It’s the end of another year, and it’s time to recommend some of the comic books I read this year. As I mentioned in previous years, I tend to primarily focus my recommendations on creator-owned titles, these will mostly be graphic novels/trade paperbacks, and they may not all have been released this year.
As always, I’ve provided links where I can. Links to Amazon will be affiliate links. Anywhere else is not. Even so, if you’re intrigued by these books, try to buy them from your local comic shop or book store. You can find previous years’ recommendation by clicking on the corresponding year: 2020, 2021, 2022.
Fairlady, vol. 1, by Brian Shirmer and Claudia Balboni
A fun fantasy comic with a detective bent. Each issue is self-contained with hints pointing to a larger narrative.
Love Everlasting, vol. 1, by Tom King and Elsa Charretier
An interesting riff on romance comics of yesteryear with a neat twist. I always look forward to picking up the next installment in this series.
Know Your Station, by Sarah Gaily and Liana Kangas
Set on a space station in the future, Know Your Station is a sci-fi/horror series with class-conscious bent.
Dead Eyes, vol. 1, by Gerry Duggan and John McCrea
Readers of the blog may remember my posts (here and here) about this book when it first came out and found itself in trademark trouble. After changing the title from Dead Rabbit to Dead Eyes, the series was released. It’s a gritty, mobster-inspired tale set in Boston following the exploits of an old criminal returning for one last score.
It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth, by Zoe Thorogood
One of the most original books I read this year, the art and layout push against the norms of stereotypical comic book, and the subject matter, the author’s mental health during a turbulent year, is compelling and challenging.
Dead Legends II, by James Maddox and Gavin Smith
A sequel that picks up after the first Dead Legends (a glaring omission from last year’s list), Dead Legends II is a martial arts book that features excellent action-oriented art and a solid story of revenge, honor, and family.
Andre the Giant: Life and Legend, by Box Brown
This book chronicles the life of the wrestler Andre the Giant. The art may be deceptively simplistic-looking, but the story alternates between funny and heartbreaking. An excellent biographical comic.