Love.
C H A P T E R L I N K S :
• Best Comics
• ★ All-Ages Comics!
★ Early Readers: 4-6
★ Young Readers: 7-12
★ Young Adult: 13-18
• Best Graphic Novels
• Best Collections + Reissues
• Where We Come From, Dept.
• Best Magazines
• Best TV
• Best Webcomics
• Rest In Power
B E S T
C O M I C S :
2 0 2 5
F A N T A G R A P H I C S
by Robert Crumb _______ ⇧
Crumb returns for a 36-page all-new anthology of tales of his paranoic episodes.
Includes the final collaboration with his late partner, Aline Kominsky.
I M A G E
• The Power Fantasy,
by Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard _______ ⇩
Six superpowered people could destroy the world. How do you keep their clashes from ending us?
• Saga,
by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples _______
Comics' most acclaimed space opera climaxed its current arc with two issues this year, before the creators took their second haitus break.
• Monstress,
by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda _______
The bestselling author and the Goth Nouveau Manga artist continue to spellbind us with their complex Fantasy epic.
by Wes Craig _______ ⇧
Like Kirby doing MAD MAX. Nuff said.
• The Department Of Truth,
by James Tynion and Martin Simmonds _______ ⇧
After a break, the duo returns with more tales of a reality where all conspiracy theories are true.
• Lazarus Fallen,
by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark _______ ⇧
The six-issue finale to the series. (This follows the 28-issue Lazarus series and the Lazarus Risen miniseries.)
In a very-near future dystopia where corporations run everything, their paid assassin goes rogue.
This cinematic and timely critique of corporate fascism would make an excellent TV series. Ahem.
Facsimile editions:
Image reprinted facsimile editions of classic comics issues for $1 each.
• Image Firsts: Kaya #1, (Oct 2022)
by Wes Craig _______
The first issue of the clobberin’ warrior in her savage land.
D C
2) art by Marguerite Sauvage
• New Gods,
by Ram V and Evan Cagle _______ ⇧
There have been many reboots of Jack Kirby’s iconic Fourth World god team, and quite a few good ones. This one is doing great, with rich stories and brainfry visuals.
• Absolute
Martian Manhunter,
by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez _______ ⇧
A rethink of the classic '50s Martian detective, as part of DC's alternative reality Absolute titles.
Here, a Terran detective merges with an abstract Martian intelligence in heavily psychedelic adventures.
• DC Pride 2025,
by various creators _______ ⇧
This year's annual celebration of LGBTQ+ characters was printed in a Graphic Novel format.
Facsimile editions:
DC reprinted facsimile editions of classic comics issues.
• New Fun Comics #1, (Feb 1935)
by various creators _______
A 90th Anniversary reprint of the very first 'DC' comic ever, an anthology of mystery, western, scifi, and funny animal tales.
• Action Comics #23, (April 1940)
by Jerry Seigal (w) and Joe Shuster (a) _______ ⇧
The first appearance of Lex Luthor.
• Action Comics #252, (May 1959)
by Otto Binder (w) and Al Plastino (a) _______ ⇧
The debut of Supergirl.
• DC Comics Presents #26, (Oct 1980)
The Superman Team-up book, featuring the bonus debut preview of The New Teen Titans [by Marv Wolfman (w), George Perez (p), and Romeo Tanghal (i).]
by Marv Wolfman (w) and George Perez (a), with Jerry Ordway (a) _______ ⇧
Since 1961, DC Comics owned the Multiverse. For 25 years they expanded it until its sheer complexity became overwhelming.
In 1985, in a bid to reboot for new readers, they pared it all down to one world. This year-long event, with appearances by everyone ever, distilled their entire history in 'the crossover event to end all crossover events'.
(Instead, crossover event series became an annual industry stunt ever since; all the changes have been rolled back and forth, to everyone's confusion and irritation; and every upstart from the MCU to the Spider-verse to EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE to 'Adventure Time' ran off with the Multiverse concept.)
The original is still the greatest. It is a symphony of comics history.
Note: issues #1 through #8 were reprinted in 2024.
Treasury facsimile editions:
DC reprinted facsimile editions of classic 1970s Treasury-sized (10” x 13 1/2”) comics.
various creators, including Dennis O’Neil (w), Neal Adams (p), and Dick Giordano (i); Len Wein (w) and Berni Wrightson (a) _______ ⇧
An eerie anthology featuring reprints of two classic Adams stories, and the Wrightson story where Batman met Swamp Thing.
• Christmas with the Super-Heroes, (March 1975)
by various creators _______ ⇧
A collection of hero yuletide stories from the '40s to the '70s.
• Superman vs. The Flash, (Nov 1976)
by Jim Shooter (w), Curt Swan (p), and George Klein (i) / E. Nelson Bridwell (w), Ross Andru (p), and Mike Esposito (i) _______ ⇧
Reprints of crossover stories from 1967 testing who is the fastest.
• Superman vs. Shazam!, (1978)
by Gerry Conway (w), Rich Buckler (a), and Dick Giordano (i) _______ ⇧
The second meeting of the the world’s two mightiest mortals*, this time in cinerama style.
* They first met in JLA #137 (Nov 1976).
M A R V E L
• Fantastic Four,
by Ryan North (w) and various artists _______
Mostly known for his whacky humor, writer Ryan North (Squirrel Girl, Star Trek: Lower Decks) stretches out into phantasmic adventure, bringing that Lee/Kirby magic to this relaunch of Marvel’s flagship hero team.
W A R S
Marvel is doing a splendid job making movies between the movies.
The current third volumes unveil new adventures between Episode 6: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983) and Episode 7: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015).
by Alex Segura (w) and Phil Noto (a) _______
The rebels have won, but now they have to rebuild the Republic.
• DOCTOR APHRA, Chaos Agent, (a.k.a, Vol. 3)
by Cherish Chen (w) and Gabriel Guzman (a) _______
New adventures of everyone’s favorite mercenary raider, now free of the threat of Vader.
• Legacy Of Vader
by Charles Soule (w) and Luke Ross (a) _______
A mysterious new sith lord named Kylo Ren takes on the mantle of Darth Vader.
Facsimile editions:
Marvel reprinted facsimile editions of classic comics issues.
• Star Wars #1, (July 1977)
by Roy Thomas (w) and Howard Chaykin (a) _______ ⇧
The first Star Wars comic ever, which began the six-issue adaptation of the film.
D A R K
H O R S E
• Black Hammer: Spiral City,
by Jeff Lemire and Teddy Kristiansen _______
What do you do after you ended your entire superhero unverse?
You reboot it anew in this seven-issue mini-series.
• The Umbrella Academy: Plan B,
by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba _______ ⇩
A new six-issue series sequel, in which a second team arrives to claim their place.
I D W
• Star Trek: Lower Decks,
by Ryan North, Tim Sheridan (w); various _______ ⇧
North hands off the writing of the ongoing series to Sheridan, bringing more goofball antics of the interstellar underlings.
• Star Trek: Section 31,
by Alyssa Wong and Megan Levens _______
A three-issue original spin-off adventure of the standalone film starring Michelle Yeoh.
O N I
P R E S S
• Benjamin,
by Ben H. Winters and Leomacs _______ ⇧
A three issue SpecFic mystery in the mode of Philip K. Dick, where a very similar writer finds himself alive again decades later without explanation.
★
A L L - A G E S
C O M I C S :
2 0 2 5
From the 1930s to the '80s, comics unified all of the kids in the world.
Comics spinner racks were omnipresent in every grocery, newstand, and drugstore, a world of dreams in color for small change. But after 50 years, this changed.
As the fans grew older, comics grew more mature (and gradually more expensive). In the early-'80s, comics disappeared from common spaces to be sold only in individual comic stores. This was the best and worst thing that could have happened: the select stores became a lab for the medium to grow up with adult fans, but this Comics Renaissance left all the kids behind with no entry point. Now that three decades have passed, the young have moved on to games and streaming, seeing superheroes nowadays only in films that are meant for those longtime adult readers.
