Each quarter, the Selected Lists teams compile the titles that have been officially nominated to date. These books have been suggested by the team or through the title suggestion form, read by multiple members of the team, and received approval to be designated an official nomination. At the end of the year, the final list of nominations and each Selected List’s Top Ten will be chosen from these titles.
The Apothecary Diaries, v.2. By Natsu Hyuuga. Art by Nekokurage. Square Enix Manga, $10.99 (9781646090716).
Maomao’s adventures as the official royal test taster continue! In this volume, Maomao faces the intrigues of the royal court while dealing with poisoning attempts against the Emperor’s wives.
Asadora! v.4. By Naoki Urasawa. VIZ Media / VIZ Signature, $14.99 (9781974722969).
A lighthouse has been attacked by something resembling a giant creature, and Asa is called in by the government to find the monster before the Tokyo Olympics. With the monster’s reappearance, Asa continues the search for her family.
Blue Flag, v.8. By KAITO. VIZ Media, $12.99 (9781974720941).
The conclusion of Blue Flag sees almost everyone’s secrets revealed and concludes the main characters’ romantic arcs.
Blue Giant Omnibus, v.1-2. By Shinichi Ishizuka. 2020. Seven Seas Entertainment, $19.99 (9781645058649).
Dai is graduating soon, and while his friends are all cramming for exams, he spends every day playing his sax. Dai is going to be the world’s greatest jazz musician, and to be the best, he will need more than just passion.
Blue Period. By Tsubasa Yamaguchi.
- v.2. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511242).
- v.3. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511259).
Yatora continues to challenge himself and improve his art in the hopes of entering a competitive art school.
Boys Run the Riot. By Keito Gaku.
- v.2. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511174).
- v.3. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511198).
Ryo, a transgender teen, and Jin, a cisgender teen, along with others set out to make their clothing line, Boys Run the Riot, a successful brand. Will their business survive without compromising their mission statement on identity?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. By Jordie Bellaire.
- v.4: Ring of Fire. Art by Julian López. 2020. BOOM! Studios, $14.99 (9781684155958).
- v.5: The Biggest Bad. Art by Ramon Bachs. BOOM! Studios, $14.99 (9781684156542).
- v.6: Secrets of the Slayer. By Jordie Bellaire and Jeremy Lambert. Art by Andres Genolet, Ramon Bachs, and Eleonora Carlini. BOOM! Studios, $14.99 (9781684156870).
After the chaotic events of the Hellmouth opening in Sunnydale, Buffy has vanished and a new slayer, Kendra, has arrived in Sunnydale. With Willow on a trip, Buffy MIA, and Xander’s vampire villainy, is Sunnydale doomed?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow. By Mariko Tamaki. Art by Natacha Bustos. BOOM! Studios, $16.99 (9781684156887).
Willow is a witch setting out on her own to deal with the trauma of recent events when she stumbles upon a community of witches. Willow is instantly welcomed, but there is something strange going on in this town where no one can leave.
Captivated, by You. By Yama Wayama. Yen Press, $18 (9781975323981).
The weirdness of high school is captured in this anthology of interrelated short stories featuring eccentric and compelling characters.
Champions, v.1: Outlawed. By Eve Ewing. Art by Kim Jacinto. Marvel Comics, $17.99 (9781302922900).
When Ms. Marvel is injured as her civilian persona during battle, she is used as a figurehead for a new law banning super-heroics by anyone under age 21. In spite of a government-appointed task force, the Champions continue to fight.
Come Home, Indio. By Jim Terry. 2020. Street Noise Books, $16.99 (9781951491048).
In this graphic memoir, Jim Terry shares what it was like growing up and feeling like an outsider in both his parents’ heritage and culture, the impact of alcoholism on his family, and his experience protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Devil’s Candy, v.1. By Rem and Bikkuri. VIZ Media, $16.99 (9781974723522).
Imp Kazu creates a devil named Pandora for a school science project, but she is more than just a grade—she becomes his friend! At a school for magical beings, the adventures of Kazu, Pandora, and their friends are quite devilishly awesome.
Drifting Dragons. By Taku Kuwabara.
- v.6. 2020. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646510351).
- v.8. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646510283).
The crew of Quin Zaza continue their adventures and try to take down Ol’ Harpoon.
Eighty Days. By A.C. Esguerra. BOOM! Studios / Archaia, $29.99 (9781684156573).
