster comic book movies'.