C H A P T E R L I N K S :
• Best Comics
• ★ All-Ages Comics!
★ Early Readers: 5-7
★ Young Readers: 8-12
★ Young Adult: 13-18
• Best Graphic Novels
• Best Collections + Reissues
• Where We Come From, Dept.
• Best Magazines
• Best Movies + TV
• Best Webcomics
• Rest In Power
B E S T
C O M I C S :
2 0 2 2
I M A G E
• Saga,
by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples _______ ⇧
The best returns.
"Saga" is the universally acclaimed Space Fantasy that challenges the conventions of both forms, with maturity and wit. After a three-and-a-half year break, it soars again. Fans of STAR WARS, adult Fantasy, 'Black Mirror', and surrealism should get on board.
• Kaya,
by Wes Craig _______ ⇧
There may never have been a better time to be a Fantasy fan, with fresh takes now in all creative media. Like those, this fun series benefits from all the deconstruction, inclusion, wider mythos, and genre-bending which are enriching the field.
• 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.
• Public Domain, (Image)
by Chip Zdarsky _______ ⇧
Chip Zdarsky has a fine track record, from his art on the satiric indie "Sex Criminals", to writing "Howard The Duck", "Daredevil", and "Batman" for the 2 majors.
Typically perversely, this 5-issue series takes on the hypocrisy and greed of the comics industry, a fun place to visit but a hard place to live from. It follows a fictional analogue to every creator ever screwed over by the machine,* and his family's attempts to rectify compensation and credit. Ultimately, comics are made by creators -not lawyers, accountants, or corporations- and we should remember and honor this above all.
*(see also: Siegel and Shuster; Bill Finger; Jack Kirby; Steve Grber; Mike Ploog; Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons; Prince; ...)
• Adventureman,
by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson _______ ⇧
More than an homage to Pulp era adventurers, this smart series updates and inverts those classic codes for the 21st century.
• The Six Sidekicks Of Trigger Keaton,
by Kyle Starks and Chris Schweizer _______
An acidic spoof of mysteries and films, where a pompous and loathed action movie star is murdered and everybody could be guilty.
• 20th Century Man,
by Deniz Camp and S. Morian _______
A political satire that roasts supersoldiers, machoism, the Cold War, and many of the expectations that go with them.
• Eight Billion Genies,
by Charles Soul and Ryan Browne _______ ⇩
Every person gets a genie and one wish. Things go ballistic, and that's for starters.
• Astro City: That Was Then,
by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson _______ (Special) ⇧
Before "Top 10", "Umbrella Academy", and "Black Hammer", there was "Astro City" (1995).
Picking up the pen from Alan Moore, Kurt Busiek ("Marvels") literally wrote the book on deconstructing the Silver Age, and this special issue warms things up for the new story arc to come.
• Bolero,
by Wyatt Kennedy and Luana Vecchio _______ ⇧
This 5-issue mini series will please fans of EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE and Marvel's "What If?" show, with a young woman touring all her multiversal selves.
• Department Of Truth,
by James Tynion IV and Alison Sampson _______ ⇧
The adult conspiracy thriller reached its conclusion with issue #22.
Facsimile editions:
Image Comics reprinted first issue facsimiles for $1 each!
• Astro City #1 (1995),
by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson _______ ⇧
The Silver Age, postmodernized.
• Little Bird #1 (2019),
by Darcy Van Poelgeest and Ian Bertram _______
An edgy and symbolist Fantasy that ran as an acclaimed mini-series.
• Department Of Truth #1 (2020),
by James Tynion IV and Alison Sampson _______
The beginning of the uncovering.
M A R V E L
• Miracleman: The Silver Age,
by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham _______ ⇧
Cross your fingers. We might actually get the future this time.
The semi-short version: Alan Moore created postmodern, adult superheroes with the British hero, "Marvelman" (1982); in the USA, this climaxed in the unmatchable 'Book 3' of the renamed "Miracleman" (1988); Moore's chosen successor, Neil Gaiman, got halfway through his intended three follow-up arcs, when the publisher went bankrupt (1993); after decades of legal wrangling, Marvel is letting Gaiman finish. This second arc of the three, with entirely revamped art by Buckingham, is at last in your grasp.
Don't miss out this time. Miracles don't happen every day.
• Black Panther,
by John Ridley and Juan Cabal _______
Taking over from bestselling author Ta-Nehisi Coates, film director John Ridley (12 YEARS A SLAVE) rethinks Wakanda.
• Shang Chi,
by Gene Luen Yang and Marcus To _______ ⇩
Gene Luen Yang, creator of the "American Born Chinese" (2006) graphic novel, brings new cultural and mythological perspective to this reboot of the philosophical martial arts master.
• Captain Carter,
by Jamie McKelvie and Marika Cresta _______ ⇩
The animated series "What If?" imagined an alternate outcome where Peggy Carter became Captain America. Now this inspired hero has become canon, in a certain live-action film and here in this 5-issue mini-series.
• Captain Marvel,
by Kelly Thompson and Sergio Davila + _______
All the success of Carol Danvers, from page to screen, comes from the work of writer Kelly Thompson, who has defined and guided her evolution since the beginning.
• Daredevil,
by Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto _______
"Daredevil" is having another golden run, thanks to writer Chip Zdarsky (who is simultaneously writing his DC rival, "Batman"!).
• Daredevil, Woman Without Fear,
by Chip Zdarsky and Rafael De Latorre _______ ⇧
The most inspired event in "Daredevil" since Elektra... is Elektra becoming Daredevil. Oh, you better run.
• Spider-Gwen Gwenverse,
by Tim Seeley and Jodi Nishijima _______ ⇧
Why should Peter and Miles get all the fun? Gwen Stacy finds out that her multiversal selves also became each of The Avengers.
• Spider-Punk,
by Cody Ziglar, Justin Mason, Jim Charalampidis, and Travis Lanham _______
"Kick out the jams, $&%$&!" The alternate universe Spidey, Hobart Brown, fights fascism with his punk rock friends, Riotheart, Captain Anarchy, Ms. Marvel, and more.
W A R S
Marvel is doing a splendid job making movies between the movies.
• Star Wars, Vol. 2
by Charles Soule, and Marco Castiello, Guiseppe Camuncoli, Andres Genolet, and Ramon Rosanas _______ ⇧
For 75 issues, Volume I of this series did excellent arcs filling in the mysteries between A NEW HOPE and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
Now it has relaunched from #1, unveiling dream movies between THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK and RETURN OF THE JEDI.
• Darth Vader, Vol. 2
by Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco, Marco Castiello, Luke Ross _______
In complete parallel with these new stories of the rebels is a relaunch telling the Dark Lord's side of the same events, and how they overlap.
• Doctor Aphra, Vol. 2
by Alyssa Wong and Minkyu Jung, _______ ⇧
The misadventures of everyone's favorite anti-Indiana Jones (a fan-favorite spin-off from the "Darth Vader" series above) continue during the period between A NEW HOPE and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
D C
Forget the corporation, support the creators.>
• DC PRIDE 2022,
by Multiple Creators _______ ⇩
A 100-page anthology Special clebrating the range of LGBTQ+ heroes, including Superman/Jon, Batwoman, Nubia, Green Lantern/Jo, Robin/Tim, Aquaman/Jackson, and more.
