30 Graphic Novels I Want To Read | a mega list

Hey everyone! 

As the title says, I am sharing with you some of the graphic novels on my TBR. I read some graphic novels last year and I really enjoyed them. They are quite different from reading your ‘normal’ book as they don’t necessarily have the same depth for me but they are still able to have so many GREAT qualities through the art and stories.

I’m definitely eager to check out more, so here are 30. As it quite a long list, I’ve only been brief for each one. Let’s do it…. 

note: I’m not 100% sure on adult or young adult for some novels so if I’m wrong, please correct me

ONE: On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

sci-fi| young adult | 533 pages |

A team who rebuilds structures throughout space have a new recruit Mia, who is secretly looking to find her long-loss love.

I want to read most of Tillie Walden’s books to be honest. I think the art and colour palettes look stunning. Plus, I believe this is a Sapphic love story set in space, so I’m sold.

TWO: Heartstopper (Vol. 1) by Alice Oseman

contemporary | young adult | 278 pages

Boy meets boy. Two boys are put in the same form group where we begin to see their relationship develop.

I’ve met these two in Solitaire, but this is set before that, so I’m interested to see their beginning. Plus, I believe this is cuteness all around so yay.

THREE: Midnight Radio by Iolanda Zanfardino

contemporary | young adult | 160 pages

Made up of 4 interwoven stories about people whose lives are changed by a midnight radio broadcast.

It was the colour palettes that initially drew me in, but the plot sounds amazing. I love the idea of being inspired and changed by a moment. Plus, I believe every story tackles a different political theme which I like.

FOUR: Low (Vol. 1: the delirium of hope) by Rick Remender & Grey Tocchini

sci-fi | adult | 144 pages

Humanity dove to the depths of the ocean to survive the sun’s radiation. They now look to space to find a new home. We follow them in the final race to save humanity. 

It is an ocean themed graphic novel so I immediately wanted to pick it up. It sounds beautiful. Plus, I love an adventure to save humanity too.

FIVE: Something is Killing the Children (Vol. 1) by James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera & Miguel Muerto

horror | adult | 128 pages

Children in Archer’s Peak go missing, but a woman turns up saying she will destroy the creatures behind these acts. 

I will always support women slaying monsters and I think the art looks amazing, especially with that creepy edge so let’s GO.

SIX: Bloom by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau

contemporary | young adult | 368 pages

Set in a bakery, one boy dying to leave and one boy new to the team. We get to see their relationship bloom as they contemplate different life choices. 

The gorgeous blue palette and soft art/setting makes me so excited to get to this. Plus, it sounds like a really sweet read.

SEVEN: Montress (Vol. 1) by Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda

fantasy | adult | 235 pages

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900’s Asia, we follow a teenager girl who shares a mysterious link with a powerful monster. However, this does make them both the target of… well, everyone.

You say reimagined 1900’s Asia, steampunk, women and monsters and I’m there, just saying.

EIGHT: Saga (Vol. 1) by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

sci-fi | adult | 176 pages

Two soldiers on opposite sides of the galactic war fall in love so they fight for their new family’s place in these worlds.

I’ve heard SO many good things about this series and I think the initial premise sounds amazing. Plus, it is meant to be funny too so BIG yes.

NINE: Heathen (Vol. 1) by Natasha Alterici

fantasy | adult | 104 pages

A young Viking woman who was banished from her home, sets out to right the wrongs of a corrupt god.

This cover is a special oil painting cover so the art is quite different inside but no less stunning. I think this is one I’m most excited for because of the Norse Mythology, the plot and I believe it is LGBTQIA+ as well. 

TEN: Power & Magic: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology by various authors

fantasy | young adult | 178 pages

15 original stories of queer witches of colour which involve fantasy, romance, drama and humour.

This book is SUPER hard to get hold of it seems, but I would love to read it because it sounds amazing. Who doesn’t want more witch stories in their life? (black and white art inside but have you seen that cover ?!?)

