Graphic novels are the middle ground between prose and comic books, often presenting the perfect balance between words and images. They’re an art form of infinite variety, and despite being mostly populated by superheroes, there’s actually an endless array of graphical novels that tackle some real-world issues in an emotional or even heartwarming way. Please allow us to introduce you to seven graphic novels that have touched our souls in 2024:
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: The Omen
Captain Marvel Vol. 1: The Omen is a comic book series written by Alyssa Wong, with art by Jan Bazaldua, who also did several Miles Morales comics, Dawn of X, and Marvel’s Voices: Pride. The new comic book introduces a new chapter in the life of Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, featuring a fresh look, new antagonists, and a revamped storyline.
The story kicks off with Carol becoming entangled with a street thief who tried stealing the legendary Nega-Bands. This particular comic book gained popularity for reinvigorating Captain Marvel and introducing a new villain known as the Omen.
A Witch’s Guide to Burning
Written by Aminder Dhaliwal, A Witch’s Guide to Burning is a graphic novel that explores the themes of burnout and self-care through a humorous narrative that follows Singe, a servant in a magical world that has lost all her magic and memory after being burnt at a stake in a ritual that had gone awry.
A Witch’s Guide to Burning gained attention because of its fantastic mix of storytelling and illustrative art, as well as the addition of recipe spells and artistic detail in which text visually represents its meaning. It really adds an extra layer of engagement for the reader while speaking about the importance of taking care of oneself.
Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea
Fans of the iconic Hellboy comics will likely appreciate Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea, as it’s also written by Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy. The art is done by Jesse Lorengan with lettering by Clem Robins. This particular graphic novel is also a part of the so-called Mignolaverse, which is a collection of Mignolia’s stories that are known for their dark and complex storytelling.
The story follows the unassuming Miss Truesdale, who transformed from a Victorian London secretary into a mighty gladiator from the ancient, mythical realm of Hyperborea. Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea, just like many of Mignolia’s works, mixes elements of horror and fantasy to create a rather rich universe and mythology.
The Asiri: Volume One
The Asiri is an afro-futuristic epic sci-fi graphic novel about an ancient, highly advanced West African civilization of space explorers that have colonized Mars and strove for galactic stability. Think in terms of The Asiri as the child of X-Men and Attack on Titan — the Asiri can manipulate technology as they see fit, but their once-thriving civilization is cast into chaos following an invasion from a mysterious enemy force from the reaches of deep space.
The comic was written by Roye Okupe, an award-winning filmmaker, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who founded YouNeek Studios, known for Child of Wonder and Malika: Warrior Queen.
Breathe: Journey to Healthy Binding
Breathe Journey to Healthy Binding is basically a comic book guide to chest binding— a practice employed by trans and gender-nonconforming people that helps them achieve the body that feels truly their own, along with the self-confidence that follows. It’s worth noting that the practice isn’t without its risks, but Maia Kobabe and Sarah Peitzmeier, Ph.D., the authors of the comic, guide the readers through the process, allowing them to enjoy all its benefits while significantly minimizing the associated risks.
What makes this particular graphic novel stand out from other guides is that it combines real-life stories with research-backed advice, thus providing a comprehensive guide on the subject. Breathe: Journey to Healthy Binding comes in various forms, like paperback, hardcover, ebook, and even audiobook, making it accessible to readers with different content consumption preferences.
Grand Slam Romance: Major League Hotties
The second novel in the Grand Slam Romance series written by Ollie Hicks and Emma Oosterhous, Major League Hotties continues the adventures of Mickey, who learned that she has to secure a Magical Girl license in Switzerland if she wants to continue playing softball as a magical girl.
The entire series is known for its mix of sports, romance, and magical girl elements, intertwined through unique storytelling that blends softball action with romance. The entire story is told through really vibrant and engaging artwork that really complements the story elements.
Lunar Boy
Lunar Boy is a heartwarming coming-of-age graphic novel about a young boy from the moon who feels like he doesn’t belong after he disembarks with his adoptive mother from their spaceship to live on Earth with their blended family.
Feeling like an outsider and being one, Indu — the novel’s protagonist — begged the moon to take him back. After the moon agrees to bring him home on the first day of the New Year, Indu begins making friends and discovers that home isn’t a place but are the people that populate it. And once the moon comes calling, Indu is left with the decision of whether to leave what he has just found.
Final Thoughts
The world of graphic novels is vast, and it encompasses many genres, from the captivating battles and conflicts in Captain Marvel Vol. 1 to personal stories of identity and belonging in Lunar Boy. These novels really go a long way in showing the power of graphic storytelling, reminding us that the medium isn’t just about pretty drawn pictures and visual spectacle but also about complex and engaging narrative and heart.