Roy Thomas once said, "The Golden Age of Comics is 8."
Comics should still be a fun spark for kids. Now, with the spectacular success of Raina Telgemeier's books, various publishers are finally figuring this out. A wide movement to provide more all-ages comics has risen. From single comics to trade paperbacks, there are many new entry points for young readers to join in and open up their imaginations.
Early
R e a d e r s :
3 - 6
Each section is organized by themes.
• Sesame Street:
Grover Lends A Hand,
by Joey Esposito and Austin Baechle (Oni Press) _______ ⇧
Helping others is always best.
• Sesame Street: What Hat Is That?,
by Nichole Mara and Andrew Kolbe (Abrams Books) _______
There are so many kinds of hats, who are they for?
• Sleepy Snoopy,
Created by Charles M. Schulz; by Paige Braddock and Caitlin Leonard (Simon and Schuster) _______
✔ Age: 2-4.
Snoopy has to find the best place to sleep.
• Where’s Snoopy?,
Created by Charles M. Schulz; by Natalie Shaw and Scott Jeralds (Simon and Schuster) _______
✔ Age: 4-6.
Search and find the ‘Peanuts’ characters playing in their neighborhood.
• Grandmas Are Magic,
By Yamile Saied Mendez and Minji Kim (Disney Press) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 3-5.
The Grandmas from the movies MOANA, ENCANTO, and COCO give wisdom to their grandkids.
• Superman
Friends And Foes:
Step Into Reading,
(Random House) _______ ⇩
Based on the 2025 film, this introduces Supes and his dog buddy Krypto and how they do good together.
• Aquamanatee,
by Ben Clanton and Cassandra Federman (DC) _______
From the writer of the popular Narwhal and Jelly books; a fumbly manatee learns how to be a hero with Aquaman.
• Fantastic Four:
My Mighty Marvel First Book,
by Jack Kirby (Harry N. Abrams) _______
A picture book of classic art about the fabulous team who began Marvel Comics.
• Fantastic Four,
A Little Golden Book,
by Arie Kaplan and Eda Kaban (Golden Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 2 to 5.
The origin of the Fantastic Four.
• 5-Minute MOANA Stories,
(Disney Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 3-5.
Twelve stories for bedtime with Moana.
• 5-Minute PIXAR Stories,
(Random House/Disney) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 3-5.
Twelve stories for bedtime with TOY STORY, INSIDE OUT, COCO, CARS, and more.
• World Of Reading:
Star Wars: This Is Rey,
(Lucasfilm Press) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 3-5.
The adventures of Rey, the hero of the Sequel Trilogy, across all three films.
• Elio,
A Little Golden Book,
(Golden Books) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 2-5.
The story of the Pixar movie ELIO (2025) for new readers.
• Hilda And Twig
Wake The Ice Man, ⇧
by Luke Pearson (Flying Eye Books) _______
✔ Age: 5-7.
A new snow adventure with Hilda and her deerfox.
• Hilda And Twig:
Hide From The Rain,
by Luke Pearson (Nobrow) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 5 to 7.
A brand-new story of everyone's favorite woodland adventurer, known from the popular Netflix cartoon series.
(National Geographic Kids) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 3-5.
We live on the Earth, and it’s really cool. Explore it.
• Chip Gets Summer Shivers,
by Maddie Frost (HarperAlley) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: Level 2: Reading with help.
At school, the penguin is afraid to learn how to swim.
• Little Mouse Saves The Day!,
by Jeff Smith (TOON Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 4-6.
From the creator of the classic comic Bone; in the sequel to Little Mouse Gets Ready, our hero is afraid of what he thinks is in the closet.
• Max and Chaffy:
Welcome to Animal Island,
by Jamie Smart (DK Flip) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 5-8.
Max tries to find the mystery creature on the isle.
• National Geographic:
Little Kids,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: for 2 to 6.
Fun photos teach kids about the world and nature.
▶ Website here
• Highlights: High Five,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 3 to 6.
Picture-driven stories, poems, projects, and recipes for early readers.
▶ Website here
• Kazoo Magazine,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: for girls 5 to 12.
"We pack every ad-free issue with science, art, comics, games, crafts, recipes, stories, and inspiration."
▶ Website here
• Jack And Jill,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 6 to 12.
"For cool kids", an array of stories, games, comics, jokes, interviews, recipes, and crafts.
▶ Website here
Y o u n g
R e a d e r s :
7 - 12
This section is organized by themes.
S T R I P S
• Good Grief, More Peanuts
Facsimile Edition,
by Charles Schultz (Titan Comics) _______
A reprint facsimile of the classic paperback, with comic strips from 1952-1956.
• All This and Snoopy, Too
Facsimile Edition,
by Charles Schultz (Titan Comics) _______
A reprint facsimile of the classic paperback, with comic strips from 1960-1962.
• Charlie Brown and Snoopy
Facsimile Edition,
by Charles Schultz (Titan Comics) _______
A reprint facsimile of the classic paperback, with comic strips from 1963-1964.
• Snoopy and the Red Baron
Facsimile Edition,
by Charles Schultz (Titan Comics) _______ ⇧
A reprint facsimile of the classic paperback, first printed in 1966.
• Snoopy:
A Big Box Of Happiness,
by Charles Schultz (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______ ⇧
A box set with the five books: Boogie Down!, First Beagle in Space, Cannonball!, Touchdown!, and Beagle Scout Adventures.
• Death Metal Emo Elves,
by Dean Rankine (Redback Publishing) _______
A Teen elves band wants to be free play more than Polka music.
• Chickenpox,
by Remy Lai (Henry Holt and Co.) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: for 8-12.
Big sister Abby is at her wits end taking care of four squabbling siblings with chickenpox.
• I’m A Dumbo Octopus!
A Graphic Guide Of Cephalopods,
by Anne Lambelet (Graphic Universe) _______
✔ Age: 6-9.
Grimpy is your smart guide to cuttlefish, nautiluses, octopuses, and squids.
• Kitten Ninja:
Braver Than Ever,
by Colleen AF Venable, Marcie Colleen, and Ellen Stubbings (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 6-9.
In the younger years of Cat Ninja, he braves a tall cat tower, swirling leaves, and finding a new comfy spot.
• Gnome And Rat,
by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press) _______
✔ Age: 6-9.
Rat likes puzzles, Gnome likes hats, and they have fun times in the forest.
• Steve, A Rare Egg,
by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 6-9.
Steve the horse takes care of a mysterious egg.
• Two-Headed Chicken,
by Tom Angleberger (Walker Books US) _______
✔ Age: 7-10.
Funny antics of smart-head/goofy-head chicken crossing the whacky multiverse.
• Why Are Dogs?
An Illustrated History of the Wonderful World of Dogs,
by Brittany Long Olsen (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 9-11.
Learn why 55 different dog breeds are so unique.
• Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology,
by Angela Hsieh (Quill Tree Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
Lu travels a fantasy realm of giant animals, learning to be an explorer like her hero Grandma.
• The Wind In The Willows
by Kenneth Grahame; adapted by David Petersen (IDW) _______ ⇩
The classic 1908 book about Mr. Toad and his woodland friends, now with new illustrations.
(Note: This is a prose book with select illustrations, not a comics version.)
• Graphic Novel Classics:
"The Secret Garden", "Anne Of Green Gables", and "Heidi",
by adapted by Mariah Marsden (IDW) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 8-12.
The classic books in a box set, each adapted into graphic novel form by Marsden.
• Disney-Pixar Classic Graphic Novel:
Turning Red,
by Amy Chu (w); Emelio Urbano, Marco Forcelloni, Andrea Greppi (a) (Papercutz) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 7-12.
A graphic novel version adapting the film.