Jay, a pilot who enjoys his peaceful life of flying, finds himself drawn into adventure and danger when he meets and falls for a mysterious thief, Fix, in this thrilling and cinematic aviation tale.
Elle(s), v.1: The New Girl. By Kid Toussaint. Art by Aveline Stokart. Europe Comics, $8.99 (9791032811801).
Elle is the new kid in town trying to fit in and make friends. But Elle is more than she seems and is made up of a mix of different personalities that appear suddenly. When the truth comes out, will her new friendships be shattered?
Four Faces of the Moon. By Amanda Strong. Annick Press, $24.95 (9781773214542).
Spotted Fawn travels through time to meet her Métis, Cree, and Anishnaabe ancestors and must reconcile the past with the present in this haunting stop-motion animation adaptation.
Friends Forever. By Shannon Hale. Art by LeUyen Pham. Macmillan / First Second, $12.99 (9781250317568).
Concluding the Real Friends trilogy, author Shannon Hale recounts her 8th-grade year as she deals with friendships, sexism, and relationships, as well as her own depression and OCD.
Future State: Wonder Woman. By Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad, Joëlle Jones, and L.L. McKinney. Art by Jen Bartel, Leila del Duca, Joëlle Jones, and Alitha Martinez. DC Comics, $12.99 (9781779510747).
This delightful Wonder Woman anthology follows Maria Flor, Nubia, and Diana Prince on their various adventures as they square off against impossible odds and always win the day.
A Girl Called Echo, v.4: Road Allowance Era. By Katherena Vermette. Art by Scott B. Henderson and Donovan Yaciuk. HighWater Press, $19.95 (9781553799306).
Echo, a Métis teenager, has the ability to travel into her ancestors’ past during important cultural events. As she continues her journeys to the past, Echo must decide what her future will look like.
The Golden Hour. By Niki Smith. Little, Brown and Company / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $12.99 (9780316540339).
After an active shooter event, young Manuel Soto is struggling with PTSD and derealization, and he learns to cope through photography. When he befriends two classmates, he finds himself beginning to open up more to the world.
Harriet Tubman: Toward Freedom. By Whit Taylor. Art by Kazimir Lee. Little Brown Books / The Center for Cartoon Studies Presents, $12.99 (9780759555518).
Harriet Tubman’s journey to save her brothers and bring them to freedom is chronicled in this informative graphic biography. Her courage and activism is brought into sharp focus, providing insight into the mind of one of America’s most important historical figures.
Heaven’s Design Team. By Hebi-Zou and Tsuta Suzuki. Art by Tarako.
- v.2. 2020. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511297).
- v.3. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511303).
- v.4. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511310).
God has contracted a design team, putting in requests for animals with impossible features. Chaos ensues!
Himawari House. By Harmony Becker. Macmillan / First Second, $24.99 (9781250235565).
At Himawari House, three foreign exchange students reveal old histories and forge new paths forward in this beautiful story about love, family, and belonging.
I Think Our Son Is Gay, v.2. By Okura. Square Enix Manga, $12.99 (9781646091126).
Tomoko, a supportive and loving mother, suspects her awkward son Hiroki might be gay but decides to let him figure it out for himself in this funny and heartwarming manga.
Kageki Shojo!!, v.1. By Kumiko Saiki. Seven Seas Entertainment, $12.99 (9781648275852).
Sarasa is a tall, energetic teenager who wants to be one of the stars of the all-female acting group at the Kouka School. Along with her new friend, the stoic former J-pop idol Ai, she will do her best to see if she has what it takes.
King Deadpool. By Kelly Thompson.
- v.1: Hail to the King. Art by Chris Bachalo. 2020. Marvel Comics, $17.99 (9781302921033).
- v.2. Art by Gerardo Sandoval. Marvel Comics, $15.99 (9781302921040).
Monsters have taken up ownership and residence on Staten Island, and Deadpool has been hired to take out their king to get them to leave. Except once he kills the king, he becomes King Deadpool and decides it’s not so easy to give up his new kingdom.
Life of Melody. By Mari Costa. Seven Seas Entertainment / Hiveworks, $15.99 (9781648276491).
A baby is found in the woods, and when Razzamatazz (a fairy godfather) and Bon (a monster of the troll variant) both want to keep the baby, they decide the best solution is to co-raise her together, despite the fact they loathe each other.
