2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List

BGNA_Banner

The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table is thrilled to announce the final 2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List. This year's reading list highlights the best graphic novels for adults published in late 2021 and through 2022, and we hope it will increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comics creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections.

Best Graphic Novels for Adults 2022 Selection Committee

Edward Whatley - Instruction & Research Services Librarian,Georgia College & State University Library (Committee Chair)
Luke Burger - Student, San Jose State University
Rachel Gagnon - Teen Services Librarian, Haverhill Public Library
Nancy McKay - Head of Teen Services, Byron Library
Carli Spina - Associate Professor and Head of Research & Instructional Services, SUNY's Fashion Institute of Technology
Avi Woontner - Public and Techinical Services Librarian, Institute of American Indian Arts Library
Elizabeth Doherty - Young Adult Librarian, Walpole Library
Mx. Victoria Rahbar - Web Services Librarian, Hostos Community College (CUNY)
Chloe Horning - Librarian, Bellevue College Library
Laila Mai-Nguyen - MLIS Student, Florida State University, School of LIS
Micki Waldrop, Brenau University (also serving as Committee Assistant)

The Best Graphic Novels for Adults committee would like to recognize and thank Midwest Tape for allowing all committee members free access to Hoopla® during this term of service.

2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Top Ten

Days of Sand. Written by Aimee de Jongh. Art by Aimee de Jongh. Translated by Christopher Bradley. 2022. SelfMadeHero, $22.99 (9781914224041).
This is a beautiful and heartbreaking book that evokes a wide range of emotions. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous. There are reproductions of actual photographs featured throughout the book, and back matter provides more photographs as well as historical facts, making this an accessible way for people to learn about the devastation of the Dust Bowl in United States history.

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands. Written by Kate Beaton. Art by Kate Beaton. 2022. Drawn and Quarterly, $39.95 (9781770462892).
From the creator of Hark! A Vagrant, this was an affecting look into life for a young woman in the drilling camps and how persistent and pervasive misogyny is in that environment. It also shows the economic forces that motivate people to work there and to continue working there.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 1. Written by Kanehito Yamada. Art by Tsukasa Abe. 2021. Viz Media, $9.99 (9781974725762).
Elven mage Frieren and companions have defeated the Demon King after ten long years of adventuring, and now the story may finally begin. Yet Frieren is alone as she does not age and her companions die. Episodic tales of new spells in a high fantasy world are interspersed with fond reminiscences of those left behind.

Hakim's Odyssey

Hakim's Odyssey Book 1: From Syria to Turkey. Written by Fabien Toulmé. Art by Fabien Toulmé. Translated by Hannah Chute. 2021. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $29.95 (9781637790007). Toulmé interviews Hakim, a Syrian refugee living in France. Hakim unravels his journey from Syria where he fled government upheaval in hopes of being able to find a stable and safe place for his family. This first book covers Hakim's journey from Syria to Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey.
Hakim's Odyssey Book 2: From Turkey to Greece. Written by Fabien Toulmé. Art by Fabien Toulmé. Additional lettering and art reconstruction by Zen. Translated by Hannah Chute. 2022. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $29.95 (9781637790083). The second installment of Hakim’s immigrant journey finds the new father taking care of baby Hadi and surviving whilst waiting for paperwork that will allow them to join their family in France. Unable to endure the bureaucratic process, he travels to Greece. It's a dangerous and terrifying journey.
Hakim’s Odyssey: Book 3: From Macedonia to France. Written by Eric Orner. Art by Fabien Toulmé. Additional lettering and art reconstruction by Zen. Translated by Hannah Chute. 2022. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $29.95 (9781637790311). This is book 3 in Hakim’s journey to France and a strong ending to his story. This segment of the journey gives a sense of what refugees encounter in various countries throughout Europe and offers readers a chance to follow Hakim through to his final reuniting with his wife.

The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. Written by James Spooner. Art by James Spooner. 2022. Mariner Books, $22.99 (9780358659112).
Spooner’s evocative black and white art brings the late 80’s punk scene to life. This memoir of growth, isolation, and racism is a love letter to the friends that helped buffer him through his most difficult times and to the internal strength it took to become the artist and activist he is today.

