The Combined Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2023!

Since October 2023 there have been many, many websites with “Best of 2023” lists concerning comic books, manga, webcomics and graphic novels. If you’ve looked at a few, you may have noticed some of the same books on different lists and seen some unique to only that list.

I went through 226 different URLs with “Best Of” Lists regarding comics and combined them into a spreadsheet. There are over 3,800 different listings of books from these websites. I should note that I’ve included books that were given honourable mentions. In short, if somebody thought it was a good book that you should check out, it’s on here.

This year the #1 book was Monica by Daniel Clowes, published by Fantagraphics.
Daniel Clowes and his book MonicaThe #2 book was Roaming by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki (Drawn & Quarterly). Squeaking into 3rd place was Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamad (Pantheon). There is a 3 way tie for 4th place with Blood of the Virgin by Sammy Harkham (Pantheon), A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll (First Second) and The Talk by Darrin Bell (Henry Holt and Co.). 5th place was Why Don’t You Love Me? By P. B. Rainey (Drawn & Quarterly).

Below are all the books with 5 mentions or more.

Book Title Count Writer Artist Publisher
Monica 62 Daniel Clowes Daniel Clowes Fantagraphics
Roaming 51 Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki Jillian Tamaki Drawn & Quarterly
Shubeik Lubeik 37 Deena Mohamed Deena Mohamed Pantheon
Blood of the Virgin 35 Sammy Harkham Sammy Harkham Pantheon
A Guest in the House 35 Emily Carroll Emily Carroll First Second
The Talk 35 Darrin Bell Darrin Bell Henry Holt and Co.
Why Don’t You Love Me? 27 P.B. Rainey P.B. Rainey Drawn & Quarterly
W0rldtr33 24 James Tynion IV Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire Image Comics
Birds of Prey 23 Kelly Thompson Leonardo Bastos Romero, Jordie Bellaire, Matt Herms DC Comics
Mexikid 23 Pedro Martín Pedro Martín Dial Books
Transformers 19 Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer Image Comics
Family Style: Memories of an American From Vietnam 18 Thien Pham Thien Pham First Second
The Immortal Thor 17 Al Ewing Martin Coccolo, Matthew Wilson Marvel Comics
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest 17 Mark Waid Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller, The Man Who Created Nancy 16 Bill Griffith Bill Griffith Harry N. Abrams
Impossible People: A Completely Average Recovery Story 16 Julia Wertz Julia Wertz Black Dog & Leventhal
Wonder Woman 15 Tom King Daniel Sampere, Tomeu Morey DC Comics
Local Man 15 Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs Image Comics
Parachute Kids 15 Betty C. Tang Betty C. Tang Graphix
Time Under Tension 14 M.S. Harkness M.S. Harkness Fantagraphics
Girl Juice 14 Benji Nate Benji Nate Drawn & Quarterly
The Gull Yettin 14 Joe Kessler Joe Kessler New York Review Comics
Do a Powerbomb! 14 Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer Image Comics
Things in the Basement 14 Ben Hatke Ben Hatke, Zack Giallongo First Second
20th Century Men 14 Deniz Camp Stipan Morian Image Comics
A First Time for Everything 14 Dan Santat Dan Santat First Second
Boys Weekend 13 Mattie Lubchansky Mattie Lubchansky Pantheon
River’s Edge 13 Kyoko Okazaki Kyoko Okazaki Kodansha Comics
Daredevil 13 Chip Zdarsky, Ann Nocenti Various Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four 13 Ryan North Iban Coello, Ivan Fiorelli Marvel Comics
Sunday 12 Olivier Schrauwen Olivier Schrauwen Colorama
Void Rivals 12 Robert Kirkman Lorenzo De Felici, Matheus Lopes Image Comics
This Country: Searching For Home in (Very) Rural America 12 Navied Mahdavian Navied Mahdavian Princeton Architectural Press
The Incredible Hulk 12 Phillip Kennedy Johnson Nic Klein, Matthew Wilson Marvel Comics
In Limbo 12 Deb JJ. Lee Deb JJ. Lee First Second
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons 12 Kelly Sue Deconnick Phil Jimenez, Gene Ha, Nicola Scott DC Comics
The Enfield Gang Massacre 11 Chris Condon Jacob Phillips, Pip Martin Image Comics
What Awaits Them 11 Liam Cobb Liam Cobb Breakdown Press
Nejishiki 11 Yoshiharu Tsuge Yoshiharu Tsuge Drawn & Quarterly
Social Fiction 11 Chantal Montellier Chantal Montellier New York Review Comics
Are You Willing To Die For The Cause? 11 Chris Oliveros Chris Oliveros Drawn & Quarterly
Night Fever 11 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips, Jacob Phillips Image Comics
The Human Target 11 Tom King Various DC Comics
Akane-banashi 11 Yuki Suenaga Takamasa Moue VIZ Media
Bea Wolf 10 Zach Weinersmith Boulet First Second
Juliette: Or, the Ghosts Return in the Spring 10 Camille Jourdy Camille Jourdy Drawn & Quarterly
The Second Fake Death of Eddie Campbell 10 Eddie Campbell Eddie Campbell Top Shelf Productions
Hungry Ghost 10 Victoria Ying Victoria Ying First Second
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich 10 Deya Muniz Deya Muniz Little, Brown Ink
PeePee PooPoo 10 Caroline Cash Caroline Cash Silver Sprocket
The Naked Tree 10 Keum Suk Gendry-Kim Keum Suk Gendry-Kim Drawn & Quarterly
Danger and Other Unknown Risks 10 Ryan North Erica Henderson Penguin Workshop
Rare Flavours 10 Ram V Filipe Andrade BOOM! Studios
Goodbye, Eri 10 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story 10 Sarah Myer Sarah Myer First Second
Damn Them All 10 Si Spurrier Charlie Adlard, Sofie Dodgson, Shayne Hannah Cui BOOM! Studios
Werewolf Jones & Sons® Deluxe Summer Fun Annual! 9 Josh Pettinger, Simon Hanselmann Josh Pettinger, Simon Hanselmann, Nate Garcia Fantagraphics
W the Whore 9 Katrin de Vries Anke Feuchtenberger New York Review Comics
I Am Stan 9 Tom Scioli Tom Scioli Ten Speed Graphic
Okinawa 9 Susumu Higa Susumu Higa Fantagraphics
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees 9 Patrick Horvath Patrick Horvath IDW Publishing
Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound 9 Dave Chisholm Dave Chisholm Z2 Comics
Carmilla: The First Vampire 9 Amy Chu Soo Lee Dark Horse
Peacemaker Tries Hard! 9 Kyle Starks Steve Pugh, Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Phantom Road 9 Jeff Lemire Gabriel Hernandez Walta Image Comics
I Must Be Dreaming 9 Roz Chast Roz Chast Bloomsbury Publishing
Mimosa 9 Archie Bongiovanni Archie Bongiovanni Harry N. Abrams
Sunshine 9 Jarrett J. Krosoczka Jarrett J. Krosoczka Graphix
Saga 9 Brian K. Vaughan Fiona Staples Image Comics
Ghost Book 9 Remy Lai Remy Lai Henry Holt and Co.
Love Everlasting 9 Tom King Elsa Charretier, Matt Hollingsworth Image Comics
Fielder 8 Kevin Huizenga Kevin Huizenga Self-Published
Unended 8 Josh Beyer Josh Beyer Uncivilized Books
Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey 8 Edel Rodríguez Edel Rodríguez Metropolitian
The Super Hero’s Journey 8 Patrick McDonnell Various Harry N. Abrams
Buzzing 8 Samuel Sattin Rye Hickman Little, Brown Ink
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends 8 Kaz Windness Kaz Windness Simon Spotlight
The Ribbon Queen 8 Garth Ennis Jacen Burrows, Guillermo Ortego and Dan Brown AWA Studios
My Picture Diary 8 Fujiwara Maki Fujiwara Maki Drawn & Quarterly
Ultimate Invasion 8 Jonathan Hickman, Donny Cates Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, Alex Sinclair Marvel Comics
Kaya 8 Wes Craig Wes Craig Image Comics
Eerie Tales from the School of Screams 8 Graham Annable Graham Annable First Second
G.O.D.S. 7 Jonathan Hickman Valerio Schiti Marvel Comics
The Moth Keeper 7 K. O’Neill K. O’Neill Random House Graphic
Baby 7 Patrick Kyle Patrick Kyle Breakdown Press
The He-Man Effect: How American Toymakers Sold You Your Childhood 7 Brian “Box” Brown Brian “Box” Brown First Second
Somna 7 Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay DSTLRY
Now Let Me Fly: A Portrait of Eugene Bullard 7 Ronald Wimberly Brahm Revel First Second
Saving Sunshine 7 Saadia Faruqi Shazleen Khan First Second
The Great Beyond 7 Léa Murawiec Léa Murawiec Drawn & Quarterly
Parasocial 7 Alex de Campi Erica Henderson Image Comics
Eden II 7 K. Wroten K. Wroten Fantagraphics
Green Lantern 7 Jeremy Adams, Peter J. Tomasi Xermanico, Scott Godlewski, Darko Lafuente, Romulo Fajardo, Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Artificial: A Love Story 7 Amy Kurzweil Amy Kurzweil Catapult
The Man in the McIntosh Suit 7 Rina Ayuyang Rina Ayuyang Drawn & Quarterly
Avengers Inc. 7 Al Ewing Leonard Kirk, Alex Sinclair Marvel Comics
Brooms 7 Jasmine Walls Teo DuVall Levine Querido
The Nice House on the Lake 7 James Tynion IV Alvaro Martino Bueno DC Comics
Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise 7 Tradd Moore Tradd Moore, Heather Moore Marvel Comics
Nightwing 7 Tom Taylor Bruno Redondo, Geraldo Borges, Wade von Grawbadger, Adriano Lucas DC Comics
Gotham City: Year One 7 Tom King Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur, Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Superman 7 Joshua Williamson Various DC Comics
Immortal X-Men 7 Kieron Gillen Lucas Werneck Marvel Comics
Moon Knight 7 Jed MacKay, Danny Lore Federico Sabbatini, Alessandro Cappuccio, Ray-Anthony Height Marvel Comics
School Trip 7 Jerry Craft Jerry Craft Quill Tree Books
Where the Body Was 6 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips, Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Brooklyn’s Last Secret 6 Leslie Stein Leslie Stein Drawn & Quarterly
Four Eyes 6 Rex Ogle Dave Valeza, Ash Szymanik Graphix
She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat 6 Sakaomi Yuzaki Sakaomi Yuzaki Yen Press
Minami’s Lover 6 Shungicu Uchida Shungicu Uchida Fantagraphics
I Wish I Was Stupid 6 Ebisu Yoshikazu Ebisu Yoshikazu Breakdown Press
The Great British Bump-Off 6 John Allison Max Sarin, Sammy Borras Dark Horse
Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville 6 Joanne Starer Natacha Bustos, Tamra Bonvillain DC Comics
Tegan and Sara: Junior High 6 Tegan Quin, Sara Quin Tillie Walden Macmillan
Prokaryote Season 6 Leo Fox Leo Fox Silver Sprocket
The Chromatic Fantasy 6 H.A. H.A. Silver Sprocket
Swan Songs 6 W. Maxwell Prince Various Image Comics
Danger Street 6 Tom King Jorge Fornés, Dave Stewart DC Comics
March Comes In Like a Lion 6 Chica Umino Chica Umino Denpa Books
X-Men Red 6 Al Ewing Stefano Caselli, Juann Cabal, Andres Genolet Marvel Comics
Superman vs. Meshi 6 Satoshi Miyagawa Kai Kitago DC Comics/Kodansha
Grace Needs Space! 6 Benjamin A. Wilgus Rii Abrego Random House Graphic
Pet Peeves 6 Nicole Goux Nicole Goux Avery Hill Publishing
The Hard Switch 6 Owen D. Pomery Owen D. Pomery Avery Hill Publishing
Hexagon Bridge 6 Richard Blake Richard Blake Image Comics
Batman: City of Madness 6 Christian Ward Christian Ward DC Comics
Where I’m Coming From 6 Barbara Brandon-Croft Barbara Brandon-Croft Drawn & Quarterly
Anaïs Nin: A Sea of Lies 6 Léonie Bischoff Léonie Bischoff Fantagraphics
Spa 6 Erik Svetoft Erik Svetoft Fantagraphics
Clementine Book Two 6 Tillie Walden Tillie Walden Image Comics
Sensational She-Hulk 6 Rainbow Rowell Andrés Genolet, Dee Cunliffe Marvel Comics
Scarlet Witch 6 Steve Orlando Various Marvel Comics
Poison Ivy 6 G. Willow Wilson Atagun Ilhan, Marcio Takara, Arif Prianto, Ivan Plascencia DC Comics
Chainsaw Man 6 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
All Against All 6 Alex Paknadel Caspar Wijngaard Image Comics
Miracleman: The Silver Age 6 Neil Gaiman Mark Buckingham, Jordie Bellaire Marvel Comics
Batcat 6 Meggie Ramm Meggie Ramm Harry N. Abrams
Action Comics 6 Phillip Kennedy Johnson Various DC Comics
Two Tribes 6 Emily Bowen Cohen Emily Bowen Cohen Heartdrum
Barnstormers 6 Scott Snyder Tula Lotay Dark Horse
Dear Mini: A Graphic Memoir 5 Natalie Norris Natalie Norris Fantagraphics
The Penguin 5 Tom King Rafael de Latorre DC Comics
Lo and Behold 5 Wendy Mass Gabi Mendez Random House Graphic
Maple Terrace 5 Noah Van Sciver Noah Van Sciver Uncivilized Books
Proof That the Devil Loves You 5 Gilbert Hernandez Gilbert Hernandez Fantagraphics
The Buildings Are Barking: Diane Noomin in Memoriam 5 Bill Griffith Bill Griffith Fantagraphics
The Heavy Bright 5 Cathy Malkasian Cathy Malkasian Fantagraphics
Where Monsters Lie 5 Kyle Starks Piotr Kowalski, Vladimir Popov, Joshua Reed Dark Horse
Stories from Zoo 5 Anand Anand Bubbles Zine
Insomniacs After School 5 Makoto Ojiro Makoto Ojiro VIZ Media
Watership Down 5 Richard Adams, James Sturm Joe Sutphin Ten Speed Graphic
Choujin X 5 Sui Ishida Sui Ishida VIZ Media
The Night Eaters 5 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Harry N. Abrams
I Thought You Loved Me 5 MariNaomi MariNaomi Fieldmouse Press
The Ojja-Wojja 5 Magdalene Visaggio Jenn St-Onge Balzer + Bray
Universal Monsters: Dracula 5 James Tynion IV Martin Simmonds Image Comics
The Mysteries 5 Bill Watterson Bill Watterson, John Kascht Andrews McMeel Publishing
Ephemera: A Memoir 5 Briana Loewinsohn Briana Loewinsohn Fantagraphics
Blue Book Volume 1: 1961 5 James Tynion IV Michael Avon Oeming Dark Horse
Huda F Cares 5 Huda Fahmy Huda Fahmy Dial Books
Killadelphia 5 Rodney Barnes Jason Shawn Alexander, German Erramouspe, Lee Loughridge Image Comics
The Summer Hikaru Died 5 Mokumokuren Mokumokuren Yen Press
Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century 5 Adrian Matejka Youssef Daoudi Liveright
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham 5 Rafael Grampá Rafael Grampá, Steve Buccellato, Mat Lopes DC Comics
Detective Comics 5 Ram V, Simon Spurrier Rafael Albuquerque, Dani, Hayden Sherman, Dave Stewart, Nick Filardi DC Comics
It’s Jeff! 5 Kelly Thompson Gurihiru Marvel Comics
Asadora! 5 Naoki Urasawa Naoki Urasawa VIZ Media
Love and Rockets 5 Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez Fantagraphics
Earthdivers 5 Stephen Graham Jones Davide Gianfelice and Joana LaFuente IDW Publishing
Eight Billion Genies 5 Charles Soule Ryan Browne Image Comics
Squire & Knight 5 Scott Chantler Scott Chantler First Second
Monstress 5 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Image Comics
Hoops 5 Matt Tavares Matt Tavares Candlewick
Shazam! 5 Mark Waid Dan Mora, Alejandro Sánchez DC Comics
Alison 5 Lizzy Stewart Lizzy Stewart Fantagraphics

