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From “Maus” to “Persepolis,” here are some of the best graphic novels and adult comic books to read in 2022.
Amazon; Alyssa Powell/Insider
Graphic novels bring all kinds of stories to life with illustrations.
They include nonfiction reads, fantasy adventures, and stories for young readers.
These graphic novels are some of our favorites to read in 2022.
Graphic novels bring stories to life with evocative illustrations that take readers on epic adventures. From sweet cartoon-like reads to memorable historical novels, graphic novels cover a diverse range of stories and can be for readers of all ages.
The best graphic novels are memorable stories enhanced by illustration, but each one has a unique style and a special place in countless readers’ hearts. To make this list, we found award-winning, bestselling, and fan-favorite graphic novels that include everything from coming-of-age stories to memoirs about living in an internment camp during World War II.
The 36 best graphic novels and adult comic books:
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.99
Written and illustrated by the creator of the popular “Sarah’s Scribbles” comics, “Fangs” is a fantasy romance graphic novel about Elsie, a 300-year-old vampire who has never found her other half until she meets Jimmy, a loveable werewolf. In this adorable story, Elsie and Jimmy discover all they have in common and all the ways they differ, but how much they care for each other and their unusual habits.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $23.24
This multilingual middle-grade graphic novel is about five students, who are thrust together to complete their school’s community service requirement. Though they immediately know they have nothing in common, they team up to help someone who truly needs their assistance.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.59
While Prince Sebastian’s parents hunt for his perfect bride, he secretly dons stunning dresses and becomes fashion icon Lady Crystallia by night, all with the help of Frances, his best friend and dressmaker. During the day, Prince Sebastian must resume his princely duties and Frances must try and keep his secret, until a great opportunity arises for her and complicates her precarious position.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $17.96
“Wash Day Diaries” is a collection of five graphic short stories that offer a glimpse into the lives of four best friends through their hair care routines. This graphic novel is a story of love and resilience as Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie care for each other in moments of hilarity, kindness, and comfort.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $19.49
This expansive and emotional graphic novel intertwines the past and present of Mia, the newest member of a deep-space crew sent to put the past back together by rebuilding broken-down structures. Ripped from her boarding school love story, Mia’s true mission on the ship is to track down her long-lost love.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $31.49
Recently in the news for being voted out of a school curriculum, “Maus” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning story about Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, and his son, a cartoon artist struggling to process his father’s story. This tale of military history uses cats and mice to depict Nazis and Jewish people, a story within a story as Vladek’s survival is intermixed with the strained relationship between father and son. It is not only an enlightening retelling of the Holocaust in a way we rarely encounter, but the story of children who survive the survivors.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.49
“When Stars Are Scattered” is an emotional graphic novel about Omar and Hassan, who have grown up in a challenging refugee camp in Kenya without much food or medical care. When Omar gets an incredible opportunity to go to school, he knows he can change the future for him and his brother, though it would mean leaving his brother every day.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.89
This 2021 Goodreads Choice Award winner is about 15-year-old Morgan who is nearly counting down the days until she can escape her family, friends, and school from whom she’s been hiding a huge secret: she wants to kiss another girl. When a mysterious girl named Keltie saves Morgan from drowning, the two begin to fall in love, until each of their secrets threatens to ruin everything.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.69
Being raised by her single mother in Seoul, Robin and her mom have always had an inseparable bond, so when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama becomes a permanent relocation with the startling news that her mother is getting married, Robin is devastated. Robin’s world is rocked by extreme culture shock, isolation, and loneliness until her mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class and Robin begins to reconnect to herself and what makes her happy.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $18.59
“Wake” is a part-memoir graphic novel about Dr. Rebecca Hall’s previously accepted history of slave revolts, until she decided to look deeper into the truth and uncover the women warriors whose stories have never been told. While bringing their stories and historical impact to life, this graphic novel also follows Dr. Hall’s story as the legacy of slavery shapes life around her.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $14.40
“Persepolis” is the memoir of Marjane Satrapi as she grew up in Iran during the Iranian Revolution. As the child of Marxists and the great-grandchild of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane’s story intertwines public and personal history in a novel that is political, personal, and wholly original. Even if you don’t know much about Iran, the visuals in this novel create a world in which we are able to understand Marjane, her family, and the climate of her world.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.12
You may know George Takei as Hikaru Sulu from “Star Trek,” but this breathtaking graphic memoir starts in 1942, when George was only four years old and imprisoned in an internment camp during World War II. Thousands of miles from home and held under armed guard, George’s true story of legal racism in America is one that much of history has forgotten but demands to be told.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.89
