Graphic Novels
Homebody
Theo Parish
GRAPHIC NOVEL Parish
Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels, LGBTQ+, Memoir
"In this intimate and defiantly hopeful graphic novel memoir, the author shares their journey to find a home within themself, taking readers through the experiences and everyday moments that all led up to them finding the term "nonbinary," which finally struck a chord.
Viewfinder
Christine D. U. Chung
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Chung
Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Science Fiction, Adventure
"Arriving on an Earth devoid of people, a young space traveler discovers a viewfinder that reveals how the planet used to be, in this wordless, adventure-filled graphic novel about resilience and the extraordinary place we call home"--
This debut wordless graphic novel from Christine D.U. Chung and Salwa Majoka is a stunner! It has just the right amount of suspense and world-building to keep younger readers turning pages quickly. Keen-eyed and repeat readers will notice ample opportunities for a sequel as well. Fans of The Wild Robot and adult viewers of Scavengers Reign will feel right at home. -Casey
The boys
Garth Ennis
COMIC Boys
Graphic Novels
This is in my top 5 comics of all time. Gritty/dark and entertaining. -Mykle
Lunar New Year love story
Gene Luen Yang
GRAPHIC NOVEL Yang
Romance, Diverse Characters, Graphic Novels
Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love. Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she's pretty sure she's cursed--no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?
Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham are some of best in the business when it comes to graphic novels and illustrations in the children's lit world, so I was excited to see a graphic romance novel for (young) adults! I thought the love story was interesting and was blown away by the illustrations. I love a thick graphic novel, and this story has a lot of cool elements--memorable characters, deep family secrets, celebration of Chinese and Korean culture, and of course a long-game romance with a romantic comedy of the 90's-type ending! Would be a great winter read around Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year of course, but a fun summer romance too! -Mari
Moomin : the complete Tove Jansson comic strip
Tove Jansson
COMIC Moomin
Graphic Novels, Adventure, Kids
A cute and quaint comic series that's not just for kids! I loved accompanying the Moomin family on their hilarious adventures through Moominvalley. Also a good Pride Month read from the artist and writer Tove Jansson, a queer icon! -Annie
Chainsaw man
Tatsuki Fujimoto
MANGA Fujimoto Chainsaw
Graphic Novels
Denji's a poor young man who'll do anything for money, even hunting down devils with his pet devil-dog Pochita. He's a simple man with simple dreams, drowning under a mountain of debt. But his sad life gets turned upside down one day when he's betrayed by someone he trusts. Now with the power of a devil inside him, Denji's become a whole new man--Chainsaw Man! --
Really fun. A bit gory but good story and great characters. -Mykle
A guest in the house
Emily Carroll
GRAPHIC NOVEL Carroll
Graphic Novels, Horror
"After many lonely years, Abby's just gotten married. She met her new husband--a recently widowed dentist--when he arrived in town with his young daughter, seeking a new start. Although it's strange living in the shadow of her predecessor, Abby does her best to be a good wife and mother. But the more she learns about her new husband's first wife, the more things don't add up. And Abby starts to wonder ... was Sheila's death really by natural causes? As Abby sinks deeper into confusion, Sheila's memory seems to become a force all its own, ensnaring Abby in a mystery that leaves her obsessed, fascinated, and desperately in love for the first time in her life"--Page [2] of cover.
Another truly engaging story from the master of graphic horror, Emily Carroll. Gorgeous, creepy illustrations will keep you quickly turning the pages, and the twist at the end will have you wondering "what did I just read?" Fans of "Rebecca" and "The Yellow Wallpaper" will enjoy this gothic, gruesome ghost story. -Mari
Batman/Superman, world's finest
Mark Waid
COMIC Batman Superman 2022
Graphic Novels
"In the not-too-distant past, Superman's powers are super-charged from a devastating chemical attack by the villain Metallo...and the only ally that the ultra-powerful Man of Tomorrow can turn to in this turbulent hour is Gotham's own dark vengeance: dynamic duo: Batman and Robin! A nearly fatal burst of power drives Bruce Wayne to his own extreme measures to help his friend...enlisting none other than the Doom Patrol for aid."-- Back cover of Volume 1.
After Ultimate Invasion got me excited about comics again, I picked up Volume One of "Batman/Superman, World's Finest." Mark Waid is one of my favorite comic book writers, and, in this title, he creates a Silver-Age world with a modern sensibility. It's just fun. Dan Mora does an amazing job with the art. This is a title that I can easily recommend to any comic book fan. -Brian
Ultimate invasion
Jonathan Hickman
COMIC Ultimate 2023
Graphic Novels
The Illuminati must gather once again to stop the Maker! One of the last survivors of the original Ultimate Universe, the Maker plans to ensure that Earth's Mightiest Heroes never become heroes at all - and then he can reshape a defenseless universe into exactly what he wants it to be! Timelines and dimensions collide - and at the end of it all, the world outside your window will be forever changed! But how does Miles Morales factor into the Maker's plans?
Before reading this, I'd been on a break from reading comic books for roughly a year and a half. It was for no real reason other than there not being anything that caught my interest. Ultimate Invasion definitely caught my interest. Short version--an alternative version of Reed Richards--Mister Fantastic--calling himself "The Maker" escapes from the regular Marvel Universe into a different one and stops a wide variety of superheroes from gaining their powers. He then controls that world--with the help of other super powered folk--until the past and future catch up with him. This volume is wild--incredible world building and art--and it got me very excited for this new Ultimate Universe. -Brian
Buzzing
Samuel Sattin
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Sattin
Graphic Novels, Health
"Isaac is a shy boy with OCD, but one day at school he meets new friends who introduce him to role-playing games, which lead him on a journey of self-discovery and growth"--
I came across this graphic novel on the bookmobile shelf and was interested to see a book with a neurodivergent character navigating life with, at times, overwhelming OCD symptoms. I found the bees buzzing in your ear with intrusive thoughts to be a very good analogy and the way that Isaac interacts in social situations and his family dynamic to be a relatable depiction. It's wonderful for kids to see mirrors in the books they read, especially a graphic novel that will appeal to many! -Mari
"We are all just trying to find a place to call our own." A beautiful, poetic and visually stunning memoir by artist Theo Parish as they discover their true identity as trans and nonbinary. The analogy of feeling at home in your body is an eloquent explanation for all ages to better understand the way it might feel to not feel like the gender assigned at birth... ‘They say that ‘your body is a temple,’’ Theo writes, ‘but mine has felt more like a rental.’ The flow of the story of Theo's life is seamless, and I devoured this uplifting memoir in one short sitting...but don't forget to admire the lovely drawings in all their calming hues of purple! -Mari