ComixCon 2023 - Staff Picks
A curated booklist by your favorite SPL librarians!
May 2023
Adult | Young Adult | Middle Grade | Children's
Adult
Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli
We follow the collapsing life of architect Asterios Polyp as he reflects on his failures in love and life, all narrated by his twin who died in the womb. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Tim B. |
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Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story by Catherine Pioli; translated by J.T. Mahany
Catherine Pioli was always healthy, until her worsening sciatica forced her to seek medical attention. She is shockingly diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, a deadly blood cancer that requires extensive medical treatment. A professional illustrator, Catherine chooses to chronicle her struggle with the disease, describing both its clinical and personal facets in this posthumously published work. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Carrie A. |
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Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
Based on her popular blog that launched all the memes, this deceptively simply-drawn graphic memoir will make you laugh out loud. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Alyssa. |
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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century, 1910 by Alan Moore; art by Kevin O'Neill
Part of Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's epic masterpiece, Century, 1910 takes the reader on a journey through an alternate London, where pulp fiction literary characters collide with occult underworld figures, as well as a serial murderer from a previous century. The League, as part of British Intelligence, must confront these shadowy figures, with the added challenges that time travel will inevitably present. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Carrie A. |
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Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud
Full of history, vocabulary, and philosophy, this primer cleverly uses the medium of comics to seriously discuss how and why comics work as an art form. Submitted by Katie K., Senior Substitute Librarian. |
Young Adult
Black AF: America's Sweetheart by Kwanza Osajyefo
Eli Franklin, a 15-year-old Black girl living in rural Montana is also the most powerful person on the planet. In response to anti-Black sentiments about Black supes, Eli takes on the alter ego of Good Girl. But when a super-terrorist starts making trouble, Eli’s hard work threatens to come undone. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Bethany. |
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Nimona by N.D. Stevenson
In this fun and hilarious web comic turned graphic novel, Nimona is a stubborn shapeshifter determined to be the sidekick to Lord Ballister Blackheart's villain. Together they try to prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin isn't as heroic as he seems. Submitted by Youth Services Librarian, Keri B. |
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Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall; illustrated by Lisa Sterle
After transferring to a new school Becca is adopted by a group of popular girls and finds out they all have a secret: they're werewolves. Soon after Becca lets them turn her into werewolf, someone is killed and suspicions start to rise. Submitted by Youth Services Librarian, Keri B. |
Middle Grade
Borders by Thomas King; illustrated by Natasha Donovan
A boy and his mother leave Canada to visit family in the United States. When they cross the border and are asked for their citizenship, the mother answers "Blackfoot." Suddenly, they are in limbo between two countries that refuse to recognize their identity. Submitted by West Branch Youth Services Librarian, Alison. |
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Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy by ND Stevenson and Grace Ellis; illustrated by Brooke Allen
The delightful debut of the Lumberjanes series follows a diverse group of young, butt-kicking female campers through a supernatural series of adventures and mysteries. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Bethany. |
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Trickster: Native American Tales edited by Matt Dembicki
The trickster archetype exists in every culture, bringing chaos and challenging the status quo. These crafty beings are often very human yet often disguised as animals, such as the rabbit or the coyote. Teaming together Indigenous storytellers with comic book artists, Trickster brings these compelling ancient tales into contemporary popular culture. Submitted by Reference Librarian, Carrie A. |
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Children's
Smell My Foot by Cece Bell
Hilarious story about miscommunication between two friends. Submitted by West Branch Youth Services Librarian, Alison. |
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The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill
After young blacksmith Greta discovers a lost tea dragon at the market, she begins learning the dying art of tea dragon caretaking from a pair of kindly queer tea shop owners. Submitted by Generalist Librarian, Kayla. |
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The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
Thirteen-year-old gender nonconforming Aster comes from a family made up of female witches and male shapeshifters. Aster, however, is more interested in witchcraft than shapeshifting, creating a rift between him and the rest of his family. But when a dangerous new threat appears, Aster's witchery may be the only way to save his family. Submitted by Generalist Librarian, Kayla. |
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