Shinichi Sakamoto
[isbn]
I'm ride-or-die for Shinichi Sakamoto at this point. Whatever he writes, I'll read. His trademark art style is on full display here in this intense, lusciously gothic masterpiece that follows the story of Charles-Henri Sanson, the real-life French executioner during the reign of King Louis XVI. What's it like to be born into a dynasty of killing? How does it shape your soul? The answers aren't for the faint of heart!
Recommended by Nicole S
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Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch, Griffin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy
[isbn]
The McElroys' brilliant graphic novel adaptation of their beloved podcast (with fantastic artwork by Carey Pietsch) has finally caught up to my favorite arc, and it was well worth the wait! In the vein of Groundhog Day or Palm Springs, our heroes have found themselves caught in a time loop on their most recent (Wild West-inspired) quest, and we begin to see a number of glimpses into the larger series' plot. I laughed, I teared... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Mo Willems
[isbn]
The award-winning duo of Gerald the Elephant and Piggie the — well, Piggie — is back! This second “Biggie” gathers five of their previous adventures into one sure-to-be-loved volume (including my favorite, the fourth-wall-breaking We Are in a Book!). As Piggie and Gerald would say: “Five is a LOT of adventures for one book! Also, how did we get in this blurb?”
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Clint McElroy and Griffin McElroy and Justin McElroy
[isbn]
The second volume of this graphic novel adaptation of the McElroys' much-beloved D&D podcast grants +2 to all stats and delivers the goods. Longtime listeners and first-time readers alike are sure to be delighted by Carey Pietsch’s joyous rendering of this classic train mystery — featuring, as all good train mysteries do, a secret moon base (with no dogs allowed), a mystical being known as Garfield the Deals Warlock, questionable physics, and... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Clint McElroy and Griffin McElroy and Justin McElroy
[isbn]
Dungeons and dragons and gerblins, oh my! I’m a big fan of the McElroy family’s D&D/live play podcast, and its first graphic novel adaptation is everything I hoped for and more. The McElroys' clever storytelling and Carey Pietsch’s charming illustrations give new life to this sweeping fantasy adventure without sacrificing the comedy or heart that make the podcast so wonderful. +10 to merriment, -5 to time management (listen, you’re not going to... (read more)
Recommended by Madeline S.
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Bryan Lee O'Malley
[isbn]
How far would you go to make your life not just good, but great? Join Katie as she answers this question and learns the value of "mistakes," how the future is what we make it, and that you shouldn't always go back for seconds.
Recommended by Sarah J
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Zoe Thorogood
[isbn]
Zoe Thorogood, a cartoonist, recorded six months of her life as it fell apart as an attempt to put it all back together. I can't say whether or not this worked for her but it was certainly helpful to me. This story chronicles her struggles with mental health, her family, and her art as the endless wave of day-to-day trials and tribulations make these struggles easier or harder to keep a grip on. Though some parts of this story are silly and we... (read more)
Recommended by Aster A.
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Kimberly Lemming
[isbn]
A romantasy that will satisfy readers of either genre, and give them a little something extra, too. She’s a spice trader who isn’t interested in adventures. He’s a demon, but that’s not as bad as it sounds. Off they go to defeat a witch and maybe… fall in love?
Recommended by Keith M.
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David Mazzucchelli
[isbn]
This book changed the way I look at the world. It explores how memories change as we age and look back at them with more and newer understanding. Mazzucchelli challenges you to change your perspective in more ways than one. It's a fantastic read that I keep coming back to.
Recommended by madmythandy
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Bill Watterson and John Kascht
[isbn]
The Mysteries is an unsettling and eerily familiar fable about a world that loses direction. The images are gorgeous, wonderfully evocative, and just a little disturbing. This is a book to reread many times and to put its message into your own frame of reference and keep it close to your heart.
Recommended by Marianne T
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ND Stevenson, Nate Stevenson, Noelle Stevenson
[isbn]
I will read anything by ND Stevenson. This book gives you the warm fuzzies and restores your faith that your queer love is out there. A must read.
