2010 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Nominations
Updated Dec. 1, 2009
Nonfiction
Butzer, C.M. Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel. HarperCollins. 2008. 9780061561757. $9.99.
BE THERE: witness the war's turning point, the dedication of the National Cemetary, and Lincoln's historic address.
Crumb, R. Book of Genesis. W.W. Norton. 2009. 9780393061024. $24.95.
The first book of the Bible through the eyes of one of the most radical graphics creators of all time.
Folman, Ari and David Polonsky. Waltz With Bashir: A Lebanon War Story. Metropolitan Books. 2009. 9780805088922. $18.00.
Adapted from the Oscar-Nominated animated film of the same name, Waltz With Bashir is a stunning investigation into one soldier's real-life experience during Israel's war in Lebanon in 1982.
Geary, Rick. Trotsky: A Graphic Biography. Hill and Wang. 2009. 9780809095087. $16.95.
Rick Geary turns his striking and distinctive style to the life of one of the 20th century's great revolutionaries, Trotsky, the mind behind the Soviet Revolution and the foundation of the U.S.S.R.
Guibert, Emmanuel. Alan's War: The Memories of Alan Cope. First Second. 2008. 9781596430969. $24.00.
One young man's memories of his time in World War II and the life he created for himself on two continents after the war was over.
Guibert, Emmanuel. Photographer: Into War-Torn Afghanistan with Doctors without Borders. First Second. 2009. 9781596433755. $29.95.
In 1986, the young French photographer Didier Lefevre accompanied Doctors Without Borders into war torn Afghanistan. Guibert has taken Lefevre's notes and photographs and combined them with his art to tell Lefevre's story.
Keller, Michael and Nicolle Rager Fuller. Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species: A Graphic Adaptation. Rodale Books. 2009. 9781605299488. $14.99.
Darwin's life, research, and correspondence come to life.
Neufeld, Josh. A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge. Pantheon Books. 2009. 9780307378149. $24.95.
Cartoonist Josh Neufeld illustrates the experiences of a handful of people who survived Hurricane Katrina, who share their stories from during the storm and its aftermath.
Ottaviani, Jim and Zander Cannon and Kavin Cannon. T-Minus: The Race to the Moon. Simon & Schuster/Aladdin. 2009. 9781416986829. $21.99.
This well researched historical novel presents the race to space in a fast-paced compelling narrative that doesn't shy away from the hard work that went into making the dream of space flight a reality.
Small, David. Stitches: A Memoir. W.W. Norton. 2009. 9780393068573. $24.95.
"One day David Small awoke from a supposedly harmless operation to discover that he had been transformed into a virtual mute. A vocal cord removed, his throat slashed and stitched together like a bloody boot, the fourteen-year-old boy had not been told that he had cancer and was expected to die."
Takahashi, Shin and Iroha Inoue. The Manga Guide to Statistics. No Starch Press. 2008. 9781593271893. $19.95.
Statistics with "heart-pounding excitement."
Zimmerman, Dwight and Wayne Vansant. The Vietnam War: A Graphic History. Hill and Wang. 2009. 9780809094950. $19.95.
View this complex event in American History. Graphics and text bring the entire story into focus.
Fiction
Asada, Hiroyuki. Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421529134. $7.99.
In a land of perpetual darkness where telephones or email are non-existent and travel is extremely dangerous, people depend on Letter Bees to convey their messages.
Beddor, Frank and Sami Makkonen. Hatter M, vol 2: Mad with Wonder. Automatic Pictures. 2009. 9780981873718. $24.99.
Royal Bodyguard Madigan searches through 19th Century Earth for his missing princess in eerie and profoundly strange adventures with the coolest hat in the world as his only weapon.
Bendis, Brian Michael and Leinil Francis Yu. Secret Invasion. Marvel. 2009. 9780785132974. $29.99.
When your enemy are the shape-shifting Skrull, trust no one!
Benjamin. Orange. Tokyopop. 2009. 9781427814630. $14.95.
Orange feels empty and alone, until she meets a mysterious man who makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Bisco, Hatori. Ouran High School Host Club, vol 11. VIZ Media. 2008. 9781421522555. $8.99.
Haruhi, a commoner on scholarship, is a new Freshman to the prestigious and rich Ouran Academy. Through a twist of fate, Haruhi finds the infamous host club and manages to get roped into serving and enamoring giggling girls to pay back debts... the only catch is, Haruhi is a girl!
