Click here to see all of the current Great Graphic Novels nominees along with more information about the list and past years’ selections.
Ronin Island, vol. 2 by Greg Pak and Giannis Milonogiannis
BOOM! Studios
Publication Date: May 12, 2020
ISBN: 9781684155576
Hana and Kenichi are on different journeys, but both are headed to the Island. Hana tasks herself with learning more about the Shogun’s rise to power, and Kenichi is traversing the wasteland alone. A pack of bandits takes Kenichi hostage and attacks the Shogun’s touring company where Kenichi and Hana meet again. Hana must make a choice between the Shogun and Kenichi.
Once again, Greg Pak has written a compelling story with incredible dialogue. Readers can feel the characters’ emotions and are drawn into the action. While the story is bleak, Giannis Milonogiannis’s illustrations pack a detailed punch that makes the story feel like the reader is instead watching a TV series. This page-turner will leave readers demanding the next volume. Not only is this a great graphic novel for teens, it’s a great graphic novel for readers of all ages too. Adults and families with pre-teen children will, without a doubt, enjoy this #OwnVoices apocalyptic fantasy.
Fans of the Attack on Titan anime and manga will feel at home reading this story. YA novel read-alikes include The Girl King by Mimi Yu, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao, and the multi-award-winning The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi.
—Christine Pyles
Fangs by Sarah Andersen
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
ISBN: 9781524860677
They say opposites attract! Truer words were never written, especially when it comes to a love story between a vampire and a werewolf. In this delightful comic, Andersen introduces readers to Vamp, a three-hundred-year-old single vampire looking for love in all the dark places until she finds her love match in a werewolf named Jimmy. Together they enjoy all the things a normal new couple would—with a few exceptions like full moons and garlic pasta!
Fangs is both funny and charming in equal amounts, and teens will love the detailed and beautiful artwork. Even though the story is about new adults, there is a lot for teens to find common ground with, such as trying to find love while also trying to find yourself. It’s perfect for fans of Andersen’s Sarah’s Scribbles series, horror manga from Junji Ito, and uber-goth Esther de Groot from Giant Days.
—Tina Lernø