Lore Olympus:

Lore Olympus: Volume One. Written by Rachel Smythe. Art by Rachel Smythe. 2021. Del Rey, $26.99 (9780593160299). In this modernized (but still fantastical) retelling of Greek mythology, readers meet Persephone as she arrives in Olympus and meets Hades. The artwork is vibrant, and the storytelling is engaging, perfect elements to reintroduce or introduce a timeless story to new readers.
Lore Olympus: Volume Two. Written by Rachel Smythe. Art by Rachel Smythe. 2022. Random House World, $27.99 (9780593160305). Persephone is still struggling to find her way in Olympus and navigate her relationship with Hades (whatever that confusing relationship may be) when she finds herself working as his intern. Hades, in turn, must try to resist his own desire to pursue Persephone due to both her age and the fact that they are working side-by-side.

The Many Deaths of Laila Starr. Written by Ram V. Art by Filipe Andrade. Lettering by AndWorld Design. Edited by Eric Harburn. 2022. Boom Studios, $14.99 (9781684158058).
Humanity is on the verge of discovering immortality. As a result, the avatar of Death is cast down to Earth to live a mortal life in Mumbai as a twenty-something named Laila Starr.

The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night. Written by Marjorie Liu. Art by Sana Takeda. Lettering by Chris Dickey. Edited by Charlotte Greenbaum. 2022. Abrams ComicArts, $20.99 (9781419758706).
Twins Milly and Billy find surprising family truths when they clean a murder house for their mom. Powerhouse creative team Liu and Takeda have done it again. Liu has written an original story that is both creepy and funny, and Takeda's accompanying artwork is absolutely gorgeous.

What is Home, Mum? Written by Sabba Khan. Art by Sabba Khan. 2022. Street Noise Books, $19.99 (9781951491178).
This deeply affecting graphic memoir explores belonging, family, identity, and religion. The daughter of Azad Kashmiri migrants, Khan looks back at the older generations that were displaced from the Partition, how their ancestral home was destroyed, and how it affects her today.

2022 Best Graphic Novels for Adults - Official List

Fiction

Adrastea. Written by Mathieu Bablet. Art by Mathieu Bablet. Translated by Mike Kennedy. 2022. Magnetic Press, $29.99 (9781951719425).
The chronicles of the journey and trials of an immortal king who, weary of his existence, sets out for Mount Olympus to petition the gods to end his life. The weary immortal king is a surprisingly engaging main character. The story is thoughtful, but the pacing is not too ponderous. The obsessively detailed art is a true feast for the eyes.

After Lambana: Myth and Magic in Manila. Written by Eliza Victoria. Art by Mervin Malonzo. 2022. Tuttle, $16.99 (9780804855259).
Conrad is suffering from a magical disease and enlists the help of Ignacio, a stranger with connections to Manila’s magical underground populated with mythic creatures and spirits.

Always Never. Written by Jordi Lafebre. Art by Jordi Lafebre. Color by Clémence Sapin. Translated by Montana Kane. 2022. Dark Horse, $24.99 (9781506731377).
A love story told in reverse. A unique way to tell a story about enduring love. We know Ana and Zeno have been in love with each other for decades, but how did they meet and why aren't they together? The vibrant art is lovely and fun. A book that could have wide appeal to a variety of readers.

Amazona. Written by Canizales. Art by Canizales. 2022. Graphic Universe, $12.99 (9781728448671).
An indigenous Colombian woman whose entire community was driven from their homeland returns to bury her daughter and enact a secret plan to achieve justice for her people.

Animal Castle. Written by Xavier Dorison. Art by Felix Delep. Translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger 2022. Ablaze Publishing, $24.99 (9781684970032).
"On the Farm all animals were equal...in the Castle some are more equal than others." A bull leader, a dog militia, and a mother cat as a protagonist - what's not to like? The cutesy artwork is juxtaposed against a very serious narrative, and a few surprises await the reader, as the story does not exactly follow Orwell's original Animal Farm. Thought-provoking in our current political climate.

Black Paradox. Written by Junji Ito. Art by Junji Ito. Translation and adaptation by Jocelyne Allen. Touch-up art and lettering by Eric Erbes. Edited by Masumi Washington. 2022. Viz Media, $19.99 (9781974728633).
Junji Ito is adept at telling stories that will haunt your thoughts well past the last page. Black Paradox is no exception. This is one of his older stories that has been translated for English-speaking audiences for the first time. It is uncomfortable, creepy, and mesmerizing.