The full spreadsheet with pivot tables for books, writers, artists, publishers and more is available here.

Regarding Publishers:

The biggest surprise this year was the 110 self-published books that made the list. That’s more than double the number of self-published books that appeared last year.

There was a tie for the publisher with the most number of books being picked.
DC squeaked into first place with 93 books picked.
Image came in 2nd with 92 books.
Marvel came in 3rd with 79 books.
Fantagraphics came in 4th with 58 books.
Dark Horse came in 5th with 53 books.

The most popular webcomic picked was Darlin’ and Her Other Names by Olivia Stephens and After School Lessons for Unripe Apples by Soonkki, Maengin, Yulpi tied at 3 picks each. Returning to the list for the 3rd time is Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by CRC Payne, StarBite, Maria Li and Lan Ma with 2 picks this year. Also getting 2 picks were Questionable Content by Jeph Jacques, Eleceed by Jeho Son & ZHENA Studio, To Be An Actor by Kimhaema, Gogwang & 2:00, Nap Comix by Rachael Smith and What We Mean By Yesterday by Benjamin Marra.

Caveats:

Where a reviewer/writer wrote ‘best of’ lists for multiple websites, I’ve cross referenced their lists and removed books that were named twice. I did not think it would be fair if those writers could tip the popularity scale by naming the same book(s) over and over again on multiple websites. Sadly, there was an increase of websites publishing lists with no credit to who (or whom) created the list. In those cases I marked them as n/a but the practice of not crediting writers is a shameful one. Although for libraries I understand fully if the Librarians picking the books want to remain anonymous due to the threatening, targeted climate in the United States.

If a writer wrote for multiple sites, but one of those sites picks was a group effort, I did not remove books that are listed twice.

I generally did not include lists that were a mixed of prose books and graphic novels unless there were a significant number of graphic novels on the list, or they had a list of GNs only and put a GN on a otherwise list of prose books. I did find there were more lists like that this year, which was one of the reasons it took me this long to finish this. Many YA prose books have Graphic Novel looking covers and I need to examine previews to determine if it’s comics or not. If this continues to be the trend I may need to just focus on GN/Comics only lists.

I did not use lists where the website was not in English and the books appeared to be translated versions.

With inkers and colourists I often, but not always included them within the Artist section. Where there were multiple (usually more than 5) involved in a book, or in the title’s run over the course of the year, various was used instead of listing them all. In some cases, I combined those involved even if they worked on the title for different issues. Where the translators were credited (without me having to really dig for it) are mentioned on column G of the data. The same goes for the editors of anthologies.

