Graphic novels have been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years, with an increasing number of readers turning to these visual narratives as a way to explore complex themes and ideas. As we move into 2023, the world of graphic novels is set to expand even further, with a diverse range of new titles set to hit bookshelves. From superhero adventures to intimate character studies, there is something for everyone in the world of graphic novels. In this article, we will be highlighting 15 most anticipated graphic novels of 2023, giving readers a sneak peek into the exciting and vibrant world of sequential art. Whether you are a long-time fan of graphic novels or a newcomer to the medium, there is plenty to look forward to in the year ahead.
15 Most Anticipated Graphic Novels of 2023
Avatar: Adapt or Die
In this untold story set over a decade before the events of James Cameron’s Avatar, Dr. Grace Augustine faces a race against time and political turmoil to prevent a catastrophic disaster. As pressure mounts to bridge the gap between humans and Na’vi on Pandora, Dr. Augustine proposes a school for Na’vi children to promote mutual understanding. However, her efforts backfire when the children contract a deadly illness during a visit to Hell’s Gate, leading to accusations of betrayal and mistrust. Dr. Augustine must navigate human politics and work with the Na’vi to find a cure, but can she earn their trust? This gripping tale is written by Eisner and Hugo Award-nominated author Corinna Bechko (Invisible Republic) and illustrated by Beni R. Lobel (Constantine), with colors by Wes Dzioba (Avatar: The Next Shadow).
Queenie: Godmother of Harlem by Elizabeth Colomba
“Queenie” is a graphic novel that delves into the life of Stephanie Saint-Clair, an infamous criminal who became a legend in Harlem during the 1930s. Born on a plantation in Martinique, she left for the United States in 1912 to build a new life for herself. Despite facing extreme racism, Saint-Clair rose from poverty to become the ruthless queen of Harlem’s mafia and a defender of the Black community. She dedicated her wealth and compassion to the struggling masses of Harlem, but as Prohibition ended, she faced threats from Italian mobsters seeking to take over her operation. “Queenie” is a celebration of the genius of a woman forgotten by history, tackling themes such as colonization, corruption, police violence, and racial identity. The graphic novel is brought to life by authors Elizabeth Colomba and Aurelie Levy’s meticulous attention to detail in both story and art, set against the backdrop of jazz and voodoo.
Edmund White’s A Boy’s Own Story: The Graphic Novel
A Boy’s Own Story, a coming-of-age tale that has since become a classic, tells the story of a young gay protagonist growing up during one of the most oppressive periods in American history. The novel, set in the Midwest of the 1950s, resonated with readers and became an instant bestseller. It was not only about gay identity but also the pain of being a child in a broken family while navigating an unstable world. Despite its sexually confessional nature, the novel contributed to the literature of empowerment during the gay rights era. To breathe new life into the landmark novel, co-writers Brian Alessandro and Michael Carroll and artist Igor Karash joined author Edmund White for a stunning graphic novel interpretation that incorporates personal and historical elements from the authors’ lives. The poetic language of White’s writing is beautifully rendered in sumptuous panels that transport readers to various locales across time, from 1950s Cincinnati to 1980s Paris.
Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard
Amidst the lead-up to World War I, Eugene Bullard, a refugee from the Jim Crow South, was determined to find a place where a Black man would be treated with respect and dignity. Bullard’s search took him from rural Georgia to the streets of Paris, from vaudeville to the boxing ring, and ultimately, from the muddy trenches to the open skies. In 1914, he joined the French fight and made history as the world’s first African American fighter pilot. Author Ronald Wimberly presents a candid but sensitive portrait of Bullard, exploring concepts of cynicism, idealism, fear, glory, and the pervasive nature of anti-Black racism in a historical and personal context.
Mimosa by Archie Bongiovanni
Chris, Elise, Jo, and Alex rely on each other as both best friends and chosen family to keep themselves afloat amidst the challenges of their lives. Despite their struggles, they come together for regular brunches that serve as a lifeline for their friendship. As they approach their thirties, they decide to put on a new queer event called Grind to avoid feeling like the oldest gays at the party. While Grind offers a welcome distraction from their problems, each member of the group must navigate their own unique struggles, including adjusting to single parenthood, balancing career aspirations and personal relationships, and grappling with personal secrets that could change their friendships forever. Through it all, this chosen family shows that messiness is a part of life, no matter your age.
Drawing on Anxiety: Finding Calm Through Creativity
This journal is a blend of self-help, self-care, and memoir that provides guided prompts and affirmations to help explore your body’s natural response to stress. Kate Sutton, the author and illustrator, shares her own experiences dealing with anxiety in a warm and friendly manner, encouraging readers to take a moment to be kind to themselves and explore their feelings through drawing. With art therapy principles and prompts to help express oneself on the page, along with affirmations to remind readers that things will be okay, this journal can provide the resilience and strength needed to navigate difficult moments. The Drawing On… series also includes Drawing On Grief, a guided journal exploring the topic of loss and how art therapy can help during this painful time.
Pusheen the Cat’s Guide to Everything by Claire Belton
This charming guide, filled with Pusheen comics and illustrations, offers a range of topics to explore. Whether you’re interested in learning about how to tell if your cat is a Vampurr or seeking advice on how to be lazy, this book has got you covered. Along with some of the most popular and adorable Pusheen comics, the collection also features new and exclusive material. Pusheen the Cat’s humor and playful antics have captivated millions of fans worldwide, making this book a must-have for cat lovers and comic enthusiasts alike.