Recommended by madmythandy
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LouAnne Brickhouse, Jennifer Rea
[isbn]
I devoured this book in one sitting and desperately want more. The pacing is perfect, with great use of suspense. I am also a major history nerd, so I love when vampire media uses historical figures and details in interesting ways that are genuinely important to the plot, not just as a window dressing. For my vampire diaries fans out there: if you watched that show, but wished Bonnie and/or Carolyn was the main character, I think you'll like this... (read more)
Recommended by Kathleen F
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Liz Marsham, CRITICAL ROLE , Jesse Szewczyk
[isbn]
Stories and food are inseparable, and the food of Exandria is just as good as its stories — truly “exquisite” actually! Just look at the gorgeous pictures, from “Slayer’s Cake” to “Jester’s Sweet Feast,” and your mouth will water. I’m going to start with the chickpea version of “Yasha’s Bug Bites,” washed down with a “Ruby of the Sea” cocktail, while I plan fun dinners for my RPG friends.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Roz Chast
[isbn]
Supposedly, describing your dreams is a faux pas that will bore anyone unlucky enough to be within earshot. This is just another rule that doesn’t apply to Roz Chast. Her new book explores the experience and meaning of dreams with characteristic wit and insight.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Kate Leth
[isbn]
Kate Leth’s delightful look at mall culture in the early 2000s has a lot to say about when to let keep your guard up, when to let it down, and the problems that come from misjudging that balance.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Linda Medley
[isbn]
Castle Waiting is an incredible comic series. It follows a motley cast of characters who have — through one way or another — found themselves at the eponymous castle. They include a retired plague doctor, a scamp of a nun, a stoic blacksmith, the frazzled stork-headed caretaker, and a woman on the run. Their lives together and their pasts apart make up the rich story of Castle Waiting. While the setting and characters are... (read more)
Recommended by Edme G.
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Roxanne Moreil, Cyril Pedrosa
[isbn]
This is a high fantasy graphic novel that isn't being talked about enough. The art by Cyril Pedrosa is intricate and stunning and reminiscent of Fantasia and the earliest animated Disney movies. I was immediately engrossed in this fast-paced story of political upheaval and in the lives of the characters stuck in its wake. Fantasy lovers will be absolutely enthralled by this book.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Deena Mohamed
[isbn]
Set in a world where wishes exist, but are a resource to be extracted and commoditized, Deena Mohamed’s Shubeik Lubeik is the most sophisticated work of literature that I have read so far this year. Her linework is every bit as clear and expressive as her writing. Focusing in on a few individuals navigating their wish-fueled society, Mohamed has crafted a smart, engaging, and moving masterpiece.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Rebecca Ollerton
[isbn]
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum is an anthology by Autistic artists about their life experiences. There's a variety of ways to be Autistic and/or neurodivergent, and this collection displays that. If you've met one Autistic person, you've only met one Autistic person. I definitely recommend this to readers who want to see themselves or someone they love represented.
Recommended by Rin S.
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Thi Bui
[isbn]
This deeply moving, graphic-novel memoir is nuanced, brave, and beautifully illustrated, a feat of visual storytelling. Intimate and powerful, Thi Bui's exploration of her family's experiences as refugees from the Vietnam War asks complex questions and refuses easy answers. Mesmerizing.
Recommended by Claire A.
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Ram V, Filipe Andrade
[isbn]
This graphic novel awed me in so many ways. I wanted to savor every moment, yet I couldn't put it down. I finished it in one sitting. The artwork is breathtaking and vibrant. The story is heartbreakingly beautiful. It's one of those stories where you're rooting for the characters, but also feel a lil bad about it. Perfection may be an unrealistic standard, but Laila Starr does perfect imperfectly. I loved every page of it.
Recommended by Dani L.
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Reki Kawahara, Tamako Nakamura
[isbn]
Action, adventure, romance, epic battles, and lovable characters. There's a reason why the anime is such a smash hit...
Recommended by Taylor W.
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Fonda Lee
[isbn]
Woman-led fantasy with middle-eastern mythology? Manticores?? Rocs??? Destructive paths of revenge???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? Excuse me while I scream about this book until I get a film adaption.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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Scott Mccloud
[isbn]
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art gives readers an introduction to storytelling via the media of comics or graphic novels. McCloud explains basic theory and concepts in a clear and engaging way for anyone who is new to the genre or seeking to better understand its complexities. While this book would work as a textbook, it would also make an excellent gift for anyone who loves comics and graphic novels.
