As 2021 draws to an end, we’re reflecting on our favourite graphic novels of the year. From history to fantasy and biography to YA, graphic novelists have found a way to merge literary and fine arts in all genres. Here are 20 best graphic novels of 2021.
20 Best Graphic Novels of 2021 | Top 20 Graphic Books in 2021
The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel
This is a graphic memoir about cultural pop star Alison Bechdel’s abiding love for exercise. From eastern philosophers to beat writers, she takes fitness inspiration from over the world.
Stone Fruit by Len Lai
This book follows a queer couple who navigate family ties while struggling to keep their relationship afloat. From adorable nieces to single mother sisters and religious siblings, this book packs a punch.
Cyclopedia Exotica by Aminder Dhaliwal
This fantasy graphic novel traces the journey of a community with different physical features from the rest of the species – Cyclops. From Xenophobia and immigration problems to love life issues, the book covers a wide range of topics.
Factory Summers by Guy Desisle
In this graphic memoir, Guy chronicles his life as a cartoonist working in a pulp and paper factory.
Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani
In this book, Shaheen and her cousin Tannaz turn to a magic old jukebox to find clues about Shaheen’s father’s mysterious disappearance.
Wake by Rebecca Hall
This graphic book chronicles the history of slave revolts with women at the forefront. Incorporating elements of personal history, Hall enriches the book with intimacy.
Fictional Father by Joe Ollman
This graphic novel about a dysfunctional family follows an aged famous cartoonist and his middle aged gay son trying to live up to the legacy.
Heaven No Hell by Michael DeForge
This collection of graphic short stories spans giant themes. An angel tours heaven revealing secret obsessions, a couple uses technology to determine the face of their baby and a man reflects on a childhood favoruite tv show.
The Girl From The Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag
This follows a young teen who wants to run away – from her city and from her dysfunctional family, desire to kiss a girl and a friend group where she doesn’t fit in.
Long Distance by Whitney Gardner
This middle grade graphic novel follows Vera, who is moving across cities, and decides to go to a summer camp to get adjusted. But what spirals down there is stranger than reality.
The Black Panther Party by David Walker
Walker’s graphic novel is a history of one of the most politically volatile movements in the world – the Black Panther movement.
The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim
This is the story of a mother told by her daughter – intercepting the crevices of history. With the backdrop of the Chinese war with Korea, a woman is married off to a stranger man, and the family she creates with him is separated.
Tunnels by Rutu Modan
This book is a deep dive into the world of archeology and international antiquity trade through the eyes of Nili.
Heartstopper (Volume 4) by Alice Oseman
In the fourth volume of this series, Nick and Charlie start dating. Charlie is ready to say the three magic words. However, Nick has a lot of other things on his plate, including coming out to his father and dealing with Charlie’s potential eating disorder.
Esther’s Notebooks by Riad Sattouf
This is the record of the author’s conversations with a ten year old niece – about life, living and everything in between.
Himawari House by Harmony Becker
This tells the story of three foreign exchange students in Japan – and their life and adventures.
When I Grow Up by Ken Krimstein
This is a collection of six mini biographies of Yiddish teens on the brink of WW2.
Monsters by Barry Windsor-Smith
This horror sci-fi comic is also a historical fiction – in the year 1964, a genetic program from Nazi Germany is discovered to create multiplying monsters.
Katie the Catsitter by Colleen Venable and Stephanie Yue
In this, a young Katie gets a job babysitting cats, leading to some crazy adventures.
And Now I Spill the Family Secrets by Margaret Kimball
This illustrated memoir takes us on a tumultuous journey through Kimball’s fractured family – a bipolar mom, institutionalized grandmother and struggling brother.
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