Ghosted in L.A., vol. 2–3 by Sina Grace, Siobhan Keenan, and Cathy Le
BOOM! Box / BOOM! Studios
Publication Date: September 1, 2020; December 29, 2020
ISBN: 9781684155415, 9781684156047
In the second and third volumes of Ghosted in L.A., college student Daphne adjusts to her new home with the ghosts of Rycroft Manor. On top of school work and navigating relationships with her ghost roommates, she also must deal with sinister forces both inside and outside the house. Meanwhile, her gay ex-boyfriend Ronnie joins the Rycroft crew and tries to fit in among the other queer students at college. These worlds collide in the culmination of the series, which wraps up tidily in the third and final volume.
Daphne is an extremely relatable young adult struggling to find her place after leaving home for the first time. Grace writes Daphne’s experiences with imposter syndrome, queerness, and the struggle to fit in, discover, and assert one’s desires in a genuine way that will ring true to readers. Keenan’s art gets progressively better than the already lovely first volume; the action sequences with the ghosts are especially gorgeous. Le’s colors draw sharp contrasts between the ghosts and the living. The color work is fascinating in scenes with Daphne’s ex roommate, Michelle. Their combined efforts create dramatic tension that swings from endearing and light to truly spooky.
Fans of other queer young adult comics, like Rainbow Rowell’s Runways, Carly Usdin’s Heavy Vinyl, and Grace Ellis’s Moonstruck, will also enjoy this paranormal drama.
—Dakota Hall
Other Nominated Titles
- Love Me, Love Me Not, vol. 6 by Io Sakisaka (January 5, 2021)
- Omni, vol. 1: The Doctor Is In by Devin Grayson and Alitha Martinez (September 1, 2020)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the field nomination form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams will feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation will be listed as well. At year’s end, the team will use that list of nominated titles to select a final list and Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are also made available on The Hub.