Butcher, Jim and Ardian Syaf. Jim Butcher's Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle. Del Rey. 2008. 9780345507464. $19.95.
"Harry Dresden, the only professional wizard in the Chicago phone book, investigates supernatural murder and mayhem."
CAPCOM.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney, vol 1: The Phoenix Wright Files. Del Rey. 2008. 9780345503558. $14.99.
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney, vol 2: The Miles Edgeworth Files. Del Rey. 2009. 9780345503565. $14.99.
Adapted from a video game, these follow the wacky adventures of Phoenix Wright, defense attorney, and his rival/friend Miles Edgeworth, prosecutor.
Carey, Mike and Sebastian Fiumara. Ender's Shadow: Battle School. Marvel. 2009. 9780785135968. $24.99.
Bean is a street urchin whose cold genius gets the attention of the insidious Hegemon, who drafts him into the rigorous and unforgiving battle school. But who exactly is the puppet and who the master remains to be seen.
Cavallaro, Mike. Parade (With Fireworks). Image/Silverline. 2008. 9781582409955. $12.99.
When a fight breaks out between the local members of the Fascist Party and his family, members of the Socialist Party, Paolo makes a choice that will change his life forever.
Chmakova, Svetlana.
Nightschool, vol 1. Yen Press. 2009. 9780759528598. $10.99.
Nightschool, vol 2. Yen Press. 2009. 9780759528604. $10.99.
The Nightschool is like high school for young vampires, demons and weirns. Alex is a young Weirn, who, for some mysterious reason, is being homeschooled while her sister works at the Nightschool as the new Night Keeper. Mysterious doings ensue and Alex has to go to Nightschool to look for her sister when she dissappears and no one seems to remember her at all.....
CLAMP. Clover Omnibus Edition. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781595821966. $19.95.
Former soldier Kazuhiko is asked to do one last job--deliver a young woman to a mysterious location only she can find.
Davis, Eleanor. Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook. Bloomsbury. 2009. 9781599901428. $18.99.
The three protagonists are smart junior high friends who love science and inventing. The adventure comes when a grown up sciemtist steals their ideas and tries to use them to rob a museum.
DeFilippis, Nunzio, Christina Weir and Kevin Cornell. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Quirk Books. 2008. 9781594742811. $15.95.
Like the movie, only funnier and closer to the book.
Dyer, Jamaica. Weird Fishes. SLG Publishing. 2009. 9781593621773. $9.95.
Print version of Dyer's wildly eccentric Web comic, following the surreal adventures of outsider teens Dee and Bunny Boy.
Eiki, Eiki.
Train*Train, vol 1. DMP/Doki Doki. 2009. 9781569700969. $12.95.
Train*Train, vol 2. DMP/Doki Doki. 2009. 9781569700976. $12.95.
Asahi's dreams of working with trains hit a snag when he gets assigned to work with the weirdos at the Minami Kitazawa Station.
Erb, Greg, Jason Oremland and Wook-Jin Clark. The Return of King Doug. Oni Press. 2009. 9781934964156. $14.95.
Eight-year-old Doug Peterson falls down a well on his parents' summer home's property and finds himself in another world. When the inhabitants call him "The Chosen One" and start to talk about the war they'll wage against the Dark Queen, Doug bolts. He lives an inauspicious (loserly) life after that. Twenty-five years later, Doug's son goes down the same well, Doug follows, and the results are somewhat different this time around.
Evanier, Mark and Sergio Aragones. Groo: Hell on Earth. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781593079994. $17.95.
Groo fights global warming.
Fraction, Matt and Salvador Larroca. Invincible Iron Man: The Five Nightmares. Marvel. 2008. 9780785134602. $19.95.
Tony Stark finds himself up against one of his toughest opponents - the son of his greatest competitor. And this time the son will stop at nothing to get revenge on Tony for his father's failures.
Fujino, Moyamu.
Animal Academy: Hakobune Hakusho, vol 1. Tokyopop. 2009. 9781427810953. $10.99.
Animal Academy: Hakobune Hakusho, vol 2. Tokyopop. 2009. 9781427810960. $10.99.
Neko Fukuta flunked almost all of her high school entrance exams and is left to attend the only school that would accept her, Morimori High. But Morimori is filled with special students: they're all animals who can take on human form, and Neko is possibly the only human in her class.
