2023 is at a close, and Iowa City Public Library Staff reflected on some of the literary highlights of the year, voting for new favorites in a variety of genres. In this list, you'll find the staff picks for Graphic Novels (All Ages) released in 2023. "The Moth Keeper" by Kay O'Neill was the standout title among staff, earning the greatest number of votes for this genre.
The moth keeper
Kay (Cartoonist) O'Neill
jGRAPHIC NOVEL O'Neill
Kit is excited to prove her worth as a Moth-Keeper, a protector of the lunar moths that allow the Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year, but she quickly finds that life as a Moth-Keeper is not what she imagined it would be.
A first time for everything : a true story
Dan Santat
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Santat
"A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life. Dan's always been a good kid. The kind of kid who listens to his teachers, helps his mom with grocery shopping, and stays out of trouble. But being a good kid doesn't stop him from being bullied and feeling like he's invisible, which is why Dan has low expectations when his parents send him on a class trip to Europe. At first, he's right. He's stuck with the same girls from his middle school who love to make fun of him, and he doesn't know why his teacher insisted he come on this trip. But as he travels through France, Germany, Switzerland, and England, a series of first experiences begin to change him--first Fanta, first fondue, first time stealing a bike from German punk rockers... and first love. Funny, heartwarming, and poignant, A First Time for Everything is a feel-good coming-of-age memoir based on New York Times bestselling author and Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat's awkward middle school years. It celebrates a time that is universally challenging for many of us, but also life-changing as well."--
Big Nate. Next stop, superstardom!
Lincoln Peirce
jCOMIC Big
"Big Nate and his Fear The Mollusk bandmates are destined for superstardom--that is, if they can do something about the earsplitting vocals of their lead singer. Nate's always been the front man, but he might have to swallow his ego if he wants his friends to shine."--
Carmilla : the first vampire
Amy Chu
GRAPHIC NOVEL Chu
"Before Dracula, before Nosferatu, there was...CARMILLA. At the height of the Lunar New Year in 1990s New York City, an idealistic social worker turns detective when she discovers young, homeless LGBTQ+ women are being murdered and no one, especially the police, seems to care. A series of clues points her to Carmilla's, a mysterious nightclub in the heart of her neighborhood, Chinatown. There she falls for the next likely target, landing her at the center of a real-life horror story-and face-to-face with illusions about herself, her life, and her hidden past. Inspired by the gothic novel that started a genre and layered with dark Chinese folklore, this queer, feminist murder mystery is a tale of identity, obsession and fateful family secrets"--
Cat Kid Comic Club: Influencers: A Graphic Novel (Cat Kid Comic Club #5): From the Creator of Dog Man
Dav Pilkey
OverDrive
The newest graphic novel in the #1 bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man!The Cat Kid Comic Club is in crisis! After learning that one of their comics will be published, the baby frogs are filled with anxiety and doubt. How will they get their creative groove back? Will Naomi or Melvin emerge as a leader? Will Flippy convince them to finally straighten up and fly right?The story is hysterical, thought-provoking, and full of action-packed mini-comics: "Frogzilla vs. Mechafrogzilla," "I Am Dr. Fredric Wertham," "Two Birds," and "RoboChubbs." Bestselling author-illustrator Dav Pilkey shows the reader that the best way to influence people is to be open, gentle, and kind. The variety of art styles, paired with Pilkey's trademark storytelling and humor, inspires imagination and innovation for readers of all ages.For more hilarity and heart, dive into the newest graphic novel in the Dog Man series: Dog Man: Twenty...