• The Swamp Thing,
by Ram V, Mike Perkins, and Aditya Bidikar _______ ⇩
Ram V's extolled run about a new earth elemental comes to conclusion with #16.
• The Human Target,
by Tom King and Greg Smallwood _______ ⇧
Christopher Chance poses as a hit to lure out assassins. King's writing is typically sharp, and Smallwood's art -all pencil lines and pop graphics- is an innovative masterclass.
• Aquaman: Andromeda,
by Ram V and Christian Ward _______
A 3-issue mini-series by the ubiquitary Ram V, a light gloss on THE ABYSS or "Wake", with brain-bending psychedelic underwater art by Christian Ward ("Ody-C").
• Catwoman: Lonely City,
by Cliff Chiang _______
Cliff Chiang (artist of "Wonder Woman", "Paper Girls") brings the full package -writing, illustrating, coloring, and lettering- to an elseworlds epic which reimagines Frank Miller's Batman sagas into a whole new conclusion. Excellent.
• Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow,
by Tom King and Bilquis Evely _______
Tom King ("The Vision", "Mister Miracle") applies his trademark sardonic acuity to rethinking Kara, in a cosmic verison of TRUE GRIT that changes the journiers.
(This series will be adapted as a DCU feature film.)
• New Champion Of Shazam!,
by Josie Campbell and Evan 'Doc' Shaner _______ ⇧
A while back, Cap. Jr took over the mantle of the original Captain Marvel. Now, at last, it is the wonderful Mary Marvel's turn in the sun. (Except that, sigh, we can't use their real names anymore.) A crackling story by Campbell, with lovely naturalistic/clean-line art by Shaner.
• Nubia, Queen Of The Amazons,
by Stephanie Williams (w), and Alitha Martinez and Mark Morales (a) _______
Now successor for Queen Hippolyta, Nubia stars in her third mini-series in a year. All hail!
Facsimile Editions:
DC reprinted facsimile editions of classic comics issues, many related to current screen and comics events.
• Action Comics #1 (1938),
by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster _______ ⇧
The ultimate classic comic of all, the debut of Superman, with all 64 pages of the anthology comic's stories.
• Detective Comics #27 (1939),
by Bob Kane and Bill Finger + _______
The other ultimate classic comic of all, the debut of Batman, with all 64 pages of the anthology comic's stories.
• Superman #1 (1939),
by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster _______
And then of course the One himself, stepping into his own.
• Marvel Family Comics #1 (1945),
by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck _______ ⇧
The debut of the original Captain Marvel's family comic, featuring the debut of Black Adam.
• The Brave And The Bold #28 (1960),
by Gardner Fox (w), and Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs (a) _______
The anthology comic featured the debut of the Justice League of America, a smash success that ensured their own title.
• The Flash #123 (1961),
by Gardner Fox (w), and Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella (a) _______ ⇧
DC invented the Multiverse, and defined it for decades, long before Marvel, SPIDERVERSE, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, etc.
It begins here, where "Flash of Two Worlds" reveals the parallel Earth-2.
• Wonder Woman #204 (1973),
by Robert Kanigher (w) and Don Heck and Dick Giordano (a) _______ ⇧
The debut of Nubia, fraternal sister of Wonder Woman and future Queen.
D A R K
H O R S E
• Black Hammer Reborn,
by Jeff Lemire and Rich Tommaso (w), and Malachi Ward (a) _______ ⇩
Lemire's ongoing "Black Hammer" series deconstucts the Silver Age; this is the wind-up of the latest 12-issue spin-off series.
Karen Berger helmed the original Vertigo Comics, the standard which all current Indie companies are imitating, and now she has her own imprint of creator-owned titles.
• Shifting Earth,
by Cecil Castellucci and Flavia Biondi _______ ⇩
Two women from parallel earths compare lost chances and make hard choices.
• Salamandre,
by I.N.J. Culbard _______
Writer/artist Culbard (co-creator of Berger Books' “Everything”) pits art revolutionaries against an oppressive regime, in clean-line style.
I D W
P H O T O
• Star Trek: Lower Decks,
by Ryan North and Chris Fenoglio _______
As if the 'Lower Decks' animated series wasn't funny enough, the notoriously loopy Ryan North ("Squirrel Girl") grabs the controls.
All New Firefly; Hecate's Will
B O O M
P H O T O
• All New Firefly,
by David M. Bocher and Jordi Perez _______ ⇧
A new team helmed a relaunch of 10 issues expanding on the cult TV series, reaching fruition with the “All New Firefly Big Damn Finale” special.
A H O Y
• Billionaire Island: Cult Of Dogs,
by Mark Russell and Steve Pugh _______
Mark Russell may be comics' most subversive and funniet satirist. This sequel series of three issues continues his smiling assualt on the rich, the bullying, and the stupid.
(see also: TRIANGLE OF SADNESS)
• My Bad,
by Mark Russell and Bryce Ingman _______
Everyone's rethinking the Silver Age, so why not Russell? A Special before a purported new line of hero comics.
B L A C K
M A S K
• Hecate’s Will,
by Iolanda Zandfardino _______ ⇧
Following last year's "Alice In Leatherland", Zandfardino's new tale examines the pressures on a retiring Graffiti artist, whose coded murals set off a scavernger hunt sensation across NYC.
★
A L L - A G E S
C O M I C S :
2 0 2 2
From the '30s 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.
E a r l y R e a d e r s :
5 - 7
★ G R A P H I C
N O V E L S : 5 - 7 ★
H O U S E
The publishing giant partnered with DC Comics for the Step Into Reading series, with entry level books for new readers.
• DC Super Friends: We Are Heroes!,
by Christy Webster (w), and Fabio Laguna and Marco Lesko (a) _______
• DC Super Friends: Super-Pets!,
by Billy Wreck and Ethen Beavers _______ ⇩
• DC Super Hero Valentine’s Day!,
by Kurt Estes and Red Central LTD _______
• Star Knights, (Random House Graphic)
by Kay Davault _______ ⇩
A frog longs to be a knight and goes on a heroic adventure with new friends.
A P P L E S E E D
Abrams publishes entry level books about Marvel Comics heroes for starting readers.
• Black Panther: A My Mighty Marvel First Book,
by John Buscema _______
An overview of the hero, using classic comics art.
• Captain Marvel: A My Mighty Marvel First Book,
by Jim Mooney, John Buscema, Dave Cockrum, Keith Pollard and Carmine Infantino _______ ⇧
An overview of the hero, using classic comics art.
• Mighty Thor: A My Mighty Marvel First Book,
by Jack Kirby _______
An overview of the hero, using classic comics art.
A R C H
B O O K S
Stone Arch is partnering with DC Comics to create "BATMAN and Scooby-Doo" mystery books for young readers.
• Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries:
The Cruise Of Doom,
by Michael Anthony Steele and Dario Brizuela _______ ⇧
In 1972, Batman and Robin made a surprise appearance on the Saturday morning cartoon show, ’Scooby-Doo’. This was so iconic that it has become a recurring match-up in comics and cartoons ever since.
• Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries:
The Frenzied Feline Mystery,
by Michael Anthony Steele and Dario Brizuela _______
• Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries:
The Curse Of Creepy Crypt,
by Michael Anthony Steele and Dario Brizuela _______
• Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries:
Trapped In Clown Castle,
by Michael Anthony Steele and Dario Brizuela _______
Publishers:
• Black Panther: Shuri Is Brave, (Golden Books)
by Frank Berrios _______ ⇧
A Little Golden Book starring the smart scientist who became the new Black Panther in the films.
• Black Panther: Shuri, Defender Of Wakanda, (DK Reader)
by Pamela Afram _______ ⇧
Part of DK Publishing’s “Learn To Read” series, starring Shuri.
• Two-Headed Chicken, (Waller Books)
by Tom Angleberger _______
A funny story of a two-headed chicken outwitting a chasing moose.
• Sir Ladybug #2, #3, (Balzer+Bray/ HarperCollins)
by Corey R. Tabor _______ ⇩
The brave ladybug knight and his friends go on adventures.
• Sparks! The Future Purrfect #3, (Scholastic Graphix)
by Ian Boothby and Nina Matsumoto _______
The two cats operating a dog-disguise vehicle explore the mysterious island.
• InvestiGators: Heist And Seek, (First Second)
by John Patrick Green _______ ⇩
The two alligators in a giant robot headquarters solve crimes.
• Fitz And Cleo Get Creative, (Henry Holt And Co.)
by Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox _______ ⇧
Two ghost siblings live it up in twelve funny stories.
• Red Panda and Moon Bear (Book Two):
The Curse Of The Evil Eye, (Top Shelf)
by Jarod Rosello _______
The Cuban-American siblings solve mysteries, stop monsters, and have fun with friends.
• Max And The MidKnights:
The Tower Of Time, (Crown Books)
by Lincoln C. Peirce _______ ⇧
Will Max become a knight like she dreams? These books will become a Nickelodeon cartoon series in 2023.
• Poiko:
Quests And Stuff, (Wonderbound)
by Brian Middleton _______
Furry Poiko is a courier who makes wild deliveries to far-out creatures.
Y o u n g R e a d e r s :
7 - 12
★ C O M I C S : ★
Oni prints traditional monthly comics for middle school readers.
• Action Journalism,
by Eric Skillman (w), and Miklos Felvideki and Ramon K. Perez (a) _______ ⇧
Kate the reporter uncovers whacky happenings with invading aliens, floating scientists, fantasy kingdoms, and more.
• Another Castle,
by Andrew Wheeler and Paulina Ganucheau _______ ⇧
Princess Misty decides to make her own station and fate in her adventures.
• Jonna And The Unstoppable Monsters,
by Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee (w) and Chris Samnee (a) _______
A Fantasy adventure with two young sisters searching for their dad while outwitting the monsters.
★ G R A P H I C
N O V E L S ★
The classic paperback reprints of “Peanuts” comic strips are being reprinted themselves.
• It’s A Dog’s Life, Charlie Brown, (Titan Comics)
by Charles Schulz _______ ⇧
This 6x9 paperback collects timeless strips from 1960-’62.
• Snoopy Cannonball, (Andrews McMeel)
by Charles Schulz _______ ⇧
Snoopy swims, plays sports, writes!
• Peanuts: The Classic Peanuts Collection Box Set, (Titan Comics)
by Charles Schulz _______
This box set includes the books “Peanuts”, “More Peanuts”, and “Good Ol’ Charlie Brown”.
• Squidding Around, (Scholastic Graphix)
by Kevin Sherry _______
Can the funny squid Squizzard win the school prank contest?
• Leon The Extraordinary: A Graphic Novel [Leon #1], (Scholastic Graphix)
by Jamar Nicholas _______ ⇧
In Leon's city, everyone is a superhero but him. When they are turned into zombies, Leon uses his science smarts to save the day.
• Spider-Ham: Hollywood May-Ham, (Scholastic)
by Steve Foxe and Shadia Amin _______
Peter Porker, the amazing Spider-Pig, gets whiff of a movie studio mystery.
• Marvel-Verse: Moon Girl, (Marvel)
by Brandon Montclare (w) and Gustavo Duarte (a) + _______ ⇧
The science girl and her companion dinosaur come to the rescue.
• Encanto: The Graphic Novel, (Random House Disney)
_______
The loved animated musical is told with film stills in comics style.
• Maybe An Artist: A Graphic Memoir, (Random House Studio)
by Liz Montague _______
Liz became a New Yorker cartoonist at 22. Here, her story could become yours.
Random House also publishs Screen Comix, books which combine film stills with word balloons to make comic adaptations of entire films. (8-12)
_______
The second book based on the popular Disney+ TV series.
E Y E
B O O K S
• Hilda:
The Trolberg Stories,
by Luke Pearson ____ ⇧
In synch with the hit Netflix cartoon adaption, a reprint of the HILDA books, "Hilda And The Bird Parade!" and "Hilda And The Black Hound!", in one volume.
• Big Nate: Beware Of The Low-Flying Corn Muffins,
by Lincoln Pierce _______ ⇧
The goofy troublemaker is the star of ongoing books and an animated series on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon.
• Big Nate: Destined For Awesomeness,
by Lincoln Pierce _______
• Big Nate: Release The Hounds,
by Lincoln Pierce _______
• The Adventures of Team Pom #2: The Last Dodo, (Nobrow Press)
by Isabel Roxas _______
The sleuth kids inspect the mystery at the Natural History Museum.
• Skip, (Nobrow)
by Molly Mendoza _______
Bloom and Gloopy travel dimensions, dicovering that there's no place like home.
• The Fifth Quarter: Hard Court, (First Second)
by Mike Dawson _______ ⇩
In the second book, the basketball player faces change at school and in her home life.
• Nico Brazo And The Trial Of Vulcan, (First Second)
by Mike Cavallaro _______ ⇩
In his third book, Nico and friends brave another adventure.
• Peach And The Isle Of Monsters, (Action Lab)
by Franco and Agnes Garbowska _______ ⇧
A young girl seeks to prove herself braving an island of monsters, pirates, and witches.
• The Tale Of Princess Kaguya, (Viz Media)
by Isao Takahata _______ ⇧
The classic Studio Ghibli animated film (2013), with its traditional brush paintings, is reproduced as a comics tale.
• A Day In The Life Of A Caveman, A Queen, And Everything In Between: History As You’ve Never Seen It Before, (Buster Books)
by Mike Barfield and Jess Bradley _______
A funny trip through history in breezy terms.
Y o u n g A d u l t :
13 - 18
YOUNG ADULT
DC has a pocket-book sized line called DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults.
• Galaxy: The Prettiest Star, (DC)
by Jadzia Axelrod and Jess Taylor _______ ⇩
The Galactic princess is in hiding as a boy on Earth, but her new friend gives her the courage to come out.
• Teen Titans Go! / DC Super Hero Girls Exchange Students (DC),
by Amy Wolfram and Agnes Gargowska _______
The two cartoon series from alternate universes meet.
• My Buddy Killer Croc, (DC)
by Sara Farizan and Nicoletta Baldari _______
Andy knows he could do well at his new school, if he could get advice from the notorious wrestler, Batman's foe.