Recommended by Sarah B.
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Masaaki Nakayama
[isbn]
Nightmare fuel. Perfect for fans of Junji Ito. The monster seems like it's from some creepy urban legend and it's looking for victims to tease, torment, and torture. The story jumps around, and you get to see all the horrific ways people fall prey to this monster running around modern-day Japan. I think if this story were in full-color, I wouldn't be able to get through it...
Recommended by Rose H.
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Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
[isbn]
Time-travel stories can be very tricky to get right, but in my opinion, Paper Girls blows it out of the water. It delivers strong female characters, a rich and compelling narrative, plus stunning visuals reminiscent of 80s genre films. So good!
Bookseller Mia B.
Recommended by Mia B.
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Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, Eric Talbot
[isbn]
Sometimes you just want to laugh and remember why it's all good, eat pizza with pals and say cowabunga! If now's not that time, you know where to find these renaissance turtles and their sage pops, Splinter!
Recommended by Dana S.
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Elizabeth Trembley
[isbn]
How can we put the past to bed? What does trauma look like for different people? Elizabeth A. Trembley guides us, panel by panel, through an attempt at helping us heal.
Recommended by Dana S.
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Warren Ellis, Darick Robertson
[isbn]
Would you recognize a dystopia? Spider Jerusalem does, and he's trying to keep the world from falling deeper in disarray using a time-tested method — writing and talking about it all the time! Check out Transmetropolitan for a blast from the past guessing at the future.
Recommended by Dana S.
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Sonja Eismann and Maya Schoningh and Ingo Schoningh
[isbn]
A worthwhile narrative about love and people coming together for a common cause. Movements and Moments hopes to catalogue significant occurrences in the last 100 years that showcase the wholly powerful and compassionate force of feminine nature that has cared for the quiet voices around the world, untelevised and radical.
Recommended by Dana S.
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Travis Baldree
[isbn]
What happens when a road-weary barbarian decides to retire from her adventuring days and open a coffee shop? A charming, funny, and all-around lovely cozy fantasy with a splash of romance! I adored reading every moment of this book, and I am more than looking forward to reading it again (and again...and again)!
Recommended by Bee D.
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James Spooner
[isbn]
I have a soft spot for graphic novel memoirs. The High Desert is a really great coming-of-age memoir, dealing with love, racism, lonely desert towns, punk rock, awkwardness, and finding your place. Spooner is open and honest, and an excellent illustrator. You'll laugh, you'll seethe, you'll cringe, and most likely, you'll see something of your own time in high school reflected on the pages. A really great read!
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Sarah Andersen
[isbn]
The perfect not so scary read for "scary season," Fangs is a joy to read. Humorous, gothic, and heartfelt all at once, this comic reads as more than the sum of its parts.
Recommended by Charlotte S.
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Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
[isbn]
The team behind Monstress presents a beautiful new graphic horror novel that digs into family dynamics and finds some skeletons buried there. Also, monsters. And creepy dolls. Fun!
Recommended by Keith M.
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Kate Beaton
[isbn]
Kate Beaton’s autobiographical graphic novel about years spent working amidst the fracking boom in Alberta skillfully uses the medium to show the rhythms and realities of a hostile workplace: it often seems fine; it never stays that way.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Sarah Andersen
[isbn]
Sarah Andersen’s new collection is everything we’ve come to expect from her, and more: smartly conceived, truly funny, and monstrously heartwarming.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Sam Wallman
[isbn]
So, so excited about this one! The first book-length comic from Australian comics journalist, cartoonist, and labor activist Sam Wallman is a stunner — a bold visual history of workers’ struggles; a mini-memoir of Wallman’s time working as a picker (and shop floor organizer) in an Amazon warehouse; and a compelling intro-slash-invitation to union activism. Buy one for yourself and one for a coworker!
Recommended by Tove H.
