Comics and graphic novels picked by comic-book aficionado Charlie Higson

Watchmen Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons This was the first comic to consider what it would be like if ridiculous costumed superheroes actually existed and had to deal with real problems and emotions. This blew everything else away when it first appeared. A "grown-up" comic that teens will love. Batman: the Dark Knight Returns Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Alan Moore and Frank Miller are the Superman and Batman of modern comics – the twin titans – and round about the same time as Watchmen came out Frank Miller reinvented the caped crusader for a modern readership. Funny, clever, brutal and switched-on, this has had a huge influence on both comics and films ever since. The Adventures of Tintin Hergé; Asterix in Britain Goscinny and Uderzo I grew up on Tintin and Asterix, and for many people in the UK they are the only graphic novels they are aware of. The French call this style of pure, clean, solid artwork la ligne claire , and it's a style that works brilliantly for kids. I used to lose myself for days in the detail of these pictures. Elektra: Assassin Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz As a complete contrast, Bill Sienkiewicz's artwork is grungy, painterly and expressionistic. This really pushed the boundaries for mainstream comics when it appeared, bringing in a touch of underground style. It's a surprisingly adult comic told in a wonderfully adult manner. Jimmy Corrigan: the Smartest Kid on Earth Chris Ware I hate the term "graphic novel" – as if comics aren't as good as real novels. What's wrong with "comic book"? That said, this comic is very much a novel in graphic form, and there isn't a superhero in sight. When I judged the Guardian first book award, we gave it to Chris Ware for Jimmy Corrigan. Everything about it is beautifully crafted. The artwork could be described as ligne claire , but the story, about a sad loser reviewing his life, is nothing like Tintin. The Plot: the Secret Story of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion Will Eisner Eisner is a legend of American comics. He created the Spirit and was one of the first comic book artists to use comics to explore other areas, such as autobiography and history. This is a book for teens who love a conspiracy theory. It tells the story of how the original anti-Jewish conspiracy was concocted and how it has dogged us ever since. It shows what comics are capable of. Nemesis the Warlock Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill 2000AD kept the torch burning for British comics through the 80s and 90s and is still going strong. It was the training ground for a startling number of writers and artists, many of whom (like Moore and Gibbons) went on to storm America. Many of the most popular characters have been collected in book form and I've picked my favourite. The writing is unexpected for a British kids' comic and Kevin O'Neill's artwork is wonderfully surreal. • Charlie Higson is the author of the Young Bond series. His latest book isThe Fear. See his top 10 fantasy books