Gaiman, Neil and P. Craig Russell. Sandman: The Dream Hunters. DC Comics/Vertigo. 2009. 9781401224240. $24.99.
Beautiful translation of Neil Gaiman's original prose novel by artist P. Craig Russell.
Geary, Rick. The Adventures of Blanche. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781595822581. $15.95.
Blanche has gone off to see the world, sending home letters describing her adventures.
Goddard, Drew and Georges Jeanty. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 8, vol.3: Wolves at the Gate. Dark Horse. 2008. 9781595821652.
Her enemies say she's bringing on the apocalypse, her closest allies are sleeping around, and now she has to ask a vampire for help. Is Buffy really doing the right thing?
Goodwin, Archie, ed. Eerie Archives, vol 2. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781595823151. $49.95.
Horror Tales from the 1960's and 70's, in homage to the classic EC Comics, with art by many masters of the form.
Hama, Larry and Jim Clark and Tom Feister. G.I. Joe: Origins. IDW. 2009. 9781600104978. $19.99.
Find out the backstories on your G.I. Joe favorites and see how the team came to be.
Hamilton, Tim. Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Edition. Hill & Wang. 2009. 9780809051014. $16.95.
Ray Bradbury's classic adapted with his input and approval this is a gorgeous retelling of this compelling tale of censorship and intellectual freedom.
Hardison, Jim and Bart Sears. The Helm. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781595822611. $14.95.
Pathetic loser Matt Blurdy finds a magic helm that informs him of his heroic destiny, but he'd better shed those extra pounds and beat that murder rap in a hurry, because there are dark forces on the way to put that destiny to the test.
Hay, Brendan and Nate Watson. Scream Queen. BOOM! Studios. 2009. 9781934506455. $15.99.
Wrighty is a teenage psychopath who lives in the local mall. He is smitten by Molly, a popular teen who works at the food court. Wrighty will do anything, or rather kill anything, to be with Molly.
Hill, Joe and Gabriel Rodridguez.
Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft. IDW. 2008. 9781600102370. $24.99.
Locke & Key: Head Games. IDW. 2009. 9781600104831. $24.99.
After their father is murdered by two young thugs in a robbery attempt, the surviving family members find solace in a place where their father grew up - but not all is what it seems in a town called Lovecraft.
Hashiguchi, Takashi. Yakitate!! Japan, vol 15. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421517100. $9.99.
Beginning of the television game show arc.
Hine, David and Carmine DeGiandomenico. Spider-Man Noir. Marvel. 2009. 9780785129233. $14.95.
The familiar story re-told in the 1930's, as young Peter Parker uses his new found super powers to bring justice to the gangsters who murdered his Uncle Ben.
Igarashi, Daisuke. Children of the Sea, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421529141. $14.99.
Three young teens hear the call of the ocean and realize thier special connection to the depths of the sea, and the vast reaches of space.
Inio, Asano. solanin. VIZ Media. 2008. 9781421523217. $17.99.
Recent college graduate Meiko struggles to find her place in the world.
Ishikawa, Masayuki. Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture, vol 1. Del Rey. 2009. 9780345514721. $10.99.
Tadayasu, a new university student at an agricultural college, has the remarkable ability to see microscopic organisms, and they are really cute too boot!
Jenkins, Paul and Paolo Rivera. Mythos. Marvel. 2008. 9780785115977. $24.99.
Superhero origins: Every great story has a great beginning.
Jensen, Van and Dusty Higgins. Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer. SLG Publishing. 2009. 9781593621766. $10.95.
Thought Pinocchio's story ended with a happy ending? Wrong! Now Geppetto's dead and the only one who can stop the bloodthirsty vampires and avenge his father's death is a little wooden boy and his never-ending supply of stakes (his growing wooden nose).
Johns, Geoff and Ivan Reis. Green Lantern: Secret Origin. DC Comics. 2008. 9781401219901. $19.99.
Acclaimed author and long-time Green Lantern scribe Geoff Johns goes back to the beginning to retell and reenvision the classic tale of how one extraordinary man became an interstellar hero.
Johns, Geoff and Gary Frank. Superman: Brainiac. DC Comics. 2009. 9781401220877. $19.99.
Superman and Supergirl face a terrifying threat from their home planet.