“Nimona” is a hilarious story, with mesmerizing art and an exciting plot creating a book that is simply fun to read. In a graphic novel that began as a webcomic, Nimona is a shapeshifter with a tendency for villainy. Her sidekick, Lord Blackheart, is a true villain with a vendetta. Together, they team up to prove that Sir Goldeenloin isn’t the hero that everyone thinks he is. The mischievous pair begin with small acts of mischief which escalate into a huge battle, revealing the secrets of Nimona’s powers and past.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.74
This is a history and exploration of the “superhero” genre, an intellectual and thought-provoking story that is so much more than another superhero legend. It depicts the fall of a group of superheroes due to their very real human feelings, the philosophical idea of superheroes dissected as the group is stalked by an unknown assassin. This is hailed as an extraordinary title, a parody of the genre, but one that expands our understanding of complex characters and our affinity for superhero content.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.59
This graphic novel is for all ages, a look at the lives and famous writing of 18 women from the 18th-20th century. It takes a significant event in each woman’s life and retells it in comic form, making it a fun and engaging book that’s historically accurate and filled with important facts. With illustrated stories of Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, and Alice Dunbar Nelson, this graphic novel depicts how, in a time where women were undervalued and overlooked, these famous women were able to write and have an impact on literature to this day.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $8.50
John Lewis passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy as a civil rights activist and a Georgia Congressman since 1987. His graphic novel is a first-hand account of his lifelong work for Civil Rights since the days of segregation. It follows John’s journey as he met Martin Luther King, Jr., fought against Jim Crow laws, and participated in the marches and protests that contributed to real changes in America. It’s an exceptional memoir, framed as Lewis telling his story to visitors on the day of Former President Obama’s Inauguration.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.59
In the summer between middle and high school, Aiden is struggling with the word “gay,” labeled as such by bullies. When Aiden goes to summer camp, he begins to find a safer place, one with people who look out for him, teach him to stand up to harassment, and let him be himself. This is a book that resonates with queer kids, sharing the message that we deserve places and people who make us feel safe.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.69
Margaret Kimball’s illustrated memoir begins after a tragedy her family no longer mentions — her mother’s suicide attempt on Mother’s Day in 1988. Her story is a journey to process the mental illness that weaves through generations of her family, manifesting in different ways through her grandmother, mother, and brother. As she tries to understand the fractures in her family, her graphic novel tells the story of understanding mental illness and the importance of caring for our mental health.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.59
In this teen graphic novel, Rose and Windy are two friends spending another summer together on Awago Beach. This year, Rose and Windy find themselves in a dangerous amount of trouble when they set out on a distraction from Rose’s parents’ constant fighting. This is a quiet book, one with soft messages that leave the reader contemplating nuanced, complicated feelings.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $10.35
Full of beautiful truths, this book has earned countless accolades, including its selection as the 2019 Barnes and Noble Book of the Year. This illustrated story follows Charlie’s four friends and the life lessons they have to share. It can be read to children, but many adults find the messages in between the words and pictures just as important, making it a rare book that can unite us all.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.89
Cece’s memoir may be aimed at middle grade and young adult readers, but has a story with a message loved by readers of all ages. When she starts at a new school, Cece’s deafness is a hindrance to making new friends, especially with a giant “Phonic Ear” hearing aid strapped to her chest. She soon discovers that this hearing aid is so powerful, it must mean she has superpowers. But being a superhero doesn’t make her less lonely, and Cece must find a way to use her superpowers to get what she wants most in the world — a friend.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.94
When Charlie and Nick meet at an all-boys British grammar school, a friendship easily blooms between the two. Nick has heard of Charlie, outed and bullied through his last year of school, and Charlie has not only heard of Nick, but has a massive crush on him. “Heartstopper” is a fan favorite, one that many readers pick up over and over again for the adorable relationship.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11
Rainbow Rowell is an extremely popular YA author, but her graphic novels stand apart from the rest. “Pumpkinheads” is a fun fall book about Deja and Josiah, two friends who work together at a pumpkin patch every year through high school and only see each other during pumpkin season. As seniors, their last shift should mean their last goodbye, but this book depicts the night they decide to make their final shift together an adventure.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $18.99
Eleanor Davis is a famous cartoonist and this is her first collection of graphic short stories. “How to be Happy” is the best of her narratives, a compilation of emotions and mystery that span Eleanor’s wide range of artistic abilities. Though less of an answer to finding happiness, her literary creations explore society’s expectation of happiness. This is not a self-help style book, but one that uses incredible graphics alongside sometimes melancholy prose to create a one-of-a-kind story.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $17.99
