Thanks to YALSA member Annierra Matthews, a Research Services Librarian at Mercer University, for compiling this collection of excellent graphic novels and comics featuring Black characters and/or produced by Black creators. Click here for the fiction collection she curated earlier this month.
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St.-Onge, Joy San, and Genevieve FT: Hazel and Mari fall in love with each other at church bingo in ’63. Torn apart by others around them, they can’t be together. Years later, they meet again at bingo and find the bravery to share their love with the world.
The Girl Who Married a Skull and Other African Stories by Kel McDonald, Kate Ashwin, Katie Shanahan, Shaggy Shanahan, and Jose Pimienta: African folktales are retold in this unique and fascinating comic.
Quincredible by Rodney Barnes and Selina Espiritu: When Quinton gains a superpower from a meteor shower, he joins forces with other heroes and uses his hobby to save the day.
Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor: In this comic, music fanatics discover the rich history of hip hop and its iconic performers like Grandmaster Flash and others.
Black History in Its Own Words by Ron Wimberly: Comprised of quotes and images from influential black figures, this graphic book defines black history; it features sayings from Angela Davis, Ice Cube, Zadie Smith, and more.
Octavia E. Butler’s Kindred by Damian Duffy and John Jennings: Butler’s most popular novel is transformed into an unforgettable graphic novel. It follows Dana, who’s abruptly pulled from her life in the 1970s into slavery. Alternating between both eras, she learns about her complex family history.
Night Thrasher: Four Control by Fabian Nicieza and Dave Hoover: Tag along with Night Thrasher and Silhouette as they bring down the Bengal to rescue Gai No Don.
Black Panther & the Crew: We Are the Streets by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Yona Harvey, and Butch Guice: The ultimate superhero crew, Misty Knight, the Black Panther, and others team up to solve strange events that occur after an activist’s death in Harlem.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Jason Reynolds and Kadir Nelson: Miles Morales is a normal teen who also happens to be Spider-Man. When his life and family and friends are threatened, he must save them.
Marvel Select Edition: Black Panther: Who is the Black Panther? by Reginald Hudlin, Stan Lee, John Romita, and Jack Kirby: Dive into the high-tech and beautiful world of Wakanda as the Black Panther works to defeat Klaw and avenge his father’s death.
Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau by Roger Stern, David Michelinie, Dwayne McDuffie, Dwight Coye, and Glenn Herdling: In this origin story of Monica Rambeau (a.k.a. the OG Captain Marvel), discover her thrilling life working with the Avengers, Spider-Man, and even Starfox, Thanos’ brother, plus the enemies she overpowers.
Shuri: The Search for Black Panther by Nnedi Okorafor, Leonardo Romero, and Jordie Bellaire: Shuri has a tough decision to make when T’Challa, the Black Panther and her brother, goes missing in space. Though she’s comfortable in her lab, it’s up to her to save T’Challa and Wakanda and possibly take up the mantle of the Black Panther.
Black Lightning by Tony Isabella, Vince Colletta, Frank Springer, and Trevor Von Eeden: This comic provides the origin story, where Black Lightning must defend his neighborhood from a few enemies.
Princeless by Jeremy Whitley and Mia Goodwin: Who wants to be a princess? Not Adrienne Ashe! When she turns 16, her parents confine her to a tower, where she’s forced to wait for Prince Charming to save her. Of course, she doesn’t go along with this plan and does something about it!