Update! The Combined Best Graphic Novels of 2016!

Since I posted this I’ve had a couple of people point out some sites I’ve missed. This list has now been updated with those lists and the new totals.

Over the last few months there have been many, many websites with “Best of 2016” lists concerning comic books 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 over 120 different “Best Of” Lists regarding comic books and graphic novels and combined them into a spreadsheet. There are over 2,000 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. 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
Paper Girls 42 Brian K. Vaughan Cliff Chiang Image Comics
March: Book Three 41 US Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin Nate Powell Top Shelf
The Vision 40 Tom King Gabriel Hernandez Walta and Michael Walsh Marvel Comics
Patience 35 Daniel Clowes Daniel Clowes Fantagraphics
Rosalie Lightning 29 Tom Hart Tom Hart St. Martin’s
Black Panther 27 Ta-Nehisi Coates Brian Stelfreeze and Chris Sprouse Marvel Comics
Monstress 23 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Image Comics
Ghosts 23 Raina Telgemeier Raina Telgemeier Graphix
Rolling Blackouts: Dispatches from Turkey, Syria, and Iraq 20 Sarah Glidden Sarah Glidden Drawn and Quarterly
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye 18 Sonny Liew Sonny Liew Pantheon
Dark Night: A True Batman Story 18 Paul Dini Eduardo Risso DC/Vertigo
DC Universe: Rebirth 18 Geoff Johns Various DC Comics
The Sheriff of Babylon 17 Tom King Mitch Gerads DC/Vertigo
Mooncop 17 Tom Gauld Tom Gauld Drawn and Quarterly
Saga 15 Brian K. Vaughan Fiona Staples Image Comics
The Wicked + The Divine 15 Kieron Gillen Jamie McKelvie Image Comics
Panther 15 Brecht Evens Brecht Evens Drawn and Quarterly
The Flintstones 14 Mark Russell Steve Pugh and Chris Chuckry DC Comics
Faith 14 Jody Houser Francis Portela and Marguerite Sauvage Valiant Entertainment
Sir Alfred 3 13 Tim Hensley Tim Hensley Pigeon Press
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 13 Ryan North Erica Henderson Marvel Comics
The Legend of Wonder Woman 13 Renae De Liz Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon DC Comics
Tetris: The Games People Play 13 Box Brown Box Brown First Second
Superman 13 Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason Patrick Gleason, Jorge Jimenez and Doug Mahnke DC Comics
Black Hammer 13 Jeff Lemire Dean Ormston Dark Horse Comics
Mockingbird 13 Chelsea Cain Kate Niemczyk and Ibrahim Moustafa Marvel Comics
Midnighter/Midnighter and Apollo 13 Steve Orlando ACO, Fernando Blanco, Various DC Comics
Hot Dog Taste Test 13 Lisa Hanawalt Lisa Hanawalt Drawn and Quarterly
Omega Men: The Complete Series 12 Tom King Barnaby Bagenda DC Comics
Beverly 12 Nick Drnaso Nick Drnaso Drawn and Quarterly
Hellboy In Hell 12 Mike Mignola Mike Mignola Dark Horse Comics
Giant Days 11 John Allison Lissa Treiman and Whitney Cogar BOOM!
Black Widow 11 Mark Waid Chris Samnee Marvel Comics
The One Hundred Nights of Hero: A Graphic Novel 10 Isabel Greenberg Isabel Greenberg Little, Brown
Wonder Woman: The True Amazon 10 Jill Thompson Jill Thompson DC Comics
The Fix 10 Nick Spencer Steve Lieber Image Comics
Big Kids 10 Michael DeForge Michael DeForge Drawn and Quarterly
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 5: Super Famous 10 G. Willow Wilson Adrian Alphona Marvel Comics
Peplum 9 Blutch Blutch New York Review Comics
Paul Up North 9 Michel Rabagliati Michel Rabagliati Conundrum Press
Libby’s Dad 9 Eleanor Davis Eleanor Davis Retrofit/Big Planet Comics
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur 9 Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare Natacha Bustos Marvel Comics
Blammo #9 9 Noah Van Sciver Noah Van Sciver Kilgore Books
Demon 9 Jason Shiga Jason Shiga First Second
Megg & Mogg in Amsterdam 9 Simon Hanselmann Simon Hanselmann Fantagraphics
Someone Please Have Sex With Me 8 Gina Wyndbrandt Gina Wyndbrandt 2dCloud