Brás is waiting for his life to begin, writing obituaries for other people and dreaming of becoming a famous author himself. This graphic novel reveals the days of Brás’s life and the people who made him who he is, as well as the twists he can’t see coming — each small story ends with his death. Purposefully avoiding the cliches of similar tales you may have read in the past, this is a story about stories, profound in the ways it demonstrates how little moments are what makes a life.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $16.79
Beloved for its emotional highs and lows, “Blankets” tells the story of two brothers’ sibling rivalry and the budding romance of two lovers in the depths of a Wisconsin winter. It’s a meet-cute with a far deeper, partially auto-biographical context — the realism in both the images and the storytelling of this novel take the reader on a journey of faith, love, and self-discovery. Even as a 600-page graphic novel, the gorgeous art, whimsical feeling, and acute honesty make it a stunning tale that can be read in one sitting.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.99
If you’ve seen the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy,” you know the song “Come And Get Your Love,” but you probably don’t know the story of the Native American rock band behind it. Part-biography and part-research journalism, this graphic novel depicts an all-Native American rock band that began with brothers Pat and Lolly Vegas, talented musicians from the 1960s. After signing a deal in 1969, the rise of the American Indian Movement began and the band chose cultural pride and heritage over continued success in the music industry.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $13.94
This graphic novel depicts the experiences of six Holocaust victims, based on real survivor stories. Each one uses a first-person point of view to demonstrate the depth of pain caused by persecution, concentration camps, and the mass murder that occurred in Nazi Germany. This is a short read, but inarguably an important one, the simplicity of storytelling and the realistic imagery culminating in an unforgettable graphic novel.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop
For anyone who ever loved “Avatar,” this is a must-read. It begins after Aang defeats Ozai and Zuko becomes the Fire Lord, a story that answers the question “What happened to Zuko’s mother?” With only a clue, Zuko enlists the help of Team Avatar to find the answers he needs. It is a joy to revisit the characters that we loved for so long, and the art and dialogue in this book do the story justice. This book ends in a cliffhanger, but there are three more in the series to read after this one.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $11.99
“Banned Book Club” by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada, Illustrated by Hyung-Ju Ko
During the violent regime of South Korea’s Fifth Republic, Kim Hyun Sook leaves for college, determined to find more in life than her family’s restaurant. Kim is engrossed in the lessons held within Western Literature, but keenly aware of the dangerous political climate garnering protests, censorship, and torture. Soon, she’s invited to a reading group, a cover for an underground, banned book club. In this graphic novel, Kim’s love of great literature comes face-to-face with the very real fear of the world outside her book club.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.69
Tiến struggles to communicate with his Vietnamese parents who barely know English. Finding comfort in reading, he knows life isn’t fairytale stories, but he must find a way to grow closer to his parents — and find a way to tell them he might be gay. Tiến uses fairytales to help his parents learn English so he might tell them his secrets. This story is remarkable and adored by readers, one that shows how we are all connected and that our happiness is worth fighting for.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $16.19
This is another graphic novel that depicts the Japanese internment camps in the United States during the 1940s. Kiku is pulled back in time to witness her grandmother’s experiences as she’s moved from camp to camp during World War II, experiencing the loss of her freedom but garnering the strength to resist the forces that threaten her survival. Kiku’s story addresses the generational distress caused by these atrocities, one that requires attention to prevent history from repeating itself.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $31.99
In 1960s Chicago, Karen Reyes is 10-years-old and trying to solve the murder of her upstairs neighbor, Anka Silverberg. Told in the form of her diary, Karen’s investigation takes us through the neighbor’s interconnected stories and all the way back to Nazi Germany, where Anka survived the Holocaust. This is a political and historical graphic novel where past and present converge to create a visual experience of resilience.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $18.09
In this action-packed and unique novel, former Olympic snowboarder Zan Jensen is racing to the top of Everest, where a body hides a treasure of state secrets. As she’s chased by a government hit squad, this murder mystery reaches high altitudes, full of dialogue and narration that reveals complex characters atop beautiful art.
Amazon
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $12.99
This is a compilation of five scary stories to and from an eerie abyss. While not gory, the stories in this are genuinely chilling — described as “tear-your-face-off creepy” — from a bride in a house that holds a horrifying secret to two girls who think they’re having fun with spirits. For fans of Neil Gaiman, pick this one up…and maybe leave the lights on.
Bookshop
Available on Amazon and Bookshop, from $9.99
Snap needs a favor from an old woman in town — Jacks, who, despite rumors of being a witch, is a funny lady who wears Crocs and sells roadkill skeletons online. In order to ask for her favor, Snap begins to help Jacks with her work. As their relationship grows, Snap realizes the magic may be real and connected to her in a way she never could have expected. This is a wholesome graphic novel with queer and trans characters, a heartwarming plot, and enchanting artwork.