Lifetime Passes. By Terry Blas. Art by Claudia Aguirre. Abrams Books / Abrams ComicArts – Surely, $23.99 (9781419746666).
Jackie and friends have a devious plan to get lifetime passes to the theme park Kingdom Adventure: someone in their group needs to die. But their twisted scam takes a turn when they meet Valley Care Living seniors’ home resident Phyllis.
A Man and His Cat, v.3. By Umi Sakurai. Square Enix Manga, $12.99 (9781646090280).
Recent widower Fuyuki Kanda, a former concert pianist, brings home cat Fukumaru, and the two become inseparable in this sweet manga.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles, v.1. By Hajime Komoto. VIZ Media, $9.99 (9781974719297).
Mash is put into seclusion by his father, and he works out to make up for his lack of magic. Despite his lack of ability, he’s sent to a school for magic and must fake his way through it using his unbelievable strength in this humorous spoof of fantasy’s magical school subgenre.
Ms. Marvel by Saladin Ahmed, v.3: Outlawed. By Saladin Ahmed. Art by Minkyu Jung. Marvel Comics, $17.99 (9781302925000).
Ms. Marvel faces one of the biggest challenges to her superhero career—the government arresting teen superheroes. What’s worse is that the accident that spurred the law has Kamala stuck in the center of it all in her civilian identity.
My Love Mix Up!, v.1. By Wataru Hinekure. Art by Aruko. VIZ Media / Shojo Beat, $9.99 (9781974725274).
Aoki has a crush on Hashimoto. But he discovers she has a crush on Ida—the guy who sits in front of Aoki. When Ida accidentally comes across a love confession, Aoki protects Hashimoto’s feelings by claiming he wrote it. Hijinks ensue.
The Night Marchers and Other Oceanian Tales. By Kate Ashwin (editor), Sloane Leong (editor), and Kel McDonald (editor). Iron Circus Comics, $14.59 (9781945820793).
This compelling and fast-paced anthology collects a variety of stories—at turns funny, lively, and dark—inspired by folklore and legends from Oceania.
Poison Ivy: Thorns. By Kody Keplinger. Art by Sara Kipin. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781401298425).
Pamela Isley turns to ecoterrorism to protect a park she loved to visit with her sick mother. Things become complicated when her actions cause a cute classmate to stay at her house, endangering family secrets.
Queer as All Get Out: 10 People Who’ve Inspired Me. By Shelby Criswell. Street Noise Books, $18.99 (9781951491079).
Shelby Criswell explores the history of 10 queer people across the globe, reflecting on how these figures shaped and impacted them in their own exploration and understanding of their identity.
Quincredible, v.2: The Hero Within. By Rodney Barnes. Art by Selina Espiritu. Oni Press, $14.99 (9781620109366).
Quinton West is back again to save his New Orleans community from a new villain! Luckily, he has superhero Glow and his parents on his side…and maybe even a ghost?
Rainbow Bridge. By Steve Orlando and Steve Foxe. Art by Valentina Bianconi. Aftershock Comics / Seismic Press, $16.99 (9781949028676).
Andy’s best friend—his pet dog Rocket—passes away right before the start of high school. But when Andy shows up in Rocket’s afterlife, they discover they still have one more adventure left.
Run: Book One. By John Lewis, and Andrew Aydin. Art by L. Fury and Nate Powell. Abrams Books / Abrams ComicArts, $24.99 (9781419730696).
John Lewis’s story of hope and resistance lives on in this fantastic new continuation of the award-winning March series.
Runaways by Rainbow Rowell, v.6: Come Away with Me. By Rainbow Rowell. Art by Natacha Bustos and Andres Genolet. Marvel Comics, $24.99 (9781302925567).
The Runaways are re-adjusting to their new normal which means work, school, relationship drama, and more. When a mysterious, yet familiar, visitor is revealed to the Runaways, will this mean the end for their found family?
Satoko and Nada, v.4. By Yupechika. 2020. Seven Seas Entertainment, $12.99 (9781645055259).
Satoko and Nada’s time at university together comes to a poignant end, and they must proceed to life back in their respective homelands.
Seven Secrets, v.1. By Tom Taylor. Art by Daniele Di Nicuolo. BOOM! Studios, $16.99 (9781684157068).