• Mister Miracle: The Great Escape, (DC)
by Varian Johnson and Daniel Isles _______ ⇩
Young Scott Free, aspiring escape artist, falls for the girl sent to catch him, Big Barda.
• Zatanna: The Jewel of Gravesend, (DC)
by Alys Arden _______
The mystic working at the Coney Island boardwalk has a greater magic legacy than she knows.
Scholastic has partnered with Marvel Comics to create Young Adult books as entry points for some of their young modern heroes.
• Miles Morales: Stranger Tides,
by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon _______ ⇧
Spider-Man is at a popular video game launch, when everyone gets frozen by a supervillain.
• Into The Heartlands: A Black Panther Graphic Novel,
by Roseanne A. Brown (w), and Dika Araújo, Natacha Bustos, Claudia Aguirre, and Geoffo (a) _______
Shuri is feuding with her annoying brother T'challa, but can they work together to save the kingdom from a spreading curse?
• Shuri: Symbiosis, (Scholastic Press)
by Nic Stone and Eric Wilkerson _______
The third prose novel from YA author Nic Stone, following the previous, “Shuri” (2020) and “Shuri: The Vanished” (2021).
• The Aquanaut, (Scholastic Press)
by Dan Santat _______
The young girl working at a marine park teams up with a diving suit full of fish to plumb the mystery.
• Heartstopper: Volume Four, Scholastic Graphix)
by Alice Oseman _______ ⇧
The celebrated teen love webcomic, turned graphic novel, turned popular Netflix TV series.
• Baby-Sitters Club #11, #12, (Scholastic Press)
by Ann M. Martin and Chan Chau _______
The ongoing adventures of the circle of small-town friends.
The popular Raina Telgemeier’s books have some new printings from Scholastic.
• Sisters, (2014)
by Raina Telgemeier _______ ⇧
Two young sisters have to learn to live together, and then with their baby brother.
• Ghosts, (2016)
by Raina Telgemeier _______ ⇧
Two young sisters brave the haunts of a California coastal town.
S E C O N D
• Shuna’s Journey, (First Second,
by Hayao Miyazaki _______
A translated reprint of a manga story by Miyazaki, known as the leader of the Studio Ghibli animation studio.
• Ride On, (First Second)
by Faith Erin Hicks _______ ⇩
Well known for her crafty YA Fantasy books, Hicks comes closer to home; an early teen girl weaves around rivalties at a horse-training stable.
• Button Pusher, (First Second)
by Tyler Page _______
Page's memoir reveals his rambuncious youth, and how he came to grips with a diagnosis of ADHD.
• Science Comics: Birds Of Prey, (First Second)
by Joe Flood _______ ⇩
This volume of the ongoing Science Comics stands out with its fleet history facts and striking art.
• History Comics: Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin, (First Second)
by Tracey Baptiste and Shauna Grant _______ ⇩
The two heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, a woman and a teen, who took a stand that lifted everyone up.
• History Comics: The Stonewall Riots, (First Second)
by Archie Bongiovanni and A. Andrews _______
The rise of the Gay Liberation movement, which called on the world to be honest and fair.
B R O W N
and C o .
• Anne Of West Philly, (Little Brown And Co.)
by Ivy Noelle Weir and Myisha Haynes _______
A reimagining of “Anne Of Green Gables” in modern urban Philadelphia.
• Numb To This: Memoir Of A Mass Shooting, (Little Brown And Co.)
by Kindra Neely _______ ⇧
Kindra Neely survived a real mass school shooting in 2015. Here, she processes that trauma in a story that everyone can learn from.
T R E E
B O O K S
• Speak Up!, (Quill Tree Books)
by Rebecca Burgess _______ ⇩
The autistic girl and her unbridled friend become a online music sensation under a pseudonym.
• Wingbearer, (Quill Tree Books)
by Marjorie Liu and Teny Issakhanian _______ ⇩
Bestselling Fantasy author Marjorie Liu pens a YA tale of a young girl and her owl companion on a magical quest.
• Squire, (Quill Tree Books)
by Sara Alfageeh _______
The young girl from the lower classes tricks her way into the Knight school, but now has to figure out what the right cause is.
• Girl On Fire, (HarperAlley)
by Alicia Keys with Andrew Weiner (w), Brittney Williams (a) _______ ⇧
Famed pop star Alicia Keys co-creates a Metropolitan parable of a young telekenetic girl figuring how to protect her community from bad forces.
• Swan Lake: Search For The Kingdoms, (HarperAlley)
by Rey Terciero and Megan Kearney _______ ⇧
Two rival princesses become unlikely friends and face off threats to both kingdoms.
The “No Fear Shakespeare” series matches the Bard’s words to comics panels (ages 12-15).
➤ SparkNotes site
• Star Wars Adventures: The Weapon Of A Jedi, (IDW)
by Alex Worley and Ruairi Coleman _______
A tale of responsibility and compassion about Luke Skywalker, with connections to Rey in the future.
• The Subtle Knife: The Graphic Novel [His Dark Materials #2], (Knopf Books)
by Stephane Melchior and Thomas Gilbert _______
The second book of Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy is adapted as a graphic novel.
• Phenomena: The Golden City Of Eyes, (Abrams Comics Arts)
by Brian Michael Bendis and Andrew Lima Araujo _______ ⇩
Bendis, an influential comics writer, stretches into new Fantasy territory with impressive Moebius-esque art by Araujo.
• Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky, (Rick Riordan Presents)
by Robert Venditti and Olivia Stephens _______
Kwame Mbalia's book, part of Rick Riordan's (the 'Percy Jackson' books) publishing imprint for diverse Fantasy authors, is adapted to comics.
• Breath Of The Giant, (Fairsquare Comics)
by Tom Aurielle _______
Two sisters journey to the land of giants looking for the power of life resurrection.
• 5 Worlds, Book 5: The Emerald Gate, (Random House)
by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel (w), and Xantha Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun (a) _______
The finale of the SF/Fantasy, with five friends seeking the beacon that saves their worlds.
• Nowhere Girl, (Nobrow Press)
by Magali Le Huche _______ ⇧
A Parisian tween deals with the setbacks in her life by listening to The Beatles.
• My Aunt Is A Monster, (Image)
by Reimena Yee _______
A sightless girl longing for adventure is opened to wider dimensions by her Aunt Whimsy.
• All My Friends, (Farrar, Straus, And Giroux)
by Hope Larson _______ ⇧
Larson rounds out her middle-school books "All Summer Long" and "All Together Now" with this upbeat finale.
• Arden High, (Disney/Hyperion)
by Molly Booth and Stephanie Kate Strohm _______
Vi loves Orsino who loves Olivia who loves Vi. Love is love.
• Isla To Island, (Simon And Shuster)
by Alexis Castellanos _______ ⇧
Marisol escapes danger in Cuba moving to Brooklyn, but can she escape culture shock and loneliness?
• Flavor Girls #1, #2, #3, (Boom)
by Loic Locatelli-Kournwsky _______
The author of "Persphone" chronicles a Magic Girl group adventure across 3 comics issues at 56 pages each.
