Graphic Novels You’ll Fall in Love With
Graphic novels are the genre far too many people are missing from their life!! I remember the first time I picked one up the dynamic reading experience I had just discovered, and I was hooked. Combining everything I love about reading with the added element of visual storytelling they are hard not to love!! If you haven’t explored the magical world that is a graphic novels, or simply need more recommendations, fear not, because have a list of all different types of graphic novels to obsess over with me.
Hello Sunshine
by Keezy Young
I love a horror graphic novel, the imagery adds a whole other layer of freakiness, and this one will have you questioning it all. Thankfully there is also a beautiful romance happening as well to provide respite from the paranormal ghastliness going on. Following the disappearance of Alex, a troubled teen, and all of his loved one’s journey to find and bring him home. Each character handles their grief for Alex in different ways emphasizing the complexities of the experience. The characters, storytelling, and intense suspense will keep you hooked on this read.
Noah is heartbroken. He returns from Bible camp to find that Alex, his secret boyfriend, has had a breakdown and disappeared. He wishes more than anything that he hadn’t left that day.
Sky is determined. She’ll stop at nothing to find her childhood friend, even if it means alienating the people she loves.
Izzy is ashamed. She knew something weird was going on with Alex, and she didn’t say anything to her boyfriend, Jamie—Alex’s twin brother. If she had, would Alex still be here?
Jamie is angry. Angry at Alex for being gone, angry at himself for not noticing something was wrong, and angry at his long-dead mother, Desdemona, who had problems of her own.
But what if there was something more to Desdemona’s demons? Why is Jamie seeing her ghost? And can he get past his hatred of her if it means finding out what happened to his brother?
To the Stars and Back
by Peglo
This is simply the sweetest, best slow burn I have picked up in a MINUTE. To The Stars and Back is a romantics dream novel (*cough cough* me). The yearning, the grumpy x sunshine trope, the growth we see in the characters—it all just makes you melt. This story has me looking at my neighbors in a whole new light, hoping for something half as beautiful as what is on paper here. The second you pick up this story it will captivate you, so proceed with caution! No reading 15 minutes as a study break, you won’t be able to put it down.
Introverted university student Kang Dae spends most of his time alone, and he prefers it this way. So he’s initially unhappy when bubbly new student Bo Seon moves into his apartment complex and sets out to befriend him. But before Kang Dae realizes it, his life has changed irrevocably.
As the two become closer, they slowly realize they have romantic feelings for each other; but neither has been in a real relationship before and both have trauma in their pasts. Will they be able to embrace the possibilities of what could be, or will they find that a new romance is a bridge too far?
A top ten slice-of-life WEBTOON with over one million subscribers, this beloved webcomic is now available in a beautiful new format, where you can see episodes 1-101 of Kang Dae and Bo Seon’s relationship unfold— in all its beautiful, awkward, and heartwarming glory—with this can’t-miss collectible edition.
Renegade Girls
by Nora Neus, Illustrated by Julie Robine
I loveee a historical fiction, give me a romantic period piece in any form of media and I will eat it up! Renegade Girls is based on a real-life people in the 1880’s, and the social change happening at that time. An important reminder that queer romance is not just a modern occurrence. Queer individuals, though suppressed, have always been around, and this story sheds light on a piece of buried history with this incredible story.
Seventeen-year-old Helena “Nell” Cusack came to New York this summer looking for a story—a real story. She dreams of one day writing hard-hitting articles for the New York Chronicle, but so far she’s only managed to land a job as a lowly society reporter. That is, until Alice Austen strolls into her life, an audacious street photographer who encourages Nell to shake up polite society…and maybe also take a chance on love.