For simplicity sake, if a list named a specific comic book issue or specific volume of a graphic novel, I removed those specifics and just listed the series title, with rare exceptions. The same goes with issue #s. My apologies to the reviewers of those books.

Some reviewers included books that were published in 2022 or earlier. Normally the amount of times these books were mentioned isn’t significant. Often (but not always) the work was published again in a new collected edition and that is what the reviewer picked.

Most of the lists were general ‘best/favourite books’ of 2023, but I also included lists dedicated to young readers, manga, LGBTQ+, etc… What type list is noted on column B in the spreadsheet.

A small number of lists also had rankings and those are included in Column C.

This list of websites this list is compiled from:

Site URL
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/best-graphic-novels-children-reading-list-2023
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/best-graphic-novels-reading-list-2023
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?rw_useCurrentProtocol=1&node=3003015011&ref_=bhp_brws_boty17
Ash Ave Comics https://ashavecomics.com/staff-picks-best-of-2023/
Asian Movie Plus https://asianmoviepulse.com/2023/12/the-20-best-manga-and-manhwa-releases-of-2023/
Autostraddle https://www.autostraddle.com/65-of-the-best-queer-books-of-2023/
Bam Smack Pow https://bamsmackpow.com/posts/bam-smack-pow-comic-book-awards-the-best-marvel-dc-and-more-2023
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2023/barnes-nobles-best-literary-graphic-novels-of-2023/_/N-29Z8q8Z2z3x
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2023/barnes-nobles-best-teens-ya-books-of-2023/_/N-29Z8q8Z2z44
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/barnes-nobles-best-books-of-2023/barnes-nobles-best-childrens-books-of-2023/_/N-29Z8q8Z2z3m
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/best-books-of-2023
Big Comic Page https://bigcomicpage.com/2024/01/01/bestof23/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-graphic-novels-by-speculative-fiction-authors/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-comics-of-2023/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-romance-manhwa/
Booklist https://www.booklistonline.com/Booklist-Editors-Choice-Graphic-Novels-2023/pid=9788643
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/best-comics-graphic-novels-for-adults-2023
Bookweb.org https://www.bookweb.org/news/2023-indie-gift-guide-genre-lovers-preview-1629900
Borg https://borg.com/2023/12/14/the-best-books-of-2023/
Bram Stroker Awards https://www.thebramstokerawards.com/front-page/the-2023-bram-stoker-awards-final-ballot/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/tag/broken-frontier-awards-2023/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/10-small-press-comics-you-need-to-own-2023/
Brooklyn Public Library https://www.bklynlibrary.org/
CBC https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-best-canadian-comics-of-2023-1.7052418
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-editor-picks-best-comics-2023/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-image-comics-2023/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-top-100-comics-of-2023/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-indie-comics-debut/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/incredibly-underrated-dc-comics-2023/#superman-lost-has-showed-readers-a-different-side-of-the-man-of-steel
CBSI https://comicbookinvest.com/2023/12/28/top-5-new-comics-of-2023/
Chicago Public Library https://www.chipublib.org/news/cpl-best-of-the-best-books-2023/
Comic Book Couples Counseling https://www.comicbookcouplescounseling.com/post/the-50-best-comics-of-2023
Comic Book Herald https://www.comicbookherald.com/best-comics-of-2023/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-manga-of-2023/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-comic-books-of-2023/
Comicbook.com https://comicbook.com/anime/news/2023-golden-issue-awards-best-manga/
Comicbook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/wonder-woman-historia-3-best-graphic-novel-2023-golden-issues/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/comicbook-com-golden-issue-award-best-limited-comic-series-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-usagi-yojimbo-wherewhen/
ComicBook.com https://comicbook.com/comics/news/the-2023-comicbook-com-golden-issue-award-for-best-ongoing-comic/
ComicBookNews.org https://comicbooknews.org/best-new-comic-book-series-from-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/26/comicons-best-ogns-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/26/comicons-best-comic-series-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/26/comicons-best-single-issues-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/28/comicons-best-digital-webcomics-of-2023/
Comicon https://comicon.com/2023/12/29/comicons-most-progressive-comics-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/horror-beat-best-comics-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/best-comics-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beats-33-best-manga-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beats-20-best-webtoons-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/the-marvel-rundown-the-top-10-best-marvel-comics-of-2023/
Comics Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/dc-round-up-the-10-best-dc-comics-of-2023/
Comics Grinder https://comicsgrinder.com/2023/12/22/best-comics-graphic-novels-2023/
ComicsXF https://www.comicsxf.com/2023/12/28/best-comics-of-2023/
Cybils Awards https://www.cybils.com/2024/01/cybils-2023-graphic-novel-finalists.html
Cybils Awards https://www.cybils.com/2024/01/cybils-2023-easy-reader-early-chapter-book-finalists.html
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/19/my-2023-top-three-kelly-knox
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/18/my-2023-top-three-joshua-lapin-bertone
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/22/my-2023-top-three-alex-jaffe
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/20/my-2023-top-three-jules-chin-greene
DC Blog https://www.dc.com/blog/2023/12/21/my-2023-top-three-donovan-morgan-grant
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/kids/list/2023-graphic-novels
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/adult/list/staff-picks/2023-staff-picks-books-adults
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/teen/list/staff-picks/2023-staff-picks-books-teens
Denver Public Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/kids/list/2023-beginning-readers
Derby Comics https://derbycomicsdc.com/blogs/my-favorite-comics-of-2023
Dexerto https://www.dexerto.com/comics/2023-best-comics-dc-marvel-daredevil-wonder-woman-nightwing-2414598/
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/favorite-graphic-novels-2023/
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/10-favorite-webcomics-2023-edition/
Doom Rocket https://doomrocket.com/best-comics-2023/
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-melina
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-bridget
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-liz
Drawn & Quarterly https://mtl.drawnandquarterly.com/posts/best-of-2023-jules
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/white2024
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/blue2024
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/red2024
Excelsior Awards https://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/black2024
Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2023/12/22/the-top-graphic-novels-of-2023/?sh=58e9a25f59fc
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-romance-manga-that-ended-in-2023-ranked/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-isekai-manga-ended-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-horror-manga-ended-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-isekai-manga-started-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-new-comedy-manga-in-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-marvel-comics-storylines-of-2023-ranked/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-new-romance-manga-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-new-horror-manga-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-dc-comic-storylines-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-shonen-manga-ending-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-slice-life-manga-ended-2023/
Game Rant https://gamerant.com/best-seinen-manga-ended-2023-ranked/
Games Radar https://www.gamesradar.com/best-comics-2023/
Geek Dad https://geekdad.com/2024/01/stack-overflow-our-favorite-books-of-2023/
Geek Vibe Nation https://geekvibesnation.com/gvn-talking-comics-unveils-the-best-of-2023-a-year-in-review-for-comic-enthusiasts/
GLAAD https://glaad.org/mediaawards/35/nominees/
Go Bookmart https://gobookmart.com/15-best-manga-to-read-in-2023/
Good OK Bad https://goodokbad.com/2023.html
Gosh Comics https://goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blog/gosh-comics-best-of-2023-adult/
Gosh Comics https://goshlondon.com/the-gosh-blog/gosh-comics-best-of-2023-kids/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2024/01/01/pharoahmiles-best-of-2023/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2024/01/01/bretts-favorite-comics-of-2023/
Hipinion https://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=175045
Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-best-comic-books-graphic-novels-2023-1235768943/
Horn Book https://www.hbook.com/story/fanfare-2023-booklist
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/2023-horror-comic-awards-one-shot-of-the-year-is-stuff-of-nightmares-slay-ride/
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/horror-comic-awards-2003-best-ongoing-series-is-ghost-rider/
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/2023-horror-comic-awards-mini-series-of-the-year-is-where-monsters-lie/
IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/best-comic-book-series-graphic-novel-2023
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-middle-grade-books-of-2023/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-nonfiction-books-of-2023/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-books-of-2023-picture-books/
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2423682229_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_teen
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2423682307_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_biographies_and_memoirs
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2424444469_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_suspense,_mystery,_and_horror
Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239_indypl_recommends/2424452359_indypl_staff_picks_2023-_best_of_sci-fi_and_fantasy
Irish Examiner https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsandculture/arid-41295040.html
JAMA Network https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2812742
Japan Geeks https://japan-geeks.com/best-manga-of-2023/
Joshua Edelglass https://joshuaedelglass.com/joshs-favorite-comic-book-series-of-2023/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/nonfiction/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-feel-good-reads-2023/#the-exceptions-mit
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/fiction/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/young-adult/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/middle-grade/books/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2023/picture-books/books/
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/best-graphic-novels-2023
L.E. Phillips Library https://volumeone.org/articles/2024/01/03/333504-le-phillips-library-shares-2023-favorite-books-for-youths
LibbyLife https://www.libbylife.com/2024-02-09-announcing-the-finalists-for-the-first-annual-libby-book-awards-aka-the-libbys
Library Journal https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/best-graphic-novels-2023
Looper https://www.looper.com/1468531/2023-best-dc-comics/
Looper https://www.looper.com/1471836/2023-best-marvel-comics/
Los Angeles Public Library https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/best-2023-childrens-books
Los Angeles Public Library https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/best-2023-graphic-novels
Medium https://johncassillo.medium.com/the-best-comic-books-of-2023-bf9c309886de
Medium https://carriemcclain.medium.com/my-favorite-comics-of-2023-d075909e3877
Medium https://medium.com/@ursulaconnor90/best-8-graphic-novels-e1416af8e00d
Mercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/12/07/7-must-read-nonfiction-graphic-novels/
MLMILLER Writes https://mlmillerwrites.com/2024/01/02/my-13-favorite-horror-comic-books-of-2023/
Monbian https://mombian.com/2023/12/04/60-of-2023s-best-lgbtq-middle-grade-fiction-books/
Monkeys Fighting Robots https://monkeysfightingrobots.co/top-5-comic-books-of-2023/
More to Come – PW https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?podcast=1283&channel=2
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-cctabet/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-chris-egan/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-johnny-hall/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-brian/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/yir-2023-elias-rosner/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-quinn-tassin/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2023-yir-ramon-pina/
Nerdist https://nerdist.com/article/nerdists-best-comics-of-2023-including-hulk-thor-green-lantern-carmilla-action-comics-dc-marvel/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2023/12/28/the-2023-nerdies-graphic-novels-announced-by-katherine-sokolowski/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2023/12/29/the-2023-nerdies-early-readers-and-chapter-books-announced-by-alyson-beecher/
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/comics-2023/adults?facets_query=&f%5B0%5D=terms%3ABiography%20%26%20Memoir
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/teens?f%5B0%5D=terms%3AGraphic%20Novels
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids?f%5B0%5D=terms%3AGraphic%20Novels
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/08/books/review/the-best-childrens-books-of-2023.html
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/books/review/the-year-in-graphic-novels.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JE0.GlgC.kJa_Wotw3mYt&smid=url-share
No Flying No Tights https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/2024/01/06/staff-picks-top-comics-of-2023/
NPR https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#tags=comics+%26+graphic+novels&view=list&year=2023
Our Queerest Shelves https://ourqueerestshelves.substack.com/p/the-best-recent-queer-ya-comics
Panel Patter http://www.panelpatter.com/2023/12/panel-patter-returns-james-favorite.html?m=1
Polygon https://www.polygon.com/23810267/best-comics-2023-graphic-novels-books
Powells https://www.powells.com/post/best-books/best-books-of-2023-graphic-novels
Publisher’s Weekly https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/93951-impossible-people-and-roaming-top-pw-2023-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html
Random Thoughts https://lars.ingebrigtsen.no/2023/12/21/the-best-comics-of-2023/
Read Brightly https://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-chapter-books-2023/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/18vzhdm/this_guy_lists_100_favorite_comics_of_2023_list/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/ImageComics/comments/19bhv6j/rimagecomics_best_of_2023/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/18vc363/top_10_of_the_year_december2023_end_of_the_year/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/1aqncij/rgraphicnovels_best_of_2023_vote_for_your/
Resetera https://www.resetera.com/threads/best-comic-books-of-2023.793680/
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/best-graphic-novels-2023-slj-best-books
School Library Journal https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/12/12/amandas-favorite-middle-grade-reads-of-2023/
School Library Journal https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/12/14/amandas-favorite-post-it-review-reads-of-2023/
School Library Journal https://heavymedal.slj.com/2023/11/20/graphic-novels-take-two-is-this-is-the-year/
School Library Journal https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/21/31-days-31-lists-2023-graphic-novels-comics-for-kids/
School Library Journal https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/19/31-days-31-lists-2023-older-funny-books-for-kids/
School Library Journal https://afuse8production.slj.com/2023/12/15/31-days-31-books-2023-wordless-picture-books/
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/slj-top-10-manga-2023
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-ongoing-manhwa-of-2023/
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks/seattle-staff-faves-2023-fiction?page=1
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks/seattle-staff-faves-2023-nonfiction
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3560/2023-staff-picks-for-grades-3-5-graphic-novels-and-nonfiction/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3562/2023-staff-picks-for-babies-prek/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3565/2023-staff-picks-grades-k-2-picture-books/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3561/2023-staff-picks-grades-k-2-readers-chapter-books-and-nonfiction/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3563/2023-staff-picks-grades-6-8/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/3556/2023-staff-picks-graphic-novels/
Sktchd https://sktchd.com/column/the-sktchd-awrds-the-comics-of-2023/
Star Trek Daily News https://www.dailystartreknews.com/read/years-end-a-look-back-at-2023s-top-star-trek-comics
Substack https://spencerirwin.substack.com/p/top-comics-of-2023-part-1
Substack https://spencerirwin.substack.com/p/top-comics-of-2023-part-2
Superhero Hype https://www.superherohype.com/comics/561733-matt-morrisons-5-best-comic-series-of-2023
Texas Library Assocation https://txla.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TMGNRL-2024-List-2023-Maverick-List.pdf
Texas Library Assocation https://txla.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2024-Little-Maverick-Graphic-Novel-Reading-List_updated-12-2023.pdf
The Comic Pals https://twitter.com/TheComicsPals/status/1742226950234456180
The Comics Journal https://www.tcj.com/the-best-of-2023-as-decreed-by-our-contributors/
The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-globe-100-best-books-2023/
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/03/rachel-cookes-best-graphic-novels-of-2023-blankets-craig-thompson-monica-daniel-clowes-roaming-jillian-tamaki-mariko-tamaki-social-fiction-chantal-montellier-juliette-camille-jourdy
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/11/the-best-australian-childrens-books-of-2023-alice-pung-davina-bell-sean-avery-and-more
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/dec/04/best-graphic-novels-of-2023
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/07/five-of-the-best-young-adult-books-of-2023
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/07/best-childrens-books-of-2023
The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/review/2023/11/25/barely-a-page-that-doesnt-scintillate-the-best-graphic-novels-of-2023/
The Mary Sue https://www.themarysue.com/best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2023/
The New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/best-books-2023
The Popverse https://www.thepopverse.com/popverse-best-comics-2023-list
The Shepherd https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/graphic-novels?only-published
The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/best-comics-graphic-novels-year-2023/
The Turnaround Blog https://theturnaroundblog.com/2023/12/21/turnaround-staff-picks-2023-graphic-novels/
Theron Reads Comics https://twitter.com/theronscomics
Toledo Library https://www.toledolibrary.org/blog/tlcpl-best-books-of-2023
Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/these-4-new-graphic-novels-deserve-to-be-read-deeply-powerful-messages-and-beautiful-art/article_2e0ce5cd-c50b-5706-862a-c4f83a06b064.html
Toronto Star https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/the-five-best-graphic-novels-of-2023/article_e6bb15b4-9ab3-11ee-816f-2f9687460892.html
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/11/13/best-graphic-novels-clowes-bell-tamaki/
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-manga
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-childrens-fiction
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-biography
Waterstones https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-best-books-of-2023-teenage-and-young-adult
Why So Blu? https://whysoblu.com/greggs-best-comics-of-2023/
Women Write About Comics https://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2024/01/favorite-2023-comics-young-readers/
Yuricon https://okazu.yuricon.com/2023/12/31/okazu-top-yuri-series-of-2023/

