Last year I read more comics and graphic novels than ever, attended conventions, and met some really amazing creators. I wish I could personally tell each of them how much their work has impacted me. Each one resonated with me in different ways for different personal reasons. I am no reviewer, but I believe in sharing what we love and as well as thoughts and feedback. So here they are, without too many spoilers, in no particular order!
Barking by Lucy Sullivan
This was a raw and powerful read that left a lasting impression on me, possibly because it was relatable in all the most difficult ways. The vulnerable storytelling pairs so beautifully with the art style and slightly disorienting layouts. The main character is sectioned in a health system that does anything but help. I think it also resonates deeply with the Canadian mental health system, having been on a 72-hour hold myself about 10 years ago, I could, unfortunately, relate to many of the visuals and emotions portrayed. I met Lucy at TCAF (Toronto Comics Arts Festival) in 2024, and she’s one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. Lucy also does incredible work for the comics community, if you are unfamiliar with her or her work, you can find her here: https://lucysullivanuk.com/
The Power Fantasy by Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard
I don't think this series or its creators need any introduction, but I have to express just how great both the series and its creators are. (And may I say, they are both absolutely lovely in person!) I’ve followed their work individually for some time, and as an artist, I’ve particularly admired Caspar Wijngaard's art and incredible use of colour. When they both started sharing snippets and teasing the release of this series, I was instantly intrigued and excited, at that time it felt to me like this was about to be something incredibly unique. There was a lot of hype around it, and it absolutely lived up to it. The world-building, dialogues, storytelling, and character design all pulled me in completely. This is not a typical superhero story, and I’ve never read a take quite like this before. I’m really excited to see where this story goes!
Food School by Jade Armstrong
I bought this book from the author at TCAF 2024, and it’s one of the few books I read immediately the same day. The story follows Olive, a non-binary person working to recover from an eating disorder (ED) in an outpatient program.
As someone with my own disordered eating habits, I'm wary of ED stories. While I appreciate their importance, I worry they sometimes might be too dark or triggering for me. Although many of these stories are incredibly well-written, I’m not quite ready to engage with them. However, this book was different. It was quick-paced, with bits of humour and a manga-inspired art style, creating quite a safe space for my mind.
I found it cute and funny without sacrificing the gravity of the topic. The portrayal of Olive and the other characters, as well as certain moments in the story, felt healing for me.
Find Jade's work here: https://jelajade.com/
When I Was Young- (An LGBTQIA+ Charity Comic Anthology edited by Michele Abounader)
The stories from this anthology made me cry, ripped my heart out, and put it back in. I don’t know how else to explain it. It felt like going back in time and giving myself a hug, while reading so many stories that were bittersweet to relate to. I felt sad that so many of us went through similar experiences, but also grateful that I wasn’t alone in it. The stories are inspiring and empowering—this is one you have to read. Reading it from the perspective of having lived through this experience felt like a warm hug.
"When I Was Young" features short stories from Sam Maggs, Heather Antos, David Booher, Jack Foster, Michele Abounader, Sara Onzzes, Tench, Jodie Troutman, Natasha Alterici, Fell Hound, Rye Hickman, Jadzia Axelrod, Robin Fasel, Christopher Cantwell, Kei Zama, Rachel Merrill, Stephanie Williams, Ryan Oakley, Jeff Eckleberry, Christie Porter, Morgan Beem, Cassandra Jones, Laura Helsby, Dearbhla Kelly, Shadia Amin, Kat Calamia, Phil Falco, Alessandro Canzanella, Bonnie Burton, Rachel Distler, Richard Fairgray, Michiums, Kody Okamoto.
Minor Arcana by Jeff Lemire
Minor Arcana quickly became one of my favourite series, and I have to say that this is one of the best first issues I've read. There are stories I absolutely love, but it often takes me reading the second or third issue to fully get into them. The storytelling is amazing, there’s immediate mystery and intrigue, and you can see the depth of the characters from the very first few pages, plus Jeff Lemire’s incredibly unique art style. Tarot, mystery, depressed, complex and traumatized lesbian main character, all of my favourite things.
Snotgirl by Bryan Lee O'Malley and Leslie Hung
After a VERY long hiatus, the series is finally back! Snotgirl was actually the first proper comic book that I read, which completely changed my perception of comics for the better. I think that when I started reading comics later in adulthood, I had a very stereotypical idea of what comics were, but this comic changed that with both its art style and story. And it also very quickly became my favourite. This fever dream of a series is something you have to read and experience for yourself. It's the best portrayal of an unlikable character that I have read so far, it's a comedy, a drama but also almost like a mystery that's a little surreal? Reading this again in 2024 was a highlight, especially as the story continues to unravel.
There are three volumes of Snotgirl out, and this issue #16 is continuing the story!
Doll Parts by Luana Vecchio
This one. Oh my God. If you’ve read Luana’s work before, then you’ll know what I’m about to tell you. Doll Parts is a prequel to LoveSick, but the creator stated that it can be read as a standalone series.
I’ve heard some people say they’ve read this first issue, and it was shocking and very disturbing.
This isn't for the faint of heart, but wow this story is just wow. It's gorgeous and it's uncomfortable. I can't say I'm as shocked as some, I found this to be a gruesome but powerfully truthful story that you can’t look away from. Some parts felt familiar to me, growing up in Europe as a depressed tween who was exposed to the unfiltered internet and the cruelty of the world in a vulnerable state of mind. Most of us didn't have to go on the dark web out of curiosity, the internet was the dark web itself. I don’t really know how it was in North America and other parts of the world, but some of us were exposed to things we definitely shouldn’t have been. Doll Parts shows how that exposure, along with cruel peers and a harsh world, can shape someone. We know that Madeleine becomes Domino, and this story is supposed to show us how it happens. I absolutely want to read more.
The City Beneath Her Feet by James Tynion IV and Elsa Charretier
A lesbian writer going through a writers block meets a cool assassin, it's a crime but it's a romance? I will read everything and anything that James Tynion IV puts out, and this one was such a pleasant surprise. It's very different from what he normally writes and I absolutely loved it. I think this story will attract a whole new audience who are still unfamiliar with his work.
That being said, even though it's such a different read than his other stories, the writing is so clever, you immediately recognize it's his.
Elsa Charretier’s dynamic artwork pairs perfectly with this story, I can see the movement and action jumping off the page. And Jordie Bellaire’s use of color is so beautiful and smart, guiding you through different moments in the story. As an artist, I am admiring and taking notes. And as a reader and a fan, I am already hooked and very excited to read more and to dive deeper in.
I probably will write more about what I read as it comes without doing a summary of the year, but I need to sit with some stories after I read them. And I have a giant "to be read" pile too. I love reading comics as much as I love making them, if you have any recommendations, please throw them my way! :)
Hope you all had a great start to 2025!
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