Book Recs: Graphic Novels

Let’s be real, what’s better than some graphic novels. I mean, you get a great story and great artwork! (Also, you get a nice boost to your reading challenge, if you’re a bit behind at times like me…)

So today I’m here with ten titles, all of them featuring LGBT leads, most of them actually having way more than one character who’s not cishet. A Christmas gift for you all, if you will. :>>

Enjoy!

And if you need more, here’s a post about LGBT graphic novels, part II.

Taproot

Keezy Young
Goodreads
Rep: poc mc, mlm relationship (lgbt author), all poc cast

Why Should I Read It?

The thing I’m mostly excited about here is a huge spoiler, but it’s also beautiful & pure & will restore your faith in love and humanity. I suppose it’s enough to say that this is basically a soft, gay love story with art that complements it perfectly.

Joyride

Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly (writers), Marcus To & Irma Kniivila (artists)
Goodreads
Rep: wlw relationship

Why Should I Read It?

Do you like stories with the found family trope? Well, it doesn’t get much better than here! We get a bunch of teens and androids saving the world & saving themselves. And on top of that, we get a sapphic relationship with the most beautiful happy ending.

Heavy Vinyl

Carly Usdin (writer), Nina Vakueva (artist)
Goodreads
Rep: two wlw relationships (one interracial, ownvoices), side mlm relationship, Black mc, Puerto Rican mc, het interracial relationship

Why Should I Read It?

Did you see all the rep this graphic novel offers? It’s so diverse and what’s even better, none of it feels forced! Sadly, there’s only one volume*, but the story is cute and the characters are relatable, and it’s just… so gay!

*No longer true!

Midnighter and Apollo

Steve Orlando (writer), Fernando Blanco (artist)
Goodreads
Rep: gay mc and li (ownvoices), mlm relationship, side mlm relationship

Why Should I Read It?

Yes. You’re reading this right. The Orpheus myth, but with gay superheroes. Do you really need more convincing? Oh, well, it’s an ownvoices story.

Motor Crush

Brenden Fletcher & Cameron Stewart (writers), Babs Tarr (artist)
Goodreads
Rep: Black butch lesbian mc, femme lesbian ex-girlfriend, character with a prosthetist

Why Should I Read It?

Black lesbian protag! Motor races! Weird drugs! Cool sci-fi shit! Honestly, what more do you need? Also look how beautiful Domino is, I’m just saying…

Moonstruck

Grace Ellis (writer), Shae Beagle (artist)
Goodreads
Rep: plus-sized lesbian mc & li (ownvoices), Latinx & Black mcs, nb side character, side mlm relationship

Why Should I Read It?

Two main characters are werewolves! This is a college town where everyone is magic and most of the characters aren’t white. There’s also some mystery and stuff.

Knights-Errant

Jennifer Doyle
Goodreads
Rep: trans mc & li, side mlm relationship

Why Should I Read It?

You should read it because it’s a historical (web)comic set in a fictional land, focusing on race, religion, gender & revenge, with interesting gay relationships AND the art is absolutely Stunning on top of all that. Did I mention we get a marvelous hate to love trope?

Abbott

Saladin Ahmed (writer), Sami Kivelä (artist)
Goodreads
Rep: Black bisexual mc, East Asian ex-girlfriend

Why Should I Read It?

Saladin Ahmed is a GENIUS comic writer, first with Marvel, and now with his own indie stuff. Abbott is only 5 issues long*, but he manages to develop the storyline so well and it’ll definitely leave you wanting a lot more.

*Also no longer true!

Kim Reaper

Sarah Graley
Goodreads
Rep: plus-sized bisexual mc, interracial wlw relationship (ownvoices)

Why Should I Read It?

Listen, this little thing is HILARIOUS, okay! But not only that, there’s also calling out ugly behaviours and talk of how you have to work to make a relationship healthy. Also, the li works as a grim reaper! I mean!

Space Battle Lunchtime

Natalie Riess
Goodreads
Rep: interracial wlw relationship

Why Should I Read It?

This is a middle grade graphic novel, the only one on my list. It’s incredibly cute and exactly the kind of thing kids need more of. It’s full of cool aliens with even cooler designs, the main arc is actually full of surprise, and we get a really nicely done sapphic relationship. What more can you ask for!

I hope you found something of interest here! Not going to lie, for me personally, making this list was great fun & now I want to reread some of my faves. :>>> Mainly Taproot… I feel like it’s a good story for winter, since it takes place during summer and is all about the growing.

Anyway. Happy reading and Merry Christmas!!

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