 

 

 

 

The Combined Best Comics & Graphic Novels of 2021!

Over the last 5 months there have been many, many websites with “Best of 2021” lists concerning comic books, manga and graphic novels. If you’ve looked at a few, you may have noticed some of the same books on different lists and seen some unique to only that list.

I went through 232 different URLs with “Best Of” Lists regarding comics and combined them into a spreadsheet. There are almost 3,500 different listings of books from these websites. I should note that I’ve included books that were given honorable mentions. In short, if somebody thought it was a good book that you should check out, it’s on here.

This year the #1 book was a tie between 2 books. The Many Deaths of Laila Starr by Ram V, Filipe Andrade and Inès Amaro (BOOM! Studios) and Monsters by Barry Windsor-Smith (Fantagraphics) are were both picked 34 times by reviewers.

For those that are unaware, Monsters sprung from a 1984 pitch that Barry Windsor-Smith made to Jim Shooter, then EIC of Marvel Comics that got approved. Before Barry could finish working on the comic a plagiarized version of his story appeared in an issue of Incredible Hulk. The details of this have been covered by Brian Cronin here and here. Barry was justifiably upset about this and did not complete the comic. Barry’s story had a significant impact in the Hulk Comics and was later used in one of the Hulk movies.

Since then Barry has been re-working the story from a Hulk story to something much grander and more in-depth to the issues of child abuse. It’s nice to see the story come out after all these years and get this level of critical acclaim.

James Tynion IVI also feel the need to give a shout out to James Tynion IV who had 2 books in the top 5 with The Department of Truth (also on last year’s list) and The Nice House on the Lake. He also by far had the highest number of reviewers (or groups of reviewers) at 83, picking one of his 9 books this year. Chip Zdarsky had more books picked at 12, with 1 book being co-written by Donny Cates. Also doing well was Jeff Lemire with 11 books total with 2 being co-written.