ELEVEN: Sagala by Tori Tadiar

fantasy | adult | 176 pages

A gunsmith’s apprentice dreams of becoming a Courtesan so when at the annual Sagala she seizes the opportunity to become entwined with courtly affairs.

So many aspects of this sounds ah-mazing !! A Filipiniana fantasy, siblings, gunslinging girls, courtesans, deceit, mythical ambassadors. I NEED it !!  

TWELVE: Harleen by Stjepan Šejić

DC comic | adult |208 pages

One of your popular superhero/villain comics following Dr. Harleen Quinzel aka Harley Quinn. I would love to check out more of your Marvel or DC comics but I’m so intimidated by the volume that I’ve shied away from them. BUT this one only has three volumes, so it is a nice start.

What attracted me was the art because the details look STUNNING and I saw someone say it did the toxicity of Harley and the Joker’s relationship well which is important to me, so I’ll give it a go.

THIRTEEN: What We Don’t Talk About by Charlot Kristensen

non-fiction | young adult | 80 pages

Adam and Farai are an interracial couple, and Farai has convinced Adam to introduce her to his parents. We follow the events that occur, how they both react to this and what it means for their relationship.

I think a non-fiction in the form of a graphic novel is interesting and it is an important conversation to have. Plus, the cover is ah-mazing.

FOURTEEN: Surviving the City (Vol. 1) by Talia Spillett & Natasha Donovan

contemporary | young adult | 56 pages

Following two best friends who navigate growing up but when Dez’s grandmother becomes sick, she is told she can’t live with her anymore. We follow what this could mean for the two friends.

I think it covers a lot of different themes and I’m interested to see them explored in a graphic novel especially colonialism, friendship and womanhood.

FIFTEEN: The Outside Circle by Patti LaBoucan-Benson & Kelly Mellings

contemporary | young adult | 128 pages

Following two Aboriginal brothers who have to deal with poverty, drug abuse, gang violence and historical trauma. Once things get worse, it’s about the process of rehabilitation including traditional Aboriginal healing circles and ceremonies.

I LOVE books which talk about recovery and what that means so I think this is going to be such a moving and important story.

SIXTEEN: This place: 150 Years Retold by various authors

history, non-fiction, fantasy | adult | 287 pages

An emotional and enlightening journey through magic realism, serial killings, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.

This is a collection of stories that talks about indigenous people’s history through different plots. I think it is meant to be informative as well as emotional so I’m curious to check it out.

SEVENTEEN: Ghosted in LA (Vol. 1) by Sina Grace, Siobhan Keena & Cathy Le

urban fantasy | young adult | 112 pages

Daphne moves to LA for her boyfriend but when things don’t go to plan her only companions in LA are the ghosts in her new apartment. Will the ghosts help her find the life she wants in LA?

A journey about finding your place in the world and maybe falling in love… with the benefits of ghost friends. I love it when ghosts are used for purposes like this and I can’t wait to read it.

EIGHTEEN: Pemmican Wars (Vol. 1) by Katherena Vermette, Scott B. Henderson & Donovan Yaciuk

historical | young adult | 47 pages

Echo, a 13-year-old Métis girl adjusting to a new home and school, finds herself being transported to the past again and again so she experiences the Pemmican Wars firsthand. 

I really like this set up for exploring the past so I think it will make for a powerful, educational read. Plus, the art looks amazing !! 

NINETEEN: Finding Home (Vol. 1) by Hari Conner

fantasy | adult | 149 pages

Chepi left his wood nymph family and now travels alone until he comes across Janek who just wants to get home. These unlikely travelling companions end up getting closer along the way. 

It is said to be a slow burn in a fantasy world with a focus on nature and small moments, so it definitely sounds like something I will enjoy.

TWENTY: The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill

fantasy| young adult | 72 pages

A blacksmith apprentice comes across a lost tea dragon and then learns what it means to care for a tea dragon from the tea shop workers.

This sounds like a soft graphic novel with an emphasis on pastel colours, dragons and friends so I would love to read it at some point. 

TWENTY-ONE: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 1) by Kieron Gillen & Jamie McKelvie

fantasy | adult | 176 pages

Every 90 years, twelves gods incarnate as humans and within two years they are dead. They are loved and they are hated.

