True Crime Graphic Novels

Do you have that true crime fascination? People have always been captivated with real life stories of murder and dastardly deeds. From the crime pamphlets of the 1500s to today’s reality tv series such as Unsolved Mysteries, 48 Hours, and Rescue 911, the interest has never faded. The difference from then to now is all the new mediums that are available to you. Those earlier pamphlets have given way to books, movies, tv series, podcasts, and the wonderful visual art form of graphic novels. NHTI has a great collection of graphic novels from Superheroes to LGBTQ, Manga and Horror. Hidden in that collection are a few sensational murder and mayhem gems that bear checking out if you need to scratch that true crime ‘need to know’ itch.

A Treasury of XXth Century Murder Compendium 1 by Rick Geary– This collection of tales includes the tragedy of the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby, the Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans, and The Madison Square Tragedy (a tale of love, obsession and murder in world of 1900s New York).

A Treasury of Victorian Murder Compendium Vol 1 by Rick Geary – the author covers the stories of Jack the Ripper, President’s Garfield’s assassination and the true horror of NH’s own serial killer H.H. Holmes. Hailing from Gilmanton, NH, H.H., Holmes is considered America’s first serial killer and in 1893 he brought his own form of terror to the Chicago Colombian Exposition.

A Treasury of Victorian Murder Compendium Vol 2 by Rick Geary – In volume two, Rick Geary covers several true crime stories including the murder of President Lincoln, the Lizzie Borden killings as well as the shocking tale of a whole family of murderers who practiced their evil ways on the plains of Kansas in the 1870s.

The Last Book on the Left – Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski. - If you are looking for true stories of murder and mayhem, look no further. This book covers the worst of the worst. By flipping through these pages, you will encounter Ted Bundy, Richard Chase, John Wayne Gacy, David Berkowitz, and Jeffrey Dahmer to name just a few.

Ok, I admit I cheated a little on this last one as it is not listed as a graphic novel but it detailed too many horror shows to pass it by. You will find it in the general collection.

While these graphic novels do take a walk on the dark side of the human condition, do not feel you have to be macabre in nature to check them out. They can be a fascinating look into why these people did what they did and to fulfill that ‘need to know’ desire that plagues us all.