10 Great Graphic Novels You Can Dive Right Into
Comicbooks and graphic novels offer fascinating characters, gorgeous illustrations, and compelling stories to readers of all ages. But if you don't have much experience with the medium, it's easy to find it intimidating. Some of the most popular series have been going on for decades, and have confusing continuity. The ten graphic novels listed here are easy to dive right into, whether you practically live in a comic book store, or have never set foot in one. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
10 Great Graphic Novels You Can Dive Right Into
| Title | Author(s) | Illustrator(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Brave Chef Brianna | Sam Sykes | Selina Espiritu |
| 2. | Star Wars: Poe Dameron | Charles Soule | Phil Noto |
| 3. | Be Prepared | Vera Brosgol | Vera Brosgol |
| 4. | Invader Zim | Jhonen Vásquez, Eric Trueheart, & Aaron Alexovich | Megan Lawton, Simon Troussellier, & Rikki Simons |
| 5. | Doom Patrol | Gerard Way | Nick Derington |
| 6. | Lost Soul, Be At Peace | Maggie Thrash | Maggie Thrash |
| 7. | Rasputin | Alex Grecian | Riley Rossmo |
| 8. | The Misadventures of Prince Ivan | Diane Duane | Sherlock |
| 9. | Mystik U | Alisa Kwitney | Mike Norton |
| 10. | Hellboy | Mike Mignola & John Byrne | Mike Mignola, Mark Chiarello, & Dave Stewart |
Fun Activities for Comic Fans
- Draw your own comic
- Create a cosplay of your favorite character
- Host a superhero movie night
- Podcast about your favorite series
- Have a board game night
- Make a short film based on your favorite comic
- Embrace your inner child with superhero-themed toys
8 Great Movies Based on Comics & Graphic Novels
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- I Kill Giants (2017)
- Hellboy (2004)
- Sin City (2005)
- Catwoman (2004)
- Watchmen (2009)
- Ghost World (2001)
- Kick-Ass (2010)
How to Read a Graphic Novel
In Depth
Combining text with illustrations not only makes stories more engaging, it also gives readers a better understanding of the ideas the author is trying to convey. There are a lot of great graphic novels out there, but some newcomers may be intimidated by the many long-running comic series with complex continuities. Whether you're looking to get started in the world of comics or add to your existing collection, check out these ten graphic novels that both new and long-time fans can dive right into, listed here in no particular order.
First up, at #1, we have "Brave Chef Brianna" by Sam Sykes, with art by Selina Espiritu. When her father, a renowned chef, issues a challenge for the family legacy, Brianna and each of her fifteen brothers compete to have the best restaurant around. Unfortunately, she can only afford to set up in Monster City, whose inhabitants are forbidden from eating certain ingredients, such as meat and flour. Despite having a strange menu and an establishment full of non-human clientele, Brianna is determined to prove herself as the best among her siblings.
Next, at #2, is "Star Wars: Poe Dameron" by Charles Soule, with illustrations by Phil Noto. It's about the eponymous X-wing pilot who was first introduced in the film "The Force Awakens." This novel follows him and the other members of the Black Squadron as they go on missions against the First Order. It acts as a prequel to the aforementioned film, and fans of Star Wars are sure to enjoy the bits of lore provided by this series.
It acts as a prequel to the aforementioned film, and fans of Star Wars are sure to enjoy the bits of lore provided by this series.
At #3 is "Be Prepared." Written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol, it's a graphic memoir that explores the time she went to a Russian summer camp. As a Russian kid in America, Vera has had a hard time fitting in with others. When she learns about a camp for children just like her, she convinces her mom to send her there for the summer. There, she learns more about her own culture and begins to appreciate the things that make her different from her friends.
Next up, at #4, we have "Invader Zim" by Jhonen Vasquez, Eric Trueheart, and Aaron Alexovich, with art by Megan Lawton, Simon Troussellier, and Rikki Simons. This series acts as a continuation of the cult classic animated show of the same name. Zim is an alien of the Irken race who was unwittingly exiled to Earth because of his incompetence, and these stories follow him as he repeatedly tries, and fails, to conquer the planet.
At #5 is "Doom Patrol" by Gerard Way, with art by Nick Derington. The eponymous superhero team is made up of weird outcasts with unusual powers who have banded together to take down equally strange villains. The stories feature zany characters, including a sentient street named Danny and a girl whose powers change depending on which one of her multiple personalities is currently in control.
The eponymous superhero team is made up of weird outcasts with unusual powers who have banded together to take down equally strange villains.
Next, at #6, is "Lost Soul, Be At Peace." Written and illustrated by Maggie Thrash, this memoir chronicles her experiences as an eleventh grader and the many difficulties she had to endure as a teenager. The book mainly focuses on the disappearance of her cat, Tommi. While searching her house for her missing cat, she befriends the ghost of a boy who helps her understand herself and her strained relationship with her parents.
At #7 is "Rasputin" by Alex Grecian, with illustrations by Riley Rossmo. It features a fictionalized take on the life of Grigori Rasputin, a highly influential Russian mystic who was assassinated under mysterious circumstances in the early 20th century. Based on real historical events, the book adds a supernatural twist to explain how he survived the several alleged attempts on his life before he eventually died from drowning.
Next up, at #8, we have "The Misadventures of Prince Ivan" by Diane Duane, with art by Sherlock. This is a collection of Diane Duane's "Adventures of Prince Ivan," which were originally published in "The Dreamery," an anthology series from the late 1980s. Featuring a brand new chapter that finally completes the story, it follows the titular prince and his partner, Princess Marya Morevna, as they deal with hilarious mishaps.
Featuring a brand new chapter that finally completes the story, it follows the titular prince and his partner, Princess Marya Morevna, as they deal with hilarious mishaps.
At #9 is "Mystik U." Written by Alisa Kwitney and illustrated by Mike Norton, it mainly focuses on DC Comics' Zatanna Zatara, a magic-using superhero. After a catastrophic event caused by a force known as the Malevolence, she and Rose Psychic alter time and reality in order to try and stop this mysterious adversary. The story follows a young Zatanna as she enrolls in the eponymous university, where she and a few other mages from the DC Universe scramble to figure out which one of them will become the Malevolence.
Finally, at #10, we have "Hellboy" by Mike Mignola and John Byrne, with art by Mark Chiarello and Dave Stewart. The first volume covers the origin of the titular anti-hero, who was summoned to Earth during the Second World War. Raised by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, Hellboy grows up to become an agent of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, where he and his teammates investigate supernatural disturbances around the world.