I think this sounds like such an interesting set up. I love books with gods as I think you can create ‘extra’ character traits and it just so interesting. Plus, it deals with themes of immortality which I love.  

TWENTY-TWO: The Woods (Vol. 1) by James Tynion IV & Michael Dialynas

horror | adult | 128 pages

An entire high school goes missing one day and they find themselves far outside the bounds of the charted universe. Where are they and why are they here? Answers will be uncovered.

It is kind of sounds like a more mysterious version of ‘The 100’ and I want to explore this world. Plus, I love the art and how it seems to have a purple-y background all the time. 

TWENTY-THREE: Fables (Vol. 1) Legends in Exile by various authors

urban fantasy | adult | 128 pages

Infamous inhabitants of folklore are forced into exile in modern New York. They set up their own apartment building but after a murder of one character, investigations begin.

This is a more ‘traditional’ graphic novel as it published by DC Vertigo. I love the concept of fairy tales in New York but make it dark. There are a lot of editions to this series, but I’m intrigued.

TWENTY-FOUR: Blackbird (Vol. 1) by Sam Humphries & Jen Bartel

fantasy | adult | 168 pages

When Nina’s sister is kidnapped by a magical beast, she must step into the magical world hiding in LA and confront her past. 

What first attracted me to this series was the bright colours. I love the use of neon colours and it isn’t like that all the way through in the novel, but it is used. I, also, am in love with the use of a magical underworld. 

TWENTY-FIVE: The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag

fantasy | middle grade | 224 pages

All girls become witches and all boys become shapeshifter. But Asher hasn’t shifted, and he is fascinated by witchcraft. When a situation arises, he knows he can help as a witch. Can he save his family and truly be himself?

I love the use of magic to explore real life emotions and situations, so I think it is going to be a great read. 

TWENTY-SIX: Super Fun, Sexy Times By Meredith McClaren

romance | adult | 128 pages

Five short sexy stories following either superheroes, supervillains, sidekicks or the people who love them. 

When I first saw this, I thought it was just a superhero story with a great colour palette, but it focuses on, I quote, ‘showing consent and character-driven erotic relationships’. I think it is great to see sex positivity and whilst slightly out of my comfort zone, I think it will be a good read especially as it involves humour and body positivity.

TWENTY-SEVEN: Nimona By Noelle Stevenson

fantasy | young adult | 266 pages

A fantasy story following the supervillain and the sidekick as they go on a mission to prove the heroes of the kingdom aren’t as heroic as everyone thinks they are. But as it escalates into a battle, the sidekick, Nimona’s powers might be more dangerous than originally thought. 

I love the idea of a villain-led narrative and that is why I want to pick it up.

TWENTY-EIGHT: The Backstagers (Vol. 1) by James Tynion IV, Rian Sygh & Walter Baiamonte

fantasy | young adult | 122 pages

The new kid at an all-boys private school joins the backstagers where he makes friends and is introduced to an entire magical world as they all try to put on the best play for their high school.

This sounds like a story about outcasts, magic and theatre so I couldn’t be happier.

TWENTY-NINE: Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu

sports, contemporary | young adult | 288 pages

Following our main character who has just joined the university hockey team. We watch him navigate the sport and the ‘moody captain’.

I love a good sports book and this one sounds really good as judging from the synopsis it includes a lot of personality and is a coming-of-age story as well.  

THIRTY: Die #1 by Kireon Gillen, Stephanie Hans & Clayton Cowles

fantasy | adult | 37 pages

A group of adults have to deal with the returning unearthly horror they barely survived as teenage role-players.

It sounds like an interesting concept that will probably have a lot going on but I’m interested to explore it more. I do enjoy a good dark fantasy especially with art so I’m ready. 

THE END. You made it, congratulations (it was 171 blocks 🙈🙈). I hope you were able to find a new graphic novel you might want to pick up because these all-sound ah-mazing to me.

What graphic novels would you recommend to me?

Which ones are on your TBR?