Celebrating Free Comic Book Day With My Favorite Graphics

After visiting our local comic book shops to take part in Free Comic Book Day (yearly on the first Saturday in May), Jesus and I spent the afternoon reading and viewing our hauls. I've upped my graphic novel and nonfiction graphic reading hugely this past year, which has been great for my reading motivations and librarian-in-training education. These are just a few of my recent favorites - and only the start of my graphic-reading experience.

Don't forget, graphics come in all shapes and sizes - I'm partial to YA/Adult novels and sci-fi/fantasy, but there are graphics for all genres, and nonfiction graphics too!

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes friendships take different paths, but it's never easy to go it your own way while your friend goes theirs. Astrid learns this when she spends her summer growing into her passion for roller derby, a passion not shared by her closest friend, Nicole. It's not easy, but Astrid embraces who she is and what she's about over a formative summer. Funny, sweet, and, at times, heartbreaking.

The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for my children's materials class, and will skim through it again before continuing on with the rest of the series, BUT wow, I was super impressed by this little volume. It reads very visually (as opposed to leaning on dialogue), which I hate in text, but love in illustration. The story is gripping and the characters have a lot of heart. This is the kind of graphic novel I needed as a kid!

Shattered Warrior by Sharon Shinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked the artwork and the futuristic feel of this story. It resolves itself rather quickly (I thought this could easily be worked into a series), but I was still with the characters and plot the whole way through. I'm interested to read a few of Shinn's earlier works to compare the character development. Ostertag's illustrations are the biggest draw for me with this one.

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful work! I read this one several times, it was so enjoyable. Gaiman's text is crisp and sharp, and Riddell's illustrations were marvels to look at. The contrast between the familiarity of the tale (Sleeping Beauty) with the newness of the telling worked for this book.


The City on the Other Side by Mairghread Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A human world/fairy world adventure set in early 1900s San Francisco...with maps?! This was a beautiful and beautifully told story of friendship, loyalty, and doing what's right, even if it scares you. Written for a younger crowd, but appreciated by this kid-like adult.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think horror works well in short story form - we get just enough to care about a protagonist and then to be terrified without having to invest in a whole novel. It turns out horror also works well as graphic shorts. Graphic as in the visual arts, but also as in explicitly illustrated. Don't worry - there's nothing NSFW here, but I was delightfully creeped out by several of the folktale-esque stories included in this collection.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How fun was this slim volume? Fun to the max. I'm excited to continue on with this silly adventure of a series. The characters were unique, with distinct personalities, and I love the exploration and mystery of a supernatural summer camp.

Paper Girls, Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another series I'm excited to continue with, this time featuring a group of newspaper delivery girls and time travel. The realistic style, late-80s setting, and smart dialogue give it a Stranger Things feel that I'm A-OK with.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is possibly my favorite graphic novel of 2018. It's Velvet meets Julian the Mermaid meets Cinderella, but also so different from all of these and anything else I've read before. I was sold from page one with its charm, unassuming illustrations, and two of the most genuine protagonists. Let's deconstruct those gender norms, people!

Extras: The Witch Boy, or view all my reviews.