Graphic Novels
Lore Olympus
Smythe, Rachel (Comics artist), author, artist.
GRAPHIC NOVEL Smythe Lore
Graphic Novels, Fantasy
A reimagining of Persephone and Hades' story from Greek mythology. Scandalous gossip, wild parties, toxic relationships, power plays, and sex are all part of the lives of the gods that Persephone must navigate to find her own power.
Snow, glass, apples
Gaiman, Neil, author.
GRAPHIC NOVEL Gaiman
Graphic Novels, Fantasy
"A not-so-evil queen is terrified of her monstrous stepdaughter and determined to repel this creature and save her kingdom from a world where happy endings aren't so happily ever after. From the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, Nebula award-winning, and New York Times bestselling writer Neil Gaiman comes this graphic novel adaptation by Colleen Doran"--
I've read surprisingly little of Neil Gaiman's extensive catalog and am going to do something about that in 2023. This title is right up my alley too! -Casey
Crumbs
Stirling, Danie, author, artist.
GRAPHIC NOVEL Stirling
Graphic Novels, Fantasy
"Falling in love just got sweeter in this charming, romantic YA graphic novel. Ray, a young seer struggling with her powers, discovers first love and friendship in her town's magic bakery."--Amazon.com
Added by Casey
A career in books : a novel about friends, money, and the occasional duck bun
Kate Gavino
GRAPHIC NOVEL Gavino
Graphic Novels
"Shirin, Nina, and Silvia have just gotten their first jobs in publishing, at a University Press, a traditional publisher, and a trust-fund kid's "indie" publisher, respectively. And it's... great? They know they're paying their dues and the challenges they meet (Shirin's boss just assumes she knows Cantonese, Nina cannot get promoted by sheer force of will, and Silvia has to deal with daily microaggressions) are just part of "a career in books." When they meet their elderly neighbor, Veronica Vo, and discover she's a Booker Prize winner dubbed the "Tampax Tolstoy" by the press, each woman finds a thread of inspiration from Veronica's life to carry on her own path. And the result is full of twists and revelations that surprise not only the reader but the women themselves." --publisher's website.
A coming of adulthood story about three best friends, all three Asian-American women in their 20s, navigating entry level publishing jobs and sharing an small Brooklyn apartment. I enjoyed this wonderfully detailed graphic slice of life story, and particularly identified with their hilarious and pop culture-heavy dialogue, as well as their frequent celebrations of good food and drink. Read this if you want to feel like you are part of this strong friendship of smart women, and/or want to peek into the not exactly glamorous publishing world of New York City. -Mari
Star Wars. The Mandalorian, Season 1
Rodney (Producer) Barnes
COMIC Star Wars Mandalorian Season 1
Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Adventure
"Din Djarin, the armored bounty hunter known to friend and enemy as simply the Mandalorian, has agreed to track down a target for a mysterious ex-Imperial client who offers to pay in Beskar, a rare metal revered by Mandalorians. But when Djarin locates the target--an adorable green toddler--all bets are off! Will Djarin follow his Mandalorian code and turn over the Child? And if he doesn't, what will the consequences be?"--Back cover of Season 1, part 1.
This is a beautiful comic version of the hit series. Learn to love Baby Yoda all over again! -Mykle
Bea Wolf.
Zach Author Weinersmith
Kids, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Literary Fiction
A modern middle-grade graphic novel retelling of Beowulf, featuring a gang of troublemaking kids who must defend their tree house from a fun-hating adult who can instantly turn children into grown-ups. Listen! Hear a tale of mallow-munchers and warriors who answer candy’s clarion call! Somewhere in a generic suburb stands Treeheart, a kid-forged sanctuary where generations of tireless tykes have spent their youths making merry, spilling soda, and staving off the shadow of adulthood. One day, these brave warriors find their fun cut short by their nefarious neighbor Grindle, who can no longer tolerate the sounds of mirth seeping into his joyless adult life. As the guardian of gloom lays siege to Treeheart, scores of kids suddenly find themselves transformed into pimply teenagers and sullen adults! The survivors of the onslaught cry out for a savior―a warrior whose will is unbreakable and whose appetite for mischief is unbounded. They call for Bea Wolf.
New middle grade graphic novel alert! Bea Wolf is a modern middle-grade graphic novel retelling of Beowulf. I would have loved to have read Bea's story in school instead of of Beo's. Even still this amazingly creative retelling also mimics the original's language by using alliteration throughout. Kids will enjoy this retelling, and not realize they’re also learning about a great classic! Plus, it was laugh out loud funny in many parts; a true delight! -Angie
Apple crush
Lucy Knisley
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Knisley
Graphic Novels, Kids
"Jen is just getting used to her life on Peapod Farm with her new stepsisters, Andy and Reese, but when the school year starts, there are even more changes in store for her."--
I read the prequel to this graphic novel, "Stepping Stones" immediately before diving into "Apple Crush," and I enjoyed them both very much. I have read several of Knisley's adult graphic novels, and am always really drawn towards her illustration style. Both of these stories are semi-autobiographical, and I think a lot of children who have gone through their parents divorce will relate to her experience. "Stepping Stones" is about Jen learning how to live and work on a farm, while "Apple Crush" is more about her adjusting to a new school and the social pressures that come with middle school. Jen gets her first job on a pumpkin patch, and I think most readers will feel a longing for crisp, fall weather, hot cider, and trick-or-treating no matter what season it is currently. I can't wait to find out what the next season holds for Peapod Farm! -Mari
On a Sunbeam
Tillie Walden
GRAPHIC NOVEL/Walden
Graphic Novels
Throughout the deepest reaches of space, a crew rebuilds beautiful and broken-down structures, painstakingly putting the past together. As new member Mia gets to know her team, the story flashes back to her pivotal year in boarding school, where she fell in love with a mysterious new student. Soon, though, Mia reveals her true purpose for joining their ship—to track down her long-lost love.
I made all my friends read this book and they all agree it is one of the best graphic novels they've ever read. The art alone is enough to get me to reread this book--I would highly recommend trying it out. -Zach
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman
GRAPHIC NOVEL/Oseman/Heartstopper
Graphic Novels
Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...? Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him. They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner...
While the main characters of this story are not trans, there is a trans character who is very important to the story. I loved this series, and still do, and plan on rereading it sometime soon. An appreciation for queer life can be seen on every page. -Zach
Call Me Nathan
Catherine Castro
GRAPHIC NOVEL/Castro
Graphic Novels
“All I want is a proper body . . . ” Born as biologically female, Nathan spends his formative years facing questions without answers, social ostracism from his peers, and incomprehension from his family—because from as early as he can remember, he knows he has been born in the wrong body. But, as his family comes to recognize, a physical identity is harder to change than a piece of clothing or a haircut. So from the moment he is at last supplied with a professional term for his self-diagnosis—“gender dysphoria”—he is able to leave behind his complicated psychological history, the challenges of his self-harming, and his struggles with sexual identity, and begin the difficult process of claiming his true self. Based on a true story, at first hand, Call Me Nathan issues a moving call for understanding, a powerful denunciation of prejudice, and a celebration of everything it means to love.
A beautiful story about coming out and coming into oneself. It was good to see a happy ending. -Zach
Added by Casey