When her best friend, Lucia, is injured while working in a garment factory, Nell is determined to crack the story wide open. Posing as a seamstress, she reports on the conditions from the inside, making a name for herself as the Chronicle’s first ever stunt girl. But as Nell’s reporting gains momentum, so do the objections of those who oppose her. Will Nell continue to seek justice—even if it hurts her in the end?Based on real-life stunt girl Nell Nelson and photographer Alice Austen, this tenderly drawn narrative is about bringing buried stories to light and the bravery of first love
Numb to This
by Kindra Neely
Covering a more heavy but very relevant topic in today’s world, Numb to This is a raw and honest memoir of a mass shooting, an event that sadly we hear about increasingly in today’s world. Kindra Neely shows her audience the raw emotion brought on by the tragedy at her school. When in just a few minutes, 9 people lost their lives. The path to find peace is not easy, at times feels impossible. Her searing honesty in her struggles is incredibly impactful and emphasizes the urgency for change we all feel.
Kindra Neely never expected it to happen to her. No one does. Sure, she’d sometimes been close to gun violence, like when the house down the street from her childhood home in Texas was targeted in a drive-by shooting. But now she lived in Oregon, where she spent her time swimming in rivers with friends or attending classes at the bucolic Umpqua Community College.
And then, one day, it happend: a mass shooting shattered her college campus. Over the span of a few minutes, on October 1, 2015, eight students and a professor lost their lives. And suddenly, Kindra became a survivor. This empathetic and ultimately hopeful graphic memoir recounts Kindra’s journey forward from those few minutes that changed everything.
It wasn’t easy. Every time Kindra took a step toward peace and wholeness, a new mass shooting devastated her again. Las Vegas. Parkland. She was hopeless at times, feeling as if no one was listening. Not even at the worldwide demonstration March for Our Lives. But finally, Kindra learned that—for her—the path toward hope wound through art, helping others, and sharing her story.
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
by Deya Muniz
Honestly, anything with grilled cheese sandwich in the title has my attention immediately, and this story did not disappoint!! This graphic novel gives a lighthearted, comforting romance that will leave you with butterflies. A princess who (begrudgingly) must marry to receive her inheritance, and a nobleman with a secret, makes the perfect recipe for an unputdownable rom-com. Oh and prepare to have a grilled cheese on standby while reading…
Lady Camembert wants to live life on her own terms, without marriage. Well, without marrying a man, that is. But the law of the land is that women cannot inherit. So when her father passes away, she does the only thing she can: She disguises herself as a man and moves to the capital city of the Kingdom of Fromage to start over as Count Camembert.
But it’s hard to keep a low profile when the beautiful Princess Brie, with her fierce activism and great sense of fashion, catches her attention. Camembert can’t resist getting to know the princess, but as the two grow closer, will she able to keep her secret?
A romantic comedy about mistaken identity, true love, and lots of grilled cheese.
An Outbreak of Witchcraft
by Deborah Noyes, Illustrated by M. Duffy
“They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one.”- Taylor Swift, I Did Something Bad
The Salem Witch trials are truly one of the most interesting pieces of history in my opinion. Ever since picking up The Crucible in high school I have been absolutely fascinated with the gruesome, paranoid era. This graphic novel is filled with haunting visuals and provides all the grim details behind real events of the Salem witch trials. If you are curious about what truly went on back in the day, this captivating nonfiction should be the next graphic novel you pickup.
From 1692 to 1693, fear reigned in the small village of Salem, Massachusetts. The night Abigail Williams and Betty Paris first accused their servant of witchcraft was only the beginning.
Several more accusations would follow suit, sparking a widespread panic that consumed Salem in one of the longest cases of witch trials in America, where more than twenty innocent lives were lost, and mistrust ran amok.
The community was in ruins, from the afflicted who fanned the flames of superstition to the judges who used their power unjustly and the accused who were falsely charged and hanged in consequence. In the absence of due process and with hysteria abounding, no one in Salem was safe.
Journey into how it all began in this arresting, true-to-life look at how lies became facts, friends turned to foes, and loved ones turned to enemies.