Johnston, Antony and Wilson Tortosa. Wolverine: Prodigal Son, vol 1. Del Rey. 2009. 9780345505163. $12.99.
You think you know him. The guy who’s “the best there is at what I do, but what I do isn’t very nice.” The angry, conflicted, raging amnesiac. The super-cool, bad boy antihero who deep down has his own morals and code of ethics. The vertically challenged mutant with a healing factor, a chip on his soldier, and admantium steel on his bones. Logan, Weapon X, Wolverine. You think you know him. Think again.
Kamatani, Yukhi. Nabari no ou, vol 1. Yen Press. 2009. 9780759530034. $10.99.
Passive, bored Miharu has no purpose in life, until he finds out that the powers of a ninja realm are sealed within him. Now he must learn the ways if the ninja to avoid being controlled by rival clans.
Kanno, Aya. Otomen, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421521862 . $8.99.
In the stoic and manly breast of Asuka Masamune beats the heart of a.....girly girl? Due to a childhood incident, Asuka has always hidden his love of cooking, sewing, and sparkly, shiny things behind a tough and cool exterior. When he meets the girl of his dreams and the guy who's secretly using him as the inspiration for a Shojo manga series, Asuka's life spins out of control.
Kawahara, Kazune. High School Debut, vol 8. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421521903. $8.99.
Haruna is a tomboy who needs help finding a boyfriend. She convinces popular Yoh to coach her on how to make herself more appealing to guys, but under one condition - she can't fall in love with him!
Kawasa, Natsuna.
Lapis Lazuli Crown, vol 1. DC Comics/CMX. 2009. 9781401221201. $9.99.
Lapis Lazuli Crown, vol 2. DC Comics/CMX. 2009. 9781401221218. $9.99.
Everyone in young Miel's family has magical powers, but she's not really interested in developing hers. But when she encounters a boy who needs some help, Miel may just have found the motivation she needs to develop her own special gifts.
Kelly, Joe and J.M. Ken Nimura. I Kill Giants. Image. 2009. 9781607060925. $15.99.
Barbara Thorson carries a hammer to school every day to battle monsters, but are the monsters real or a mark of something more disturbing?
Kim, Dong Hwa.
The Color of Earth. First Second. 2009. 9781596434585. $16.95.
The Color of Water. First Second. 2009. 9781596434592. $16.95.
The Color of Heaven. First Second. 2009. 9781596434608. $16.95.
The parallel stories of a young girl and her widowed mother as one grows into a woman and the other tries to live her life as fulfilled woman in a society defined by its social codes and traditions.
Kleid, Neil and Nicholos Cinquegrani. The Big Kahn. NBM Publishing. 2009. 9781561635610. $13.95.
Kahn has double meaning in this book about a Jewish rabbi.
Komura, Ayumi. Mixed Vegetables, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2008. 9781421519678. $8.99.
Hanayu knows that it will break her parents' hearts if she defects from the bakery to become a sushi chef. But if she marries into a sushi family, they'll have to understand her decision. Now she just has to get Hayato Hyuga interested in her, and what better way than to wow him with her cooking skills?!
Kovac, Tommy and Sonny Liew, Wonderland. Disney Press. 2009. 978142310451-3. $19.99.
Kovac bring us the story of the white rabbits maid, MaryAnn, along with all the other familiar characters minus Alice.
Kneece, Mark and Chris Lie. Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone: Deaths-Head Revisited. Walker & Company. 2009. 9780802797237. $9.99.
A former death camp commander returns to the scene of his crimes and has an unexpected trial in the Twilight Zone.
Kumeta, Koji. Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei: The Power of Negative Thinking, vol 1. Del Rey. 2009. 9780345508935. $10.99.
On her way to school, the most optimistic girl in the world meets her new teacher as he is trying to commit suicide. After she "saves" him, he meets the rest of the class who are just as odd as he is.
Lansdale, Joe R. and Nathan Fox. Pigeons From Hell: Based on the Short Story by Conan creator Robert E. Howard. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781595822376. $13.95.
Hoo-doo in a haunted plantation house deep in the bayou.
Lapham, David and Tony Harris. Spider-Man: With Great Power... Marvel. 2008. 9780785119685. $24.99.
A tale of the dangerous road from great power to great responsibility.