 

 

Pivot tables have been created to show which books appeared on the number of lists. Here are the books with 5 mentions or more:

Book Title Count Writer Artist Publisher
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr 34 Ram V Filipe Andrade and Inès Amaro BOOM! Studios
Monsters 34 Barry Windsor-Smith Barry Windsor-Smith Fantagraphics
The Department of Truth 32 James Tynion IV Martin Simmonds Image Comics
Nightwing 31 Tom Taylor Bruno Redondo, Robbi Rodriguez and Adriano Lucas DC Comics
The Nice House on the Lake 27 James Tynion IV Alvaro Martinez Bueno and Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
The Good Asian 27 Pornsak Pichetshote Alexandre Tefenkgi, Lee Loughridge and Dave Johnson Image Comics
The Secret to Superhuman Strength 27 Alison Bechdel Alison Bechdel Mariner Books
The Immortal Hulk 24 Al Ewing Various Marvel Comics
Far Sector 24 N.K. Jemisin Jamal Campbell DC Comics
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts 22 Rebecca Hall Hugo Martínez Simon & Schuster
Stone Fruit 22 Lee Lai Lee Lai Fantagraphics
Nubia: Real One 20 L. L. McKinney Robyn Smith DC Comics
The Girl From The Sea 19 Molly Knox Ostertag Molly Knox Ostertag and Maarta Laiho Graphix
Run: Book One 19 John Lewis, Andrew Aydin L. Fury and Nate Powell Abrams ComicArts
Cyclopedia Exotica 19 Aminder Dhaliwal Aminder Dhaliwal Drawn and Quarterly
Crisis Zone 19 Simon Hanselmann Simon Hanselmann Fantagraphics
The Legend of Auntie Po 18 Shing Yin Khor Shing Yin Khor Kokila
Asadora! 18 Naoki Urasawa Naoki Urasawa VIZ Media
Factory Summers 17 Guy Delisle Guy Delisle Drawn and Quarterly
Barbalien: Red Planet 17 Jeff Lemire and Tate Brombal Gabriel Hernandez Walta and Jordie Bellaire Dark Horse Books
The Waiting 16 Keum Suk Gendry-Kim Keum Suk Gendry-Kim Drawn and Quarterly
Seek You: A Journey Through American Loneliness 16 Kristen Radtke Kristen Radtke Pantheon
In: A Graphic Novel 16 Will McPhail Will McPhail Mariner Books
Daredevil 16 Chip Zdarsky Various Marvel Comics
Tunnels 15 Rutu Modan Rutu Modan Drawn and Quarterly
The Other History of the DC Universe 14 John Ridley Giuseppe Camuncoli, Alex Dos Diaz, Andrea Cucchi and Jose Villarrubia DC Comics
Stray Dogs 14 Tony Fleecs Trish Forstner, Brad Simpson and Tone Rodriguez Image Comics
Himawari House 14 Harmony Becker Harmony Becker First Second
Black Widow 14 Kelly Thompson Elena Casagrande and Rafael de Latorre Marvel Comics
Beta Ray Bill: Argent Star 14 Daniel Warren Johnson Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer Marvel Comics
Reckless: Destroy All Monsters 13 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips Image Comics
No One Else 13 R. Kikuo Johnson R. Kikuo Johnson Fantagraphics
Lore Olympus 13 Rachel Smythe Rachel Smythe Del Rey
Hellions 13 Zeb Wells Stephen Segovia and Rain Beredo Marvel Comics
Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? 13 Harold Schechter Eric Powell Albatross Funnybooks
Djeliya: A West African Fantasy Epic 13 Juni Ba Juni Ba TKO Studios
Barbaric 13 Michael Moreci Nathan Gooden and Addison Duke Vault Comics
Cheer Up!: Love And Pompoms 13 Crystal Frasier Val Wise Oni Press
Save it For Later: Promises, Protest and Parenthood 12 Nate Powell Nate Powell Abrams ComicArts
Heaven No Hell 12 Michael DeForge Michael DeForge Drawn and Quarterly
Borders 12 Thomas King Natasha Donovan Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Thirsty Mermaids 11 Kat Leyh Kat Leyh Gallery 13
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons 11 Kelly Sue DeConnick Phil Jimenez, Hi-Fi, Arif Prianto and Romulo Fajardo Jr. DC Comics
Strange Adventures 11 Tom King Mitch Gerads and Evan Shaner DC Comics
Catwoman: Lonely City 11 Cliff Chiang Cliff Chiang DC Comics
The Crossroads at Midnight 10 Abby Howard Abby Howard Iron Circus Comics
The Silver Coin 10 Various Michael Walsh, Gavin Fullerton and Toni Marie Griffin Image Comics
TMNT: The Last Ronin 10 Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and Tom Waltz Esau & Isaac Escorza IDW Publishing
The Swamp Thing 10 Ram V Mike Perkins, Mike Spicer and John McCrea DC Comics
Shadow Life 10 Hiromi Goto Ann Xu First Second
Made in Korea 10 Jeremy Holt George Schall Image Comics
Katie the Catsitter 10 Colleen AF Venable Stephanie Yue Penguin Random House
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters 10 Laura Samnee and Chris Samnee Chris Samnee and Matt D. Wilson Oni Press
Fictional Father 10 Joe Ollmann Joe Ollmann Drawn and Quarterly
Garlic and the Vampire 10 Bree Paulsen Bree Paulsen Quill Tree Books
Dead Dog’s Bite 10 Tyler Boss Tyler Boss Dark Horse Books
Die 10 Kieron Gillen Stephanie Hans Image Comics
Discipline 10 Dash Shaw Dash Shaw New York Review Comics
Chainsaw Man 10 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto ViZ Media
Boys Run the Riot 10 Keito Gaku Keito Gaku Kodansha Comics
Ultramega 9 James Harren James Harren and Dave Stewart Image Comics
Trots and Bonnie 9 Shary Flenniken Shary Flenniken New York Review Comics
The Me You Love in the Dark 9 Skottie Young Jorge Corona Image Comics
The Black Panther Party 9 David F. Walker Marcus Kwame Anderson Ten Speed Press
Red Room: The Unsocial Network 9 Ed Piskor Ed Piskor Fantagraphics
Red Rock Baby Candy 9 Shira Spector Shira Spector Fantagraphics
Reckless 9 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow 9 Tom King Bilquis Evely and Mattheus Lopes DC Comics
Something is Killing the Children 9 James Tynion IV Werther Dell’Edra and Miquel Muerto BOOM! Studios
Robin 9 Joshua Williamson Various DC Comics
Spy x Family 9 Tatsuya Endo Tatsuya Endo VIZ Media
My Begging Chart 9 Keiler Roberts Keiler Roberts Drawn and Quarterly
I Never Promised You A Rose Garden 9 Mannie Murphy Mannie Murphy Fantagraphics
Mazebook 9 Jeff Lemire Jeff Lemire Dark Horse Books
Once & Future 9 Kieron Gillen Tamra Bonvillain, Dan Mora BOOM! Studios
Allergic 9 Megan Wagner Lloyd Michelle Mee Nutter Graphix
Reckless: Friend of the Devil 8 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Radiant Black 8 Kyle Higgins Marcelo Costa, Eduardo Ferigato and David Lafuente Image Comics
Nocterra 8 Scott Snyder Tony S. Daniels and Tomeu Morey Image Comics
It’s Life as I See It: Black Cartoonists in Chicago, 1940–1980 8 Various Various New York Review Comics
Human Target 8 Tom King Greg Smallwood DC Comics
Ballad for Sophie 8 Filipe Melo Juan Cavia Top Shelf Productions
The Dreaming: Waking Hours 7 G. Willow Wilson Nick Robles, Mat Lopes and Javier Rodriguez DC Comics
The Golden Hour 7 Niki Smith Niki Smith Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Tono Monogatari 7 Shigeru Mizuki Shigeru Mizuki Drawn and Quarterly
Superman and the Authority 7 Grant Morrison Mikel Janin and Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Pawcasso 7 Remy Lai Remy Lai Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
That Texas Blood 7 Chris Condon Jacob Phillips Image Comics
Rorschach 7 Tom King Jorge Fornés and Dave Stewart DC Comics
Strange Academy 7 Skottie Young Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado Marvel Comics
Night Bus 7 Zuo Ma Zuo Ma Drawn and Quarterly
Moon Knight 7 Jed Mackay Alessandro Cappuccio and Rachelle Rosenberg Marvel Comics
Iron Man 7 Christopher Cantwell CAFU and Juann Cabal Marvel Comics
Living with Viola 7 Rosena Fung Rosena Fung Annick Press
November Vol. IV 7 Matt Fraction Elsa Charretier Image Comics
Eternals 7 Kieron Gillen Esad Ribic Marvel Comics
Home Sick Pilots 7 Dan Watters Caspar Wijngaard Image Comics
COVID Chronicles: A Comics Anthology 7 Various Various Graphic Mundi
Chartwell Manor 7 Glenn Head Glenn Head Fantagraphics
After the Rain 7 Nnedi Okorafor and John Jennings David Brame Harry N. Abrams
Artie and the Wolf Moon 7 Olivia Stephens Olivia Stephens Graphic Universe ™
Tidesong 6 Wendy Xu Wendy Xu Quill Tree Books
The Flash 6 Jeremy Adams Fernando Pasarin DC Comics
The Blue Flame 6 Christopher Cantwell Adam Gorham Vault Comics
Superman: Son Of Kal-El 6 Tom Taylor John Timms, Gabe Eltaeb and Hi-Fi DC Comics
Static: Season One 6 Vita Ayala ChrisCross and Nikolas Draper-Ivey DC Comics
Robin and Batman 6 Jeff Lemire Dustin Nguyen DC Comics
Snow Angels 6 Jeff Lemire Jock Comixology Originals
Squad 6 Maggie Tokuda-Hall Lisa Sterle Greenwillow Books
Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy 6 Jeff Lemire Tonči Zonjić Dark Horse Books
The City of Belgium 6 Brecht Evens Brecht Evens Drawn and Quarterly
Sensor 6 Junji Ito Junji Ito VIZ Media
Let’s Talk About It 6 Erika Moen, Matthew Nolan Erika Moen, Matthew Nolan Random House Graphic
Infinitum: An Afrofuturist Tale 6 Tim Fielder Tim Fielder Amistad
Kaiju No. 8 6 Naoya Matsumoto Naoya Matsumoto ViZ Media
Ice Cream Man 6 W. Maxwell Prince Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran Image Comics
My Love Mix-Up! 6 Wataru Hinekure Aruko VIZ Media
I Am Not Starfire 6 Mariko Tamaki Yoshi Yoshitani DC Comics
Jukebox 6 Nidhi Chanani Nidhi Chanani First Second
Fire Power 6 Robert Kirkman Chris Samnee Image Comics
Geiger 6 Geoff Johns Gary Frank and Brad Anderson Image Comics
Graveneye 6 Sloane Leong Anna Bowles TKO Studios
Guardians of the Galaxy 6 Al Ewing Juann Cabal, Marcio Takara and Juan Frigeri Marvel Comics
Batman: Wayne Family Adventures 6 CRC Payne StarBite, Maria Li and Lan Ma Webtoon – https://www.webtoons.com/en/slice-of-life/batman-wayne-family-adventures/list?title_no=3180&page=1
Batman: Urban Legends 6 Various Various DC Comics
Bubble 6 Jordan Morris and Sarah Morgan Tony Cliff and Natalie Riess First Second
Blue Period 6 Tsubasa Yamaguchi Tsubasa Yamaguchi Kodansha Comics
Friday 6 Ed Brubaker Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente Image Comics
The Parakeet 5 Espé Espé Graphic Mundi
Wonder Girl 5 Joelle Jones Adriana Melo and Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish Teenagers 5 Ken Krimstein Ken Krimstein Bloomsbury Publishing
The Joker 5 James Tynion IV Guillem March DC Comics
The Hazards of Love 5 Stan Stanley Stan Stanley Oni Press
X-Men 5 Jonathan Hickman and Gerry Dugan Various Marvel Comics
What’s the Furthest Place From Here? 5 Matthew Rosenberg Tyler Boss Image Comics
The Wrong Earth 5 Tom Peyer and Paul Constant Jamal Igle, Juan Castro, Frank Cammuso, Gary Erskine and Tom Feister AHOY Comics
Witch Hat Atelier 5 Kamome Shirahama Kamome Shirahama Kodansha Comics
The Mystery Of The Meanest Teacher: A Johnny Constantine Graphic Novel 5 Ryan North Derek Charm and Wes Abbot DC Comics
Tiny Tales: Shell Quest 5 Steph Waldo Steph Waldo HarperAlley
Turtle in Paradise 5 Jennifer L. Holm Savanna Ganucheau Random House Graphic
The Strange Death of Alex Raymond 5 Dave Sim and Carson Grubaugh Dave Sim and Carson Grubaugh Living the Line
Stillwater 5 Chip Zdarsky Ramón Pérez Image Comics
Scout’s Honor 5 David Pepose Luca Casalanguida and Matt Milla Aftershock Comics
Runaways 5 Rainbow Rowell Natacha Bustos and Andres Genolet Marvel Comics
Poison Ivy: Thorns 5 Kody Keplinger Sara Kipin, Jeremy Lawson and Steve Wands DC Comics
Parenthesis 5 Élodie Durand Élodie Durand Top Shelf Productions
Red Flowers 5 Yoshiharu Tsuge Yoshiharu Tsuge Drawn and Quarterly
Rebecca & Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor 5 Pascal Girard Pascal Girard Drawn and Quarterly
Sir Edward Grey: Acheron 5 Mike Mignola Mike Mignola Dark Horse Books
Salt Magic 5 Hope Larson Rebecca Mock Margaret Ferguson Books
Renegade Rule 5 Ben Kahn, Rachel Silverstein Sam Beck Dark Horse Books
The Amazing Spider-Man 5 Various Various Marvel Comics
Karmen 5 Guillem March Guillem March Image Comics
I Walk with Monsters 5 Paul Cornell Sally Cantirino and Dearbhla Kelly Vault Comics
Look Back 5 Tatsuki Fujimoto Tatsuki Fujimoto VIZ Media
No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest 5 Robin Robinson Robin Robinson First Second
Inferno 5 Jonathan Hickman Valerio Schiti, Stefano Caselli and R. B. Silva Marvel Comics
Monstress 5 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Image Comics
Monster Friends 5 Kaeti Vandorn Kaeti Vandorn Random House Graphic
Mamo 5 Sas Milledge Sas Milledge BOOM! Studios
I Breathed A Body 5 Zac Thompson Andy MacDonald Aftershock Comics
Dark Knights of Steel 5 Tom Taylor Yasmine Putri DC Comics
Detective Comics 5 Mariko Tamaki Dan Mora, Viktor Bogdanovic, Daniel Henriques and Jordie Bellaire DC Comics
Haha 5 W. Maxwell Prince Various Image Comics
Crude: A Memoir 5 Pablo Fajardo, Sophie Tardy-Joubert Damien Roudeau Graphic Mundi
Fist of the North Star 5 Buronson Tetsuo Hara ViZ Media
A Sign Of Affection 5 Suu Morishita Suu Morishita Kodansha Comics
Celestia 5 Manuel Fior Manuel Fior Fantagraphics
Bad Sister 5 Charise Mericle Harper Rory Lucey First Second