Chivalry. Written by Neil Gaiman. Art by Colleen Doran. Lettering by Todd Klein. 2022. Dark Horse Books, $17.99 (9781506719115).
An elderly widow purchases the Holy Grail at a thrift shop and is then visited by a knight in shining armor who offers her various magical items in exchange for the Grail.

Cryptid Club. Written by Sarah Andersen. Art by Sarah Andersen. Colors by Sarah Andersen. Lettering by Sarah Andersen. Edited by Sarah Andersen. 2022. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $16.99 (9781524875541).
The artwork in this collection is adorable and fits the tone of the comics perfectly. Andersen has perfected the art of short comic strips that pack a surprising and comedic punch. In this collection, she builds on the pre-existing legends around well-known cryptids.

Demon Days Treasury Edition. Written by Peach Momoko. Art by Peach Momoko. English Adaptation and dialogue by Zack Davisson. Lettering by VC’s Ariana Maher. Edited by Lindsey Cohick. 2022. Marvel, $34.99 (9781302930110).
Peach Momoko's artwork is outstanding. Adding well-known iconic Marvel superheroes and making a fresh story using Japanese folklore is another feat altogether.

Dirtbag Rapture. Written by Christopher Sebela. Art by Kendall Goode. Color by Gab Contreras. Lettering by Jim Campbell. Edited by Jasmine Amiri and Zack Soto. 2022. Oni Press, $19.99 (9781637150481).
Kat is an unlikeable character, but you suspect she has a heart of gold. Her abilities, squarely Gen X attitude, and the comedy keep the reader coming back for more. Is it Kat's fault that life on earth is so terrible? Kendall Goode's illustrations bring this strange story to life in cinematic detail.

Fantastic Four: Full Circle. Written by Alex Ross. Art by Alex Ross. Colors by Alex Ross and Josh Johnson. Lettering by Ariana Maher. Edited by Charles Kochman. 2022. Abrams Comic Arts, $24.99 (9781419761676).
Alex Ross has created a tale that recaptures the essence of the Fantastic Four's early adventures. The layouts and storytelling are unmistakably those of Alex Ross, but he has also exchanged his usual realistic palette for a bolder more expressive color scheme. Fans of Ross' work will enjoy this new stylistic direction.

Flung Out of Space: Inspired by the Indecent Adventures of Patricia Highsmith. Written by Grace Ellis. Art by Hannah Templer. 2022. Abrams ComicArts, $24.99 (9781419744334).
Flung Out of Space incorporates real events from Patricia Highsmith's life and fills in the gaps to tell a story of an early gay writer as she struggles with her sexuality while trying to find her voice as a creator. Templer’s art is beautiful and creative in its panel use while working extremely well in a limited orange and grey color palette.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 1. Written by Kanehito Yamada. Art by Tsukasa Abe. 2021. Viz Media, $9.99 (9781974725762).
Elven mage Frieren and companions have defeated the Demon King after ten long years of adventuring, and now the story may finally begin. Yet Frieren is alone as she does not age and her companions die. Episodic tales of new spells in a high fantasy world are interspersed with fond reminiscences of those left behind.

The Good Asian Volume Two. Written by Pornsak Pichetshote. Art by Alexandre Tefenkgi. Color by Lee Loughridge. Letters and Design by Jeff Powell. 2022. Image Comics, $17.99 ( 9781534321212).
Noir focusing on Chinese-American detective Edison Hark as he investigates a murder in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1936. Explores the realities of immigration and race within the US at the time from a point of view of Chinese-Americans, weaving real history into a fictional murder mystery.

Halina Filipina: A New Yorker in Manila. Written by Arnold Arre. Art by Arnold Arre. 2022. Tuttle Publishing, $14.99 (9780804855440).
Halina is a half-Filipino, half-American woman visiting the Philippines to connect with her family and to search for a connection to her Filipino heritage. Halina's experience as a woman working to reconnect with her Filipino family and learn more about her heritage is one that is not included in many comics. Arre does a great job of bringing the city of Manila to life and describing the competing emotions of both Halina and Cris, a Filipino movie critic.