Lee, Tony and Sam Hart. Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood. Candlewick. 2009. 978076364399. $21.99.
The Robin Hood legend retold with epic mythological overtones, featuring all the adventure and romance with a decidedly gritty spin.
Lemire, Jeff. The Nobody. DC Comics/Vertigo. 2009. 9781848564831. $19.99.
A bandaged stranger walks into a small town and paranoia follows in his wake, changing the life of a teenage girl forever, in this re-imagining of Welles' classic Invisible Man.
Lethem, Jonathan and Farel Dalrymple. Omega the Unknown. Marvel. 2008. 9780785130529. $29.99.
Multiple award-winning novelist Lethem chronicles the weird, twisting journey of a boy with a (maybe) super-heroic destiny.
Love, Jeremy. Bayou, vol 1. DC Comics/Zuda. 2009. 9781401223823. $14.99.
When her white friend is kidnapped and taken into a fantasy realm hidden beneath the waters of the bayou, Lee's father is captured and taken prisoner under suspicion of the girl's murder. Lee must find a way to rescue the missing girl before her father is lynched for a crime he did not commit.
Matsumoto, Nina. Yokaiden, vol 1. Del Rey. 2008. 9780345503275. $10.95.
Most people fear yokai, but not Hamachi. When his grouchy grandmother's soul is stolen by them, he journey's into their realm to get it back.
Millar, Mark and Peter Gross. American Jesus: Book One: Chosen. Image. 2009. 978160706006-2. $9.99.
A truck lands on Jodie Christianson, but instead of killing him, it unlocks disturbingly Christ-like powers.
Millar, Mark and Tommy Lee Edwards. 1985. Marvel. 2009. 9780785121589. $24.95.
A boy with family issues realizes he's got lots more to worry about when Marvel super-villains start invading the real world.
Milligan, Peter and Esad Ribic. Sub-Mariner: The Depths. Marvel. 2009. 9780785133292. $24.95.
A myth-busting scientist is sent in a submarine to prove that the city of Atlantis exists. His strong belief in science as an answer to everything is shaken by the submarine crew, the depths of the ocean, his own mind, and visions of Namor, Atlantis' protector.
Moore, Terry and Craig Rousseau. Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane: Sophomore Jinx. Marvel. 2009. 9780785130048. $19.99
Mary Jane Watson's sophomore year of high school brings both trials and tribulations as she tries to figure out "Who is Mary Jane Watson"?
Nakashima, Kazuki and Karakara Kemuri.
Takeru: Opera Susanoh Sword of the Devil, vol 1. Tokyopop. 2009. 9781427815705. $10.99.
Takeru: Opera Susanoh Sword of the Devil, vol 2. Tokyopop. 2009. 9781427815712. $10.99.
Three men, all named Takeru, join forces to search for the legendary Sword of Susanoh
Navgorodoff, Danica. Refresh Refresh. First Second. 2009. 9781596435223. $17.99.
Josh, Cody and Gordon are young men trying to cope with the absence of their fathers: Marine Corps reservists who have been sent to war in Iraq.
Obata, Yuki.
We Were There, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2008. 9781421520186. $8.99.
We Were There, vol 2. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421520193. $8.99.
We Were There, vol 3. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421520209. $8.99.
We Were There, vol 4. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421520216. $8.99.
What do you do when you fall in love with a guy who is still in love with his dead girlfriend?
O'Neil, Dennis and Curt Swan. Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore. DC Comics. 2009. 9781401220853. $39.99.
Reprinted from the early 1970's, Superman overcomes his Achilles heel, but must confront his most devastating enemy: himself.
Osborne, Wayne and John Byrne. FX. IDW. 2008. 9781600102745. $19.99.
Tom wakes up from a coma to discover he now has the power to make anything he imagines come true.
Pak, Greg and Carmine Di Giandomenico. X-Men: Magneto Testament. Marvel. 2009. 9780785138235. $24.99.
The story of X-Men villain Magneto (Max Eisenhardt) as a Jewish child in Nazi Germany.
Phelan, Matt. Storm in the Barn. Candlewick Press. 2009. 9780763636180. $24.99.
Jack and his family live in a small town in Kansas in 1937 where everyone is struggling to survive the effects of the Dust Bowl.
Powell, Nate. Swallow Me Whole. Top Shelf. 2008. 9781603090339. $19.95.