The Arab Of The Future 2: A Childhood In The Middle East, 1984-1985: A Graphic Memoir 8 Riad Sattouf Riad Sattouf Metropolitan Books
Providence 8 Alan Moore Jacen Burrows Avatar Press
Superman: American Alien 8 Max Landis Various DC Comics
Plutona 8 Emi Lenox and Jeff Lemire Emi Lenox Image Comics
Laid Waste 8 Julia Gfrörer Julia Gfrörer Fantagraphics
Moebius Library: The World of Edena 8 Moebius Moebius Dark Horse Comics
Doom Patrol 8 Gerard Way Nick Derington DC/Vertigo
Kill or Be Killed 8 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips Image Comics
Nod Away 8 Joshua Cotter Joshua Cotter Fantagraphics
Bitch Planet 8 Kelly Sue DeConnick Valentine De Landro and Taki Soma Image Comics
Carpet Sweeper Tales 8 Julie Doucet Julie Doucet Drawn and Quarterly
Goodnight Punpun 8 Inio Asano Inio Asano Viz Media
Goldie Vance 8 Hope Larson Brittany Williams and Sarah Stern BOOM!
Wonder Woman 7 Greg Rucka Liam Sharp and Nicola Scott DC Comics
We All Wish For Deadly Force 7 Leela Corman Leela Corman Retrofit/Big Planet Comics
Soft City 7 Hariton Pushwagner Hariton Pushwagner New York Review Comics
The Nameless City 7 Faith Erin Hicks Faith Erin Hicks and Jordie Bellaire First Second
Future Quest 7 Jeff Parker Various DC Comics
Huck 7 Mark Millar Rafael Albuquerque Image Comics
Mary Wept Over the Feet of Jesus 7 Chester Brown Chester Brown Drawn and Quarterly
5,000 km Per Second 7 Manuele Fior Manuele Fior Fantagraphics
Frontier #11 7 Eleanor Davis Eleanor Davis Youth In Decline
Adulthood Is a Myth 7 Sarah Andersen Sarah Andersen Andrews McMeel Publishing
Last Look 7 Charles Burns Charles Burns Pantheon
Hilda and the Stone Forest 7 Luke Pearson Luke Pearson Nobrow
Moon Knight 7 Jeff Lemire Greg Smallwood Marvel Comics
Wonder Woman: Earth One 6 Grant Morrison Yanick Paquette DC Comics
Clean Room 6 Gail Simone Jon Davis-Hunt and Quinton Winter DC/Vertigo
Princess Jellyfish 6 Akiko Higashimura Akiko Higashimura Kodansha Comics
Fantasy Sports No. 2 6 Sam Bosma Sam Bosma Nobrow
Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! 6 Kate Leth Brittney L. Williams and Natasha Allegri Marvel Comics
Our Mother 6 Luke Howard Luke Howard Retrofit/Big Planet Comics
4 Kids Walk Into a Bank 6 Matthew Rosenberg Tyler Boss Black Mask Studios
Darth Vader 6 Kieron Gillen Salvador Larroca Marvel Comics
A.D.: After Death 6 Scott Snyder Jeff Lemire Image Comics
Orange 6 Ichigo Takano Ichigo Takano Seven Seas Entertainment
Ganges #5 6 Kevin Huizenga Kevin Huizenga Fantagraphics
Seven to Eternity 5 Rick Remender Jerome Opeña Image Comics
Something New: Tales from a Makeshift Bride 5 Lucy Knisley Lucy Knisley First Second
The Mighty Thor 5 Jason Aaron Russell Dauterman, Steve Epting and Rafa Garrés Marvel Comics
Shade, the Changing Girl 5 Cecil Castellucci Marley Zarcone DC/Vertigo
Snotgirl 5 Bryan Lee O’Malley Leslie Hung Image Comics
Secret Wars 5 Jonathan Hickman Esad Ribić and Paul Renaud Marvel Comics
Spidey-Zine 5 Hannah Blumenreich Hannah Blumenreich Webcomic – https://gumroad.com/l/aXcO#
I Am A Hero 5 Kengo Hanazawa Kengo Hanazawa Dark Horse Comics
Band for Life 5 Anya Davidson Anya Davidson Fantagraphics
Neil Gaiman’s How to Talk to Girls at Parties 5 Neil Gaiman Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon Dark Horse Comics
A City Inside 5 Tillie Walden Tillie Walden Avery Hill Publishing
How to Survive in the North 5 Luke Healy Luke Healy Nobrow
Black Magick 5 Greg Rucka Nicola Scott Image Comics
Animosity 5 Marguerite Bennett Rafael de Latorre Aftershock Comics
Cheap Novelties: The Pleasures of Urban Decay 5 Ben Katchor Ben Katchor Drawn and Quarterly
On a Sunbeam 5 Tillie Walden Tillie Walden Webcomic – http://www.onasunbeam.com/
Deadly Class 5 Rick Remender Wes Craig and Jordan Boyd Image Comics
Deathstroke 5 Christopher Priest Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz and Jeromy Cox DC Comics
Highbone Theater 5 Joe Daly Joe Daly Fantagraphics