Hawkeye: Kate Bishop. Written by Marieke Nijkamp. Art by Enid Balám. Art by Oren Junior & Robert Poggi. Colors by Brittany Peer, Cris Peter, & Rachelle Rosenberg. Lettering by VC’s Joe Caramagna. Edited by Caitlin O’Connell. 2022. Marvel, $15.49 (9781302932992).
Kate Bishop’s story arc by Nijkamp will appeal to established Hawkeye fans while still being approachable to those who are new to the character. The story is fun and keeps readers guessing. The artwork is bright and makes use of elements that work well for a Hawkeye story.

House of Slaughter: The Butchers Mark. Written by James Tynion IV & Tate Brombal. Art by Chris Shehan. Colors by Miquel Muerto. Lettering by Andworld Design. Edited by Eric Harburn. 2022. Boom Studios, $14.99 (9781684158164).
Horror, mystery, non-stereotypical racial representation, and LGBTQ+ representation, this title has it all. The art is enjoyable, and the tale has substance. This story is part of the Something is Killing the Children universe but can stand on its own. While it may answer some questions that readers of SIKTH may have, the old and new characters are given a life that does not require prerequisite reading.

The Journey of Marcel Grob. Written by Philippe Collin. Art by Sébastien Goethals. Translated by Joe Johnson. 2022. Naval Institute Press, $27.95 (9781682478219).
Eighty-three year old Marcel Grob is brought before a judge and questioned about his role in the German S.S. during World War II. This is an exceptionally well-researched piece of historical fiction that seems completely authentic in both story and art. It deftly examines the moral toll that wars take on those who fight them. This book can easily sit on a shelf with works such as Catch 22 and Slaughterhouse-Five.

The Keeper. Written by Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes. Art by Marco Finnegan. 2022. Abrams ComicArts, $24.00 (9781419751554)
After the death of her parents, Aisha moves in with her elderly grandmother who is determined to keep her from experiencing the horrors that her grandmother did in foster care. However, as Aisha's grandmother's health worsens, she is left with few options to offer Aisha protection. When she decides to call on a spirit known only as The Keeper to watch over Aisha, horror and violence slowly unfold.

Keeping Two. Written by Jordan Crane. Art by Jordan Crane. Color help by Gary Musgrave. Lettering by Jordan Crane. Edited by Eric Reynolds. 2022. Fantagraphics Books Inc., $29.99 (9781683965183).
Told from opposing viewpoints, this story illustrates how some people deal with trauma. It makes for an effective and emotional read. The art, while fairly simple, is done entirely in tones of green and helps set the mood of the book.

Liebestrasse. Written by Greg Lockard. Art by Tim Fish. Color by Héctor Barros. Lettering and Design by Lucas Gattoni. Edited by Will Dennis. 2022. Dark Horse Comics, $19.99 (9781506724553).
A beautifully written and illustrated story that gives voice to the lived counterculture experience during Germany’s interwar period. The care taken by the author and the illustrator to create a historically accurate portrayal of the dangers experienced by members of the counterculture, especially members who identified as LGBTQ+, during the rise of the Nazi's is heartbreaking.

Lore Olympus:

Lore Olympus: Volume One. Written by Rachel Smythe. Art by Rachel Smythe. 2021. Del Rey, $26.99 (9780593160299). In this modernized (but still fantastical) retelling of Greek mythology, readers meet Persephone as she arrives in Olympus and meets Hades. The artwork is vibrant, and the storytelling is engaging, perfect elements to reintroduce or introduce a timeless story to new readers.
Lore Olympus: Volume Two. Written by Rachel Smythe. Art by Rachel Smythe. 2022. Random House World, $27.99 (9780593160305). Persephone is still struggling to find her way in Olympus and navigate her relationship with Hades (whatever that confusing relationship may be) when she finds herself working as his intern. Hades, in turn, must try to resist his own desire to pursue Persephone due to both her age and the fact that they are working side-by-side.

A Man’s Skin. Written by Hubert. Art by Zanzim. Translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger. 2021. Ablaze, $24.99 (9781950912483).
Set in Renaissance Italy, Bianca has been promised to Giovanni, but she wishes she could get to know him before marriage. Her godmother reveals that her family possesses the magical skin of man and that they are able to wear it. Bianca dons the skin and sets out to chat Giovanni up.