Teen stepsiblings deal with their own mental illnesses, mistaken love, and the strength of family ties.
Pyle, Kevin C. Katman. Henry Holt. 2009. 9780805082852. $12.99.
Kit spends his summer vacation caring for stray cats all over his low income neighborhood while he cultivates a friendship (or more) with Jess, a girl who draws Kit as "Katman" in a graphic novel she's created.
Runberg, Sylvain and Serge Pelle.
Orbital, vol 1: Scars. Cinebook. 2009. 9781905460899. $11.95.
Orbital, vol 2: Ruptures. Cinebook. 2009. 9781905460953. $11.95.
Teamed with an alien partner, a human tries to keep the galactic peace on behalf of an interstellar coalition that despises him.
Ryukishi07 and Karin Suzuragi.
Higurashi When They Cry, vol 1: Abducted by Demons Arc. Yen Press. 2008. 9780759529830. $10.99.
Higurashi When They Cry, vol 2: Abducted by Demons Arc. Yen Press. 2009. 9780759529847. $10.99.
Keiichi has moved to a sleepy little town and is settling in quite nicely when he learns of a series of grisly and mysterious murders.
Sable, Mark and Ken Lashley, Carlos Magno, et al. Teen Titans Spotlight: Cyborg. DC Comics. 2009. 9781401221409. $19.99.
The genesis of Teen Titan, Cyborg.
Sadowski, Greg, ed. Supermen: The First Wave of Comic Book Heroes, 1939-1941. Fantagraphics. 2009. 9781560979715. $24.99.
This incredible collection of early comics showcases the first generation of superheroes and is filled with amazing art and groundbreaking imagination.
Sakai, Stan. Usagi Yojimbo: Bridge of Tears. Dark Horse. 2009. 9781595822987. $17.95.
The continuing adventures of the ronin (wandering samurai), Usagi Yojimbo, continues.
Sala, Richard. Cat Burglar Black. First Second. 2009. 9781596431447. $16.99.
K leaves an orphanage where she was trained to be an expert thief to go to a boarding school run by an aunt she has never met.
Saito, Ken. Name of the Flower, vol 1. DC Comics/CMX. 2009. 9781401215965. $9.99.
A girl overcomes past tragedy as she lives with her distant cousin, an eccentric author.
Schweizer, Chris. The Crogan Adventures: Crogan's Vengeance. Oni Press. 2008. 9781934964064. $14.95.
A first look at an adventuresome family. "Catfish" Crogan never thought he'd be a notorious pirate. but his life just took for the worse when he's branded a pirate and in the adventure of a lifetime.
Shan, Darren and Takahiro Arai. Cirque du Freak, vol 1. Yen Press. 2009. 9780759530416. $10.99.
In this adapation of the popular series, Darren becomes a vampire to save his friend's life.
Shanower, Eric and Skottie Young. Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Marvel. 2009. 9780785129219. $29.99.
The traditional story we all know with a Marvel spin on it.
Shelley, Mary and Clive Bryant. Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel. Classical Comics Ltd. 2009. 9781906332495. $16.95.
Horror comes to life: the ethics of creation and destruction.
Shiina, Karuho.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421527550. $8.99.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, vol 2. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421527567. $9.99.
Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine...for a horror movie. With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, she's often mistaken for the haunting movie character Sadako. But behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Too shy to fit in, all she wants to do is make some friends. But when the most popular boy in class befriends her, she's sure to make more than just that--she's about to make some enemies too
Siddell, Tom. Gunnerkrigg Court, vol 1: Orientation. Archaia Studios Press. 2009. 9781932386349. $26.95.
Antimony is starting her first year of boarding school at Gunnerkrigg Court, where secrets, mysterious, and spooky events are part of the curriculum.
Simone, Gail and Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson. Wonder Woman: The Circle. DC Comics. 2008. 9781401219321. 24.99.
Following a war that decimated the Amazon nation, an long-imprisioned enemy seeks the death of Wonder Woman.
Simone, Gail and Nicola Scott. Secret Six: Unhinged. DC Comics. 2009. 9781401223274. $14.99.
The mercenary super-villain team Secret Six are drawn into the battle over a prize every bad-guy would kill (or worse) to win; a magical Get Out Of Hell Free card.
Smith, Jeff. RASL, vol 1: The Drift. Cartoon Books. 2009. 9781888963205. $13.00.