Also of note, a handful of reviewers included a webcomic within it’s best books lists. There was a tie for 1st spot between Spidey-Zine by Hannah Blumenreich and Tilly Walden’s On A Sunbeam (5 picks each). A close 2nd was The Nib (4) as a general site, but also nominated was Nib hosted Bianca Xunise’s work and Melanie Gillman’s Witch Camp.

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

Regarding Publishers:

Image was the most popular with 73 different titles.

Fantagraphics was 2nd with 62 different titles.

DC has 58 and Vertigo has 16 books.

Marvel has 51 titles.

Dark Horse has 33 titles.

53 Self-Published books made the list too.

 

Caveats:

Where a 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.

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 did not include lists that were a mixed of prose books and graphic novels, with 1 exception (New York Public Library) because they had over 10 Graphic Novels on their list.

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

I did not use nominations for upcoming awards.

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. Apologies to the reviewers of those books.

Some writers included books that were technically published in 2015 and at least 1 just listed best books they read that year, but the vast majority of those lists were 2016 books. The number of non 2016 books in the spreadsheet is very tiny and insignificant to the overall list.

Most of the lists were general ‘best/favourite books’ of 2016, but I also included lists dedicated to young readers, manga, 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.

Here are the websites I used, including the ones with lists broken up into multiple pages.
A.V. Club – http://www.avclub.com/article/best-comics-2016-247013
Adventures In Poor Taste – http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2017/01/05/the-15-best-manga-series-of-2016/
All The Wonders – http://www.allthewonders.com/books/best-of-2016-comics/
Amazon.com – https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?fst=as:off&rh=n:283155,n:!2334088011,n:!2334119011,n:10207069011,n:10207117011&bbn=10207069011&sort=review-count-rank&ie=UTF8&qid=1479311361&rnid=10207069011&linkCode=sl2&tag=thebeat0b-20&linkId=29e69bcf1db7acc87ad1ccf25f740094
Audiences Everywhere – http://www.audienceseverywhere.net/best-comics-read-2016/
Austin Public Library – http://library.austintexas.gov/list/best-graphic-novels-2016
Autostraddle – https://www.autostraddle.com/drawn-to-comics-the-10-best-comics-of-2016-364541/
Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/best-comics-graphic-novels-2016/
Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/best-continuing-manga-series-2016/
Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/best-new-manga-series-2016/
Benzilla – http://www.benzilla.com/?p=6040
Bleeding Cool – https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/12/31/bleeding-cools-11-favourite-graphic-novelscollections-2016/
Bleeding Cool – https://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/12/31/bleeding-cools-11-favourite-single-comics-2016/
Book Minx – https://bookminx.net/2017/01/03/2016-in-review/#more-12194
Book Riot – http://bookriot.com/2016/12/14/best-comics-of-2016/
CBR – http://www.cbr.com/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2016-100-76/
Chicago Public Library – https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216_chipublib_teens/684190077_best_teen_graphic_novels_and_manga_of_2016
Comic Alliance – http://comicsalliance.com/comicsalliances-best-of-2016-all-the-winners/
Comic Bastards – https://comicbastards.com/comics/best-of-2016-the-entire-list?rq=Best%202016
Comicosity – http://www.comicosity.com/best-of-2016-graphic-novel/
Comicosity – http://www.comicosity.com/best-of-2016-series/
Comicosity – http://www.comicosity.com/best-of-2016-single-issue/
Comics Alternative – http://comicsalternative.com/episode-220-our-favorite-comics-of-2016/
Comics Bulletin – http://comicsbulletin.com/11-comics-improved-2016/
Comics Bulletin – http://comicsbulletin.com/jams-top-10-2016/
Comics Bulletin – http://comicsbulletin.com/top-15-comics-elkin-reviewed-2016/
ComicsBeat – http://www.comicsbeat.com/the-beats-best-comics-of-2016/
Crave Online – http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/1189005-10-best-comics-2016
Critical Hit – http://www.criticalhit.net/entertainment/ten-best-comic-books-2016/