• Sophie’s World:
A Graphic Novel About The History Of Philosophy, Vol.1:
From Socrates To Galileo, (SelfMadehero)
by Vincent Zabus and Nicoby _______ ⇧
This adaptation of Jostein Gaarder's 1991 book follows Sophie in her search for meaning and enlightenment. Feed your head.
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 2
• Fantastic Four: Full Circle, (Marvel/Abrams Books),
by Alex Ross _______ ⇧
Lee and Kirby's "Fantastic Four" remapped the scope of possibility with comics, from the macrocosmic to the microscopic.
Premiere illustrator Alex Ross ("Marvels", "Kingdom Come") reignites the torch, writing and illustrating a lavish expansion on a Lee/Kirby storyline, reminding us where we come from and what more is possible.
• Time Zone, (Drawn And Quarterly)
by Julie Doucet _______
Julie's indie confessional comix in the '90s and '00s were a shocking sensation, but she burned out on the unpaid grind of it all. She returns chronicling a love affair in all its turns.
• A Diary Of A Plague Year:
An Illustrated Chronicle of 2020, (Metropolitan Books)
by Elise Engler _______
Engler had challenged herself to interpret a headline a day in 2020, but then the whole world went insane.
• Unretouchable, (Graphics Universe)
by Sofia Szamosi _______
Working in the fashion industry photoshopping out glamour shot flaws, she realizes that all of the enforced social norms are toxic.
• Iranian Love Stories, (Graphic Mundi)
by ‘Jane Deuxard’ and Deloupy _______ ⇩
Iranian citizens risk their lives revealing their real private liasons to a pseudonymous reporter duo.
• Flung Out In Space:
Inspired By The Indecent Adventures Of Patricia Highsmith, (Surely Books)
by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer _______
Highsmith is revered now for books adapted into THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY and CAROL. But this bio reveals how she lived a tortured life hiding her sexuality while doubting her chances at writing success.
• The Third Person, (Drawn And Quarterly)
by Emma Grove _______
Groves' memoir navigates a transition in gender and the compassionate therapy that helped get there.
• Fine: A Comic About Gender, (Liveright Publishing Corporation)
by Rhea Ewing _______ ⇧
In the quest to define their own gender, Ewing interviewed everyone about their gender experiences, creating this holistic overview.
• The Good Asian, (Image)
by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandre Tefenkgi _______
A Chinese-American detective in 1936 Chinatown is crosscut by enemies, bias, and doubt.
• Best We Could Do:
An Illustrated Memoir, (Abrams ComicArts)
by Thi Bui _______ ⇧
A second printing of Bui's 2018 memoir, detailing her family's escape from the fall of Saigon, and the trials of adapting to a new life in America.
• Messy Roots: A Graphic memoir Of A Wuhanese-American, (Balzer+Bray)
by Laura Gao _______ ⇧
A comedy, in which a Chinese immigrant teen already reeling from moving to Texas (during Covid, and Wuhan-phobes) is also sorting out her sexuality.
• Mamo, (Boom! Box)
by Sass Milledge _______ ⇩
A fun tale about a succession between witches couches an allegory of reconciling your dreams and your heritage.
• Amazona, (Graphic Universe)
by Canizales _______ ⇩
A political thriller, where a bereaved Columbian activist strives to expose an exploitative mining operation.
• It Won't Always Be Like This, (Ten Speed Press)
by Malaka Gharib _______
The follow-up to “I Was Their American Dream”, where the American teen girl adjusts to her new Egyptian step-family.
• Quaco:
My Life In Slavery, (Book Palace)
by Ineke Mok and Eric Huevel _______
The true story of a captured youth enduring the whole gamut of the slave trade, from Africa to America.
• All Rise:
Resistance And Rebellion In South Africa, (Catalyst Press)
by Richard Conyngham, and Tumi Mambolo (+ 5 more) _______ ⇧
Six stories of average people suffering under Apartheid who each found ways of making a step toward progress and freedom.
• No Surrender, (SelfMadeHero)
by Sophie Rickard and Scarlett Rickard _______
Constance Maud's pivotal 1911 Suffrage book helped propel the revolution, now adapted here as a graphic novel.
• Rosa Parks, (NBM)
by Mariapaola Pesce and Matteo Mancini _______ ⇧
The life of the priceless Civil Rights leader, who questioned a country's soul and conscience.
• Fists Raised:
10 Stories Of Sports Star Activists, (NBM)
by Chloé Célérien and Karim Nedjari _______ ⇧
From Muhammad Ali to Megan Rapinoe, conscious athletes who risked their sports careers to stand up to injustice.
• Smahtguy:
The Life And Times of Barney Frank, (Metropolitan Books)
by Eric Orner _______
The proudly working class Congressor who fought for Gay rights, finance reform, and honesty in government.
• Radical:
My Year With A Socialist Senator, (IDW)
by Sophia Warren _______ ⇩
Illustrated journalism from a year of observing every hope, obstacle, and push by a new state senator to do right by the people.
• Policing The City:
An Ethno-Graphic, (Other Press)
by Didier Fassin and Frederic Debomy _______ ⇧
Didier Fassin's 2006 investigative essay "Enforcing Order", exposing how bigotry and violence are deliberately baked into police units, gets an illustrated and timely adaptation.
• Petrogad, (Oni Press)
by Phil Gelatt and Tyler Cooke _______
A 2011 reissue (by the writer of the film EUROPA REPORT [2013]) susses out the solution to who planned the assassination of Rasputin.
• Putin’s Russia:
The Rise Of A Dictator, (Drawn And Quarterly)
by Darryl Cunningham _______ ⇧
A markedly timely history of the thug and his criminal arc.
• I’m Still Alive, (Archaia Studios)
by Roberto Saviano and Asaf Hanuuka _______ ⇧
Journalist Roberto Saviano exposed the Italian Mafia with his book, “Gomorrah” (2006), and has lived in police protection ever since. Defiant still, he recounts that journey in detail.
• Brave New World, (HarperCollins)
by Aldous Huxley, adapted by Fred Fordham _______ ⇧
Orwell's parable "1984" (1949) predicted humans would undo themselves through oppressive fascism. Huxley's book "Brave New World" (1932) predicted that humans would willingly oppress themselves through comfort and shiny consumerism.
They were both right.
• How To Take Over The World:
Practical Schemes and Scientific Solutions For The Aspiring Supervillain, (Riverhead Books)
by Ryan North _______
The outrageously whacky and smart Ryan North (the computer programmer who wrote the "Squirrel Girl" comics) spoofs supervillain schemes on an epic level, while sneaking in positive solutions for real life.
• The Five Lives Of Hilma af Klint, (David Zwirner Books)
by Julia Voss and Philipp Deines _______ ⇧
Only recently rediscovered, the Swedish artist pioneered abstract painting, overcoming immense hardships in her pursuit.
• Alice Guy, First Lady Of Film, (SelfMadehero)
by Jose-Louis Bocquet _______ ⇧
In the Silent Film era, female directors, writers, and editors were everywhere, but then got pushed out as film studios became money mints.> Alice Guy was the first female director, in 1896, ushering in many progressive techniques and inclusive casting. She's the root for every branch today.>
• Georgia O’Keefe, (SelfMadehero)
by Maria Herreros _______
A bio of the painter, who broke from current styles for an enigmatic appraisal of naturalism.
