Sunday, October 18, 2015

What I've Been Reading Lately: Comics & Graphic Novels

Some time between first giving comics and graphic novels a try last year and now, I have officially become addicted. I love the artwork. I love the stories. I love that even with a young baby, I can actually finish a graphic novel or comic collection without it taking me a week (or more.) So it's about time I shared some of my favorites:

Completed Series

Locke & Key written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez
Three siblings discover keys they give them special abilities as an evil entity seeks the power of the keys. SO GOOD.

Y: The Last Man written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Pia Guerra & José Marzán Jr.
A man and his monkey are the only males left after a mysterious plague hits.

 Explorer edited by Kazu Kibuishi (illustrator of the Harry Potter special edition paperbacks!)
Various writers/illustrators each tell a story based on a theme -- Mystery Boxes, The Lost Islands, and Hidden Doors -- an awesome concept that showcases great creativity.


Ongoing Series

Saga written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples
Star-crossed love story meets sci-fi adventure.

Wytches written by Scott Snyder, illustrated by Jock, color by Matt Hollingsworth, & lettering by Clem Robins
Explores some of our darkest fears -- these are NOT your average witches.

Cursed Pirate Girl written & illustrated by Jeremy A. Bastian
Fiesty pirate girl on a quest to find her pirate captain father.

Lumberjanes written by Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis, illustrated by Brooke A. Allen
Kinda like the Girl Scouts, but with supernatural creatures and magic.

Unshelved by Bill Barnes & Gene Ambaum
The adventures, amusements, and frustrations of being a public librarian.


Graphic Novel

Nimona written & illustrated by Noelle Stevenson
Sidekick plus super-villian seek to prove the heroes aren't all they're cracked up to be.


Graphic Memoir

El Deafo written & illustrated by Cece Bell, color by David Lasky
Cece navigates a new school and growing up with a hearing aid.

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I never thought I'd like comics or graphic novels, but I really surprised myself. So if you're still hesitant, I encourage you to give them a try. And if you have any recommendations for me, please share in the comments!

10 comments:

  1. Ooo... Locke and Key sounds interesting - I've been wanting to read more graphic novels so I'll have to keep and eye out for that one because you have me intrigued. Also, Unshelved sounds fun!

    Side note... I already wrote a comment, but I don't think it went through, so this could well be a duplicate.

    All Things Bookish – Jade Louise

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    1. It was really excellent -- probably my favorite graphic novel series as of yet. I think Unshelved is kind of hard to get a hold of, but it was light and fun and just what i needed at the time.

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  2. Amusingly I also have a post about comics going up this morning!

    I haven't read any of these, but Locke & Key is next in my queue, after I finish this Sherlock Holmes. Saga and Y: The Last Man are both on my list to check out. I think I need to add Unshelved to that list.

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    1. I can't get a hold of the later Unshelved collections, but the first 5 were quick, fun reads. Can't wait to hear what you think of Saga and Y: The Last Man once you get around to them!

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  3. YAY!!! I Have been waiting for this post. ;)

    I loved El Deafo and Nimona! I also enjoyed Saga, that cliffhanger makes me want to read the second one sooner rather than later.

    I have Y: The Last Man from the library and my library doesn't have Unshelved but I will be reading that some how since I work at two libraries. haha

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    1. Saga does make you want to keep reading! I have discovered that Unshelved is not that easy to get a hold of -- I can't even get the newer collections unless I want to buy them, but I'm not thinking I will for now.

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  4. I've been meaning to read El Deafo, Explorer, and Lumberjanes, but there are so many books and so little time! I read Nimona when it was online and I enjoyed it a lot, so I flipped through the library copy when the physical book was released, but I haven't reread it. I heard it wasn't really changed?

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    1. Yes, never enough reading time! At least comics/graphic novels are quicker -- not that that is the only reason I read them, but it is a benefit!

      I never read Nimona online and I have heard it is mostly the same, but with an epilogue added, I think? Whatever the change is, I know it was just a small addition.

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  5. Joe Hill's Locke & Key series is one of the best graphic novels. I haven't heard of several of these... definitely going on my TBR! I agree with you about loving being able to finish a graphic novel quickly even if you're super busy. I'd also recommend checking out Fables graphic novel if you haven't already!

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    1. I've been meaning to start Fables, there are just so many of them! And I don't think my library has all of them, but I will get around to them at some point -- they are so highly recommended :)

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I'd love to hear what you think :)