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Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine
[isbn]
Utterly adorable. Ben's finished college and now he's the only one of his friend group who hasn't been able to land a job in his field (definitely relatable..). Deciding he just cannot move back in with his parents, Ben applies for a job at a restaurant. He immediately develops a crush on Liam, one of the chefs, and adorably awkward moments ensue. This story is so sweet and cute. I loved it.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Nick Drnaso
[isbn]
Is there anything more marvelously unsettling than a Nick Drnaso graphic novel? Acting Class is an inspired exploration of identity with an ever-present air of menace, and likely the smartest graphic novel that’ll be released this year.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Tillie Walden
[isbn]
When I first read On a Sunbeam, a graphic novel about a girl who travels across the universe to find lost love and a space crew that restores crumbling, alien architecture, it was with that wide-eyed, hungry wonder you always chase as a reader. It’s an expansive, beautiful book, with carefully rendered characters that are as intricate and lovely as Tillie Walden’s illustrations of distant planets and cathedral-like ruins. On a... (read more)
Recommended by Kelsey F.
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Jamila Rowser, Robyn Smith
[isbn]
Here is a great idealization of making the specific and everyday something that can resonate with us all. Here is a reason to read, and to specifically read graphic novels — to be allowed into lives and worlds other than our own. This book loves its characters and it loves its readers.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Jordan Crane
[isbn]
Keeping Two is a quiet, thoughtful, impressionistic story of a couple. The author uses the comic strip form to tell the many timelines and threads of their difficult and challenging relationship. This deeply felt tale makes full use of the graphic novel format to pull the reader in, make the reader stop and reread and think. This is a smart and human book.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Douglas Wolk
[isbn]
If you have any fondness for any run of Marvel comics — from Golden Age to the introduction of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur — you will enjoy this remarkable book. Wolk navigates the complex narratives of the Marvel Universe with deftness, while skillfully recounting the biography of Marvel's heroes and villains. I was afraid this book would be dry and overwhelming in scope. Wolk is clearly a fan, but isn't fawning. Thorough, thoughtful, and best... (read more)
Recommended by Lesley A.
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Evan Ross Katz
[isbn]
With the help of the creators (!), cast (!!), crew (!!!), and fans (!!!!), Evan Ross Katz meticulously unpacks the seven-season run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the controversies that have surrounded the show since its debut. The result is an enchanting oral history/fan memoir/media study that is a celebration of all that Buffy has given us (so much).
Recommended by Chris T.
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Syan Rose
[isbn]
Open this book to any page and you’re immediately immersed in drawings and conversations that are personal and captivating. From Nube F. Cruz mourning the passing of their Ama, to Kid Cudi sharing people who’ve inspired them, you’ll be touched by their heartfelt words and Syan Rose’s gorgeous art.
Recommended by Marianne T
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Paul Buhle and Nicole Schulman
[isbn]
Published in 2005 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World), this intricate and info-rich book is as rambunctious and inspiring as the Wobblies themselves. A crash course and a work of art for the rebel in your life!
Recommended by Tove H.
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Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh
[isbn]
This was a cover buy (because w o w). But Aiza snagged me by the collar and had me laughing real fast. Her friends had me next, and with them I was lost under sweeping cyan skies, alongside epic Jordanian architecture. This story is somehow ancient and fresh; a challenge and a delight. It has it all.
Recommended by Hannah W.
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Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia and Gabriela Soares
[isbn]
The art is as disheveled and compelling as Monsieur Dubois. A love letter to artists and a tribute to history, expressed in tricolor etudes of gold, seafoam, magenta; amber, indigo, and maroon. Just gorgeous.
Recommended by Hannah W.
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Harmony Becker
[isbn]
Harmony Becker has infused the story of the residents of a share house for foreign exchange students in Japan with an astonishing amount of emotional complexity. This book is the product of so much skill and care; it’s a true masterpiece.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Trung Le Nguyen
[isbn]
Every page of The Magic Fish is a feast for the eyes and heart. Smart, powerful, and lovingly done.
Recommended by Hannah W.
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Rachel Smythe
[isbn]
Thought Greek mythology was tired? Think again. Rachel Smythe tells an age-old romance in a cleverly modern way. My early Greek mythology obsession has been completely reignited. I read it first as a free webtoon and now it's on its way to becoming a Netflix animated series. Worth every bit of hype surrounding it!
Recommended by Stacy W.