The Me You Love in the Dark. Written by Skottie Young. Art by Jorge Corona. Color by Jean-Francois Beaulieu. Lettering by Nate Piekos of Blambot®. 2022. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534321144).
A struggling artist retreats to an old house to devote time to painting and discovers an otherworldly muse in the haunted house. Ro is captivated by the spirit, but then this spirit becomes obsessed with her, preventing her from leaving the house.

Nubia and the Amazons. Written by Vita Ayala & Stephanie Williams. Art by Alitha Martinez, Dominike "Domo" Stanton, Darryl Banks, & Mark Morales. Color by Emilio Lopez, Allen Passalaqua, Romulo Fajardo, Jr. Lettering by Becca Carey. 2022. DC Comics, $24.99 (9781779516671).
When Nubia unexpectedly becomes queen of Themyscira, she faces challenges from multiple sides as a new villain emerges from Doom's Doorway. As the former guardian of Doom's Doorway, she must determine why it is active once more, and she must save Themyscira.

One Beautiful Spring Day. Written by Jim Woodring. Art by Jim Woodring. 2022. Fantagraphics, $49.99 (9781683965558).
Frank, his friends, and his enemies inhabit a dreamworld that is like nothing else to be found in comics. In this wordless comic, Frank embarks on numerous surreal adventures that are sometimes lighthearted and sometimes brutal.

Ripple Effects. Written by Jordan Hart. Art by Bruno Chiroleu. Lettering by Oceano Ransford. 2022. Fanbase Press, $24.99 (9780998797984).
George Gibson has two secrets. First, he is a superhero who is physically invulnerable. Second, he is diabetic. But, all he really wants is a normal life as a writer. After a chance encounter with another superhero, he has to decide the role both his powers and his invisible disability will have on his life.

Space Story. Written by Fiona Ostby. Art by Fiona Ostby. 2022. West Margin Press, $16.99 (9781513128757).
As humans prepare to leave a dying Earth for space, two women meet, fall in love, and start a family. When only one of them is initially able to make the trip to space, they must fight to find a way forward and a way back to each other.

Step by Bloody Step. Written by Si Spurrier. Art by Matias Bergara. Color by Matheus Lopes. Image Comics, $17.99 (9781534322387)
Wordless comic that tells the story of a girl in a fantasy world growing up while under the protection of a giant, armored guardian. As she ages, her guardian finds it more and more difficult to protect her from the dangers of nature as well as society.

Strange Adventures. Written by Tom King. Art by Evan Shaner & Mitch Gerads. 2021. DC Comics, $26.49 (9781779512031).
This book will appeal to anyone who likes superhero stories, especially those who like Silver and Bronze Age characters. The story is told in two timelines: the past drawn by Evan Shaner and the present drawn by Mitch Gerads. Both artists do a skillful job of depicting both large action super-heroics and smaller human dramas. Their styles are different enough to be easily distinguishable, but they still manage to work well in tandem.

Talk to My Back. Written by Yamada Murasaki. Art by Yamada Murasaki . Translated by Ryan Holmberg. 2022. Drawn & Quarterly, $29.95 (9781770465633).
A collection of stories that uplifts the lived experiences of professional housewives in a medium/world which often neglects them. Highly recommended to public and university libraries for leisure collections and scholastic feminist manga collections. This edition includes an essay by translator Ryan Holmberg titled, The Life and Art of Yamada Murasaki.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. Written by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, & Tom Waltz. Art by Esau Escorza, Isaac Escorza, Ben Bishop, & Kevin Eastman. Color by Luis Antonio Delgado. Lettering and Design by Shawn Lee. 2022. IDW, $29.99 (9781684058419).
"Who is the Last Ronin? In a future, battle-ravaged New York City, a lone surviving Turtle embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission seeking justice for the family he lost. Three decades in the making from legendary TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, get ready for the final story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! What terrible events destroyed his family and left New York a crumbling, post-apocalyptic nightmare? All will be revealed in this climactic Turtle tale that sees longtime friends becoming enemies and new allies emerging in the most unexpected places. Can the surviving Turtle triumph?"

Tuki: Fight for Fire. Written by Jeff Smith. Art by Jeff Smith. 2022. Cartoon Books, $20.00 (9781888963755).
At the dawn of humanity, Tuki searches for the Motherherd of All Buffalo. During his travels, he must confront threats from both the real world and the spirit world. Jeff Smith is a master of both drawing and storytelling. His expressive characters come alive on the page. The story is grounded in current scientific knowledge of early humans, and Smith uses his knowledge to make a remote and largely unknowable era seem real for the reader. His energetic art conveys the drama and danger of the era very well.