• Disney Classic Graphic Novel:
Encanto,
by Tea Orsi (w); Giovanni Rigano, Chris Dickey (a) (Papercutz) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 7-12.
A graphic novel version adapting the film.
• Paige Proves It:
The Strange Sky,
by Amy Marie Stadelmann (Aladdin) _______
✔ Age: 7-10.
Can fact-finder Paige prove that a UFO isn’t coming?
• Maker Girl And Professor Smarts,
by Jasmine Florentine (Candlewick Press) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 7-10.
Two smart heroes have exploits that show kids how to make real things.
• Sea Legs #1,
by Jules Bakes and Niki Smith (Graphix) _______ ⇧
Travelling the world in the family boat, has Janey finally found a new friend?
• Very Bad At Math,
by Hope Larson (HarperAlley) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
A sharp student discovers she has dyscalculia, which affects her comprehension, and a teacher helps her to navigate it.
• Mixed-Up,
by Kami Garcia and Brittney Williams (First Second) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
When Stella discovers she is dyslexic, her teachers and family help find solutions.
★ The book uses the Dyslexie font, which reads clearly for all readers.
• Fresh Start:
New School, New Friends, New Challenges,
by Gale Galligan (Graphix) _______ ⇧
Ollie has always moved around and known changeover, but how will she deal with a stable new life?
• Halfway To Somewhere,
by Jose Pimenta (Random House Graphic) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
When Ave’s family breaks in half, they have to learn who they are and how they belong.
• Crumble,
by Meredith McClaren and Andrea Bell (Little, Brown Ink) _______ ⇧
Emily can bake emotions into food, but when she cooks grief into a crumble, life gets messy.
• Faiza Is A Fighter,
by Debasmita Dasgupta (Soaring Kite Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 9-11.
Living in the hills of India, Faiza strives to achieve her dream to be a boxer.
• One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe,
by Dara Horn and Theo Ellsworth (Norton Young Readers) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
A time-traveling goat teaches a boy about the history of Passover.
• Almost Sunset,
by Wahab Algarmi (HarperAlley) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
Hassan learns how to observe his faith in an American school unaware of his traditions.
• One Crazy Summer,
by Rene Williams-Garcia and Sharee Miller (Quill Tree Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8 to 12.
The award-winning novel, about young sisters growing up in the Black Panther movement in 1968, is now adapted into comics form here.
• Black Lives:
Great Minds of Science,
by Tonya Bolden and David Wilkerson (Abrams Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
Great doctors, engineers, mathematicians, and biologists who deserve spotlight.
• History Comics:
Ellis Island:
Immigration and the American Dream,
by Felipse Galindo Feggo and Tait Howard (First Second) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 9-13.
America welcomes people from around the world to start a new life.
• The Cartoonists Club,
by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud (Graphix) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
A superstar collaboration!
Telgemeier (Smile) and McCloud (Understanding Comics) pool their strengths to teach young people how to create comics together.
• How To Draw A Secret,
by Cindy Chang (Allida) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8 to 12.
How can Cindy draw 'the ideal family' for school, when secretly her homelife is falling apart?
• Botticelli’s Apprentice,
by Ursula Murray Husted (Quill Tree Books) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 6 to 8.
Tending to his chickens (for now), Mella is determined to become a student of the great Renaissance painter.
• Dreamover,
by Dani Diaz (Top Shelf) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 8-12.
During a budding romance, a couple gets lost in a dream world.
• A Song For You And I,
by K. O’Neill (Random House Graphic) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 10-13.
The young wannabe Ranger is cooling his heels on a farm, and that lazy violinist boy is distracting him from his goal.
• InvestiGators:
Agents of S.U.I.T:
Wild Ghost Chase,
by John Patrick Green, with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis (First Second) _______
✔ Age: 7-10.
Can a sheep solve the greatest mystery with the help of a ghost?
• The Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves,
by Dora M. Mitchell (Little, Brown Ink) _______
✔ Age: 9-12.
If Millicent fixes everybody with magic puzzle pieces, will reality unravel?
• The Adventures of Tintin,
Volume 1 through 8,
by Herge (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 9-12.
The classic adventure tales of Tintin, now in a smaller size* to carry around. Each book contains three or four stories.
* Closer to comic book size instead of the original magazine size.
• Cassi and the House of Memories,
by Dean Stuart (Viking Book for Young Readers) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
When her grandfather starts losing his memories, Cass journeys through them to save both.
• Lumberjanes:
Book One,
by Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Walters, Faith Erin Hicks (w); various artists (Boom Studios) _______ ⇩
The first 12 issues of the lauded comic book series collected, where a forest scout group braves off against wild monsters.
• Adventure Time:
Volume One, Best Of Buds,
by Scott Chantler (Oni Press) _______ ⇩
The first four issues of the recent monthly comic, with new ventures of the popular TV comedy fantasy.
• The Three Thieves:
Vol. 2, The Sign of the Black Rock,
by Scott Chantler (Papercutz) _______
A Fantasy series where brave Dessa and crew tussle with pirates in a quest to find her lost brother.
• Seeker Society,
by Jana Tropper; Kyle Higgins and Zach Giallongo (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______
✔ Age: 9-11.
Before the three boys can learn their magic skills, they are lost on an uncharted island.
• Yelth! Yeti!
Chaos In Katmandu,
by Sneda Pradhan and Promina Shrestha (Flying Eye) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 7-11.
Dev and his cat realize a Yeti is causing all the havoc in Nepal, but who will believe him?
• Olivia Wolf
and the Trip through Time,
by Jose Fragoso (Nubeocho) _______
✔ Age: 7+.
The Monstrosity school kids need to go back in time to save their mummy friend.
• Beetle
and the Chimera Carnival,
by Aliza Layne (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
In her second adventure, the goblin and her friends realize something puzzling is going on at this year’s dragon festival.
• Pacheco
and the Witch of the Mountain,
by Juan E. Zambrano (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 9-11.
He wants to be the first boy witch, but will he be accepted?
• Atana
and the Jade Mermaid,
by Vivian Zhou (HarperAlley) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8-12.
Can the three magic friends overcome the divisions of the past to save the future?
• Small Town Spirits,
by Zach Keller and Gabriele Bagnoli (Dark Horse) _______
✔ Age: 8-12.
The poor family wants to beat the rich family at the Irish Halloween sports meet, but a resurrected spirit may upend everything.
• The Fables Of Erlking Woods,
by Juni Ba (Goats Flying Press) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 11+.
The Erlking in the forest will grant your desires, but at what cost?
• Soul Machine,
by Jordana Globerman (Annick Press) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 7-11.
Chloe and Lacey make souls the old-fashioned way, but an evil corporation wants to replace them.
• Karmopolis:
The Land Of Cars,
by Nick Bertozzi (IDW) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 9-12.
In a car-crazy future society, two kids discover a strange jewel and the chase begins.
• Flash Gordon Adventures!
Vol. 2 - The Anthology Odyssey,
by Art Baltazar (Papercutz) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 7-12.
Bright cartoon fun with all-new adventures of the spacefaring hero.
• Kanga-U: Tests and Tournament,
A Wonder Woman Graphic Novel,
by Sholly Fisch and Yancey Labat (DC) _______
✔ Age: 8-12.
Jumpa the kangaroo is eager for the island competition, but will Ares spoil the day?
• The Legend Of Korra:
Mystery of Penquan Island,
by Kiku Hughes, Alex Monik, and Diana Sousa (Dark Horse) _______
✔ Age: 10+.
Two brothers unravel the mystery from the past that threatens their mother.
• Wildcats,
by Crystal Velasquez and Eva Carrera (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______
✔ Age: 11-13.
The four school girls use their wildcat powers to combat the evil chaos order.
• Cricket,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 9 to 14.
"...only the highest quality fiction and classic literature and nonfiction stories on culture, history, science, and the arts", with cartoons and illustrations.