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K. A. Applegate and Michael Grant and Chris Grine
[isbn]
Any ’90s kid can attest to the iron grip The Animorphs had on readers of our generation. Now, the whole squad, including the original author, is back, this time as a graphic novel series! Got a kid of your own now? Introduce them to The Animorphs and relive this action-packed saga filled with superpowers, alien invasions, love, war, and loss.
Recommended by Stacy W.
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John Scalzi
[isbn]
I've been a Scalzi fan since Old Man's War first came out, so I was super excited to hear he had a new standalone novel set in an Alt-Earth world where Kaiju are real. Similar in pacing and humor to his novel Redshirts, this is pop sci-fi at its very best.
Recommended by Deana R.
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Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
[isbn]
The Mo Dao Zu Shi (GDC/MDZS) donghua (Chinese animation) adaptation was my first introduction into Mo Xiang Tong Xiu’s (MXTX) works and it became an instant favorite. The characters are lovable, engaging, and well-developed and nothing is just black and white in MXTX’s novels. She weaves us through the two lives of the protagonist, and along the way reveals the truth of his and other characters’ actions, both good and bad, and how it impacts the... (read more)
Recommended by Tiffany L.
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Mike Mignola and John Byrne
[isbn]
Folkloric storytelling, beautiful artwork, and gloomy atmospheres. Hellboy remains as one the most finely crafted graphic publications I have ever read.
Recommended by Nick K.
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Inio Asano
[isbn]
Inio Asano is a master of his craft; and personally, I think this series is the pièce de résistance of his large catalog of work. This series is proof of his beautiful and mind-bendlingly challenging creative process of painstakingly redrawing photoshopped pictures of real locations and objects for backgrounds and props in comic panels; creating cute and charmingly surreal characters; and evoking an unending sense of dread as the end of the world... (read more)
Recommended by Wren M.
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Dento Hayane
[isbn]
It has The Cat Returns energy. To be honest, this book just makes me happy. It's cute, short, and sweet, and it talks about one of the reasons I love storytelling so much. It's good escapism for when capitalism makes you very, very tired.
Recommended by Seb D.
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Kristen Radtke
[isbn]
Radtke's amazing book examines loneliness from various angles — not just her own personal stories, but also the psychological studies of monkeys, television laugh tracks, her father's CB radio obsession, social media, cuddlers for hire, and much more. Radtke seamlessly splices interesting and stunning anecdotes about how humans live with solitude, sadness, and worse. Her art is consistently engaging, with intimate close-ups and haunting long... (read more)
Recommended by Kevin S.
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Kiyohiko Azuma
[isbn]
Yotsuba and her dad, Koiwai, have a special place in my heart and on my bookshelves. Every character is so funny and loveable, and Azuma's attention to background and texture — from soft pancakes to traffic lights to stray leaves on the street — makes this series feel especially tangible and cozy. His story and style fully embody the manga's tag line, “enjoy everything." (Particularly this volume's chapter, "Rocks"... I cried a little.)
Recommended by Hannah W.
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Scott Snyder, Jock
[isbn]
It's been a few years since I've read a Batman comic and this one did not disappoint. Gotham City is under attack by a version of their hero who is half Batman, half Joker, and all evil. He brought along with him the Grim Knight, a murderous version of Batman who, in his universe, weaponized Wayne Enterprises and whose "bullets shoot bullets." This was a fun and twisted read. I loved reading how Batman struggled with going against someone who... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Joe Pera, Joe Bennett
[isbn]
Joe Pera has written the sweetest, softest, funniest book to address everyday social anxiety. Please consider picking up this gentle book if you've ever appreciated a small room with a lock as a short-lived safe haven from social obligations or responsibilities — or if you just want to be surprised by your own chuckles while reading a very good and kind illustrated guide.
Recommended by Michelle C.
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Honda
[isbn]
I'm really not a fan of anime or manga, but Skull-Face Bookseller Honda-San has charmed me. It found its way through my barrier. The stories he tells from page to page strike incredibly close to home, and it's hilarious and awesome to navigate them with him. He smoothly displays the stresses of customer service in a bookseller's world while also reminding me why I love and adore my job. It's a pleasure to read what Honda-san puts on the... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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N K Jemisin, Jamal Campbell
[isbn]
N. K. Jemisin is the remarkable writer of the award-winning Broken Earth trilogy. Here she creates a new Green Lantern, African American Jo Mullein. As Green Lantern, Jo has been protecting a city in the far reaches of the galaxy, a city ruled by peace and nonviolence. Until it all changes. Having seen what Jemisin brings to the world of science fiction, I can't wait to see what she brings to the renowned science fiction universe of Green... (read more)
Recommended by Doug C.