Walk Me to the Corner. Written by Anneli Furmark. Art by Anneli Furmark. Translated by Hanna Strömberg. 2022. Drawn and Quarterly, $29.95 (9781770464940).
Two middle-aged married women have a chance meeting at a party and have an instant connection. They soon fall deeply in love, but neither want to leave their marriages to be with one another.

Wash Day Diaries. Written by Jamila Rowser. Art by Robyn Smith. Colors by Robyn Smith, Bex Glendining, & Kazimir Lee. 2022. Chronicle Books, $19.95 (9781797205458).
Interconnected stories of four best friends living in the Bronx. Their stories include tough topics including family dynamics, mental health struggles, and, most important, friendship between Black women.

The White Lady. Written by Quentin Zuttion. Art by Quentin Zuttion. Translated by Montana Kane. Europe Comics, $9.99 (9791032812839).
The story follows a young nurse, Estelle, who works in a nursing home. Estelle spends her days caring for the elderly, forming bonds and comforting them at the end of their lives. Estelle juggles her reality with those of the patients, many of whom suffer from Alzheimer's.

Witches: The Complete Collection. Written by Daisuke Igarashi. Art by Daisuke Igarashi. 2022. Seven Seas Entertainment, $24.99 (9781648278396).
An interesting take on witchcraft with horror-adjacent stories that are fresh. The stories intertwine in some places but do not depend on a connection to be understandable. The art is more sketch heavy than some manga, but it captures the creator’s unique style.

Nonfiction

Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story. Written by Catherine Piolo. Art by Catherine Piolo. Translated by J.T. Mahany. 2022. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $27.95 (9781637790342).
When Catherine Piolo was diagnosed with leukemia, she decided to illustrate her story. The book details both the medical side of her experience as well as the personal side. This is an excellent look at life with a serious medical condition. Catherine makes science accessible while keeping a strong focus on the personal side.

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands. Written by Kate Beaton. Art by Kate Beaton. 2022. Drawn and Quarterly, $39.95 (9781770462892).
From the creator of Hark! A Vagrant, this was an affecting look into life for a young woman in the drilling camps and how persistent and pervasive misogyny is in that environment. It also shows the economic forces that motivate people to work there and to continue working there.

Everything is OK. Written by Debbie Tung. Art by Debbie Tung. 2022. Andrews McMeel Publishing, $16.99 (9781524863272).
Debbie Tung explores her own struggles with depression and anxiety through this graphic novel. She delves into her experience of falling into depression around the same time that she was establishing herself as a freelance illustrator. Through her use of color, she expresses the way that depression changed how she saw and interacted with the world. She also details how working with a therapist helped her to develop strategies and better understand her depression. The book includes approaches that helped her along the way.

Free Speech Handbook. Written by Ian Rosenberg. Art by Mike Cavallaro. Edited by Mark Siegal, MK Reed, & S.I. Rosenbaum. 2021. First Second, $28.99 (9781250619754).
In this volume of the World Citizen Comics series, Ian Rosenberg and Mike Cavallaro create a practical and accessible framework for understanding and appreciating the First Amendment.

Fine: A Comic About Gender. Written by Rhea Ewing. Art by Rhea Ewing. 2022. Liveright, $21.00 (9781631496806).
Questions about gender, identity, and finding oneself frame Rhea Ewing’s graphic memoir. Covers a range of topics and gives voice to both cis and trans* lived experiences.