▶ Website here
• Oyla Junior,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8 to 12.
The award-winning monthly magazine making Science fun for young people.
▶ Website here
• Whizz Pop Bang,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 6 to 12.
Another fun Science magazine rated highly by kids and parents.
▶ Website here
• Honest History,
by various creators _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 8 to 14.
Loved by educators for its thoroughly researched articles and interviews and stories about topical issues; plus comics, maps, and more.
▶ Website here
Y o u n g
A d u l t :
13 - 18
This section is organized by themes.
• Song Of A Blackbird,
by Maria Van Lieshout (First Second) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 14-18.
The highly acclaimed story of two paths intersecting: Emma resisting the Nazis in WWII, and a present grandmother learning her secret past.
• Raised By Ghosts,
by Briana Loewinsohn (Fantagraphics) _______
✔ Age: 13-18.
A memoir of the author’s teen years, coping with the challenges of school and absent parents.
• We Could Be Magic,
by Marissa Meyer and Joelle Murray (Feiwel and Friends) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 12-18.
Working at a summer theme park job, Tabitha learns about love and self-esteem.
• Nubia:
Too Real,
by LL McKinney, Robyn Smith, and Manou Azumi (DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 13-17.
Wonder Woman’s sister in her teen years, overcoming self-doubt to become her best self.
• Latina Superheroes:
Vol. 1, Jalisco and Santa
Vol. 2, Loquita and Ruca,
by Kayden Phoenix (Andrews McMeel Publishing) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 14-18.
Two tales per book of new young superheroes.
(Note: the finale third book will be released in 2026.)
• The Santos Sisters,
by Greg and Fake (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
In the spirit of Archie and Love And Rockets comics, the superpowered duo deals with surreal villains and daily life.
• Maid To Skate,
by Suzushiro (VIZ Media LLC) _______
Maids who shred the street on skateboards.
• Bandette:
Vol.4, The Six Finger Secret,
by Paul Tobin and Colleen Doran (Dark Horse) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 12-14.
The lovable bandit crew are scooped on swiping the world's greatest painting.
by Ariel Slamet Ries (HarperAlley) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 11-14.
Kon can summon up a dream version of his missing ex, but is something else happening?
• To the Stars and Back, Vol. 1,
by Peglo (Little, Brown Ink) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 13+.
In the spirit of Heartstopper, the mismatched friends realize their feelings may be more.
• The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t A Guy At All,, Vol. 2 and Vol. 3,
by Sumiko Arai (Yen Press) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 13+.
Bonded by music, two friends grow closer.
• Renegade Girls:
A Queer Tale of Romance and Rabble Rousing,
by Nora Neus and Julie Robine (Little, Brown Ink) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: 12+.
In the 1880s, a crusading reporter and a brash photographer (based on real historical people) uncover injustices together.
• Phenomena:
Book 3, The Secret,
by Brian Michael Bendis and Andre Lima Araujo (Harry N. Abrams) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 13-17.
The epic conclusion to the Moebius-esque trilogy, where the quarrelsome trio braving the fantasy realm discover the truth.
• Archaic,
by Melissa F. Olson and Sally Cantirino (Ahoy Comics) _______ ⇩
✔ Age: 13+.
A collection of the 5-issue Fantasy comic book series; the mom wants to protect her kids from criminals by the gambit of moving to an island full of monsters.
• Star Wars:
Hyperspace Stories #1-4,
by various creators (Dark Horse) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: All.
A monthy comic book miniseries, with varied adventures of Star Wars heroes.
• Star Wars:
The Sequel Trilogy,
by various creators (Dark Horse) _______ ⇧
✔ Age: ____.
One volume collecting Marvel’s adaptations of all three films: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015), THE LAST JEDI (2017), and THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (2019).
Resources:
• Comic Shop Locator
• BookShop.org
• Kidscomics.com
• School Library Journal: Good Comics For Kids
• 50 Best Comics + Graphic Novels For Kids
• The Big Blog Of Kids' Comics!
• European Comics For Children
• 13 Great Webcomics For Kids and Teens
B E S T
G R A P H I C
N O V E L S :
2 0 2 5
• SPENT:
A Comic Novel, (Mariner Books)
by Alison Bechdel _______ ⇧
Fun Home (2006) is one of the most essential graphic novels made.
Bechdel's tragicomic memoir of processing the damage done by her tyrannical father was universally praised, high on every Top 10 list, nominated for every major award, and spawned a Broadway musical that won the Tony. The burden to follow this heady success is perhaps crushing, but she did two fine follow-ups in that vein.
Now she's full-circle. This new volume returns to the brainy slapstick of her 'Dykes To Watch Out For' comic strip (1983-2008), where she spoofs herself and her standing gleefully in metafictional ways, while retaining all of her political bite. Enjoy her having fun, she deserves it.
◼ Processing.
• THE EPHEMERATA:
Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief, (Fantagraphics)
by Carol Tyler _______ ⇧
Tyler works through an emotional pall scribing poetic dream imagery in ink sequences, an instinctive vision quest.
• A STRONG WOMAN and Other Stories,
by Valentine Gallardo (Fieldmouse Press) _______ ⇧
Society broke in 2020, and each person is still trying to find their way back. Here are indie comix dispatches from the daily front by an outcast veering through modern womanhood.
• PASSING FOR HUMAN, (Random House)
by Liana Finck _______
An artist uses her developing art to uncover her lost pitfalls and recover her connection to life and other people.
• THIS BEAUTIFUL, RIDICULOUS CITY,
by Kay Sohini (Ten Speed Press) _______ ⇧
Freshly arrived from India, she embarks on a new life in perplexing NYC while haunted by the travails of the old.
• INVISIBLE DIFFERENCES:
A Story of Autism, Adulting, and Living Life in Full Color, (Oni Press)
by Julie Dachez and Mademoiselle Caroline _______⇧
After a lifetime of feeling out of synch with the world, Marguerite learns she has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now that she has clarity, she can make the changes to improve her life.
◼ Allegory.
• DROME, (MacMillan)
by Jesse Lonergan _______ ⇧
A visual cornucopia, an epic world myth as a parable about human failings and potential, told like a mind-film.
Free your mind and you aspirations will follow.
• LAND OF MIRRORS,
by Maria Madem (Drawn and Quarterly) _______ ⇧
A magic realist allegory about a woman in a dead desert town discovering another place verdent with life, music, connection, and hope.
• BABE IN THE WOODS:
Or, The Art Of Getting Lost, Algonquin Books)
by Julie Heffernan _______ ⇧
A mother fends for her child, finding empowerment and independence with every challange.
Hefferman’s densely verdant paintings are a labyrinth of detail and meaning.
• TONGUES, (Pantheon)
by Anders Nilsen _______
Three concurrent tales: Prometheus bound to the mount; a young girl sent out to kill: a man with a teddy bear on his back. How do they relate?
A flowing story of rich thought and unsettling design sense.
• NOCTURNOS,
by Laura Perez (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
The mystery of night as a series of dreamlike scenarios, threading despair and wonder and enigma.
• A GUEST IN THE HOUSE, (23rd. St.)
by Emily Carroll _______
A stealth nightmare. Newlywed
◼ Artesan.
• CARAVAGGIO:
The Palette and the Sword, Book 2 (Fantagraphics)
by Milo Manara _______ ⇧
The brash and ingenius painter Caravaggio; painter, lover, killer, fugitive.
The second of two parts, this is the most ambitious Manara work in decades, sumptuously painted in the manner of its irascible subject.
• THE ADVENTURES OF MUNICH IN MARCEL DUCHAMP,
by Roman Muradov (Uncivilized Books) _______
The conceptualist quit painting after a visit to Munich. True to form, this bio makes us question what we know about this and him and biographies themselves.