• Diego Rivera, (SelfMadeHero)
by Francisco de la Mora and Jose Luis Pescador _______
The proud Mexican muralist took on the capitalist system, fighting censorship and class injustice.
➤ SelfMadeHero publishes graphic novels about important creators.
• Django, Hand On Fire:
The Great Django Reinhardt, (NBM)
by Salva Ra and Efa _______
Even with his hand ruined by fire, the gypsy may have been the greatest guitarist in the world.
• Enter The Blue, (Z2 Comics)
by Dave Chishom _______
When her Jazz mentor goes into a coma, Choi discovers another vibrational continuum, where history lives and music thrives.
• High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere., (Mariner Books)
by James Spooner _______ ⇧
A memoir of Spooner's 1989 youth, embracing Punk in a place where he is ostracized for his skin and outlook.
• Chuck D Presents Apocalypse 91:
Revolution Never Sleeps, (Z2)
by Evan Narcisse, Che Grayson, Regine Sawyer, Troy-Jeffery Allen, and Chuck D (w); art by Koi Turnbull, Butch Mapa, Carlos Oliveares, and Chuck D _______ ⇧
This anthology of Cyberfunk tales is a new sequel to Public Enemy's 1991 album, "Apocalypse 91: The Empire Strikes Black."
• Hen Kai Pan, (Titan Comics)
by Eldo Yoshimizu _______
Five ancient gods want to save the Earth from the ravages of humans, but one of them wants to burn everything down.
• The Forest, (Fantagraphics)
by Thomas Ott _______ ⇩
25 scratchboard illustrations without text, following a young boy's journey into an eerie forest. Cryptic, unnerving, surprising.
• Alliances: Orphans, (Dynamite)
by Stan Lee, Luke Lieberman, and Ryan Silbert (w), and Bill Sienkiewicz (a) _______ ⇧
Stan Lee left us one more cosmic odyssey, spectaculary illustrated by the great Bill Sienkiewicz.
• Cowboy Bebop, (Titan Comics)
by Dan Watters and Lamar Mathurin _______
A tie-in with the live-action Netflix series, which was canceled too fast by fools, with new adventures.
• Chivalry, (Dark Horse)
by Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran _______
The bestselling author teams with the great illustrator for an epic and touching Fantasy tale.
• The Night Eaters: She Eats The Night, (Abrams ComicArts)
by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda _______
The same creators as the intricate "Monstress" somehow have time for another series; this time, the first book in a supernatural mystery trilogy.
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 2
• EC ARCHIVES:
The remastered Hardcover reprints of EC Comics are winding up, printing the final titles of the line.
Terror Illustrated, Vol. 1
Crime Patrol, Vol. 1
by Multiple Creators
(Dark Horse) _______
EC Comics invented comics for adults in the early-'50s, and were crucified for it.>
After the government censorship kicked in, EC bowed out with these final comics titles, but would retrench with the smash success of Mad Magazine.
Stories by Feldstein, Crandell, Krigstein, Davis, Orlando, Kamen, Craig, and more.
Meanwhile, the remastered EC Comics Hardcovers are now being re-released as affordable Softcover editions, proceeding in order.
The Haunt Of Fear, Vol. 2
Tales From The Crypt, Vol. 2
Shock SuspenStories, Vol. 2
The Vault Of Horror, Vol. 2,
Incredible Science Fiction, Vol. 1
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"
• ‘Best Of EC Stories’ Artisan Edition #1, (IDW)
by Wood, Williamson, Toth, Orlando, Kurtzman, Krigstein, and Davis. _______ ⇧
The photographed original line art for 25 stories.
• Code Of Honor and Other Stories, (Fantagraphics)
by Gardner Fox, John Severin, Will Elder, Gene Colan, and Ann Brewster + _______
A compilation focusing on John Severin's work.
• Dearly Beloved And Other Stories, (Fantagraphics)
by Al Feldstein, Gardner Fox, and Harry Harrison. Art by Johnny Craig, Sheldon Moldoff, and Jules Feiffer _______
A compilation focusing on Johnny Craig's crime and horror work.
• Home To Stay!:
The Complete Ray Bradbury EC Stories, (Fantagraphics)
by Craig, Crandall, Davis, Elder, Evans, Frazetta, Ingels, Kamen, Krenkel, Krigstein, Orlando, Severin, Torres, Williamson, and Wood. _______
When EC swiped a Bradbury story, he diplomatically reminded them they 'forgot' to pay him. Thus started a beautiful friendship.
• The Complete Little Nemo, (Taschen)
by Winsor McCay _______ ⇧
Literally everything in one book: 11.3" x 14.4", all 549 color Sunday pages, a 704-page book with a 140-page illustrated essay.
• The George Herriman Library:
Krazy And Ignatz 1922-1924, (Fantagraphics)
by George Herriman _______
What Chaplin was to film, what Joyce was to literature, Herriman was to comics.
• Walt Disney Film Archives,
The Animated Movies 1921-1968, (Taschen)
Edited by Daniel Kothenschulte _______ ⇩
A comprehensive overview of Disney's classic animated films: 13" x 9.5", 620 pages, full color, with rare concept sketches and storyboards.
• Terry And The Pirates,
The Master Collection Vol. 2:
1936, The Burma Blues, (Clover Press)
by Milton Caniff _______
• Terry And The Pirates,
The Master Collection Vol. 3:
1937, The Return Of Normandie Drake, (Clover Press)
by Milton Caniff _______
In the '30s, comic strips grew up beyond slapstick funnies with adventure series that brought in adult maturity, serious themes, and illustrative flair.
(see also: "Prince Valiant", "Flash Gordon").
• Planet Comics #47-20, 1947, (PS Artbooks)
by Lily Renee, Murphy Anderson, George Evans, Fran Hopper + _______ ⇧
"Planet Comics" was the cutting edge in SciFi comics, channeling the Pulp mags while showcasing rising writers and artists. Its publisher, Fiction House, was notably forward by showcasing empowered female heroes.
• Pre-Code Comics: Tor, (PS ArtBooks)
by Norman Maurer and Joe Kubert, with Mort Meskin _______
Because Joe Kubert. He was such a master of the illustration form that he literally taught the masterclass, opening the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art.
• Walt Disney’s Donald Duck “Duck Luck”:
The Complete Carl Barks Disney Library Library, Vol. 27, (Fantagraphics) (early-‘60s)
by Carl Barks _______ ⇧
Fantagraphics is closing in on their planned 30 volumes of Barks' celebrated Duck stories.
• Pogo,
The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips:
Vol. 8, Hijinks From The Horn Of Plenty, (Fantagraphics) (1963-’64)
by Walt Kelly _______ ⇩
Come for the beguiling art and wordplay, stay for the nimble social commentary.
• Marvel Comics Library:
Fantastic Four, Vol.1 1961-’63, (Taschen)
by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby _______ ⇧
A deluxe remastering of the first 20 stories, printed in hardcover (with a slipcase) at 11" x 15.6", across 700 pages.
• Mighty Marvel Masterworks:
Doctor Strange, Vol. 1, (Marvel) (1964-’65)
by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko _______
When Marvel went cosmic, and ushered in psychedelia.