Basilisk, Vol. 3 by Cullen Bunn
Hannah and Regan are preparing for a final attack as the disturbing atrocities of the past are revealed. Hannah must risk everything to try and reach Vanessa. Meanwhile, Vanessa wakes up in a place that is both familiar and unknown, with ominous implications. As Vanessa explores the origins of her siblings’ terrifying abilities, her madness and bloodlust reach new levels, putting everything at risk as the endgame approaches. This is the concluding volume of the dark and eerie supernatural series by acclaimed collaborators Cullen Bunn (The Empty Man) and Jonas Scharf (The Witcher: A Grain of Truth), following the highly praised Bone Parish. Collecting issues #9-12 of Basilisk.
Light Carries On by Ray Nadine
After Leon’s camera breaks, he is forced to borrow a used one from his mother’s antique store. But when he takes the first picture with it, the ghost of the camera’s previous owner, Cody, is released and the two become inexplicably connected. As they try to investigate how Cody died, Leon, who is recovering from a recent breakup and time in the military, gets closer to the ghost. Together, they explore Chicago, their shared pasts, and the complexities of life and love, all while jamming out to music and sipping frozen beverages. Written by an acclaimed author, Light Carries On is a heartwarming tale of friendship, love, and the afterlife.
The Last Count of Monte Cristo
The Last Count of Monte Cristo is a reimagining of Alexandre Dumas’s classic story of love, revenge, betrayal, and redemption. In this speculative retelling, the narrative is set hundreds of years in the future, after the polar ice caps have melted and submerged the planet into a new era of technology and culture. Ayize Jama-Everett, the author, and Tristan Roach, the illustrator, explore the original inspiration behind The Count of Monte Cristo, which was Alexandre Dumas’s father, a highly respected general during the French Revolution and one of the highest-ranking officers of African descent in a Western army in history. Similar to the protagonist in his son’s tale, General Dumas was betrayed and spent years in prison before finally returning to France. The Last Count of Monte Cristo is a radical and powerful graphic novel that reclaims the cultural heritage of Dumas’s story and warns of the grim future that could await humanity if we don’t stop destroying our planet.
20 km/h by Woshibai
This collection of contemplative snippets from an anonymous yet prominent underground cartoonist in mainland China ponders on the absurdity of contemporary life. Questions such as how fast a buggy can go when drawn by the flapping of a butterfly’s wings or how to measure the speed of waking from a dream fill the pages of 20 km/h. These thought-provoking stories straddle the line between wordplay and poetry, evoking a zen koan-like feeling that allows for multiple interpretations. Each story offers a unique perspective on the world we inhabit, from a person who wakes up on an assembly line and travels to an unknown destination in a rowboat, to a man who disappears into his mattress using a key to sleep. The vignettes are filled with surreal imagery and unexpected twists, such as the moon being plucked from the sky and traded in for a can of soda from a vending machine.
Grand Slam Romance by Ollie Hicks
This graphic novel explores a queer romance set in the world of softball and magical girl drama. Mickey Monsoon, the star pitcher of the Belle City Broads, is determined to lead her team to victory this season. However, when Astra Maxima, Mickey’s former best friend and crush, appears as the catcher for the rival Gaiety Gals, Mickey is thrown off her game. Astra’s arrogant and flirty behavior on the field makes it even harder for Mickey to focus, despite her desire for vengeance after Astra dumped her years ago. Adding to the complications, Astra is not just a softball superstar, but also a magical girl. In order to defeat Astra, Mickey must betray her team and join the Danger Dames, a secret elite squad. Mickey also starts dating Astra’s ex, which wasn’t part of the plan. As Mickey gets deeper into the scheme, she begins to question whether her feelings for Astra are more than just a grudge. With plenty of softball action and a diverse cast of LGBTQ characters, Grand Slam Romance: Book 1 hits a home run that is sure to appeal to readers.
MAGE and the Endless Unknown by SJ Miller
Venture beyond the misty mountains and peek through the foliage to discover a peculiar garden tended by an unusual caretaker with a mysterious agenda. Join the wordless Mage and his companions on their journey through an enigmatic and fantastical realm fraught with perilous creatures. Will they emerge triumphant from their strange mission or succumb to the ominous shadows that threaten to engulf them?
The Bomb: The Weapon That Changed the World
At 8:15 in the morning on August 6, 1945, Hiroshima suffered a devastating blow from an explosive charge of over 15 kilotons. The attack pulverized tens of thousands of people, instantly destroying everything within four square miles and marking Japan’s greatest trauma. This horrific event changed the course of modern warfare and life on Earth forever, shocking the world with the existence of the first weapon of mass destruction. How did such a dreadful tool come into being? To answer this question, Alcante, Laurent-Frédéric Bollée, and Denis Rodier delve into the origins of its main component, uranium, and illuminate the scientific discoveries surrounding its civilian and military uses. The Bomb is a compilation of incredible yet true stories, tracing the history of uranium from Katanga to Japan, Germany, Norway, the USSR, and New Mexico. Alcante, Bollée, and Rodier have produced an exhaustive and authoritative work of nonfiction that chronicles the stories of both the unsung players and the remarkable men and women at the center of its history and the events that followed.
Rockstar & Softboy Go To Space by Sina Grace
The mischievous and playful best friends of the comics are making a comeback, but this time, they’re facing some serious problems. After being harshly rejected by the most powerful men in Los Angeles, Rockstar and Softboy decide to leave it all behind and travel to space. In this latest installment of the fan-favorite comic, acclaimed author SINA GRACE presents even more shenanigans than before. How will these two friends, who are now far away from everything they know, manage to get into more trouble and deepen their special bond? The only way to discover their fate is to read on!
Also Read: Most Anticipated Young Adult Novels of February 2023
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