Bayeux

Written by: Tyler Button, Gerry Kissell, and Amin Amat

First line: Alive...I'm alive.

Why you should read this book: The Bayeux tapestry, an ancient work depicting the events of the Norman invasion of England in 1066, is often cited as an early example of longform visual storytelling, and the author of this book, a devotee of history, saw that it would lend itself easily to the form of a graphic novel. The queen's brother, Godwinson, makes a promise under duress to William of Normandy, then breaks his word and sets himself squarely in the sights of William's ambition. Machinations and military might ensure; history and the English language will never be the same.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You don't care about a bunch of dead white guys from a thousand years ago.