Den of Geek – http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/best-comics-of-2016/261139/the-best-comics-of-2016
Entertainment Weekly – http://ew.com/gallery/best-comic-books-2016/the-best-comic-books-of-2016/
Fantagraphics – http://fantagraphics.com/flog/whats-store-top-ten-2016/
Five Books – http://fivebooks.com/interview/best-comics-2016/
Flying Colors – http://flyingcolorscomics.blogspot.ca/2017/01/flying-colors-retailing-brigade-best-of.html
Forbes – http://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2016/12/08/the-best-graphic-literature-of-2016/#4d66f12114f2
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-andrew-girdwood/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-andy-luke/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-andy-oliver/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-james-lovegrove/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-joe-decie/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-julian-hanshaw/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-krent-able/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-metaphrog/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-robin-etherington/
Forbidden Planet – http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2016/best-year-2016-supplemental-sarah-mcintyre/
Forces of Geek – http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2017/01/best-of-2016-part-one.html
Forces of Geek – http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2017/01/best-of-2016-part-three.html
Forces of Geek – http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2017/01/best-of-2016-part-two.html
Forces of Geek – http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2017/01/graphic-breakdown-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2016.html
Game Spot – http://www.gamespot.com/gallery/best-comics-of-2016/2900-1044/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-graphic-novels-comics-2016
Graphixia – http://www.graphixia.ca/2016/12/260-the-annual-graphixia-year-end-spectacular/
Heroic Girls – http://www.heroicgirls.com/best-comics-2016-kids-teens/
High-Low – http://highlowcomics.blogspot.ca/2017/01/top-thirty-long-form-comics-of-2016.html
Hollywood In Toto – http://www.hollywoodintoto.com/the-years-best-comic-books-and-graphic-novels/
How to Love Comics – http://www.howtolovecomics.com/2016/12/06/10-best-comics-2016/
io9 – http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-20-best-comics-of-2016-1790283155
Just Indie Comics – http://justindiecomics.com/2017/01/16/best-16-comics-2016/
Lazygamer – http://www.lazygamer.net/comics-2/ten-best-comic-books-2016/
Library Journal – http://lj.libraryjournal.com/bestbooks2016/graphicnovels.php
Mental Floss – http://mentalfloss.com/article/89562/30-most-interesting-comics-2016
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-anthology/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-digital/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-limited/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-new-series/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-ogn/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-reprint/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-single-issue/
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/2016-yir-translation/
Nerdist – http://nerdist.com/the-16-best-comics-of-2016/
New York Times – https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/02/books/review/the-seasons-best-new-graphic-novels.html?_r=1
NPR – http://apps.npr.org/best-books-2016/#/tag/comics-and-graphic-novels
Odyssey – https://www.theodysseyonline.com/top-5-creator-owned-comics-2016
Olathe Downtown & Olathe Indian Creek Libraries – http://www.olathelibrary.org/kids/blog/staff-picks-2016
Omnivoracious – http://www.omnivoracious.com/2016/11/graphic-novel-friday-best-of-2016.html
Panel Platter – http://www.panelpatter.com/2016/12/james-2016-favorites-part-1-favorite.html
Paste Magazine – https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/10-amazing-indie-self-published-comics-you-might-h.html
Paste Magazine – https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/the-best-comics-of-2016.html?a=1
Print Mag – http://www.printmag.com/comics-and-animation/best-comic-books-year-designer-guide/
Publishers Weekly – http://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2016/comics