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Osamu Dazai and Donald Keene
[isbn]
This book is mentally taxing. It's beautiful, rough, and difficult. You are asked to observe the life of a man who generally struggles to empathize or connect with other people. Where you might find yourself empathizing, the protagonist, Yozo, will not. His alienation is the core of the narrative, leading him into a lifestyle of faking humanity in attempts at feeling anything. It hurts. His relationships (friends, family, romance) are tough.... (read more)
Recommended by Jun L.
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Junji Ito
[isbn]
In classic Junji Ito style, this horrifying commentary on the Japanese Idol industry will leave readers captivated, but, most of all, disgusted. Perfectly paired with putrid illustrations, Remina is a wonderfully revolting tragedy that is must-read for all horror and sci-fi fans alike!
Recommended by Joshua S.
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Lynda Barry
[isbn]
If you have ever wanted to draw and thought, "I can't even draw a stick figure," pick up this book. Lynda Barry and I share the same philosophy: everyone has the ability to be creative. While this book focuses on the beautiful marriage of words and pictures, I love that the exercises really bring out a passion for drawing regardless of your skill level.
Recommended by Rose H.
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John Lewis and Andrew Aydind and Nate Powell
[isbn]
First you march, then you run! That’s what John Lewis did after more than five years as a leader in the civil rights movement, after being the youngest speaker at the march on Washington, after getting beaten and arrested for his nonviolent resistance. Lewis then ran for Congress and became a powerful voice for justice from the seat of government. Run follows the great John Lewis in the years following the events of the award-winning and... (read more)
Recommended by Doug C.
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Simon Orpana, Imre Szeman, Mark Simpson
[isbn]
Graphic storytelling is the perfect format for this book, as its message is simultaneously complex and painfully simple: we are killing our planet, and the means of our destruction is so embedded in our society that we can’t fully see the extent of its influence. Gasoline Dreams makes difficult and urgent truths digestible and actionable.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Bill Watterson
[isbn]
I whiled away many happy hours reading Calvin and Hobbes as a child. The comics are hilarious and delightful, but also something more. In retrospect, they were my first literary introduction to the absurdity of existence and the humor that makes that knowledge tolerable. I know that sounds like a bit much, but hear me out. There’s Calvin’s anguished snowman sculpture entitled, “The Torment of Existence Weighed Against the Horror of... (read more)
Recommended by Leah B.
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Nate Powell
[isbn]
Working with John Lewis on the March trilogy gave Nate Powell an enviable education and perspective on the history of entrenched American inequalities and how to combat them. His new graphic memoir is a thoughtful reflection on how to put that into practice as a parent during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Espe
[isbn]
Told in a series of vivid memories of growing up with a severely mentally ill mother, Espé's heartbreaking graphic novel is, through some extreme feat of empathy, completely free of anger or bitterness.
Recommended by Keith M.
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James Albon
[isbn]
This beautifully painted graphic novel about the modern London restaurant scene expertly balances a well-informed look at culinary realities with a mythic tale of two brothers, ambition, and limited resources.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Various, Kenzie Allen
[isbn]
This is a gorgeous, powerful, heartrending and heart-filling book, an anthology of poems illustrated and presented as a beautiful, diverse, yet unified graphic novel. Each poem is presented with illustrations, and again afterward in text as the writer first presented it. Reading these poems was like hearing them interpreted two different ways. This is the kind of book you spend time with, read, re-read, stop and think and learn and breathe, and... (read more)
Recommended by Doug C.
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Molly Knox Ostertag
[isbn]
Morgan Kwon keeps her life in boxes: family troubles here, social life there, and a future where she’s free to be herself in the distance. Things start to change when a mysterious girl from the sea splashes into her life and helps her realize that you don’t have to wait to be yourself. Beautifully illustrated, this sweet graphic novel of first love and self-acceptance is the perfect addition to a summer bookshelf.
Recommended by Sarah R.