Mismatched
by Anne Camlin, Illustrated by Isadora Zeferino
Jane Austen retelling alert!!! Emma is *one* of my favorite classic novels, and I will never get tired of all the new versions based on it. Hey if it ain’t broke…
Honestly, I cannot resist a classic reimagined, if you love the movie Clueless (another Emma retelling) you are sure to eat this book right up. Adding a chaotic spin, and queer characters we follow this story to a modern-day high school in Queens where our social media guru learns that he can’t control everything…
Evan Horowitz has it all: beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing cupid for those hopelessly clueless in finding love.
So when shy transfer student Natalia shuffles into school one day, Evan can’t help but get his hands messy! With so many matches to choose from, it’s not long before he sets a plan in motion for Natalia—much against the better judgement of his level-headed best friend, Davi.
But he takes things too far, creating a web of drama that spirals out of his control. Can Evan learn to put the people closest to him before his misguided ambition? Or will he lose them and his own chance at romance, too?
The Plain Janes
by Cecil Castellucci, Jim Rugg
After PLAIN JANES became a cult classic graphic novel, the Janes returned with a third installment with all the same power, inspiration, and guerilla works of art. The Janes prove that anyone can make a difference, anyone can spark change, and a solid group of friends can get you through anything. Even high school.
When artsy misfit Jane Beckles is forced to leave her beloved city life behind for the boring suburb of Kent Waters, she thinks her life is over. But then she finds where she belongs: at the reject table in the cafeteria, along with fellow misfits Brain Jayne, Theater Jane, and sporty Polly Jane. United by only two things-a shared name and frustration with the adults around them–the girls form a secret club dedicated to fighting suburban apathy with guerrilla works of art scattered around their small town.
But for Main Jane, the group is more than simple teenaged rebellion; it’s an act of survival. She’s determined not to let fear rule her life like it does her parents’ and neighbors’ lives. Armed with her sketchbook and a mission of resistance, the PLAIN Janes are out to prove that passion, bravery, and a group of great friends can save anyone from the hell that is high school.
With each installment printed in its own distinct color, this volume includes the original two stories–The Plain Janes and Janes in Love–plus a never-before-seen third story, Janes Attack Back. The Janes are back, and better than ever.
Blades of Furry
by Emily Erdos, Deya Muniz
Ice skating! My favorite sport in the winter Olympics, and my favorite sport to watch two rivals fall in love during. Enemies to lovers is arguably one of the best tropes out there *when done correctly*, and I can confidently say that this novel does it right. If you want a story that combines the intensity of competition with charming romance through it all you must pick up this book.
Emile is an up-and-coming rookie in battle skating, a sport that combines the grace of figure skating with the high impact sparring of martial arts. Just as he is gearing up to fight in his next duel at the championships, there’s a change in the lineup! To his horror, he’ll have to face off against reigning champion Radu, the best battle skater in the world (and Emile’s longtime skating idol). There’s no way he can win!
During a pivotal moment in their match, however, Emile discovers Radu’s most closely guarded secret…and it’s a bloody one. This could destroy Radu’s career for good, but when feelings start to develop between them both on and off the rink, will this rivalry turn into something more…?
Based on the WEBTOON hit comic with over forty million views and half a million subscribers, this irresistible story full of heart-pounding romance, breathtaking skate battles, and secrets both good and bad collects episodes 1-36 in a gorgeous print edition that includes a never-before-seen story!
My Last Summer with Cass
by Mark Crilley
Growing up and growing in friendships is tricky business. Sometimes you stick together, sometimes you grow apart. As Megan and Cass grow as artists, will their friendship survive? This is beautiful and poignant and only fitting that a story of artists is depicted with such superb art.
Megan and Cass have been joined at the brush for as long as they can remember. For years, while spending summers together at a lakeside cabin, they created art together, from sand to scribbles . . . to anything available. Then Cass moved away to New York.
When Megan finally convinces her parents to let her spend a week in the city, too, it seems like Cass has completely changed. She has tattoos, every artist in the city knows her. She even eats chicken feet now! At least one thing has stayed the same: They still make their best art together.
But when one girl betrays the other’s trust on the eve of what is supposed to be their greatest artistic feat yet, can their friendship survive? Can their art?