Rasl is an art thief who jumps through dimensions using something called The Drift, looking for his next heist, although sometimes he doesn't quite end up where he thought he would.
Stolarz, Laurie and Janina Gorrissen. Black is for Beginnings. Llewellyn/Flux. 2009. 9780738714387. $9.95.
Prophetic nightmares. Near-brushes with death. Killers pursuing her and her friends. Stacey Brown knows that being a hereditary witch isn’t all it's cracked up to be.
Strzepek, Kazimir. The Mourning Star, vol 2. Bodega Distribution. 2009. 0977767973. $13.00.
A wild fantasy world of magic and combat seen through indie comic eyes.
Suzuki, Julietta. Karakuri Odette, vol 1. Tokyopop. 2009. 9781427814074. $9.99.
Odette is an android wants to find out what it means to be human, so she asks her creator, Professor Yoshizawa to enroll her in high school. Trouble is, Odette is a lot stronger than the average teen girl, and just a little more naïve about the ways of the world. As she learns more about what it's like to be an ordinary girl, can Odette keep her extraordinary abilities a secret from her classmates?
Telgemeier, Raina and Dave Roman and Anzu. X-Men: Misfits. Del Rey. 2009. 9780345505149. $12.99.
High school student Kitty Pryde has always felt self-conscious due to her mutant powers. That doesn't change much when she's invited to attend Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, where, it turns out, she's the only female student! How does she deal with her budding powers and her budding attraction to her new classmates?!
Thomas, Roy and Sebastian Fiumara. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Marvel. 2008. 9780785126546. $19.99.
Dorian possesses a portrait that is "the most magical of mirrors", revealing his true self.
Urasawa, Naoki and Takashi Nagasaki.
Pluto, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421519180. $12.99.
Pluto, vol 2. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421519197. $12.99.
Pluto, vol 3. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421519203. $12.99.
The series is based on Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy, specifically "The Greatest Robot on Earth" story arc, and named after the arc's chief villain. Urasawa reinterprets the story as a suspenseful murder mystery starring Gesicht, a Europol robot detective trying to solve the case of a string of robot and human deaths.
Vehlmann, Fabien and Denis Bodart. Green Manor: Assassins and Gentlemen. Cinebook. 2008. 9781905460533. $13.95.
"Can there be a murder without a victim and without a murderer?"
Waid, Mark, editor. Cthulhu Tales, vol 2: Whispers of Madness. BOOM! Studios. 2008. 978193450651. $11.50.
Volume two in a series of anthologies of stories inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's tales of Cthuluhu, terrifying alien gods which resemble icky squids.
Waid, Mark and Peter Krause. Irredeemable, vol 1. BOOM! Studios. 2009. 9781934506905. $9.99.
The world's greatest hero snaps and becomes the world's greatest villain.
Waid, Mark and Marcos Martin. Amazing Spider-Man: Death and Dating. Marvel. 2009. 9780785133940. $24.99.
Spider-Man faces an old friend's family secrets, a subway cave-in while being hunted by a super-villain, and the most dangerous prospect of all: dating.
Wood, Brian and Kristian Donaldson. Supermarket. IDW. 2009. 9781600103537. $14.99.
Pella follows clues from her murdered parents through a futuristic Japanese city controlled by the Yakuza and the Swedish Porno gangs.
Yagami, Yu. Go West, vol 1. DC Comics/CMX. 2008. 9781401220273. $9.99.
Naomi's adventures after she leaves Japan to search for her family in the Wild West.
Yang, Gene and Derek Kirk Kim. The Eternal Smile. First Second. 2009. 9781596431560. $16.95.
Three luminous stories which toy with the boundaries between imagination and reality. These tales are wonderful ruminations on the human condition and the power of imagination to lift us beyond the mundane.
Yoshinaga, Fumi. Ooku: The Inner Chambers, vol 1. VIZ Media. 2009. 9781421527475. $12.99.
In an imaginary feudal Japan a plague has killed off almost all of the men leaving women in charge of the world and men turned into objects of power and desire.
Yost, Christopher and Paqual Ferry. Ender's Game: Battle School. Marvel. 2009. 9780785135807. $24.99.
Ender Wiggin is inducted into Battle School where he must train to save Earth from an encroaching invasion by facing not only his merciless peers but also the monsters that haunt his own psyche.
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