• THE WOMAN WITH FIFTY FACES, (Fantagraphics)
by Jonathan Lackman and Zachary J. Pinson _______ ⇧
True story: In 1928, a mysterious woman beguiled the finest Parisian artisans to capture her, toured the world with the works, and disappeared from history.
This book tries to suss out what happened, etched in insanely laborious ink hatchings that look like Grosz possessed by Durer.
• WILL EISNER:
A Comics Biography,
by Stephen Wiener and Dan Mazur (NBM) _______ ⇧
A graphic novel about the man who invented graphic novels!
The life of Comics' preiminent innovator, told in funny short chapters (akin to Eisner's Spirit stories) and folksy anecdotes (like his later graphic novels). An enjoyable intro to the Master.
• KUSAMA:
Polka Dot Queen, (SelfMadeHero)
by Simon Elliott _______ ⇧
SelfMadeHero does bios of artists in approximations of their styles. This one is naturally strobing with design, shapes, patterns, and colors.
▶ SelfMadeHero
◼ Author, Auteur.
• MRS. ORWELL, (23rd St.)
by Andrea Chalupa and Brahm Revel _______ ⇧
Poet Eileen Blair, partner of George Orwell, gets overdue spotlight for being the ballast and cohort for his literary breakthroughs, "Animal Farm" and "1984".
• THE GIANT:
Orson Welles, the Artist and the Shadow,
by Youssef Daoudi (23rd Street) _______ ⇧
It's often said that Welles peaked with his first film, CITIZEN KANE, and struggled to fulfill his genius ever after.
I’ll say instead that every film he made was stone good or straight great all the way to his astonishing last film, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND*.
* Recently reconstructed and remastered.
• LUCAS WARS:
The True Story of George Lucas and the Creation of Star Wars, (23rd St.)
by Laurent Hopman and Renaud Roche _______ ⇧
Lucas risked all of the clout he gained with the success of AMERICAN GRAFITTI (1973) to make a Flash Gordon revival serial for himself. And fought every disaster to make it happen.
• Francis Ford Coppola’s
MEGALOPOLIS:
An Original Graphic Novel,
by Francis Ford Coppola; adapted by Chris Ryall and Jacob Phillips (Abrams ComicArts) _______ ⇧
As a parallel supplement to his brilliant (and wrongly undervalued) film MEGALOPOLIS (2024), Coppola gift us an entirely alternative version of the story with its own blueprint and deconstruction.
◼ Music.
• PUNK ROCK in Comics, (NBM)
by Thierry Lamy and Nicolas Finet _______
A history of Punk told in comics form.
• LOW:
Bowie's Berlin Years,
by Reinhard Kleist (SelfMadeHero) _______ ⇩
The sequel to Starman: Bowie's Stardust Years (2023), recounting David's turn away from fame to embrace the strange. And create his most iconoclastic works.
• KOOL KEITH:
Krossover into the Flower Kosmic!, (Z2)
by Seamus Esoteric Ryan and Sean Von Gorman _______ ⇩
In grand JLA/JSA multiversal crossover mode, all of rapper Kool Keith's recording psuedonyms team-up to fight a cosmic threat.
(Note: square-shaped, like an album.)
◼ Nature.
• ELECTRIC LIFE:
The Hidden Radiance of Everything, (23rd St.)
by Sander Funneman and Peter Brouwers _______ ⇧
Bees, frogs, and seals channel the electromagnetism in the world to function. From subatomica to the universe, electricity and magnetism bind all living things.
• INSECTOPOLIS,
by Peter Kuper (W.W. Norton and Company) _______ ⇧
Insects learn about us at the library, letting us learn everything startling about them throughout history, in this twisty and visually wild book.
There’s also a cool coloring book version.
◼ History.
• TRANS HISTORY:
From Ancient Times to the Present Day, (Candlewick Press)
by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett _______ ⇩
Everyone's story should be reflected in histories, and here's evidence of always being part of it.
• THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL,
by Tommi Parrish (Fantagraphics) _______
Parrish is multifaceted and so is their work; this compendium of short pieces searches for personal identity, expressed through varied art styles.
• GINSENG ROOTS,
A Memoir, (Pantheon)
by Craig Thompson _______ ⇩
Since the tectonic jolt of his graphic novel Blankets (2003) and its success, Thompson drives himself to make the Grand Statement with each project. (see also: Bechdel) Here, he turns the Ginseng farming of his youth into an exam of the crop’s impact on society, history, nations, and his family.
◼ RESIST.
• THE HISTORY OF WORLD WAR II, (Harry N. Abrams)
by Anaud De La Croix and Vicente Cifuentes _______ ⇧
In the 1940s, Apocalypse actually happened.
It wiped away the old world and we’ve been rebuilding the new ever since. Everyone should know this, so we can prevent the Nazis from ever happening again, anywhere in any form.
Like right now.
• BLACK ARMS TO HOLD YOU UP,
by Ben Passmore (Pantheon) _______ ⇧
Cartooning with a raised fist.
Ben isn't taking any shorts, schooling all on the history of Black Resistance, and kicking your butts to stand up right now.
• YOU MUST TAKE PART IN THE REVOLUTION, (Street Noise Books)
by Melissa Chan and Badicao _______
In 2035, Ameria is a Fascist country at war with China, with Taiwan in the middle. Three youths are faced with which best choice to fight back.
• THE DISSIDENT CLUB:
Chronicle of a Pakistani Journalist in Exile,
by Taha Siddiqi and Hubert Maury (Arsenal Pulp Press) _______ ⇧
A true memoir.
Kidnapped at gunpoint and barely escaping his country, a journo must discover if it was just the military or his fanatical family behind it.
• THE ONCE AND FUTURE RIOT, (Metropolitan Books)
by Joe Sacco _______ ⇧
Sacco invented comics journalism. His line style calls comparisons to Crumb and Spiegelman, but in writing he is truly heir to Chrisiane Amanpour and Marie Colvin.
He is a journalist of conscience, and this investigation of a sectarian 2013 riot in India indicts how the rich hold sway by dividing the people against themselves. A timeless warning, proven by facts.
• WAR ON GAZA,
by Joe Sacco Fantagraphics) _______
A brave book of illustrated journalism, exposing the real genocide of a country by the latest megalomaniac.
• 30 SECONDS FROM GAZA, (Olive Branch Press)
by Mohammad Sabaaneh _______ ⇧
The satirist artist canonizes frames of smuggled footage from the genocide into linocut art, trying to preserve the truth that corrupt powers would censor.
• LEBANON IS BURNING:
And Other Dispatches,
by Yazan Al-Saadi; illustrated by Tracy Chahwan, Ganzeer, Ghadi Ghosn, Omar Khouri, Sirène Moukheiber, Hicham Rahma, and Enas Satir (Graphic Mundi) _______ ⇧
Populist revolt bonfired across the breadth of the Middle East in the 2010s, and this anthology records multiple views of the uprisings.
• HOLLER:
A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance, (Timber Press)
by Denali Sai Nalamalapu _______
Six West Virginia working people each stood up against the encroaching Mountain Valley Pipeline. This book shows that even the smallest acts of personal heroism can make a difference in the struggle against corruption.
• WORLD WITHOUT END,
by Jane-Marc Jancovici and Christophe Blain (Zando) _______ ⇧
A scientist guides us through the forces behind climate change: oil lust, corrupt leaders, bad policies, greed economies. Better, he shows us how a change in each can ensure a world that doesn’t end.
• CAPITAL AND IDEALOGY:
A Graphic Novel Adaptation, (Abrams ComicArts)
by Thomas Piketty; adapted by Claire Alet and Bernjamin Adam _______ ⇧
Piketty’s bestselling prose book is converted into a graphic novel, using a fictional family across a century to demonstrate how capitalism doesn’t underwrite Democracy, it undermines it.
It proposes six solution approaches at the end.