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Alison Bechdel
[isbn]
At first glance, Alison Bechdel’s new graphic novel may appear to be a whimsical tour of recent exercise fads, but The Secret to Superhuman Strength is actually a richly observed and philosophical memoir about self-realization, full of Bechdel’s masterful storytelling and, yes, whimsy.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Courtney Cook
[isbn]
I’m having trouble not using some blurb cliché here: Is this book brutally honest? Searing? An important look at the realities of a widely misunderstood mental illness? Yes, all of the above. The heaviness of her topic is leavened by Cook’s vibrant illustrations, making even the most harrowing passages impossible to turn away from. Even if this book is occasionally brutal and searing, it is always important.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Lee Lai
[isbn]
Lee Lai’s Stone Fruit is a full-length graphic novel, but gave me the same sense of satisfaction as a truly exquisite short story, with its small cast and contained physical universe. The emotional universe, however, is vast in the most subtle and satisfying ways.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Hugh Amano, Sarah Becan
[isbn]
Mmmm. Shumai, xiaolongbau, mandu, and all those other dumplings whose names I don’t know that I usually just point to on a dim sum cart at my favorite Asian restaurant. This handy comic book cookbook introduces all you need to turn your kitchen into a dumpling cart. Includes pantry and equipment suggestions and best of all, simple drawings of how to fold your own dumplings. Dumplings from many Asian cultures are... (read more)
Recommended by Tracey T.
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Alice Oseman
[isbn]
Ridiculously cute. This comic perfectly captures that sweet pain of having a crush. You know what I mean? You cringe because it's relatable but also smile because it's adorable. The story takes it's time so you can bask in the emotions the main characters go through. Fair warning: Like a lot of good stories, there's a cliffhanger at the end. But, I think it's worth it.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Kat Leyh
[isbn]
An endearing story full of lovable outsider characters, this graphic novel contains a perfect balance of realism and magic. In this book, appearances are not what they seem: the evil witch may or not be a sweet and eccentric old lady, and Snap herself may be more magical than she ever thought. I love the diversity and inclusivity in this book: the characters are so fully dimensional, and the themes of acceptance and friendship left me with all of... (read more)
Recommended by Ariel K.
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Chelsea Cain and Elise McCall and Lia Miternique and Rachelle Rosenberg
[isbn]
This graphic novel is scary, sexy, funny, and it makes you think! To quote the publisher, this is "the perfect comic book for anyone who enjoys travel, chardonnay, krakens, Atlantis, volcanos, scuba diving, mermaids, ghost pirates, tropical espionage, secret agents, and/or island-casual Sean Connery."
Recommended by Doug C.
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Mark Russell and Bryce Ingman and Craig Rousseau
[isbn]
Mark Russell has turned the comic book world on its head with his smart, irreverent takes on classic characters (see Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles). Now he takes on the powerful, rude, sexy sword and sorcery icon, Red Sonja. The best writes the best!
Recommended by Doug C.
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Alex De Campi and Erica Henderson
[isbn]
The publisher describes this as horror/noir, but with that title, who cares? It'll be a fun romp, and when you're done you'll sing, "Fangs for the memories!"
Recommended by Doug C.
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Nnedi Okorafor, Vita Ayala, Leonardo Romero
[isbn]
Hey Kids! Comics! There's way too much serious business in the business of comics! Here is a story by the incomparable Nnedi Okorafor, fun for kids... and grown-ups, too.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Nathan W Pyle
[isbn]
Nathan W. Pyle's droll moments in time as seen through the eyes of his uniquely formal-tongued space aliens are a balm for the stressed soul, making us laugh at the ridiculousness and poignancy of everyday life. Stranger Planet is irresistibly enchanting.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Allie Brosh
[isbn]
Allie Brosh returns with the highly anticipated Solutions and Other Problems. With her signature illustration style, stories of very bad animals, and humorous, yet deeply moving observations, Brosh is bound to warm your heart and have you laughing out loud.
Recommended by Rachel M.
