Created and curated by Tsundoku
Making a (non-exhaustive) list of comics, graphic novels, or manga I think are absolutely worth the read. If I was better at consistently-rating things, I'd say these are at least 4 star reads.
I may not put every volume of a series on this list, but generally I recommend reading all of it.
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus, #1)
4 stars
A lushly illustrated take on the Hades and Persephone Myth, I very much think it's worth reading, if only to gaze lovingly at the art. If you aren't sure you want to buy it, it's on Webtoon.
Check, Please! Book 1 by Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please!, #1)
4 stars
Helloooo, Internet Land. Bitty here!
Y’all... I might not be ready for this. I may be a former junior figure …
Originally a Webcomic ( www.checkpleasecomic.com/comic/01-01-01 ) though the bound editions contain some changes from the original work.
This is an MLM comic about an ex-figure skater turned hockey player at one of the most queer-friendly campuses.
It's really cute and heart-warming!
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Kabi Nagata
4 stars
The heart-rending autobiographical manga that's taken the internet by storm! My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness is an honest and heartfelt …
This is the first of a series of autobiographical comics about the life of Nagata Kabi (pen name). They're a bit depressing at times, but they're a little uplifting as well. I read them in funks. I should mention, these DO have nudity and talk about sex, so you know, don't read it at work.
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser, Robyn Smith
4 stars
Wash Day Diaries tells the story of four best friends—Kim, Tanisha, Davene, and Cookie—through five connected short story comics that …
A Series of vignettes that weaves together into a beautiful story about sisterhood (centered around hair).
Honestly I could put any Lucy Knisley book on here, this is just the one I most recently read. REALLY good comics
A series of vignette comics. My favorite was the first about a trans man navigating gender affirming care in Japan.
Slip by Marika McCoola, Aatmaja Pandya
Right before Jade is about to leave for a summer art intensive, her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide. How is …
I really like how this comic uses color. Also if the description wasn't clear, there is suicidal attempts and ideation in this book that's close to the narrative, so take care reading it.
Always Human by Ari North (Always Human, #1)
5 stars
First serialized on the popular app and website WebToon, Always Human ran from 2015-2017 and amassed over 76,000 unique subscribers …
A really interesting WLW SF take that's disability-conscious. My main regret was I wanted it to be longer
4 stars
(From Kickstarter) In his ancient hymns, Homer tells us of the unyielding Lord of the Dead who kidnapped the innocent …
Another Hades / Persephone retelling. Very wholesome. This is NSFW if that is a problem.
Nubia: Real One by L. L. McKinney, Robyn Smith
5 stars
"Nubia has always been a little bit...different. As a baby she showcased Amazonian-like strength by pushing over a tree to …
This is an extremely heavy book (as it deals with racism and the inherently-political nature of black bodies in our world) but it's absolutely worth reading. If it helps I had next to no knowledge of the DC comics universe aside from cartoons in the 90s and 00s, but that wasn't a problem