• John Buscema ‘Silver Surfer’ Artisan Edition #1, (IDW) (1968)
by Stan Lee and John Buscema _______
The photographed line art pages of the original stories that defined comics' most philosophical and progressive alien.
• Maverix And Lunatix:
Icons Of Underground Comix, (Fantagraphics)
by Drew Friedman _______ ⇩
Full-page portraits of each great creator in the Underground Comix movement, painted by Friedman.
• The Book Of Mr. Natural, (Fantagraphics) (1967-‘90s)
by Robert Crumb _______
All of the Mr. Natural stories, including the infamous Devil Girl arcs at the end.
• Fourth World By Jack Kirby Box Set, (DC) (1971-’72)
by Jack Kirby _______ ⇧
Kirby's magnum opus, which redefined the cosmic scope of DC and introduced Darkseid, collected together in 4 softcover volumes.
• Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth #1, (1972-’74)
by Jack Kirby _______
A collection of the first 20 issues of the post-apocalyptic youth.
• Absolute Swamp Thing (DC), (1972-’73)
by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson _______
The entire run of Wein and Wrightson's historic series, remastered and printed at 9.5" x 13" across 336 pages.
• Gil Kane’s ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ Artisan Edition #1 (Marvel), (1971-’73)
by Gil Kane _______ ⇩
The photographed line art pages for Kane's ephochal art run, including the seismic Amazing Spider-Man #122, "The Death of Gwen Stacy".
• Marvel Masterworks: The Tomb Of Dracula, Vol. 2 (Marvel), (1973-’74)
by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan, and Tom Palmer _______
This series made Horror comics cool again, paired the great Colan and Palmer art team, and introduced Blade the Vampire Killer.
• Lone Sloane Box Set, (Titan Comics) (1966-’76)
by Philippe Druillet _______
This set collects the books “The 6 Voyages of Lone Sloane”, “Lone Sloane: Delirius”, and “Lone Sloane: Gail”.
• Vuzz, (Titan Books) (1974)
by Philippe Druillet _______
Druillet and Moebius co-founded "Metal Hurlant" magazine, an adult SciFi/Fantasy anthology which advanced comics, movies, books, and the genres.
• Alex Toth ‘Bravo For Adventure’ Artist’s Edition, (IDW) (1975)
by Alex Toth _______
A 2nd edition (2016) reprint of Toth's personal project, a love letter to the adventure films, book, mags, and strips of his youth.
• Breakdowns, (Pantheon Books) (1978)
by Art Spiegelman _______ ⇧
A new reprinting of Spiegelman's early works, which led to the radical Raw Magazine.
• The Collected Toppi #7: Sharaz De!, (Lion Forge) (1979)
by Sergio Toppi _______ ⇧
• The Collected Toppi #8: The Collector, (Lion Forge) (1980s)
by Sergio Toppi _______
Toppi was one of the finest illustrators and graphic artists of the 20th century. Every page startles and enlightens.
• Prince Valiant, Vol. 25, (Fantagraphics) (1985-’86)
by Hal Foster, John Cullen Murphy, and Cullen Murphy _______
• Prince Valiant, Vol. 26, (Fantagraphics) (1987-’88)
by Hal Foster, John Cullen Murphy, and Cullen Murphy _______
Hal Foster's "Prince Valiant" comic strip brought literacy and illustration into the comics medium, resetting the bar. The Murphys continued Foster's legacy from 1970 to 2004.
• The Incal: Black And White Edition, (Humanoids, Inc.) (1980-’88)
by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius _______
The entire epic, presented in the original line art.
• The Jodorowsky Library (Book Two): Son Of The Gun / Pietrolino, (Humanoids, Inc.) (2001 / 2013)
by Alejandro Jodorowsky (w), and George Bess / Olivier Boiscommun (a) _______
Jodorowsky, tha insurgent film director (EL TOPO, HOLY MONTAIN), wrote many mind-films for the page, where budget and audience were no constriction.
• The Complete Aztec Ace, (Dark Horse) (1984-’85) ⇧
by Doug Moench and Dan Day _______ ⇧
After his pensive decade run on the classic "Shang Chi", Moench crafted a new masterpiece for the indie company Eclipse that everyone slept on; a Mesoamerican Rock'n'Roller time traveler and his wiseass Flapper companion correcting time distortions ('doxyglitches'). Dan Day continued the innovative graphic layout experiments of his late brother, Gene.
It was as important as other hailed milestones in the '80s Comic Renaissance, like "Love And Rockets", "American Flagg", and "The Rocketeer", but... out of print, out of mind. Finally, all 15 issues of the severely underrated series are collected here.
• Absolute Swamp Thing #3, (DC) (1986-’87)
by Alan Moore, Stephen R. Bissette and Totleben, (+ Rick Veitch) _______
The final 15 issues of Alam Moore's run, in a deluxe 9.5" x 12" hardcover at 424 pages.
• Miracleman: Omnibus, (Marvel) (1982-1988)
by (Alan Moore), Garry Leach, Alan Davis, and John Totleben + _______ ⇧
All of Alan Moore's run, 'Books One, Two, and Three', which invented the postmodern/deconstructed superhero.
• Madman:
The Madmaniverse Library #2, #3, (Dark Horse) (1990s-’00s)
by Mike Allred _______
Collecting all of the "Madman" issues, specials, and crossovers together.
• Astro City Metrobook, Vol's 1 and 3, (Image) (1995-'10)
by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson _______
Two omnibus editions (with the third in 2023) collecting all of the lauded "Astro City" series together.
• Sentient, (TKO Studios) (2018)
by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta _______
A trade of the 2018 miniseries, where a spaceship's computer has to protect and raise orphaned babies.
• Decorum, (Image) (2020)
by Jonathan Hickman and Mike Huddleston _______
The collected miniseries, about the most polite space assassin in the game.
• Karmen, (Image) (2021)
by Guillem March _______ ⇧
After her demise, a woman goes on a revelatory journey with a mischievous death angel. Some amazing art, and a very touching story.
• Primordial, (Image) (2021)
by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino _______ ⇧
Like a cross between "2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY" and Morrison's "We3".
• Echolands, (Image) (2021)
by J.H. Wlliams III and Haden Blackman _______ ⇧
J.H. Wlliams III ("Promethea", "Batwoman", "The Sandman") is the most propulsive, versatile, and inventive artist in comics. This series, in which all genres in all art styles collide and collude at once, is the new standard.
• The Many Deaths Of Laila Starr, (Image) (2021)
by Ram V and Filipe Andrade _______
Death gets fired and is reborn as a woman in Mumbai. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll care.
• Groo Meets Tarzan, (Dark Horse) (2021)
by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones (w), and Sergio Aragones and Tom Yeates (a) _______
Who doesn't love an unlikely crossover? Here's a great one: Aragones' signature cartoon barbarian mixed seamlessly with Yeates' best channeling of the Foster/Hogarth "Tarzan" tradition.
• The Art Of Star Wars:
The Mandalorian (Season 2), (Abrams Books)
by Phil Szostak _______
The behind-the-scenes concept art and design works for the popular series.