Hakim's Odyssey

Hakim's Odyssey Book 1: From Syria to Turkey. Written by Fabien Toulmé. Art by Fabien Toulmé. Translated by Hannah Chute. 2021. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $29.95 (9781637790007). Toulmé interviews Hakim, a Syrian refugee living in France. Hakim unravels his journey from Syria where he fled government upheaval in hopes of being able to find a stable and safe place for his family. This first book covers Hakim's journey from Syria to Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey.
Hakim's Odyssey Book 2: From Turkey to Greece. Written by Fabien Toulmé. Art by Fabien Toulmé. Additional lettering and art reconstruction by Zen. Translated by Hannah Chute. 2022. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $29.95 (9781637790083). The second installment of Hakim’s immigrant journey finds the new father taking care of baby Hadi and surviving whilst waiting for paperwork that will allow them to join their family in France. Unable to endure the bureaucratic process, he travels to Greece. It's a dangerous and terrifying journey.
Hakim’s Odyssey: Book 3: From Macedonia to France. Written by Eric Orner. Art by Fabien Toulmé. Additional lettering and art reconstruction by Zen. Translated by Hannah Chute. 2022. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $29.95 (9781637790311). This is book 3 in Hakim’s journey to France and a strong ending to his story. This segment of the journey gives a sense of what refugees encounter in various countries throughout Europe and offers readers a chance to follow Hakim through to his final reuniting with his wife.

Iranian Love Stories. Written by Jane Deuxard. Art by Deloupy. Translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger. 2022. Graphic Mundi - PSU Press, $24.95 (9781637790045).
Ten stories of love by Iranian twenty-somethings. This politically charged graphic memoir features women who feel empowered by the regime's strict approach to gender segregation, a nerd who dreams of a life outside Iran, and other stories about the ups-and-downs of love in Iran.

It Won't Always Be Like This. Written by Malaka Gharib. Art by Malaka Gharib. 2022. Ten Speed Press, $19.99 (9781984860293).
From the creator of I Was Their American Dream, this nonfiction memoir tracks Malaka's time in Egypt every summer for 15 years visiting her father, stepmother, Hala, and siblings. The memoir discusses the push and pull from Malaka's life in the United States during the school year to her life with her dad and Hala in Egypt over the summers.

Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball. Written by Jon Chad. Art by Jon Chad. 2022. First Second Books, $24.99 (9781250249210).
Chad details the history of pinball from the Court of Louis XIV to modern machines, including its cultural effect in America throughout the 20th century. Chad also delves into what is so compelling about pinball machines that causes people to want to keep playing.

Policing the City: An Ethno-Graphic. Written by Didier Fassin & Frédéric Debomy. Art by Jake Raynal. Translated by Rachel Gomme. 2022. Penguin Random House, $25.99 (9781635422504).
A translated graphic novel created using data from an ethnographic study of police behavior in low-income immigrant and minority neighborhoods in France. The subject is highly topical with clear parallels to US policing. The art style suits the content of the report with the artist being able to convey a lot of information in very little detail. [Content warning: inclusion of racial slurs.]

The Poorcraft Cookbook. Written by Nero Villagallos O’Reilly. Art by Nero Villagallos O’Reilly. 2022. Iron Circus Comics, $14.99 (9781945820939).
Non-fiction edutainment book with 80 pages of comic illustrations about shopping for groceries on a budget and properly stocking a pantry. Recipes included for dozens of inexpensive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert dishes.

Radium Girls. Written by Cy. Art by Cy. 2022. Iron Circus Comics, $15.00 (9781432839031).
This book depicts the story of the Radium Girls, a collection of female factory workers who were trained to apply radium-based paint to consumer goods, including watches. This book brings to life an important period in history and will keep readers engaged in these women's stories from the first page.

Sleeping While Standing. Written by Taki Soma. Art by Taki Soma. 2022. Avery Hill Publishing, $16.95 (9781910395684)
Through a series of vignettes, Soma reflects on her life. She skillfully tackles complicated topics, including suicide, drug abuse, childhood trauma and more. From her childhood in Japan to her later years in Minnesota, she offers a raw and revealing look at her life that will be relatable to many readers.

Smahtguy: The Life and Times of Barney Frank. Written by Eric Orner. Art by Eric Orner. 2022. Metropolitan Books, $25.99 (9781250879295).
Eric Orner’s first graphic novel is a solid dramatization of an important and little-discussed political figure, Barney Frank - informed by many years of working together. This political biography is a loving portrait of the former congressional representative from Massachusetts.

Yellow Cab. Written by Benoit Cohen. Art by Christophe Chabouté. 2022. IDW, $19.99 (9781684058921).
French filmmaker Benoit Cohen decides to become an NYC cab driver to spark his flagging creativity. His journal of his time as a cabbie were published as a prose book titled Yellow Cab. This graphic novel by the same name is an adaptation of Benoit's journal. Chabouté's stark black and white art provide a highly stylized but authentic depiction of New York City.