Publishers Weekly – http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/72373-march-book-three-tops-10th-annual-pw-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html
Random Thoughts – https://lars.ingebrigtsen.no/2016/12/21/the-best-comics-of-2016/
Richland Library – http://www.richlandlibrary.com/recommend/top-ten-great-graphic-novels-teens-2017
Rob Kirby – http://robkirbycomics.com/RobKirbyComics/Blog/Entries/2016/12/12_Robs_6th_Annual_Top_20_Comics_List__the_2016_Edition.html
Savage Critic – http://www.savagecritic.com/uncategorized/abhay-2016-another-year-that-i-mindlessly-consumed-oh-god-oh-god-make-it-stop-uncle-uncle/
School Library Journal – http://www.slj.com/2016/11/reviews/best-of/top-10-graphic-novels-2016#_
Slate – http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2016/12/top_10_best_comics_and_graphic_novels_of_2016.html
Study Group Comics – http://studygroupcomics.com/main/process-party-episode-12-the-best-of-2016/
TCJ – http://www.tcj.com/the-best-comics-of-2016-according-to-some/
The Comics Reporter – http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/fff_results_post_467_best_of_2017/
The Daily Dot – http://www.dailydot.com/parsec/best-superhero-sci-fi-comics-2016/
The Globe and Mail – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-globe-100-the-best-books-of-2016/article33132356/#collection/comicsfive2016/
The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/04/observer-graphic-books-of-year-2016-stan-nan-hundred-nights-hero-lost-time-proust-irmina-mooncop
The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/19/best-comic-books-graphic-novels-2016-hellboy-wonder-woman
The Hollywood Reporter – http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/best-comic-books-2016-series-read-959653
Under the Radar – http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_25_comic_books_and_graphic_novels_of_2016/
Unwinnable – http://www.unwinnable.com/2016/12/28/the-best-comics-of-2016/
Uproxx – http://uproxx.com/hitfix/2016-best-comics/
Vox – http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/21/13919580/best-new-comics-2016
Vox – http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/28/14009216/the-best-comic-books-of-the-year
Vu Weekly – http://www.vueweekly.com/148643-2/
Vulture – http://www.vulture.com/2016/12/best-comic-books-of-2016.html
Washington Post – https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/best-graphic-novels-of-2016/2016/11/17/684ef15c-9dde-11e6-9980-50913d68eacb_story.html
Wired – https://www.wired.com/2016/12/best-comics-2016/
Women Write About Comics – http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2016/12/27/wwacs-favorite-big-press-comics-of-2016/?utm_content=bufferc7199&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Your Chicken Enemy – http://www.danielelkin.com/2016/12/top-15-comics-i-reviewed-in-2016.html (Duplicate List)
Bomb Magazine – http://bombmagazine.org/article/42281213/just-a-few-of-the-best-comics-of-2016
Calgary Public Library – https://calgary.bibliocommons.com/list/share/393989767_calgarylibrary_adults/777209168
CBC – http://www.cbc.ca/books/bestbooks2016/
Guide Live – http://www.guidelive.com/comic-books/2016/12/27/perfect-panels-10-best-comic-books-2016
Everett Public Library – A Reading Life – https://areadinglife.com/2016/11/28/best-of-2016-adult-fiction-graphic-novels/
Flood Magazine – http://floodmagazine.com/42168/flood-presents-the-year-in-arts-and-culture/
The Hundreds – https://thehundreds.com/blog/only-built-4-true-believers-the-best-5-comics-of-2016/
ICPL – http://blog.icpl.org/2016/12/30/icpl-top-staff-picks-for-2016-graphic-novels/
Irish Examiner – https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/truth-is-stranger-than-these-comic-fictions-437019.html
Lafayette Public Library – https://lplbooksandbeyond.com/2016/11/30/dont-miss-list-great-graphic-novels-of-2016/
NewsOK – The Oklahoman – http://newsok.com/article/5532325
Pierce County Library System – http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/books-materials/best-2016.htm
The Herald – http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/books_and_poetry/14971551.Graphic_Content__The_Best_Graphic_Novels_of_the_Year/
New York Public Library – https://www.nypl.org/books-music-dvds/recommendations/award-winners/ya
San Jose Public Library – https://www.sjpl.org/blog/best-new-graphic-novels-2016

