Graphic Novels - A New Post

Back when I first started this Blog I did a number of posts about my history with comics / graphic novels. If you're interested, you can check out the various articles that are linked below.

1. 11 Oct 2010 - My childhood experiences with comics.

2. 7 Nov 2010 - In this post, I talked about comic book heroines.

3. 16 Apr 2011 - In this post, I highlighted the graphic novels of Alan Moore.

4. 9 Mar 2020 -In this post, I talked about graphic novels / comics as they related to Sci-Fi

This link basically provides any posts where I highlighted graphics, either with synopses or reviews. It also will include the 4 links above.

In the past few years I've begun to explore graphic novels once again. There is such wonderful variety in styles and genres. I readily admit to enjoying YA stories, but I've also explored more Sci-Fi and Fantasy and many social - themed graphics. Let's take a look at a few.

Cultural / Social Themes

1. A Girl Called Echo by Katherena Vermette. This is a 4-part graphic novel series about a Metis girl from Winnipeg. Echo is the girl and it takes place in real-time as she tries to adjust to school in Winnipeg but also travels back to the past to learn about the history of Canada's settling in Manitoba and its mistreatment of Aboriginals and Metis. 

2. If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie. 

The basis for this graphic is the crime situation in Winnipeg. A young aboriginal girl wrote a letter to the Winnipeg police chief. She asks him to take the same care solving murders of aboriginal girls, that the Winnipeg police force took solving crimes against white girls. She basically asks him not to forget her if she should go missing. A powerful, short story.

3. This Place: 150 Years Retold by Kateri Akiwenzie - Damm.

This is a collection of stories about the history of Canada from an aboriginal perspective as told by a collection of aboriginal authors. It's a very powerful, fascinating collection.

4. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton.

Based on true happenings, Kate Beaton tells the story of a small town Nova Scotia girl spending two years trying to earn money for university, by working in the Alberta oil sands. It's a story of misogyny and sexual assault; a gritty, touching story.

5. Heartstoppers by Alice Oseman.

Teen romance and angst, LGBTQ storylines. It's engrossing.

Poetry

Graphics using poetry to tell their stories.

1. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.

Twins, both high school basketball stars, Both trying to please their father, an ex-player with heart problems, and also trying to get scholarships to college. Told in free verse and poetry.

2. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.

It's a fascinating story of a young man who sees his brother gunned down in the neighborhood. As he takes an elevator down to exact revenge, he is visited by various ghosts, each with a perspective on the incident and William's plan for revenge.

Fantasy / Science Fiction / Horror

1. Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo. 

I've read one of the books by Bardugo based on her created Grishaverse, that being Six of Crows. It was an exciting, action-filled adventure. Demon in the Wood is a graphic novel, a prequel to the story, introducing some of the characters / creatures you find in Demon in the Wood.

2. The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman. I've been pleasantly pleased with this series so far. The stories are well-told, scary, funny at times and well-drawn. So far I've enjoyed Book 1, Book 2, The Doll's House and also a collection featuring Sandman's sister, Death. All excellent stories. I have Book 4, Season of Mists on my bookshelf. I'll have to check out the TV series as well.

3. Locke & Key by Joe Hill.

A fascinating horror series about a family, the Lockes. Dealing with the death of their father, they adjust to a new community, one haunted by an evil spirit trying to find the 'keys' to other worlds and powers. It's a six-parter that gets better and better as it moves along, ending with a cataclysmic battle. 

4. Space Boy by Stephen McCranie.

I've read the first two Omnibus collections of this series so far. Lots of mystery, especially when it comes to who exactly Space Boy is. It focuses on Amy, a young girl forced to move from a far flung space colony back to Earth and her adjustment to this new life. Part of her new experience is Space Boy, Oliver, a mysterious boy who we find out a bit about each story. Well drawn, well crafted. An excellent story.

5. Lightfall by Tim Probert.

A two part YA fantasy about a young girl and a Galdurian on an adventure on a distant planet. Wonderful artwork and a great story.

6. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan.

This is a fun outer space adventure series. A Romeo & Juliet with a twist. A young couple of different races, both of which are at constant war, fall in love, have a child and are now on the run. 60 comics so far. I've read the first two Volumes, the first 12 comics. Most enjoyable. It was easy to get hooked on.

Mythology

1. Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe.

An upbeat, modern take on the Greek myths. Fun, sexy, entertaining. I've enjoyed the first two books and have #3 awaiting my attention. There are currently 5 volumes.

Biography / History

1. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei.

In WWII, America and Canada treated all Japanese citizens as potential spies and enemy and basically took their property and sent them to camps. This is George Takei's story of what happened to his family.

2. Maus: A Survivor's Tale, Vols 1 & 2 by Art Spiegelman.

Comic artist Art Spiegelman tells the story of his father and mother, both of whom are sent to Nazi concentration camps during WWII. It also deals with the fractious relationship he has with his father after the war. Dark, scary and touching. This book has been banned in some locations. It should be read.

3. March, Books 1 - 3 by John Lewis.

The story of civil rights icon John Lewis and his efforts to bring the vote, equality, education to black citizens in the US. A very powerful story, another must read.

4. White Bird by R.J. Palacios.

In the same vein as the Anne Frank story, White Bird tells the story of a French Jewish girl trying to survive and keep free from the Nazis and French collaborators with the help of friends. 

Mysteries

and finally...

1. The Enola Holmes graphic novels by Serena Blasco.

Nancy Springer wrote the Enola Holmes books which were also turned into a TV series. French artist Serena Blasco picked up the first six books in the series and turned them into two collections of graphic novels. Wonderful artwork and fun stories. I've enjoyed both and now will take on the novels.

2. Ms. Tree graphic novels by Max Allan Collins.

This is a collection of pulp detective stories featuring PI Ms. Tree and her company. Gritty, noirish and action-packed. Interesting stories and artwork to boot.

I have read the first two collections, One Mean Mother and Skeleton in the Closet and have The Cold Dish awaiting my attention.

So there you go. Interested in checking out some comics / graphic novels? I hope these and my other threads might have given you some ideas. Enjoy.