The full spreadsheet with pivot tables for books, writers, artists, publishers and more is available here.

Regarding Publishers:

This year DC Comics was the most popular publisher with 105 different titles.

Marvel was 2nd place with 88 different titles.

Image was 3rd with 67 different titles.

Dark Horse was close behind with 60 different titles.

VIZ Media was 5th with 51 different titles.

59 Self-Published books made the list too.

The two most popular web comics were Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by CRC Payne, StarBite, Maria Li and Lan Ma (5 picks) and The Gift of Time by Lauren Weinstein (4 picks).


Caveats:

Where a reviewer/writer wrote ‘best of’ lists for multiple websites, I’ve cross referenced their lists and removed books that were named twice. I did not think it would be fair if those writers could tip the popularity scale by naming the same book(s) over and over again on multiple websites. Sadly, there was an increase of websites publishing lists with no credit to who (or whom) created the list. In those cases I marked them as n/a but the practice of not crediting writers is a shameful one.

If a writer wrote for multiple sites, but one of those sites picks was a group effort, I did not remove books that are listed twice.

I generally did not include lists that were a mixed of prose books and graphic novels unless there were a significant number of graphic novels on the list, or they had a list of GNs only and put a GN on a otherwise list of prose books. I did find there were more lists like that this year, which was one of the reasons it took me this long to finish this. Many YA prose books have Graphic Novel looking covers and I need to examine previews to determine if it’s comics or not. If this continues to be the trend I may need to just focus on GN/Comics only lists.

I did not use lists where the website was not in English and the books appeared to be translated versions.

With inkers and colourists I often, but not always included them within the Artist section. Where there were multiple (usually more than 5) involved in a book, or in the title’s run over the course of the year, various was used instead of listing them all. In some cases I combined those involved even if they worked on the title for different issues.

For simplicity sake, if a list named a specific comic book issue or specific volume of a graphic novel, I removed those specifics and just listed the series title, with rare exceptions. The same goes with issue #s. My apologies to the reviewers of those books.

Some reviewers included books that were published in 2020 or earlier. Normally the amount of times these books were mentioned isn’t significant, but I am seeing more and more books pop up that were comics series last year and came up again this year as a collected edition.

Most of the lists were general ‘best/favourite books’ of 2021, but I also included lists dedicated to young readers, manga, LGBTQ+, etc… What type list is noted on column B in the spreadsheet.

A small number of lists also had rankings and those are included in Column C.

This list of websites this list is compiled from:

AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2021/12/21/best-comics-2021-part-1/
AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2021/12/23/aipts-best-comics-of-2021-part-2/
AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2021/12/26/aipt-comics-podcast-episode-153-best-comics-of-2021/
AIPT https://aiptcomics.com/2021/12/31/aipts-best-manga-and-anime-of-2021/
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/2021-best-graphic-novels-children-reading-list
ALA https://www.ala.org/rt/gncrt/2021-best-graphic-novels-adults-reading-list
Alex Jaffe https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2022/01/03/my-2021-top-three-alex-jaffe
Anchorage Daily News https://www.adn.com/arts/books/2021/12/25/our-reviewers-favorite-books-of-the-north-from-2021/
Anime Planet https://www.anime-planet.com/users/MangaInLibraries/lists/best-and-worst-manga-2021–new-york-comi-793223
Anime UK News https://animeuknews.net/2021/12/anime-uk-news-review-of-2021-part-2-manga-and-light-novels/
Autostraddle https://www.autostraddle.com/best-queer-books-2021/#comics
AV Club https://www.avclub.com/the-best-comics-of-2021-1848298433
Between the Shelves https://between-the-shelves.com/2021/12/2021-yearly-wrap-up/
Big Comic Page https://bigcomicpage.com/2021/12/27/best-comics-of-2021-mark-edition/
Big Comic Page https://bigcomicpage.com/2021/12/24/best-comics-of-2021-ceej-edition/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/bestbooks2021/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/best-childrens-books-of-2021/
Book Riot https://bookriot.com/ya-comics-from-2021/
Bookshop https://bookshop.org/lists/the-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-for-adults-2021
Borg https://borg.com/2021/12/16/borgs-best-of-2021-the-best-books/#more-65343
Boston Globe https://apps.bostonglobe.com/arts/graphics/2021/12/best-of-2021-books/
Brightly https://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-chapter-books-2021/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/broken-frontier-awards-2021-results/
Broken Frontier https://www.brokenfrontier.com/celebrating-2021-ten-uk-small-press-comics-you-need-to-own/
But Why Tho? https://butwhythopodcast.com/2021/12/09/year-in-review-top-manga-of-2021/
But Why Tho? https://butwhythopodcast.com/2021/12/09/best-bl-manga-of-2021/
But Why Tho? https://butwhythopodcast.com/2021/12/21/year-in-review-top-comics-of-2021/
Buzzfeed https://www.buzzfeed.com/farrahpenn/the-best-ya-books-of-2021
CBC https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-best-canadian-comics-of-2021-1.6286450
CBR https://www.cbr.com/best-2021-shojo-anime-manga/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2021-100-76/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2021-75-51/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-top-100-comics-of-2021-50-26/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-top-100-comics-of-2021-25-11/
CBR https://www.cbr.com/cbr-top-100-comics-of-2021-10-1/
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/2000678559
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/2009930559
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/2000663789
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/199702383_chipublib_adults/2006114679_best_books_of_2021?_ga=2.153138168.1115847762.1641860361-228142177.1640674497&_gl=1%2Awqumni%2A_ga%2AMjI4MTQyMTc3LjE2NDA2NzQ0OTc.%2A_ga_11XNMTZ0HG%2AMTY0MTg2MDM2MC4xLjEuMTY0MTg2MDkyNi4w&page=4
Chicago Public Library https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200049033_chipublib_kids/2006120199_best_informational_books_for_older_readers_of_2021?_ga=2.203013969.1115847762.1641860361-228142177.1640674497&_gl=1*18haqyu*_ga*MjI4MTQyMTc3LjE2NDA2NzQ0OTc.*_ga_11XNMTZ0HG*MTY0MTg2MDM2MC4xLjEuMTY0MTg2MDk2NS4w
CNN Philippines https://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/literature/2021/12/31/our-best-komiks-of-2021.html
Code List (has payway) https://codelist.biz/2022/01/01/best-of-2021-part-5-comics-update-mexico/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYAioUMTEzNzM1MjU2Njc2OTE0Njc3NjcyGTEzMTcyY2ZkMzg2MTIxNzk6Y2E6ZW46Q0E&usg=AFQjCNG9T30R1WWOpoHnDe4XqZdRI-ZHrg
Comic Book Case https://www.comicsbookcase.com/updates/best-comics-2021-1-5-zack
Comic Book Case https://www.comicsbookcase.com/updates/best-comics-2021-zack-part-2
Comic Book Case https://www.comicsbookcase.com/updates/2022/1/4/best-comics-of-2021-16-to-25-zacks-picks
Comic Book Case https://www.comicsbookcase.com/updates/best-comics-2021-staff
Comic Book Herald https://www.comicbookherald.com/best-comics-of-2021/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-comic-book-series-of-2021/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-comic-book-single-issues-of-2021/
Comic Book Revolution https://www.comicbookrevolution.com/best-comic-book-storylines-of-2021/
Comic Front Line https://comicfrontline.com/2021/12/27/best-comic-books-of-2021-best-writer-penciler-ongoing-series-publisher-single-issue/
Comic Front Line https://comicfrontline.com/2021/12/20/best-comic-books-of-2021-under-the-radar-series-mini-series-shocking-moment-new-series/
Comic Front Line https://comicfrontline.com/2021/12/16/best-comic-books-of-2021-female-character-villain-indie-title-1/
Comic Front Line https://comicfrontline.com/2022/01/03/best-comic-books-of-2021-winners/
ComicBook https://comicbook.com/comics/news/2021-comicbook-golden-issue-awards-nominees-best-comics-comic-books/
ComicBook https://comicbook.com/anime/news/2021-golden-issue-award-best-manga/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2021/12/30/comicons-5-best-digital-webcomics-of-2021/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2021/12/28/comicons-5-best-single-issues-of-2021/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2021/12/28/comicons-5-best-comic-series-of-2021/
Comicon https://www.comicon.com/2021/12/28/comicons-5-best-ogns-of-2021/
Comics Grinder https://comicsgrinder.com/2021/12/29/best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2021/
Comics XF https://www.comicsxf.com/2021/12/17/best-comics-of-2021/
Cory Doctorow https://pluralistic.net/2021/12/08/required-ish-reading/
Cybils http://www.cybils.com/2022/01/2021-finalists-graphic-novels.html
Cybils http://www.cybils.com/2022/01/2021-finalists-easy-readers-and-early-chapter-books.html
Daily Herald Tribune https://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/entertainment/books/brown-what-were-the-top-10-comics-in-2021
DC Comics https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2022/01/06/my-2021-top-three-tim-beedle
Den of Geek https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/the-best-comics-of-2021/
Denver Library https://www.denverlibrary.org/teen/list/staff-favorites-2021-teen-books
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/10-favorite-graphic-novels-2021/
Diverse Tech Geek https://www.diversetechgeek.com/10-favorite-webcomics-2021-edition/
Donovan Morgan Grant https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2022/01/05/my-2021-top-three-donovan-morgan-grant
Doom Rocket https://doomrocket.com/hot-press-10-the-best-comics-of-2021/
Dual Shockers https://www.dualshockers.com/top-20-best-manga-of-2021-revealed-kono-manga-ga-sugoi/
EW https://ew.com/books/best-comics-of-2021/
Film School Rejects https://filmschoolrejects.com/best-comic-books-2021/
Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2021/12/17/the-best-graphic-novels-of-2021/?sh=13a17da64614
Four Color Apocalypse https://fourcolorapocalypse.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/four-color-apocalypse-year-in-review-top-ten-original-graphic-novels-2/
Four Color Apocalypse https://fourcolorapocalypse.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/four-color-apocalypse-2021-year-in-review-top-ten-contemporary-collections/
Four Color Apocalypse https://fourcolorapocalypse.wordpress.com/2021/12/26/four-color-apocalypse-2021-year-in-review-top-ten-vintage-collections/
Four Color Apocalypse https://fourcolorapocalypse.wordpress.com/2021/12/21/four-color-apocalypse-2021-year-in-review-top-ten-comics-series/
Four Color Apocalypse https://fourcolorapocalypse.wordpress.com/2021/12/21/four-color-apocalypse-2021-year-in-review-top-ten-single-issue-comics/
Games Radar https://www.gamesradar.com/best-comic-comics-2021-books-graphic-novels/
Geek Cast Radio https://www.geekcastradio.com/comics/top-100-comics-of-2021/
Geek Hard Show https://geekhardshow.com/2022/01/andrews-picks-ten-best-comics-of-2021/?doing_wp_cron=1642360816.2018659114837646484375
Geek Vibes Nation https://geekvibesnation.com/gvn-talking-comics-the-best-comics-of-2021-according-to-gvn/
GLAAD https://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-announces-nominees-33rd-annual-glaad-media-awards?fbclid=IwAR0ZE-0VL6b-2yJNgrhvl9uLai-LRguhkX8vsNl1ZrFi8lHAZmJcm9LeDVY
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-graphic-novels-comics-2021
Gosh https://goshlondon.com/kids/kids-gosh-best-of/?sort=newest
Gosh https://goshlondon.com/gosh-best-of/2021/
Graphic Novel Resources https://graphicnovelresources.blogspot.com/2022/01/my-2021-favorites.html
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2022/01/06/the-best-comics-of-2021/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2022/01/01/bretts-favorite-comics-of-2021-and-a-reflection-on-the-past-year/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2022/01/02/logans-favorite-comics-of-2021/
Graphic Policy https://graphicpolicy.com/2022/01/03/we-were-scared-horror-in-the-year-2021/
Grovel https://www.grovel.org.uk/category/best-of/best-graphic-novels-of-2021/
GWW https://thegww.com/best-comic-books-of-2021-gww-picks/
Horn Book https://www.hbook.com/story/fanfare-2021-booklist
Horror DNA https://www.horrordna.com/features/james-top-10-horror-comics-of-2021
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/horror-news-network-2021-comic-awards-best-mini-series-of-the-year/
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/horror-news-network-2021-comic-awards-best-series-of-the-year/
Horror News Network https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/horror-news-network-2021-comic-awards-best-one-shot/
IGN https://www.ign.com/articles/best-comic-book-graphic-novel-2021
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-chapter-middle-grade-books-2021/
Imagination Soup https://imaginationsoup.net/best-picture-books-2021/
Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/best-books-for-christmas-2021-fiction-biography-sport-and-children-s-books-1.4732325
Jenn Haines https://www.facebook.com/jenn.haines.3/posts/10165842984015635
Kelly Knox https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2022/01/04/my-2021-top-three-kelly-knox
Kinder Comics https://www.kindercomics.org/blog/favoritesof2021
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-indie-childrens-books-of-2021/#raes-first-day
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-wordless-picture-books-2021/#alien-nation-bassi
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-middle-grade-nature-books-of-2021/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-books-of-2021-for-beginning-readers/#see-the-dog
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-middle-grade-history-2021/#african-icons
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-middle-grade-graphic-fiction-of-2021/
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-memoirs-of-2021/#seek-you
Kirkus https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/best-ya-graphic-novels-of-2021/#himawari-house
Kotaku https://kotaku.com/the-11-best-manga-of-2021-1848272848
Laughing Place https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2021/12/30/the-year-in-marvel-comics-the-best-of-2021/
Level Up Entertainment https://levelupentertainment.com/news/2020/12/16/2021-didnt-completely-suck-awards
Library Journal https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/Best-Graphic-Novels-2021
Literary Hub https://lithub.com/the-best-reviewed-graphic-literature-of-2021/
Looper https://www.looper.com/680727/the-best-comics-of-2021/
Los Angeles Public Library https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/best-2021-graphic-novels
Lotus Land https://www.lotuslandcomics.com/2021/12/the-best-comics-of-2021.html#.Yb1rxrLaCcM.twitter
Madison Public Library https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/reading-and-viewing/book-lists/graphic-novels-middle-grade-readers
Medium https://seamas.medium.com/the-best-comics-of-2021-by-me-the-celebrated-author-s%C3%A9amas-oreilly-7b1542b265c9
MiddleEastEye https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/five-best-arab-comic-graphic-novel-releases-this-year
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-reprint/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-single-issue/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-one-shot/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-anthology/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-licensed/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-digital-first/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-limited/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-webcomic/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-manga/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-concluded/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-new-series/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-translated/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-ongoing/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-yir-ogn/
Mulitversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/reader-poll/results-daredevil-ongoing-21/
Multiversity Comics http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2021-creators-yir-1/
Multnomah County Library http://bestof.multcolib.org/2021/#tags=comics%2Fgraphic+novels&view=covers&year=2021
Nerdist https://nerdist.com/article/best-comics-of-2021-nubia-static-night-bus-dc-marvel/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/the-2021-nerdies-graphic-novels-announced-by-katherine-sokolowski/
Nerdy Book Club https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2021/12/28/the-2021-nerdies-early-readers-and-chapter-books-announced-by-alyson-beecher/
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/adults?year=2021&f%5B0%5D=terms%3AComics
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/teens?year=2021&f%5B0%5D=terms%3AComics
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/best-books/kids?year=2021&f%5B0%5D=terms%3AGraphic%20Novels
New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/comics/adults
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/12/books/review/artists-best-illustrated-childrens-books.html
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/03/books/review/25-best-childrens-books.html
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/10/books/best-graphic-novels-2021.html
NPR https://apps.npr.org/best-books/#tags=comics+%26+graphic+novels&view=covers&year=2021
Omaha Public Library http://topshelf.omahalibrary.org/#/tag/comic-graphic-novel
Orange County Register https://www.ocregister.com/2022/01/12/5-graphic-novels-to-read-now-tunnels-leonard-cohen-and-more/
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/rachels-2021-favorites-part-1.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/rachels-2021-favorites-part-2-graphic.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/seans-2021-favorites-long-box-short-box.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/robs-2021-favorites-part-1-short-list.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/robs-2021-favorites-part-2-my-favorite.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/james-2021-favorites-part-1-non-fiction.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/james-2021-favorites-part-2-superheroes.html
Panel Platter http://www.panelpatter.com/2021/12/james-2021-favorites-part-3-favorite.html
Parents https://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/books/best-chapter-books-for-kids-ages-5-to-12/
Pipedream Comics https://pipedreamcomics.co.uk/the-top-10-small-press-and-indie-comics-of-2021/
Pipedream Comics https://pipedreamcomics.co.uk/best-small-press-and-indie-comics-2021-20-11/
Pipedream Comics https://pipedreamcomics.co.uk/best-small-press-and-indie-comics-of-2021-30-21/
Pipedream Comics https://pipedreamcomics.co.uk/best-small-press-and-indie-comics-2021-40-31/
Pipedream Comics https://pipedreamcomics.co.uk/best-indie-and-small-press-comics-2021-50-41/
Polygon https://www.polygon.com/22821264/best-comics-2021-marvel-dc-manga
Pop Matters https://www.popmatters.com/best-books-2021-list-feature/5
Portsmouth NH Libraries https://portsmouth.bywatersolutions.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=1555
Portsmouth NH Libraries https://portsmouth.bywatersolutions.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=1548
Portsmouth NH Libraries https://portsmouth.bywatersolutions.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=1549
Portsmouth NH Libraries https://portsmouth.bywatersolutions.com/cgi-bin/koha/opac-shelves.pl?op=view&shelfnumber=1546
Powells https://www.powells.com/staff-top-fives
Publishers Weekly https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/88132-bechdel-s-secret-to-superhuman-strength-wins-pw-s-2021-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html
Publishers Weekly https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2021/young-adult
Publishers Weekly https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2021/comics
Publishers Weekly https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2021/middle-grade
Publishers Weekly https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2021/picture-books
Rad Raptor https://radraptor.com/index.php/2022/01/04/tims-best-comic-books-of-2021/
Rad Raptor https://radraptor.com/index.php/2022/01/01/jeff-conollys-best-comics-of-2021/
Rad Raptor https://radraptor.com/index.php/2021/12/31/andrews-best-comic-books-of-2021/
Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/graphicnovels/comments/rfhtw2/my_top_reads_of_2021_i_recommend_them_all/
SBNation https://www.nunesmagician.com/2021/12/31/22851917/tniaams-top-comic-books-of-2021
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/?detailStory=best-graphic-novels-2021-slj-best-books
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/?detailStory=slj-top-10-manga-2021
School Library Journal https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/?detailStory=slj-book-reviews-editors-favorite-books-read-in-2021
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/image-comics-best-books-2021/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-comic-books-2021-marvel-dc/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-single-issues-comics-2021/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-marvel-comic-books-2021/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-new-manga-titles-2021/
Screen Rant https://screenrant.com/best-non-superhero-comic-books-2021/
Seattle Public Library https://www.spl.org/books-and-media/books-and-ebooks/staff-picks/seattle-staff-faves-2021-fiction?page=3
Sequential Planet https://sequentialplanet.com/best-comics-of-2021-comic-book-of-the-year/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/2634/2021-staff-picks-graphic-novels/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/2626/2021-staff-picks-grades-6-8/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/2625/2021-staff-picks-grades-4-5/
Skokie Public Library https://skokielibrary.info/lists/2623/2021-staff-picks-ages-0-5/
Syfy https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/best-comic-books-of-2021
TCJ https://www.tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2021/
Texas Public Library https://txla.org/news/2022-maverick-graphic-novel-reading-list-announced/
Texas Public Library https://txla.org/news/2022-little-maverick-graphic-reading-list-announced/
The Beat https://www.comicsbeat.com/best-comics-of-2021-list/
The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-the-globe-100-the-books-we-loved-in-2021/
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/05/the-best-graphic-novels-of-2021
The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/dec/07/best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2021
The Indianapolis Public Library https://indypl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/1652485239/2013756539
The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/the-best-graphic-novels-of-2021-take-a-murderously-funny-trip-through-lockdown-1.4748160
The Mary Sue https://www.themarysue.com/2021-graphic-novel-gift-guide/
The Oklahoman https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2021/12/30/taking-look-best-graphic-novels-2021/9035786002/
The Oklahoman https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/2022/01/07/word-balloons-which-periodical-comics-were-hits-2021-nightwing-and-daredevil-top-list/9081523002/
The Scotland Herald https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19788922.best-graphic-novels-2021/
The Turnaround Blog https://theturnaroundblog.com/2021/03/16/queer-graphic-novel-reads-lgbtq-comics-for-2021/
The Turnaround Blog https://theturnaroundblog.com/2021/11/24/turnarounds-2021-staff-picks-graphic-novels/
The Turnaround Blog https://theturnaroundblog.com/2021/11/30/turnarounds-2021-staff-picks-nonfiction/
Toledo Public Library https://www.toledolibrary.org/tlcpl-best-books-of-2021
Tor https://www.tor.com/2021/12/16/best-young-adult-science-fiction-fantasy-and-horror-of-2021/
Under the Radar https://www.undertheradarmag.com/blog/under_the_radars_2021_holiday_gift_guide_part_6_books_and_graphic_novels
University of Pennsylvania https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/penn-gse%E2%80%99s-best-books-young-readers-2021
Variety https://variety.com/shop/the-best-comics-of-2021-1235127525/
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/11/18/best-graphic-novels/
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/kidspost/2021/11/17/best-childrens-books-2021/
Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/11/18/best-feel-good-books/
What Culture https://whatculture.com/comics/10-best-short-marvel-comic-series-of-2021
Why So Blu? https://whysoblu.com/the-best-comics-of-2021/
Yuricon https://okazu.yuricon.com/2021/12/30/top-yuri-of-2021/

