Graphic novels are a great escape into a fantastical world. Especially when they have strong, diverse and interesting characters. I know it’s sometimes hard to find good graphic novels that are right for you, so I compiled a list of my 5 favorites.
1. Mystery Girl by Paul Tobin
Mystery Girl is a Dark Horse (bet you did not see this coming) mystery comic about a girl named Trine who knows the answer to all questions; except how she got her mysterious power. Trine leaves her sidewalk detective agency in London to uncover perfectly preserved mammoths in Siberia. She finds out later there is a murderer on her tail for unknown (yet) reasons. Mystery Girl has a great plot, it is action-packed, funny, and the art is unique. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes fantasy, mystery, or just a good story.
2. Wayward by Jim Zub
Wayward is a Tokyo-based fantasy comic published by Image. Rori, a half-Irish, half-Japanese girl, goes to visit her mother in Japan where she not only meets teens with special abilities, but unlocks her own. The first friend she meets is a bad-ass girl who has been fighting on her own for years, with the ability to turn into a bunch of cats (she is pictured above). Together they fight yōkai, a Japanese version of the Bogeyman. Many concepts in this series are based on Japanese legends. Rori, for example, is a weaver, meaning she can read and bend red strings of fate; a take on a Japanese legend. Wayward is great for fantasy lovers, and the art is very pretty. The plot is complicated and hard to explain, but trust me, it’s worth a try!
3. Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan
Paper Girls is a sci-fi comic from Image set in the past — and the future. Four young paper girls from 1988 are delivering papers in their home town when they find what looks like a device from outer space in a basement. Not long after, they encounter weird beings, dinosaur-like monsters, and people from the future — including themselves. Paper Girls is all action, filled with beautiful comic book art, and bizarre! It’s a great mix of cool 80’s girls and science fiction. You should definitely start with the first issue shown above!
4. Princeless by Jeremy Whitley
Princeless is a fantasy book about a princess who, to her father the kings dislike, rescues herself from the tower she is locked in. From there she meets a half elf girl with a giant hammer (who I think is queer) and together they ride off on her dragon to rescue all the princess’ sisters. The picture above is actually the spinoff series, Princeless the Pirate Princess, which I personally think is even better. Though Princeless is geared more to children than the others, it has a good plot and important feminist lessons which I still appreciate as a teenager. Princeless is a great mix of funny, feminism, and fighting.
5. Saga by Brian K. Vaughan
If you know anything about graphic novels, I would be surprised if you had not heard of Saga. It is writen by the same person as Paper Girls and is a fantasy-science fiction book, basically a futuristic Romeo and Juliet. While Alana is a “Wing,” her husband Marko is a “Horn.” The Wings and Horns have been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and when Alana and Marko have a child together powerful interests on both sides are threatened. So with journalists, an ex-girlfriend, and multiple hired killers after them, the out of place family makes their way around space with their queer ghost babysitter. Saga is narrated by the child of Alana and Marko, but also has many subplots, including characters who are trying to kill Alana’s family. Saga is “graphic” in more ways than one. It has a lot of sex and violence, so I would only buy it if you are okay with that. Saga is definitely my favorite graphic novel of all time, though Wayward comes in close second. I recommend this to everyone who likes action, sci-fi, or fantasy. It’s truly unique and exciting.
