WANTED: Graphic novel about a quest

[FourthBase]

So, I have a relative in high school who was assigned to read a graphic novel that involved a quest. He lucked out by browsing a bunch of options and choosing this one, which after I did the same browsing I endorsed and now crave to read myself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterios_Polyp

But he has a friend in the same class who needs another option.
So, what graphic novels are both quest-y and kind of like Asterios Polyp?
I advised against Moore, Gaiman, Miller...maybe I'm wrong, especially about Moore.
I just think they're too impressionable at the moment for V, they could misread it?

Other than that, all I know is Gary Larson, Pekar/Crumb, Groening, Clowes, Flake, Tomorrow...
In other words, panels, strips...not novels.

I need suggestions for RI-heavy, existential-y, preferably life-affirming graphic novels.
Thanks to whomever can assist!

[Aurataur]

An old favorite:

Transmetropolitan

[justdrew]

!!! -> http://www.amazon.com/Palomar-Heartbreak-Soup-Stories-Rockets/dp/1560975393

Complete Digital Elfquest Online
http://www.elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics3.html
see: The Original Quest
(bonus, they've put this online for free)


anything by Joe Sacco

Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library

Promethea by Alan Moore


all of these should pass the muster of high school without being too 'adult' though I can't imagine that'll be much of a problem since if they wanted to be prudes I doubt they'd have given the assignment in the first place.

also tho, not sure how much of a stickler they'd want to be about 'graphic novel' definition, that would cause lengthy nerd fights over what truly IS and ISN'T

when in doubt: Maus

maybe The Bush Junta edited by Mack White and Gary Groth (though it's more of an anthology)

heck Ghost World would work too

[elfismiles]

Complete Digital Elfquest Online
http://www.elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics3.html
see: The Original Quest
(bonus, they've put this online for free)

when in doubt: Maus

maybe The Bush Junta edited by Mack White and Gary Groth (though it's more of an anthology)

[FourthBase]

!!! -> http://www.amazon.com/Palomar-Heartbreak-Soup-Stories-Rockets/dp/1560975393

Complete Digital Elfquest Online
http://www.elfquest.com/gallery/OnlineComics3.html
see: The Original Quest
(bonus, they've put this online for free)


anything by Joe Sacco

Chris Ware's Acme Novelty Library

Promethea by Alan Moore


all of these should pass the muster of high school without being too 'adult' though I can't imagine that'll be much of a problem since if they wanted to be prudes I doubt they'd have given the assignment in the first place.

also tho, not sure how much of a stickler they'd want to be about 'graphic novel' definition, that would cause lengthy nerd fights over what truly IS and ISN'T

when in doubt: Maus

maybe The Bush Junta edited by Mack White and Gary Groth (though it's more of an anthology)

heck Ghost World would work too

Thank you both for the recommendations!

Turns out I forgot and have read a couple already, Maus and Ghost World.

We have a winner, though:
"Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth"
PERFECT.

[justdrew]

well, it would be challenging, check out some pages (google image search) it may be a bit too bleak in places (well, most places) but there is some great human storytelling there. Finding the quest may be the challenge tho.

[FourthBase]

How bleak, exactly?

Realize these are near-adults, uber-wise-beyond-their-years.
But. It'd be nice not to depress them too, too much.

[FourthBase]

i.e., Spoil it for me, please.

[justdrew]

[FourthBase]

LOL. That's funny bleak!

I mean, is there suicide, murder, rape, apocalypse, etc.?

[justdrew]

LOL. That's funny bleak!

I mean, is there suicide, murder, rape, apocalypse, etc.?

yeah, it is

so no, I really don't think so, but I can't remember every detail

[justdrew]