What is the best standalone Collected Editions/ Graphic Novel?

[Mighty Roman]

What would you say is the best standalone collected edition/graphic novel (preferably from either Marvel, DC, or any of their imprints). By standalone, I mean that it tells a story which is (mostly) unconnected to any others, and can be enjoyed on it's own merits. I've read Superman: Earth One and Watchmen, and really enjoyed them, but could anyone recommend any other done-in-one stories?

[lvizzz]

What would you say is the best standalone collected edition/graphic novel (preferably from either Marvel, DC, or any of their imprints). By standalone, I mean that it tells a story which is (mostly) unconnected to any others, and can be enjoyed on it's own merits. I've read Superman: Earth One and Watchmen, and really enjoyed them, but could anyone recommend any other done-in-one stories?

I would higly recommend my recent read: Essex County by Lemire. Maus is great book. Black Hole by Burnes. V for Vendetta is a classic. Just too many man.

[Hero]

Batman: Dark Knight Returns, Killing Joke, Year One (may ultimately be connected to others, but also stands alone)
Bone (ok, that's pretty long but you can get it in one GN)
Daytripper
Essex County (just recently read as well)
From Hell
Kingdom Come
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (volumes 1 and 2 can be had in a single GN now)
Marvels
Planetary (technically 4 GNs but you can get it in an omni and it tells one complete story, and is awesome)
All Star Superman
Scene of the Crime
Top Ten (season 1)
V for Vendetta
Watchmen
WE3
X-Men God Loves, Man Kills

[ZedsDead]

Batman: Dark Knight Returns,
Killing Joke,
Year One
From Hell
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (volumes 1 and 2 can be had in a single GN now)
V for Vendetta
Watchmen
Ronin
Maus

[chrisccl]

All great suggestions.
I'll add in Camelot 3000 for fun.

Chris

[ultimate jezebel]

Punisher Vol.1 Welcome Back Frank

[Dayle88]

There's so many things to suggest but I'm going to go for Alias.

[chaos X effect]

If i had to pick just one...Watchmen.

[harpier]

What would you say is the best standalone collected edition/graphic novel (preferably from either Marvel, DC, or any of their imprints). By standalone, I mean that it tells a story which is (mostly) unconnected to any others, and can be enjoyed on it's own merits. I've read Superman: Earth One and Watchmen, and really enjoyed them, but could anyone recommend any other done-in-one stories?

I can reiterate a few others' recommendations: Frank Miller's Ronin, which in my mind is easily his best work; Alan Moore's Jack the Ripper conspiracy thriller From Hell; Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá's beautifully melancholy Daytripper, published out of Vertigo; and two-part graphic novel required reading Maus, Art Spiegelman's semi-biographical (-autobiographical) Holocaust fable.

To those I would also add: Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy's recent sci-fi/horror mini-series The Wake; Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's Batman: Arkham Asylum; Jeph Loeb's Batman classic The Long Halloween; Sean Murphy's Punk Rock Jesus, in which a Jesus clone stars on a reality TV show and sets off a string of consequences in the near-future US; Jason Aaron's opening arcs "The God Butcher" and "Godbomb," now collected in a single volume, from Thor: God of Thunder; and Brian Michael Bendis' recent return to Daredevil in Daredevil: End of Days.

[FanboyStranger]

Hicksville by Dylan Horrocks.

[GenericUserName12]

I highly recommend Absolute Top 10. Amazing art and a great story. After I finished it, I was sad there was no more to read. Check it out, you won't regret it.

[Billy Batson]

Hicksville by Dylan Horrocks.

Excited for Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen, FS?