10 Favorite Comic Reads of 2019

I read over 500 books last year from various genres, many of them children’s picture books. When I tried to cut them down to my top 10 reads for the year, it was basically impossible. So I’ve split them up into multiple posts.

This post is dedicated to my favorite graphic novel and comic collection reads from 2019.

#10. Book Love by Debbie Tung

This cute little comic collection is perfect for book-loving introverts. Debbie Tung illustrated so many things that make books warm and loveable companions. She captured so many moments that only exist in the life of a book addict. Equally as adorable is her other book about being an introvert Quiet Girl in a Noisy World.

#9. All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

This was an excellent middle-grade graphic novel about a homeschooled girl making the transition into public school life. Her family’s involvement in Renaissance Faire’s added an interesting twist to this story. I’ve always loved Renaissance Faire’s and it taught me a lot about what life is like behind the scenes. Great read the kids in your life if they like graphic novels.

#8. Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously by Adam Ellis

I enjoy Adam Ellis’ comics and have followed him on Facebook for a couple years now. His short collection contained everything I love about his comics.

#7. Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan

Fascinating story. Yorick is the only survivor of a worldwide plague that kills every mammal with a Y chromosome. The author’s interpretation of the fallout of this plague was super interesting. I only read part one of the series though, so I have all questions and no answers.

#6. Where We Live: Las Vegas Shooting Benefit Anthology

This graphic anthology was put together to benefit victims of the 2017 shooting in Las Vegas. It includes both fiction and nonfiction pieces about gun violence. Many renowned names in the comic book industry included art and words in this book.

#5. Compass South by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock

Another middle-grade graphic novel. This is part one of a series about twin siblings searching for their missing parents. Along the way, they encounter thieves, pirates, and the possibility of home.

#4. Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

Ben Hatke is probably my favorite writer of middle-grade graphic novels. His stories are well written, exciting, and his drawing style is clear and bright. I’ve been sharing this series with my 13 and 9-year-old siblings. We all equally love this series.

#3. Poorly Drawn Lines: Good Ideas and Amazing Stories by Reza Farazmand

This is probably my favorite webcomic. They’re all so sarcastic and absurd. Seriously, if you don’t mind a little foul language these simply drawn, hilarious comics are just perfect.

#2. They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

I knew about the WWII internment camps that Japanese Americans were forced into after Pearl Harbor, but this is the only firsthand account I’ve read about them. It’s such a heartbreaking piece of American history, and one I think every American should be aware of. This kind of mistake should not be repeated, but our collective ignorance of the harm we did makes a repeat offense more likely. Thank God for Takei’s willingness to write an account of what he and his family went through. Viewing it through the eyes of an innocent child makes it all the more poignant and heartbreaking.

#1. Jim Davis’ brilliant creation, Garfield!

I have a special place in my heart for Garfield and always will. I’m pretty sure he’s my spirit animal. His humor is a lot more slapstick than I usually reach for, but something about him brings warm nostalgia to me. The ridiculous facial expressions Jim Davis draws make me literally laugh out loud. I consumed over 20 Garfield books last year, which meant bi-weekly interlibrary loan requests. The librarians even put aside a few Garfield books for me at their book sale. Yup, Jim Davis is one of my go-to authors when I need a smile.

Happy reading!