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The big event in graphic novels this year was the publication of Art Spiegelman's somewhat disappointing but still-worth-a-look In the Shadow of No Towers, his highly personal postmortem of Sept. 11, which came across more as a self-absorbed anxiety attack than a trenchant statement. However, there were some truly memorable books released in 2004, whether they were collections of monthly titles following a particular story arc (such as the quite original Fables: March of the Wooden Soldiers), one-offs or anthologies. With publishers such as the French-based Semic (Spawn: Simony) and the Hollywood, Calif., based Humanoids (By the Numbers Book 1: The Road to Cao Bang) bringing outstanding European comics to the United States, the graphic novel market took on an international flavor, also reflected in collections such as Dead Herring, which compiled work by the Israel-based Actus independent comics group, and the ever-increasing (and quite frankly mystifying) popularity of Japanese anime. Here are five of this year's best reads.

McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, Issue 13, edited by Chris Ware: Dave Eggers' literary journal devotes an edition to comics, featuring stellar work from Ware, Daniel Clowes, Julie Doucet, Debbie Drechsler and others, as well as essays by novelist John Updike and National Public Radio's Ira Glass. (www.mcsweeneys.net)

The White Lama, Vol. 1 by Alexandro Jodorowsky and Georges Bess: This is a beautiful and moving story of a little white boy inhabited by the reincarnation of a Tibetan holy man and the travails he must face in an insular and unaccepting society. Also look for Vol. 2, released this month. (www.humanoids-publishing.com)

It's a Bird � by Steven T. Seagle and Teddy Kristiansen: A comic book writer thoroughly explores the Superman legend and comes to grips with the iconic hero in a series of meditations on the character, even as he deals with his own complex family problems. (www.dccomics.com)

Hench by Adam Beechen and Manny Bello: Usually relegated to fist fodder for heroes, the henchman gets his turn in the spotlight as this clever tale both satirizes and illuminates an overlooked convention of comic book literature. (www.ait-planetlar.com)

Dark Days by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith: In this extremely violent horror tale, a sheriff's widow sets out to avenge the death of her husband, who was killed by vampires when they ravaged a small Alaskan town plunged into a month of darkness. A special hardcover version with bonus materials is also now available. (www.idwpublishing.com)