The Combined Best Graphic Novels of 2015!

Excel

Over the last few months there have been many, many websites with “Best of 2015” lists concerning comic books 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 94 different “Best Of” Lists regarding comic books and graphic novels and combined them into a spreadsheet. There are 1,822 different listings of books from these websites. I should note that I 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. Pivot tables have been created to show which books appeared on the number of lists. Here are the books with 5 or more recommendations, starting with a tie for the top spot with 25 recommendations:

 

Book Title Count Writer Artist Publisher
Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection 25 Kate Beaton Kate Beaton Drawn & Quarterly
Ms. Marvel 25 G. Willow Wilson Adrian Alphona Marvel Comics
SuperMutant Magic Academy 24 Jillian Tamaki Jillian Tamaki Drawn & Quarterly
Nimona 24 Noelle Stevenson Noelle Stevenson Harper Collins
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl 23 Ryan North Erica Henderson Marvel Comics
March: Book Two 21 John Robert Lewis, Andrew Aydin Nate Powell Top Shelf
Killing and Dying 21 Adrian Tomine Adrian Tomine Drawn & Quarterly
Bitch Planet 20 Kelly Sue DeConnick Valentine De Landro Image Comics
The Wicked + The Divine 20 Kieron Gillen Jamie McKelvie Image Comics
Paper Girls 20 Brian K. Vaughan Cliff Chiang Image Comics
Saga 20 Brian K. Vaughan Fiona Staples Image Comics
Southern Bastards 19 Jason Aaron Jason Latour Image Comics
Lumberjanes 16 Grace Ellis, Noelle Stevenson Brooke Allen Boom!
The Sculptor 15 Scott McCloud Scott McCloud First Second
Descender 15 Jeff Lemire Dustin Nguyen Image Comics
The Story of My Tits 15 Jennifer Hayden Jennifer Hayden Top Shelf
The Sandman: Overture 14 Neil Gaiman J.H. Williams III DC Comics/Vertigo
Two Brothers 14 Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá Dark Horse Comics
Archie 13 Mark Waid Fiona Staples, Annie Wu Archie Comics
Secret Wars 13 Jonathan Hickman Esad Ribic Marvel Comics
The Fade Out 12 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips Image Comics
The Divine 12 Boaz Lavie Asaf Hanuka and Tomer Hanuka First Second
The Multiversity 12 Grant Morrison Frank Quitely, Ivan Reis and Jim Lee DC Comics/Vertigo
Black River 11 Josh Simmons Josh Simmons Fantagraphics Books
Batgirl 11 Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart Babs Tarr DC Comics/Vertigo
The Omega Men 11 Tom King Barnaby Bagenda and Toby Cypress DC Comics/Vertigo
Invisible Ink: My Mother’s Love Affair With A Famous Cartoonist 11 Bill Griffith Bill Griffith Fantagraphics Books
Wytches 11 Scott Snyder Jock Image Comics
Sacred Heart 10 Liz Suburbia Liz Suburbia Fantagraphics Books
The Arab of the Future: A Childhood in the Middle East, 1978-1984: A Graphic Memoir 10 Riad Sattouf Riad Sattouf Metropolitan Books
Airboy 10 James Robinson Greg Hinkle Image Comics
Midnighter 10 Steve Orlando ACO, Alec Morgan, Stephen Mooney DC Comics/Vertigo
Fante Bukowski 10 Noah Van Sciver Noah Van Sciver Fantagraphics Books
Jem and The Holograms 9 Kelly Thompson Sophie Campbell IDW Publishing
Harrow County 9 Cullen Bunn Tyler Crook Dark Horse Comics
Drawn & Quarterly: Twenty-five Years of Contemporary Cartooning, Comics and Graphic Novels 9 Various Various Drawn & Quarterly
Russian Olive To Red King 8 Kathryn Immonen Stuart Immonen Adhouse Books
Giant Days 8 John Allison Lissa Treiman Boom!
Frontier 8 Various Various Youth in Decline