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Roxane Gay and Tracy Lynne Oliver
[isbn]
From the remarkable Roxane Gay, a graphic novel of her bestselling short story, a world where a tragic event has taken away the light of the sun.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Alison Bechdel
[isbn]
Before Fun Home and Are You My Mother?, this brilliant creator brought us the long-running, hilarious, insightful, and heartbreaking comic strip, "Dykes to Watch Out For." My all-time favorite soap opera in cartoon form.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Yuval Noah Harari
[isbn]
There are a lot of choices in evolutionary science titles, and I personally feel it can get a bit overwhelming. When Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens came out a few years ago, it really brought evolutionary science to the masses. Thoughtful, engaging writing that is accessible, even to the non-science-y folks. With The Birth of Human Kind (Sapiens #1), we can see Harari's work brought to life in captivating illustrations, further encouraging... (read more)
Recommended by Corie K-B.
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Katie Skelly
[isbn]
Katie Skelly's sense of the strange, her delightful cartooning, and the underlying unhinged true crime story make an unbeatable combination. I can't wait.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Neil Gaiman
[isbn]
Appreciated as one of the greatest graphic novel series of all time, The Sandman is Neil Gaiman's first foray into the medium. Working with a wide array of characters, Gaiman breathes new life into biblical figures, American superheroes, Greek and Norse gods, Roman politicos, and so much more. This vast and layered series follows the seemingly innocuous Sandman and asserts his place in mythology, delighting readers for over two decades.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Akira Himekawa
[isbn]
Zelda enthusiasts will be thrilled to know they can relive the adventure through a beautifully illustrated manga, now with both parts complete in one volume. Ocarina of Time is one of the best installments of the Zelda series, and with this translation to text, none of the Hyrulian magic is left behind. Perfect for die-hard Zelda fans, or the fantasy manga lover in your life.
Recommended by Alex Y.
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Greg Rucka
[isbn]
Rucka is the cocreator and writer of a long list of great comics, graphic novels, and thrillers. He brought us the series Stumptown, set in a very real and current Portland, and the new Netflix hit, The Old Guard. This is my superhero pick of the season, but there's not much of the costumed kind here.
Recommended by Doug C.
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Mira Jacob
[isbn]
Good Talk may initially appear a bit flat — literally so, given Mira Jacob’s decoupage drawing style — but this unfailingly perceptive and honest memoir-in-conversations will stun you with its depth. This book is humorous, moving, and raises all the right questions about parenting, race, and gender in contemporary America.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Suzanne Walker, Wendy Xu
[isbn]
Nova, a witch, runs into a werewolf fighting a horse demon. Plot twist! The werewolf is her childhood crush, Tam. I love the diversity in this book: Nova uses a hearing aid, Tam is nonbinary, and the main characters are Asian. Nova and Tam are trying to discover who wants to harness wolf magic and use it for evil. I loved reading how their friendship grew because it was so sweet and made me smile. Sometimes, you need a sweet, romantic story about... (read more)
Recommended by Rose H.
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Charlie Mackesy
[isbn]
This book is beautiful, kind, and sweet. The sentiment is inspiring and the drawings full of simple perfection invite the eye to linger on each page. This is the perfect book for a lazy day and a blanket, or a quick escape to lighten your mood and lift your spirit.
Recommended by Steph C.
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Lucy Bellwood
[isbn]
It's like Lucy Bellwood's demon is my inner critic's twin. Instead of running away from her negative thoughts, she gave them a shape and debates the little imp. Beautifully vulnerable, unbelievably relatable. If you've ever suffered from impostor syndrome, anxiety, and fear of failure (or even success), pick up this book.
Recommended by Rose H.
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Mark Russell, Richard Pace, Leonard Kirk
[isbn]
Earth’s mightiest superhero has a new roommate — Jesus! And Jesus himself is shocked by what has happened to his message over the last 2,000 years. There’s work to be done!
Recommended by Doug C.
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Lauren Redniss
[isbn]
Oak Flat, a sacred place for the Apache people, is the focus of this new book from MacArthur Fellow Lauren Redniss. Through a combination of research and reportage, art and science, Redniss bears witness to the Apache people’s struggle to preserve their culture in the face of an ever-increasing demand for the copper buried beneath Oak Flat.
Recommended by Adam P.
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Tom Gauld
[isbn]
Tom Gauld’s dry wit and literate sensibility takes on science and technology in this collection of his New Scientist comic strips.
Recommended by Doug C.
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