The Best Graphic Novels/Comics You Haven't Read

Kelly had the brilliant idea to shine a spotlight on some of the lesser known titles of YA with the help of some Librarything Statistics (number of users owning a book!) Since most of the titles that came up on my list were my favorites of 2009 (I haven't been reading YA that long!) I thought I'd try something a little different and feature some books I read and adored before I started writing reviews. Turns out some of my favorite graphic novels and comics I've barely spoken about so I'd like this opportunity to shine a light in their direction!

Johnny Boo: The Best Little Ghost In The World! by James Kochalka
5 stars
18 Librarything users list in their library

Johnny Boo is one for the kids (and me). I will guesstimate a reading level/interest of maybe elementary school? And it's a series, 3 out with a forth on the way. It's the story of Johnny Boo, his pet ghost Squiggle (pretty sure I bought it for him) and an ice cream monster. Really what else must a cute little graphic novel have?


Invincible Summer by Nicole J. Georges
5 stars
29 Librarything users list in their library

Invincible Summer is a grab bag of comics, illustrations, articles, pet portraits and more compiled from the first five years of Georges's Invincible Summer zine. Her style of drawing is just cute! The book is written as diary comics which I really love. I love how it's a chronological exploration of her life. <3




The Acme Novelty Library Number 18 by Chris Ware
4.5 stars
123 Librarything users list in their library

Some of you may be familiar with Chris Ware's graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan: The Smarest Kid On Earth. Well guess who hasn't even finished that one, me! This is the only book of his that I've read all the way through but I just adored it and am pretty sure I will become a complete fan girl once I read more of his work. The details in his illustration, the story... this is a wonderful book and I can't wait to see how it continues (the stories continue through volumes trading off with other stories).


Holy Moly by Leah Hayes
5 stars
8 Librarything users list in their library

This is so short it's almost a pamphlet! The illustrations are so odd and random I burst out laughing at almost every page! I started on Hayes Funeral of the Heart which is a much longer and entirely created on scratch board graphic novel but haven't yet finished it. So far it doesn't have that same laugh out loud quality though so to me this is the one to start with.



Tales of Woodsman Pete by Lilli Carre
4.5 stars
42 Librarything users list in their library

As I mentioned earlier this week, this is my favorite of Lilli Carre's books. I first saw an excerpt in The Best American Comics 2006 and was intrigued. It jumps back and forth between stories of Woodsman Pete and Paul Bunyan. It's quirky, cute, and little, just the way I like it!




I'd love to hear about some of the lesser known comics and graphic novels that you love! :D