Hawkeye 8 Matt Fraction David Aja, Francesco Francavilla Marvel Comics
Ruins 8 Peter Kuper Peter Kuper Abrams
Nanjing: The Burning City 8 Ethan Young Ethan Young Random House
Hellboy in Hell 8 Mike Mignola Mike Mignola Dark Horse Comics
Star Wars 7 Jason Aaron John Cassaday and Stuart Immonen Marvel Comics
One-Punch Man 7 ONE Yusuke Murata Viz Media
Sexcastle 7 Kyle Starks Kyle Starks Image Comics
Lazarus 7 Greg Rucka Michael Lark Image Comics
Providence 7 Alan Moore Jacen Burrows Avatar Press
Mowgli’s Mirror 7 Olivier Schrauwen Olivier Schrauwen Retrofit Comics
The Autumnlands 7 Kurt Busiek Benjamin Dewey Image Comics
Silver Surfer 7 Dan Slott Mike Allred Marvel Comics
Monstress 7 Marjorie Liu Sana Takeda Image Comics
Terror Assaulter (O.M.W.O.T.) 7 Benjamin Marra Benjamin Marra Fantagraphics Books
Displacement: A Travelogue 7 Lucy Knisley Lucy Knisley Fantagraphics Books
COPRA 7 Michel Fiffe Michel Fiffe Self-Published
Rat Queens 6 Kurtis J. Wiebe Roc Upchurch and Stjepan Šejić Image Comics
MIND MGMT 6 Matt Kindt Matt Kindt Dark Horse Comics
Trashed 6 Derf Backderf Derf Backderf Abrams
Star Wars: Darth Vader 6 Kieron Gillen Salvador Larroca and Edgar Delgado Marvel Comics
Unflattening 6 Nick Sousanis Nick Sousanis Harvard University Press
The Oven 6 Sophie Goldstein Sophie Goldstein AdHouse Books
Sex Criminals 6 Matt Fraction Chip Zdarsky Image Comics
Wuvable Oaf 6 Ed Luce Ed Luce Fantagraphics Books
Roller Girl 6 Victoria Jamieson Victoria Jamieson Dial Books
Grayson 6 Tim Seeley and Tom King Mikel Janin, Stephen Mooney DC Comics/Vertigo
The Eternaut 6 Héctor Germán Oesterheld Francisco Solano López Fantagraphics Books
Borb 6 Jason Little Jason Little Uncivilized Books
Alex + Ada 5 Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn Jonathan Luna Image Comics
Sky In Stereo 5 Mardou Mardou Revival House/Alternative Comics
I Hate Fairyland 5 Skottie Young Skottie Young Image Comics
Pablo 5 Julie Birmant & Clément Oubrerie Clément Oubrerie SelfMadeHero
Exquisite Corpse 5 Penelope Bagieu Penelope Bagieu First Second
The Age of Selfishness 5 Darryl Cunningham Darryl Cunningham Abrams
Not Funny Ha-Ha 5 Leah Hayes Leah Hayes Fantagraphics Books
Private Eye: Deluxe Edition 5 Brian K. Vaughan Marcos Martin Image Comics
Generous Bosom 5 Conor Stechschulte Conor Stechschulte Breakdown Press
Bright-Eyed at Midnight 5 Leslie Stein Leslie Stein Fantagraphics Books
The Humans 5 Keenan Marshall Keller Tom Neely Image Comics
Fütchi Perf 5 Kevin Czap Kevin Czap Czap Books
Gotham Academy 5 Brenden Fletcher and Becky Cloonan Karl Kerschl DC Comics/Vertigo
Island 5 Various Various Image Comics
Lady Killer 5 Joëlle Jones and Jamie S. Rich Joëlle Jones Dark Horse Comics
Prez 5 Mark Russell Ben Caldwell DC Comics/Vertigo
East of West 5 Jonathan Hickman Nick Dragotta Image Comics
Daredevil 5 Mark Waid Chris Samnee Marvel Comics
We Can Never Go Home 5 Matthew Rosenberg and Patrick Kindlon Josh Hood Black Mask Studios
Space Dumplins 5 Craig Thompson Craig Thompson Scholastic
Bacchus Omnibus Edition, Vol. 1 5 Eddie Campbell Eddie Campbell Top Shelf
Stray Bullets: Sunshine & Roses 5 David Lapham David Lapham Image Comics
The Last Man 5 Bastien Vivès, Michaël Sanlaville, Balak Bastien Vivès, Michaël Sanlaville, Balak First Second
Kaijumax 5 Zander Cannon Zander Cannon Oni Press
Fantasy Sports 5 Sam Bosma Sam Bosma Nobrow Press
Huck 5 Mark Millar Rafael Albuquerque Image Comics
Melody: Story Of A Nude Dancer 5 Sylvie Rancourt Sylvie Rancourt Drawn & Quarterly