• FREE SPEECH HANDBOOK:
A Practical Frameworks for Understanding our Free Speech Protections,
by Ian Rosenber and Mike Cacvallaro (23rd St.) (2021) _______
⇧
New printing.
Using ten Supreme Court cases, the authors define what free speech actually means, and how crucial it is to maintain true freedom.
• THE ANTIFA COMIC BOOK, (Arsenal Pulp Press) (2018)
by Gord Hill _______ ⇧
New printing.
AntiFascist means Anti-Nazi.
For all you late people in the back.
B E S T
C O L L E C T I O N S
+ R E I S S U E S :
2 0 2 5
◯ 1900-1930s
• SOCIETY IS NIX:
Gleeful Anarchy at the Dawn of the American Comic Strip,
1895-1915, (2013)
by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press Books) _______ ⇧
There had never been anything like comic strips before.
They were the peoples’ medium. Before comics spinner racks would later bond all kids, newspaper comic strips joined all ages together.
They were modernity for the masses: making our moments visual instead of just printed text; chopping up time in sequence before film; talking vernacular and high-stepping absurdity; slipping vaudeville slapstick into every home; lampooning every aspect of modern life; providing an entry point for immigrants learning english; representing the working class while spoofing the rich; and always redefining the possibilities of art, from the vulgar (Katzenjammer Kids) to the insane (Krazy Kat) to the divine (Little Nemo).
And they had the crucial weapon no other medium could match: they were in full glorious color on Sundays, when newspapers were giant-sized. They had the monopoly on public imagination for much of the 20th Century. Even their eventual rivals Film and Television wouldn't be in general color until the late-'60s.
This revised version of the 2013 book adds 200 color comic strips printed at full period size (13" x 19"!).
The George Herriman Library,
1928-1930,
by George Herriman (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
The Punkest comic strip of all was this one, which exalted in turning language, story, logic, perception, and even page frames inside out just to see what would happen.
• KRAZY KAT:
The Complete Color Sundays
1935-1944,
by George Herriman (Taschen) _______ ⇧
Herriman was at his most experimental with the Sunday pages, where size and color were his lysergic canvas.
◯ 1940s
• DC Finest:
WONDER WOMAN,
Introducing Wonder Woman, (1942-’43)
by William Marston and HG Peter (DC) _______
Comic books started off very male. These two men (along with, offscreen, Marston’s two female partners) changed all of that for the better with the world's first Feminist superhero. Long may she reign.
The Master Collection, Vol 12, (1946)
by Milton Caniff (Clover Press) _______ ⇧
After the slapstick comedies of the 1910s, Film began to evolve into maturity by the '30s. In parallel, comic strips matured from slapstick gags with wild cartoonery into adventure serials by fine illustrators: Prince Valiant (Hal Foster), Flash Gordon (Alex Raymond), Tarzan (Burne Hogarth).
But Caniff’s Terry And The Pirates became a master class by itself, at full peak in this final reprint volume. Complex emotional dramas with fleet pace, brash adventures with hilarity and heartbreak, all held together by his lush ink paintings.
• ALL-NEGRO COMICS:
America’s First Black Comic Book, (1947)
by various creators (Image) _______ ⇧
The first (and sadly only) comic made in this period by African-Americans meant to dignify representations of African-Americans debuted in 1947.
This reprint adds essays and new works to testify to its brave importance.
• The Collected
Will Eisner’s JOHN LAW, (1948; 2004)
by Will Eisner; Gary Chaloner (Titan Comics) _______ ⇧
Will Eisner had only added a mask and gloves to The Spirit because publishers wanted him to seem more like a superhero.
John Law was a brief attempt to break out with a straight-up detective strip. This volume collects the original pitch stories, plus Chaloner's sequel made later.
• NANCY
Wears Hats, (1949-’50)
by Ernie Bushmiller (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
Nancy is proof of how subversive comic strips could be. Told in an almost generic clean-line style with suburban sight gags, it quietly vibrated with an absurdism this side of Harpo and Dali.
◯ 1950s
• PS Artbooks Softee:
PLASTIC MAN, vols. 7 and 8 (1951-'52)
by Jack Cole (PS Artbooks) _______
One of many famous graduates of Will Eisner's comics production studio, Cole literally elasticized the screwy prospects of the comics form.
• EC ARCHIVES:
The remastered EC Comics Hardcovers are now being re-released as affordable Softcover editions, proceeding in order. Each of these culminates in the final book for each series.
CRIME SUSPENSTORIES, Vol. 3 and 4 (1952-’54)
TALES FROM THE CRYPT, Vol. 5 (1954-’55)
HAUNT OF FEAR, Vol. 5 (1953-’54)
TWO-FISTED TALES, Vols. 2, 3, and 4 (1950-’55)
by Multiple Creators
(Dark Horse) _______ ⇧
These early-'50s comics redefined maturity in the medium, launched great writers and artists, electrified readers, and terrified conservatives. Essential.
▶ see also: "The Ten Cent Plague"
• EC COMICS:
The New Trend 1950-1954, (2020)
by Multiple Creators (Taschen) _______ ⇧
The 45th Edition (!) of Taschen's excellent 500-page overview of EC Comics.
This is the revolution, from which nearly all modern maturity in comics came from.
• EC Fan-Addict Fanzine #7,
by various creators (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
120 pages; Fantagraphics' ongoing magazine celebrating EC.
• THE SPAWN OF VENUS and Other Stories:
Illustrated by WALLACE WOOD, (early-1950s)
by Wallace Wood + (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇩
An anthology of illustrator Wood's outstanding EC Sci-Fi work.
• Atlas Artist Edition #2:
featuring AL WILLIAMSON, (late-1950s)
by Al Williamson + (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇩
After EC, the great illustrator Al Williamson did fine work for Atlas Comics (who would change their name in 1961 to Marvel.).
• PEANUTS:
Every Sunday 1952-1955,
by Charles Shulz (Fantagraphics) _______
Reprinting the three-tier, landscape aspect, color Sunday comics at 12" x 9".
• Essential PEANUTS, by Charles Shultz:
The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time,
by Charles Shulz (Abrams ComicArts) _______ ⇧
Comic Strips permeated all of American life in the 20th Century, and none was more successful or highly praised as Peanuts. This hit cultural zenith in the '60s and '70s with the animated specials on national television. Even the jazz soundtracks are revered.
Without the style and intelligence of Peanuts, there never would have been Doonesbury, Bloom County, Calvin And Hobbes, and The Boondocks.
◯ 1960s
• The Marvel Comics Covers of
JACK KIRBY, (1961-’64)
by Jack Kirby (Dark Horse) _______
Act like you know. Jack Kirby is the show.
• FANTASTIC FOUR vs. Galactus, (1960s; 1980s)
by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; John Byrne (Marvel) _______
In time for the 2025 movie, a collection of the original Galactus stories, paired with an important follow-up.
• SON OF ORIGINS OF MARVEL COMICS, (1975)
by Stan Lee + various writers and artists (Gallery Books) _______ ⇧
The books "Origins" (1974) and "Son Of Origins", which reprint classic 1960s stories, might lead you to believe Marvel Comics was all created by writer/editor Stan Lee.
Every deep fan knows that it was the artists who co-created, co-plotted, storyboarded, and defined what Marvel is: giants like Jack Kirby, Gene Colan, John Buscema, and Joe Sinnott.
• THE FABULOUS FURRY FREAK BROTHERS,
Vol. 1: Times Of No Money;
The Early Years, (1968+)
by Gilbert Shelton (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
Just to freak your head, they've been reprinting all of the FFF stories in seven volumes, but releasing them in random order. Here's the long strange trip beginning.
◯ 1970s
• NEAL ADAMS DC Classics Artist’s Edition,
by Neal Adams + (IDW) _______ ⇧
There's before Neal Adams and after Neal Adams.
