I love graphic novels, and I’ve been trying more and more to pay attention to what the world of graphic novels has to offer. Being a contributor for Book Riot allows me to, at times, get my hands on ARCs (advanced reading copies), and I’ve been giving a lot of priority to graphic novels in the few last months. Not only are graphic novels a great tool for learning, I love the way text and artwork complement each other — and of course, they are also a fun way to boost my yearly reading challenge, especially when I am in a reading slump and don’t know what to pick up to help me get out of it. In the list below there are eight upcoming graphic novels that I have had a chance to read before their publication date this year, and that I thoroughly enjoyed — and I am certain you will, too. Make sure you add them to your list, and I hope you enjoy discovering them as much as I have. The story focuses on four best friends and their close-knit friendships, as well as the daily individual struggles they face. I love when a graphic novel uses colours as a statement, and this one certainly does. Great artwork alongside a great storyline. The Earth is no longer a place people can rely on as home, so the population starts being allocated to other places across space. A queer family sees themselves separated due to unpredictable circumstances, and they are doing whatever they can to meet each other again. This is a story filled with bitter-sweet moments (but with a happy ending), and I am in love with it. The book does a great job of portraying these women, their unity, and their struggle for justice. The artwork is, once again, superb. The illustrations really help the reader engage with the story, and although it is a bit heavier narration-wise than the graphic novels above, it is amazing from start to finish. A moving graphic novel with really nice illustration. Release date is June 21st. This graphic novel encapsulates well what it is like to grow up gay in the ’90s, and how lonesome it can be to feel like you are an outsider for liking the things you like. This graphic novel is about a woman whose life looks pretty perfect on the surface, but whose chronic mental illness causes her to have regular panic attacks that make daily life an uphill climb. The story explores mental illness and anxiety, and the things we keep inside, putting up a face of normalcy for the world. This is a great story about an American Filipino character, and about what it is like to grow up within a culture you believe to know well, just to visit the country and realise it is actually full of surprises. Looking for more upcoming releases? Check out our new release archives!