There are seven secrets that could mean doom if they are ever revealed. Each secret is carried by a member of the Order and protected by another. This is the story of one secret being revealed and the destiny of new Order member Caspar.
Shino Can’t Say Her Name. By Shuzo Oshimi. Denpa, $12.95 (9781634429689).
Shino Oshima can’t say her name. She freezes because of her stutter, but despite some mishaps, she finds friends that accept her for who she is.
Sleepless Domain, v.1. By Mary Cagle. Art by Oskar Vega and Mary Cagle. Seven Seas Entertainment, $14.99 (9781648276507).
Team Alchemical are a magical girl group that risk their lives every night to protect the city from monsters. When tragedy strikes, team member Undine becomes the face of the team as she searches for answers.
Solo Leveling. By Chugong. Art by Dubu (Redice Studio).
- v.1. Yen Press, $20.00 (9781975319434).
- v.2. Yen Press, $20.00 (9781975319458).
Jinwoo Sung is a weak and lowly E-rank hunter, but after surviving a deadly battle, he discovers a mysterious ability to level up in strength and skill.
Specter Inspectors. By Bowen McCurdy. Art by Kaitlyn Musto. BOOM! Studios / BOOM! Box, $14.99 (9781684157402).
Noa heads to a haunted town to prove ghosts exist. In tow are her sibling Gus, cameraman Ko, and crush Astrid. Will Noa find what she’s looking for or something more?
Squad. By Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Art by Lisa Sterle. HarperCollins / Greenwillow, $12.99 (9780062943149).
Becca moves to a new school and becomes a part of the in-crowd squad. Life gets complicated when Becca discovers two things: her squad transforms into wolfish hunters, and she may be in love with one of them. Will Becca end up as prey or predator?
Star Wars: The Edge of Balance. By Shima Shinya and Justina Ireland. Art by Mizuki Sakakibara. VIZ Media, $14.99 (9781974725885).
Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi, along with her padawan, Keerin Fionn, and mentor, Master Arkoff, work to acclimate refugees to a new planet after the Hyperspace Disaster.
Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story. By David A. Robertson. Art by Scott B. Henderson. HighWater Press, $21.95 (9781553799757).
Betty Ross’s experiences in a residential school is recounted in this graphic novel based on true events. The abusive environment created by the priest and nuns threatens the children’s heritage, but Betty survives, growing up to be a Cree language translator.
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven. By Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779503862).
As they arrive in New Orleans to meet up with the mysterious Slade Wilson, Gar Logan and Rachel Roth finally meet! Love is in the air, but the two teens also have to evade the scientists of H.I.V.E. who are interested in their powers.
We Hereby Refuse: Japanese American Resistance to Wartime Incarceration. By Frank Abe and Tamiko Nimura. Art by Matt Sasaki and Ross Ishikawa. Chin Music Press, $19.95 (9781634059763).
The accounts of Jim Akutsu, Hiroshi Kashiwagi, and Mitsuye Endo’s acts of defiance in the face of unjust Japanese American incarceration during WWII are interwoven together in this informative graphic nonfiction.
Whisper Me a Love Song, v.1. By Eku Takeshima. 2020. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646511158).
A first-year high school student, Himari, declares her love to a third-year student, Yori, after hearing her sing. Yori confesses to Himari in return, but do they mean the same thing?
Witch Hat Atelier, v.7. By Kamome Shirahama. Kodansha USA / Kodansha Comics, $12.99 (9781646510788).
Coco’s story continues in volume seven as she learns how her teacher, Qilfrey, became a witch. Coco then must make a decision in her quest to save her mother.
X-Factor by Leah Williams, v.2. By Leah Williams. Art by David Baldeon, Lucas Werneck, and David Messina. Marvel Comics, $15.99 (9781302921859).
The X-Factor investigative team—Northstar, Polaris, Aurora, Prodigy, Prestige, Daken, Kyle, and Eye Boy—are perplexed by the mysterious recurring deaths of Syrin. Could one of them be compromised by an ancient foe?
Yasmeen. By Saif A. Ahmed. Art by Fabiana Mascolo. Scout Comics, $19.99 (9781949514698).
Alternating between the present and the past, Yasmeen tells the story of an Iraqi teen girl’s survival and recovery after escaping ISIS captivity and coming to America as a refugee.
Want a printable version of this round-up? Download the Winter nominations round-up.