Comic book artists became more refined from the '40s to the '60s, with better form and craft. But no one hit the level of fine artistry of Neal Adams, whose intense work from 1968 to 1978 was at a naturalistic peak few could even approach. After him, you were an acolyte, an illustrator peer, a counter-stylist, or another hack. School up.
• Jack Kirby's
FOREVER PEOPLE,
Artist’s Edition, (1971)
by Jack Kirby and Mike Royer (IDW) _______
Then there's the ultimate stylist of comic books.
In 1970, Jack Kirby left Marvel with a grand plan of making his own universe with the Fourth World books for DC. (They cut him short but he won the long, as all of his concepts now dominate page and screen.)
This artist edition photographs his original b/w art pages at actual size.
• Jack Kirby's
MISTER MIRACLE,
Artist’s Edition, (1971)
by Jack Kirby and Mike Royer (IDW) _______ ⇧
A second edition of the book, photographing his original b/w art pages at actual size.
• DC Finest:
SUPERMAN, Kryptonite Nevermore, (1971)
by Denny O’Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson (DC) _______ ⇧
This is the exact point that the modern Superman was born. Writers Denny O’Neil, Cary Bates, and Elliott S! Maggin, with the dream art synthesis of Swan and Anderson (Swanderson), turned the autopilot masthead into The Man Of Tomorrow that we know today.
• The Complete DEADBONE
Erotica Omnibus, (1970s)
by Vaughn Bode (Image Comics) _______
Like the love child of Pogo and Mr. Natural, Bode defined a stoner version of Fantasy and eroticism unseen before.
• DIMWOOD,
by Richard Corben (Dark Horse) _______ ⇧
The unpublished, final graphic novel by the late artist.
• METAL HURLANT
Volume 1 and 2,
by various artisans (Humanoids) _______ ⇩
Newly remastered archives of essential '70s and '80s works, by Moebius, Druillet, Claveloux, Bilal, and many more.
• THE MICRONAUTS:
The Original Marvel Years: They Came From Inner Space
Epic Collection, (1979-’80)
by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden, + (Marvel) _______ ⇧
A softcover of last year's hardcover omnibus, scaled back to the first 20 issues.
• PETRA CHERIE, (1977-1982)
by Attilio Micheluzzi (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
Imagine if Anais Nin had been James Bond in World War I. This deft series, in the stylish mode of Corto Maltese and Valentina, followed an enigmatic spy and her adventures across borderlands in flux.
• JOE GALAXY,
by Massimo Mattioli (Fantagraphics) _______
Remember when Scrooge McDuck, Weird Science, and Zap Comix all got stoned in outer space? Of course not, but if someone had smuggled out the snapshots, it would look like this demented lunacy.
• THE MAGNIFICENT ADVENTURE:
The Perils Of Guiseppe Bergman, (1978)
by Milo Manara (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
What if Fellini and Moebius had concocted a surrealist Corto Maltese graphic novel? It would be much like this great work by Manara.
◯ 1980s
• MOONSHADOW:
The Definitive Edition - Expanded, (1985; 1997)
by J.M. DeMatteis and Jon J Muth (Dark Horse) _______
A breakthrough painted maxiseries, narrating the coming-of-age of a cosmic being.
• David Mazzucchelli's
DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN,
Artist's Edition, (1986)
by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli (IDW) _______ ⇩
A second printing of the artist's edition, which photographs the original b/w art pages at actual size.
◯ 1990s
• MADMAN:
The Madmaniverse Library #1, (1990-’96)
by Mike Allred (Dark Horse) _______
The softcover version of the previous omnibus hardback, reprinting Allred's signature Madman stories from the beginning.
• SHADE THE CHANGING MAN
Omnibus #1, (1990-’93)
by Peter Milligan and Chris Bachalo (DC Black Label) _______ ⇧
The first 37 issues of the Vertigo Comics series, which rethought Ditko's 1978 hero into psychotropic goth abstractions.
• FLEX MENTALLO,
Man of Muscle Mystery, (1996)
by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (DC Black Label) _______ ⇧
A second edition of the collection of Flex's four-issue miniseries, a spin-off of The Doom Patrol.
• BATMAN, BLACK AND WHITE
Compendium, (1996-2023)
by a Who's Who (DC) _______ ⇧
Artist/colorist Mark Chiarello was one of DC's best editors, who conducted this ongoing anthology of film noir B/W Batman stories from the finest talents.
by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill (DC Black Label) _______ ⇧
A second edition, reprinting the original 6-issue arc that launched the series.
• Absolute PROMETHEA, (1999-2001)
by Alan Moore, JH Williams III, and Mick Gray (DC Black Label) _______ ⇧
A second edition, reprinting the stunning first 12 issues of one of the most innovative comic series ever made. Wonder Woman with the brakes off, artistry with no guiderails.
◯ 2000s
• FUN HOME:
The Deluxe Collector’s Edition, (2006)
by Alison Bechdel (Mariner Books Classics) _______ ⇩
I said it above (Spent), I’ll say it here. Fun Home is one of the most essential graphic novels made.
• BATMAN YEAR 100, (2007)
by Paul Pope (DC) _______
A second edition of the collection of the four issues. In a dystopic future, Batman appears (unchanged, without any explanation) and afterburns full-bore into taking down the fascist system.
• WEDNESDAY COMICS, (2009)
by various creators (DC) _______ ⇩
A second edition reprint of Mark Chiarello's brilliant large-size format anthology (inspired by giant early 20th Century Sunday comics pages).
Astounding work by luminaries like Paul Pope, Walt Simonson, Kyle Baker, Dave Gibbons, Mike Allred, Eduardo Risso, Brian Stelfreeze, Amanda Connor, Lee Bermejo, Ryan Sook, Joe Kubert, and Kevin Nowlan.
11" x 17 1/2"!
◯ 2010s
• FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE, ALIVE!:
The Complete Collection, (2012)
by Steven Niles and Bernie Wrightson, plus Kelley Jones (IDW) _______ ⇧
The legendary Wrightson returned to Frankenstein after 40 years, completing three issues before his passing. His acolyte Jones contributed the finale fourth.
• ARSENE SCHRAUWEN, (2014)
by Olivier Schrauwen (Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
An quixotic fantasy about the author's grandfather which dispatches him into a jungle utopia, falling in love and losing his grip on reality.
• THE PRIVATE EYE, (2015)
by Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin (Image) _______
This was originally a pay-as-you-like online comic, now available in print form. A future PI deals with a post-internet society where everyone is a literal mask and all trust is gone.
• HOWARD THE DUCK, (Marvel)
by Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones (2015) _______
Steve Gerber and Val Meyerick’s original Howard in 1976 was as close as Marvel got to an underground comix level, and his barbed satire was his and their undoing. Zdarsky manages to revive a lot of that grit in his spirited reset.
• MAE:
The Definitive Edition, (2015)
by Gene Ha (Oni Press) _______ ⇩
Gene Ha brought his phenomenal eye for composition and detail from Alan Moore's Top 10 to his own Fantasy series, an all-ages winner about two sisters braving a Narnia gone wrong.
• The Art of WITCH HAT ATELIER, (since 2016)
by Kakome Shirahama (Kodansha Comics) _______
Just in time for the 2026 anime series, a retrospective of the popular manga series about a fledgling witch.
• LAZARUS,
The Fourth Collection, (2018, 2019)
by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark (Image) _______ ⇩
This collection wraps up the original Lazarus run with its final two issues, plus the seven-issue sequel Lazarus Risen.
(The series has just culminated with this year's miniseries, Lazarus Fallen.)
◯ 2020s
• KARMEN, (2021)
by Guillem March (Image) _______ ⇧
After her demise, a woman goes on a revelatory journey with a mischievous death angel. Some amazing art, and a very touching story.
• SUPERMAN:
The Last Days of Lex Luthor, (DC)
by Mark Waid, and Bryan Hitch and Kevin Nowlan (2023) _______
Luthor is dying, and he asks Superman to save him.
