Staff Picks for Adult Graphic Novel

Why is it a pick?

Here is the story of Hurricane Katrina as told by the author through the personal stories of seven people who lived through the event. Because it is firsthand the glimpse into the lives changed by this event and how each of them coped with the disaster is motivational with insightful illustrations of each person’s story.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

On his first solo adventure without Hellboy, Abe travels to an island off the coast of France to recover an item from a shipwreck; a Lipu dagger from the body of Vrooman the Dutch warlock killed in 1884. Giant eel attacks are just the beginning of his troubles caused by curses awakened in the watery ocean depths.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

Dramatic graphics in a dark yet vivid set of frames give this series an arresting tone. The unique style of mixing color and solid lines with fuzzier more muted and surreal backgrounds gives vampires and monster fighting an extra intensity. Buffy fans will appreciate this development in the plot threads.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

Fans of vampires, dark romance or the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter novels will want to pick up this beautifully illustrated graphic novel. This is the first entry in the new series put out by Marvel.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Anna

Why is it a pick?

This astoundingly illustrated and touching story stars a fifty year old professor of architecture who navigates life as a critic. Unfortunately this attitude overflows into relationships, one of which is with his invisible twin brother. His life holds scenes that remain meaningful after the book is closed.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This adult graphic novel is a beautiful exploration into love and finding family under the pressure of chronic illness. The artist and writer, Frederik Peeters shares a touching account of love between a man, woman, a little boy and their dealing with HIV.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This book shows off the combined talents of Lars a Swedish artist, and Max a Slovenian writer in a humorous and semi-historic graphic depiction of the effects of war in Serbia upon a futuristic society.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This adult non-fiction graphic novel created by the Duke University Center for the Study of Public Domain concerns the various loopholes and complexities of copyright law. It began with research of fair use limitations by a documentary filmmaker. This expanded into questions of the history of legal changes in understanding and interpreting intellectual property in our creative world.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This is a laugh out loud juxtaposition of Victorian style sepia toned comic strips with modern and somewhat droll captions. Everything from what would happen without the internet to how not to parent is part of the humorous flow with historic style ads and sayings placed oddly throughout.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This beautifully drawn book in sepia tone shows the small quiet world of a fan dealer and salesman in historic Canada. Philosophical thoughts of presenting yourself and product to strangers while traveling by train to rural small towns in the mid-1950’s brings close a lost period of history taking us along too.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This book is an interesting romp through a mind full of imagination containing evaluations of psychological illusions, fables, and definitions of Hell and who gets a ticket to go there. The illustrations are wonderful spanning college to middle-aged America, diverse people and their lives.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This mature graphic novel places familiar fairytale characters in gritty, modern New York City. Lavishly illustrated and superbly written, this is a must-read for adult fans of fantasy.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Dylan

Why is it a pick?

A new relationship through its story arc. Why the nightmare in the middle?

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Xan

Why is it a pick?

This adult graphic novel written in a storytelling tradition has a young college student traveling to India to represent his family from Chicago at a wedding. He writes home to his parents and sister during his visit and becomes more informed and understanding about his Indian name and culture as will the reader. The appendix has interesting facts and background about the country too.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

Common characteristics are found of Isadora and Greek goddesses in her non-conformity to the fashion standards of New York of the early 1900’s. This version of the life of “The Barefoot Dancer” will delight dancers and show off the journey of a free spirit and artist who challenged many restrictions during her life.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

Looking closely into the soul and life of this legendary singer this book begins with an intimate take on his life as an unknown songwriter behind bars in Folsom prison. His family and past become real through the stark black and white drawings done by Reinhard Kleist, author and artist, a fan from Berlin.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This primarily black and white illustrated book by Ho Che Anderson holds the eye with scenes and moments in time from the life of Martin Luther King. Effectively written lessons in the history of civil rights in America are accompanied well using strong visual impact.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

Fans of Neil Gaiman's Sandman owe it to themselves to try Mike Carey's Lucifer. These mature graphic novels feature fascinating characters and epic plots that will captivate from start to finish.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Dylan

Why is it a pick?

This magical book illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano who collaborated with Neil Gaiman on The Sandman, tells the love story of the fair maiden Kouran and Shaani the flute player. It is based on Mozart's The Magic Flute and the character Queen of Night.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

A bomb from street-fighting releases 4 lions from the Baghdad zoo. In color.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Xan

Why is it a pick?

This is a fun Adult Graphic Novel about a Head Librarian at Middleton Public Library; an incredible time capsule of ancient and modern texts saved from pernicious overdue fines by this dedicated immortal with bottle glasses and an arsenal of high tech weapons. He is accompanied by a bird with world domination fantasies.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

These two adult graphic novels are very exciting adventure stories of two sisters who set out to find their three brothers- Union soldiers in the Civil War. Rose of Irish ancestry is an aggressive warrior. Using a gun and bow and arrow they attack those “seccesh” unfortunate enough to be in their way. The graphics depict action every page by excellent artist and author Todd Mathot.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

For Asian-American adults living in San Francisco there are many ways to find ways in and out of friendships and love. This book has a black and white nicely illustrated reality that gives unique perspective to adults trying to understand what and with whom they want to be when they finally grow up.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

This uniquely hilarious ironic graphic story involves an ape who is also a CPA. He owns a jet pack that sometimes works well. Enter the acts of an evil group of sinister masons known as O’Donnelly’s Roofing who add modern home improvements to ancient sites thereby criminally defacing them. Luckily Sky Ape is on the job.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane

Why is it a pick?

Imagine a young boy with glasses who has a toy robot and lives in rural Midwest. His brother and his stuffed Tyrannosaurus Rex and a collection of fantasies follow him through painful episodes of baptism, Scouts and basic schoolyard survival skills.

Collection

Adult Graphic Novel

Picked by

Diane