• Marvel Classic Black Light Collectible Posters #2, (Abrams ComicArts) (1971)
by Jack Kirby, John Romita Sr, Gil Kane _______ ⇧
Marvel appealed to the early-'70s psychedelic black light poster craze with these neon eye-friers. 12 Posters at 20" x 29".
• DC Poster Portfolio: Brian Bolland, (DC) (1980s-)
by Brian Bolland _______
20 removable posters of DC's premier front cover artist.
• DC Poster Portfolio: J.H. Williams III, (DC) (1990s-)
by J.H. Williams III _______
20 removable posters of comics' most chameleonic artist.
WHERE WE
COME FROM,
Dept.
• Fortunino Matania Portfolio, (Book Palace)
by text Peter Richardson _______ ⇩
Study the great painting and illustration masters before all, such as Matania's figures, compositions, and impact.
• Joaquin Sorolla, Painter Of Light, (Skira Editore)
Edited by Micol Forti and Consuelo Luca de tena _______ ⇩
Study Sorolla's sophisticated capturing of the play of light and color.
• Women Artists And The Surrealist Movement, (Thames + Hudson)
by Whitney Chadwick _______
A reissue of the art historian's 1985 book, expanding understanding and appreciation.
• Jewish Comics And Graphic Narratives: A Critical Guide, (Bloomsbury Publishing)
by Matt Reingold _______
Comics owe incalculable credit to Jewish creators, from Siegel + Shuster and Finger, to Eisner and Lee + Kirby, to Spiegelman and Bendis. These academic essays trace the themes, impact, and works which indicate what 'Jewish Graphic Narrative' can mean.
• Gladys Parker:
A Life In Comics, And A Passion For Fashion, (Hermes Books)
by Trina Robbins _______
Parker was the symbiotic force behind the late-'30s comic strip "Mopsy" and her own upscale fashion line.
• Pulp Power:
The Shadow, Doc Savage, and the Art of the Street + Smith Universe, (Abrams Books)
by Neil McGuinness, with Dan DiDio _______ ⇩
A comprehensive exam of cover artists George Rozen ("The Shadow") and Walter M. Baumhofer ("Doc Savage"), and their impact on culture.
• Dark Avenger:
The Strange Saga Of The Shadow, (Odyssey)
by Will Murray _______
The whole history of The Shadow's creation, from a radio show with Orson Welles, to Pulp avenger hero, to film and comics.
• Holding her Own:
The Exceptional Life Of Jackie Ormes, (Orchard Books)
by Traci N Todd and Shannon Wright _______
A new biography of the first female African American cartoonist.
• James Warren, Empire Of Monsters:
The Man Behind Creepy, Vampirella, and Famous Monsters, (Fantagraphics)
by Bill Schelly _______
A reissue of the 2018 book, about the indie publisher whose magazines raised the adult level of comics, brought Filipino artisans into American comics, and relaunched Will Eisner's "The Spirit".
• The Art Of Luis Garcia, (Dynamite) (1970s)
by David Roach _______ ⇧
Along with Jose Gonazales, Garcia's astounding illustrations for Warren ("Vampirella") get proper spotlight.
• The Life and Art Of Dave Cockrum, (TwoMorrows)
by Gle Cadigan _______
Cockrum's sleek futurism, in the mode of Manning's "Magnus", defined all of the cosmic cool of the "Legion Of Super-Heroes" (1973) and "The All-New X-Men" (1975).
• See You In San Diego:
An Oral History Of Comic-Con, Fandom, And The Triumph Of Geek Culture, (Fantagraphics)
by Mathew Klickstein _______
The history and evolution of the ultimate comic convention.
by Alan Moore _______
A 25th anniversary edition of Moore's first prose novel.
• “Illuminations: Stories”, (Bloomsbury Publishing)
by Alan Moore _______
The new collection of short stories, including the controversial novella, "What We Can Know About Thunderman".
• Alan Moore: Storytelling, (BBC Maestro)
by Alan Moore _______ ⇧
A BBC Maestro video course, in which Moore teaches the fundamentals of writing strong and challenging stories.
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 renaissance.
➤ Back Issue
• ILLUSTRATION
(The Illustrated Press) _______ ⇩
The best illustrators celebrated by the smartest illustration mag.
➤ Illustration
• CDQ: Character Design Quarterly
(3dtotal Publishing) _______ ⇩
The state-of-the-art in character design for screen and games.
➤ Back Issue
• COMICS REVUE PRESENTS
(Manuscript Press) _______
Ongoing reprints of classic comic strips.
➤ Comics Revue
• RETROFAN
(TwoMorrows) _______
Everything pop cultural from the '60s through the '80s.
➤ Retrofan
• THE COMICS JOURNAL
(Fantagraphics) _______
The premiere scholastic graphic arts forum, now printed in an annual volume.
➤ The Comics Journal
• STAR TREK Explorer
(Titan) _______
"These are the voyages..."
➤ Star Trek Explorer
• STAR WARS INSIDER
(Titan) _______ ⇧
"An energy field created by all living things..."
➤ Star Wars Insider
B E S T
M O V I E S
• THE BATMAN
• DOCTOR STRANGE And The Multiverse Of Madness
• BLACK PANTHER: Wakanda Forever
➤ BEST MOVIES + TV: 2022
B E S T
W E B C O M I C S :
by Various Creators _______ ⇧
David Lloyd ("V For Vendetta") presents a digital comics subscription service for multiple independent series, such as the Eisner-nominated "Why Don't You Love Me?" strip.
• SARA'S SCRIBBLES,
by Sara Andersen _______
Absurdist doodles in four panels with brainy zing.
• 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.
• NANCY,
by Olympia Jaimes _______
Under a pseudonym, someone is upgrading the classic strip's mindtricks for the digital age.
• PRINCE VALIANT,
by Mark Schultz and Thomas Yeates _______
Schultz ("Xenozoic Tales") and Yeates ("Timespirits") are doing excellent work continuing Hal Foster's masterwork into the 21st century.
• Gemma Correll _______
Cleverly outwitting anxiety and cultural nonsense.
• GoComics,
by Various Creators _______ ⇧
GoComics is the absolute go-to for comic strips. They have a wide variety of current, ongoing strips, as well the classic comic strips that everything comes from, including "Alley Oop", "Bloom County", "Calvin And Hobbes", "Doonesbury", "The Far Side", "Little Nemo", "Lil' Abner", "Mutt And Jeff", "Nancy" (original and new), and "Peanuts".
• The Nib _______
RESIST!
The best of contemporary editorial satire, from an array of talents.
R E S T
I N
P O W E R
From you, we exist.
Because of you, we persist.
by Neal Adams
• Ron Goulart
• Jean-Claude Mézières
• Tom Veitch
• Garry Leach
• Justin Green
• Neal Adams
• George Perez
• Tim Sale
Kim Jung Gi; Kevin O’Neill
• R.C. Harvey
• Tom Palmer
• Lily Renée
• Diane Noomin
• Kim Jung Gi
• Kevin O’Neill
• Aline Kominsky-Crumb
© Tym Stevens
See also:
· BEST MOVIES + TV: 2023
• BEST MUSIC: 2023
• BEST COMICS: 2023
• BEST MOVIES + TV: 2022
• BEST MUSIC: 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 MOVIES + TV: 2014
• BEST MUSIC: 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
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