Fenxy

Well, the Dark Knight Returns, for one.

I liked House Of Secrets, but its not so much a graphic novel as it is a comic book actually

Oooh, Dark Knight. Batman beating the crap out of Superman makes me smile...

My boyfriend is a graphic novel freak. I'll look at his collection when I get home. I do remember "A History of Violence" being on his nightstand for a while.

If you're into the kind of gritty crime drama stuff, check out Frank Miller's run with Daredevil. It's a little old but he really did wonders for the character.

The Ed Brubaker Captain America Omnibus volume 1 is a pretty good read. It has issues #1-25 of Captain America (#25 is the one where he ****). This place heroescorner.com (direct link to the omnibus) has 50% off till the 17th of this month. It was regularly $75, now $37 and some change. They actually have all the Captain America graphic novels for 50% off till the 17th of Nov. I think.

I don't read a lot of graphic novels (I usually collect comics), but that one is one that I did and the artwork and writing was good.

Hope that helps. The other people here made some good recommendations too.

I don't know if it technically classifies as a "graphic novel", but the trades collecting Batman - Hush are very good.

@ SupremeSpidey:

(#25 is the one where he dies)

OMG Spoilz!!!!11!!

Batman: Hush is great!

If you like Batman at all, you should check out the work that Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale did together. Batman: The Long Halloween, Catwoman: When in Rome, Batman: Dark Victory, Batman: Haunted Knight. All of those are excellent.

My favorite of all time is probaly Joss Whedon's Fray though. If you are remotely familiar with the Buffy universe, it's a great take on the future.

Aside from that, V for Vendetta is up there on my list. Frank Miller's Sin City collection is also a good place to start.

As if I totally forgot about Hush! Wrttnwrd, read Hush. Ignore everything else, and read Hush. It's amazing.

If you are open to trying some manga series, I would recommend these -

Berserk

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service

Fullmetal Alchemist

Uzumaki

My better half reads American comics and he recommends these:

Fables

Y the Last Man

Marvel Zombies

Ultimates - first series only

The Authority

Most of the classics (Sin City, Vendetta, Dark Knight Returns) have already been mentioned.

Regarding current publications I would suggest: The Walking Dead, DMZ, Ex Machina and Y - The Last Man.