• HELEN OF WYNDHORN, (2024)
by Tom King and Bilquis Evely (Dark Horse) _______
Like 'Conan meets Wizard Of Oz', from the team who gave us the heralded Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (source of the 2026 feature film).
• THE POWER FANTASY Vol. 1, (2025)
by Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard (Image) _______
Six superpowered people could destroy the world. How do you keep their clashes from ending us? (Deja vu.)
• YOU’RE ALL JUST JEALOUS OF MY JETPACK, (2017-’25)
by Tom Gauld (Drawn and Quarterly) _______ ⇧
A trove of the sly UK cartoonist's rare work.
WHERE WE
COME FROM,
Dept.
• EDMUND DULAC:
His American Weekly Collection
1924-1951,
by Albert Seligman (Dulac Books) _______⇧
Over 100 rare painted magazine covers by the incredible Golden Age Of Illustration maestro.
• The Fantastic Art of
ROY G. KRENKEL,
curated by Craig Yoe (Dark Horse) _______⇧
A new collection of the great illustrator's career, with a preface by his student, Michael Wm. Kaluta.
• JMB, The Unseen Art of JOHN M. BURNS,
featuring 'A Surfeit Of Assassins 1888',
by John M. Burns (Book Palace) _______
A collection of one of the greatest British comics artists, including all 25 pages of his unreleased "Assassins" tale.
• Creepy Presents
ALEX TOTH, (2015)
by Alex Toth + (Dark Horse) _______⇧
A second edition of 'artist’s artist' Toth's stories for '70s Warren magazines.
• MOEBIUS
Lezards Reveurs,
by Moebius (Moebius Productions) _______⇧
Two unreleased sketchbooks, done up deluxe.
• METAMAUS:
A Look Inside a Modern Classic,
by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon Books) _______⇧
A behind-the-scenes look at the process of making Maus (Pulitzer Prize winner, 1992).
• 9 TIMES MY WORK HAS BEEN RIPPED OFF,
by Raymond Biesinger (Drawn And Quarterly) _______⇧
'No BS' advice from a seasoned freelancer, for upstarts coming up.
• A DRIFTING LIFE, (2009)
by Yoshihiro Tatsumi (Drawn And Quarterly) _______⇧
Autobiography of a Manga pioneer, universally hailed as one of the best graphic novels ever. (And, at 840 pages, probably the longest!)
• AMERICAN COMIC BOOK CHRONICLES:
The 1960s: 1965-1969, (2014)
by John Wells (TwoMorrows) _______⇧
A new reprint of the book, exploring when the cultural renaissance was in full flower.
MAGAZINES
• ALTER EGO
(TwoMorrows) _______⇧
The original '60s comics fanzine that pioneered all of modern fandom, with deep stories on the Golden and Silver Age creators, is an ongoing mag still edited by Roy Thomas.
➤ Alter Ego
• BACK ISSUE!
(TwoMorrows) _______⇧
Dedicated to the '70s and '80s comics renaissances.
➤ Back Issue
• CRYPTOLOGY
(TwoMorrows) _______⇧
Dedicated to the history of classic Horror comics.
➤ Cryptology
• JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR
(TwoMorrows) _______⇧
A treasury-sized magazine covering all things Kirby, from rare art to new tributes.
➤ Jack Kirby Collector
• RETROFAN
(TwoMorrows) _______
Everything pop cultural from the '60s through the '80s.
➤ Retrofan
• COMIC BOOK CREATOR
(TwoMorrows) _______ ⇧
Interviews and overviews of all the great Comics creators, past and present.
➤ Comic Book Creator
• THE COMICS JOURNAL
(Fantagraphics) _______ ⇧
The premiere scholastic graphic arts forum, now printed in an annual volume.
➤ The Comics Journal
• MAD Magazine
(EC/DC) _______ ⇧
More carefully curated cultural caricatures, from the usual gang of idiots!
➤ MAD Magazine
• STAR WARS INSIDER
(Titan) _______ ⇧
"An energy field created by all living things..."
➤ Star Wars Insider
Note: issue #237 in 2026 will be the final one.
B E S T
Movies + T V
• SUPERMAN ⇩
• FANTASTIC FOUR: First Steps
• Daredevil: Born Again 1
• The Ethernaut 1 ⇧
• The Sandman 2 ⇧
• Peacemaker 2
• Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man 1
• Eyes Of Wakanda ⇧
➤ Coming soon: BEST MOVIES + TV: 2025
B E S T
W E B C O M I C S :
• NANCY,
by 'Olympia Jaimes' _______ ⇧
Under a psuedonym, someone is upgrading the classic strip's mindtricks for the digital age.
• TOM THE DANCING BUG,
by Ruben Bolling _______ ⇧
A pile-up of Family Circle and barbed satire.
• DOONESBURY,
by Garry Trudeau _______ ⇧
The parent of all modern political strips, still schooling you.
★ Find many classic and current comic strips at GO Comics!
• TOM TOMORROW,
by Tom Tomorrow _______ ⇧
A kind of digital love-child of Trudeau and Breathed, this long-running satire of political insanity is a panacea.
• JEN SORENSON,
by Jen Sorenson _______ ⇧
Editorial absurdity with bite.
• DINOSAUR COMICS, a.k.a., Qwantz,
by Ryan North _______
Clip art of dinosaurs saying wild mess.
• SARA'S SCRIBBLES,
by Sara Andersen _______ ⇧
Absurdist doodles in four panels with brainy zing.
• The Nib _______
RESIST!
An archive of the best of contemporary editorial satire, from an array of talents.
• PRINCE VALIANT,
by Mark Schultz (w) and Thomas Yeates (a) _______ ⇧
Schultz (Xenozoic Tales) and Yeates (Timespirits) are doing excellent work continuing Hal Foster's masterwork into the 21st century.
• FLASH GORDON,
by Dan Schkade _______
The spacefarer still swashbuckles across the galaxy in these ongoing adventures.
R E S T
I N
P O W E R
From you, we exist.
Because of you, we persist.
• Jules Feiffer
• Jim Silke
• Jack Katz
• Jackson Guice
Jack Katz; Drew Struzan
• Peter David
• Jim Shooter
• Dave Taylor
• Drew Struzan
© Tym Stevens
See also:
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2024
• BEST MUSIC: 2024
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2023
• BEST MUSIC: 2023
• BEST COMICS: 2023
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2022
• BEST MUSIC: 2022
• BEST COMICS: 2022
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2021
• BEST MUSIC: 2021
• BEST COMICS: 2021
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2020
• BEST MUSIC: 2020
• BEST COMICS: 2020
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2019
• BEST MUSIC: 2019
• BEST COMICS: 2019
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2018
• BEST MUSIC: 2018
• BEST COMICS: 2018
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2017
• BEST MUSIC: 2017
• BEST COMICS: 2017
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2016
• BEST MUSIC: 2016
• BEST COMICS: 2016
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2015
• BEST MUSIC: 2015
• BEST COMICS: 2015
• BEST MUSIC: 2014
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2014
• BEST COMICS: 2014
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2013
• BEST MUSIC: 2013
• BEST COMICS: 2013
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2012
• BEST MUSIC: 2012
• BEST COMICS: 2012
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2011
• BEST MUSIC: 2011
• BEST COMICS: 2011
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2000-2010
• BEST MUSIC: 2000-2010
• BEST COMICS: 2000-2010
• How STAR WARS Is Changing Everything!
• 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY - Its Transcendent Influence on all Pop Culture, with Music Player!
• How SPAGHETTI WESTERNS Revolutionized Rock Music!, with 3 Music Players!
• TWIN PEAKS: Its Influence on 30 Years of Film, TV, and Music!, with 5 Music Players!
• The Real History of ROCK AND SOUL!: The Music Player Checklist
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