King Con 2019

So I went to King Con, a local convention in Kingston, Ontario, Canada that was able to bring in a surprising number of comic book creators, a prose writer, a magician and even a celebrity. The event was held at Sydenham Street United Church and Chalmers United Church as the Kingston Public Library was not yet finished it’s renovations.

David Lloyd Sketch, King Con 2019.

David Lloyd Sketch, King Con 2019.

As usual I mainly stuck to the comic books portion of the show but I did spent some time watching the magician James Harrison do magic and even teach some simple magic. I  took a number of pictures, audio recorded some panels and got to speak with a number of creators which was nice.

I almost never get sketches, but David Lloyd got me to pay for a sketch and I got a nice V for Vendetta from him. David’s sketch also came with a free issue of Aces Weekly, an online comics anthology he puts together. Georgia Webber, Chip Zdarsky, Allison O’Toole & Jason Loo signed their books for me. I got to take pictures of some cosplayers, including several from the 501 Legion, but unfortunately was unable to wait for the cosplay contest as they were running late and I was exhausted.

I did attend but did not record a Group Cosplay Panel which was really well done. I have attended a number of cosplay related panels this was the first one on this particular topic I’ve seen and those on the panel did a great job highlighting the benefits of doing group cosplay. Among the reasons were combining resources, using each others unique skill set  and inspiring each other to work on their costumes.

I had a good time at the convention, but I’m looking forward to it being back at the newly renovated library next year.