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2024 Staff Picks: Adult Graphic Novels

By Skokie Staff Advisory Services

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share their favorite titles.

All My Bicycles
2024 by Power Paola
I loved this graphic novel. I found the author's idea of exploring relationships and events in their life through their connection with bikes and transportation profound and I was moved to tears several times! I highly recommend this for fans of memoirs, bicycles, graphic novels and everyone in between. Suggested by Wesley.

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Woman, Life, Freedom
2024 by Satrapi, Marjane
An eye-opening and highly political graphic novel that provides history and everything you need to know to understand the current Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. The movement began after the murder of Mahsa Amini on Sept 16, 2022 by the Iranian morality police for not wearing the veil in accordance with Iranian law. Suggested by Rummanah.

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Feeding Ghosts
2024 by Hulls, Tessa
I loved this powerful, complex graphic memoir of generational trauma and resilience. Beginning with her maternal grandmother, Tess Hull traces three generations of her family’s difficult history from Mao’s China to contemporary California. The self-reflection unflinchingly excavates hard-won truths without simple resolutions. Suggested by Chris.

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Dwellings
2024 by Stephens, Jay
Don’t be fooled by the appearance of this graphic novel that mimics the style of Casper the Friendly Ghost or Little Lotta; comics. This is one dark, bleak, and genuinely horrific excursion into demonic possession and brutal murder. Horror fans will love this. Suggested by Steven.

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Past Tense: Facing Family Secrets and Finding Myself in Therapy
2024 by Mardou
Sacha Mardou had a tremendously difficult childhood and I loved this moving graphic memoir and how compassionately it demonstrates the power of therapy in overcoming past trauma. It’s unflinching in recounting her journey to confront childhood abuse and family secrets, while detailing her own path toward healing and self-acceptance. Suggested by Chris.

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Total Suplex of the Heart
2024 by Starer, Joanne
I loved this story based on the author's real life undercover journalistic adventure--how it explored growing up in a male-dominated sport, eating disorders, and abusive relationships. Suggested by Suzanne.

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Homebody
2024 by Parish, Theo
An affirming, hopeful, and beautifully drawn graphic memoir that showcases the author’s journey toward their authentic gender identity. Suggested by Rummanah.

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Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair
2024 by Knisley, Lucy
I loved the way this author shows absolute humor and heartbreak around something as precious and mundane as a pet. Suggested by Suzanne.

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Peepee Poopoo: Issue 1
2024 by Cash, Caroline
Yes, that title is silly, though the contents of this series are funny and appealing slices of life, many taking place in Chicago. Super fun, a little silly, and I could use a whole lot more of that! Suggested by Chris.

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I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp
2023 by Azim, Fahmida
A revealing, harrowing, and important graphic novella about the ongoing humanitarian crisis and genocide of the Uyghur people in China. Suggested by Rummanah.

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Batman & the Joker: The Deadly Duo
2023 by Silvestri, Marc
Though this is Marc Silvestri’s first take on the Dark Knight and his nemesis the Joker, he captures their essence as the two turn uneasy allies to face a monstrous threat. There’s no shortage of Batman graphic novels, but few rise to the literary and artistic standards of this stunning standalone title. Suggested by Steven.

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Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story
2023 by Myer, Sarah
A gritty yet candid graphic memoir that explores the complexity of being a transracial adoptee and the struggles to belong. I loved the metaphor of the monster representing both their rage and self doubt. Suggested by Rummanah.

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Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Scandalous Ticket
2023 by Lieron, Cyril
The mind of Sherlock Holmes is, um, different. It's also wonderous to behold in this splendidly detailed graphic novel that makes full use of its layout to produce a visual experience like no other. If it were any longer, it might make your brain explode. Suggested by Steven.

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My Favorite Thing Is Monsters
2016 by Ferris, Emil
I'm sad that Volume 2 is the end of 10-year-old Karen Reyes story, partially because I'm left with so many unanswered questions about the events surrounding her, but mostly because I will miss her rich fantasy life set amid the gritty reality of 1960's Uptown in Chicago. Emil Ferris's artwork is absolutely jaw-droppingly detailed and beautiful, even when grotesque. This series will stay with me for the rest of my life. Suggested by Jane.

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