Earthdivers
Stephen Graham Jones
COMIC Earthdivers
"The year is 2112, and it's the apocalypse exactly as expected: rivers receding, oceans rising, civilization crumbling. Humanity has given up hope, except for a group of Indigenous outcasts who have discovered a time travel portal in a cave in the desert and figured out where everything took a turn for the worst: America. Convinced that the only way to save the world is to rewrite its past, they send one of their own--a reluctant linguist named Tad--on a bloody, one-way mission to 1492 to kill Christopher Columbus before he reaches the so-called New World. But there are steep costs to disrupting the timeline, and taking down an icon isn't an easy task for an academic with no tactical training and only a wavering moral compass to guide him. As the horror of the task ahead unfolds and Tad's commitment is tested, his actions could trigger a devastating new fate for his friends and the future"--
Impossible people : a completely average recovery story
Julia Wertz
362.292092 /Wertz
"Celebrated cartoonist Julia Wertz chronicles her haphazard attempts at sobriety and the relentlessly challenging, surprisingly funny, and occasionally absurd cycle of addiction and recovery"--
Lights
Brenna Thummler
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Thummler
"Marjorie Glatt's life was forever changed the day she discovered a group of ghosts hiding in her family's laundromat. One of those ghosts was Wendell: a lonely phantom turned Marjorie's best friend. When he and Marjorie are joined by ghost-enthusiast Eliza Duncan, the three friends band together in friendship, bravery, and all things paranormal. Wendell died far too young and now must wander the Land of Humans with nothing more than a sheet for a body. He knows how he died--a tragic drowning accident--but lately he's grown curious about his past life. He wants to know more about why he died, not just how he died. It's not easy, though, since Wendell's memory of his human life has grown increasingly blurry. With Marjorie and Eliza's help, they set out on a journey to find out more. When they hear a rumor about Wendell's death, they wonder if it might not have been an accident after all. Meanwhile, Marjorie and Eliza's friendship is tested when Marjorie starts to befriend the very people who used to bully Eliza. In the third and final installment of the Sheets trilogy, Wendell will finally uncover the truth of his human life. Marjorie and Eliza will learn that some people really can change. Most of all, they start to see that everything can cast shadows, but if you look hard enough, you can find the light."--
Lore Olympus
Rachel (Comics artist) Smythe
GRAPHIC NOVEL Smythe Lore
A reimagining of Persephone and Hades' story from Greek mythology. Scandalous gossip, wild parties, toxic relationships, power plays, and sex are all part of the lives of the gods that Persephone must navigate to find her own power.
The adventure zone
Clint McElroy
GRAPHIC NOVEL McElroy Adventure
"Join Taako the elf wizard, Merle the dwarf cleric, and Magnus the human fighter for an adventure they are poorly equipped to handle at best, guided by their ever-patient dungeon master, in a graphic novel that will tickle your funny bone, tug your heartstrings, and probably pants you if you give it half a chance"--Front cover flap, volume 1.
The Never Girls ; the graphic novel
Katie Cook
jGRAPHIC NOVEL Thorpe Never
Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby are back--along with Tinker Bell and their fairy friends from Pixie Hollow--for more magical adventures together. In this first Disney: The Never Girls graphic novel, the girls find themselves in the middle of a mermaid-pirate feud that has all of Never Land taking sides! With old friends and new, an engaging mystery to solve, and fun full-color illustrations and comic panels, this book is sure to delight readers ages 6 to 9 and Never Girls fans of all ages.
The infinity particle
Xu, Wendy, author, artist.
GRAPHIC NOVEL Xu
Clementine Chang moves from Earth to Mars for a new start and is lucky enough to land her dream job with Dr. Marcella Lin, an Artificial Intelligence pioneer. On her first day of work, Clem meets Dr. Lin's assistant, a humanoid AI named Kye. Clem is no stranger to robots--she built herself a cute moth-shaped companion named SENA. Still, there's something about Kye that feels almost too human. When Clem and Kye begin to collaborate, their chemistry sets off sparks. The only downside? Dr. Lin is enraged by Kye's growing independence and won't allow him more freedom. Plus, their relationship throws into question everything Clem thought she knew about AI. After all, if Kye is sentient enough to have feelings, shouldn't he be able to control his own actions? Where is the line between AI and human? As her past and Kye's future weigh down on her, Clem becomes determined to help him break free--even if it means risking everything she came to Mars for
"The Moth Keeper" was ranked the Best of Graphic Novels by ICPL Staff for 2023. Casey says, "Fans of the Tea Dragon Society will love this new title from Kay O'Neill!"
- Becky