Also of note, a handful of reviewers included a webcomic within it’s best books lists. There was a clear winner with Lighten Up by Ronald Wimberly getting picked by 4 websites. Every other webcomic was only picked once.

 
 

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

 

 

Regarding Publishers:

Image was the most popular with 87 different titles.

Marvel and DC tied for 2nd with 50 titles each.

Fantagraphics and Dark Horse tied for 3rd with 33 titles.

Viz Media was 4th with 20 titles.

Drawn and Quarterly was 5th with 17 titles.

45 Self-Published books made the lists too.

 

Caveats:

Where websites broke up their lists into parts, I’ve counted that as 1 list.

Where a website does more than 1 list (say best Comic Books and best Graphic Novels) I’ve counted that as two separate lists.

Where a 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.

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 did not include lists that were a mixed of prose books and graphic novels.

I did not use nominations for upcoming awards.

There were also a couple of “Best Books for 2016” lists that I did not include.

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. Apologies to the reviewers of those books.

Some writers included books that were technically published in 2014 and at least 1 just listed best books they read that year, but the vast majority of those lists were 2015 books. The number of non 2015 books in the spreadsheet is very tiny and insignificant to the overall list.

Most of the lists were general ‘best/favourite books’ of 2015, but I also included lists dedicated to young readers, manga, 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.

Here are the websites I used, including the ones with lists broken up into multiple pages.

Robert Boyd – http://www.thegreatgodpanisdead.com/2015/12/my-favorite-comics-of-2015.html
Slate – http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2015/12/adrian_tomine_kate_beaton_jillian_tamaki_best_comics_and_graphic_novels.html
Good Reads – https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-graphic-novels-comics-2015
Tech Times – http://www.techtimes.com/articles/107899/20151203/best-comics-of-2015.htm
Kirkus – https://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/best-middle-grade-graphic-novels-of-2015/ also on http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kirkus/best-middlegrade-graphic-_b_8690024.html
A.V. Club – http://www.avclub.com/article/our-favorite-graphic-novels-one-shots-and-archives-229423
Rob Kirby Comics – http://robkirbycomics.com/Rob_Kirby_Comics/Blog/Entries/2015/12/15_Robs_Top_30_Comics_and_Comics-related_Things_of_2015_%28see_2014_list_here%29.html
Vulture – http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/10-best-comic-books-of-2015.html
Vulture – http://www.vulture.com/2015/11/10-best-graphic-novels-2015.html
Paste Magazine – http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/10-small-press-and-self-published-comics-you-shoul.html
Amazon.com – http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_boty15_3a1?_encoding=UTF8&node=13127711011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_r=100NMR6DKYNC4X3J66V2&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=2325173882&pf_rd_i=13108091011
The Comic Reporter 5 For Friday – http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/fff_results_post_441_the_year_in_comics/
Forbes – http://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2015/12/21/ten-best-graphic-novels-of-2015/
The Beat – http://www.comicsbeat.com/the-best-comics-of-2015/
CBR – http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2015-100-76
CBR – http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2015-75-51
CBR – http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2015-50-26
CBR – http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2015-25-11
CBR – http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2015-10-1
Bleeding Cool – http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/12/30/bleeding-cools-11-best-graphic-novels-of-2015/
Mental Floss – http://mentalfloss.com/article/72457/25-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-2015
i09 – http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-20-best-comics-and-graphic-novels-of-2015-1748709046
Comicosity – http://www.comicosity.com/best-of-2015-graphic-novel/
Comicosity – http://www.comicosity.com/best-of-2015-indie-comics/
Entropy Mag – http://entropymag.org/best-of-2015-comics-graphic-novels/
Barnes & Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/the-best-new-manga-series-of-2015/
Comics and Cola – http://www.comicsandcola.com/2015/12/2015-in-comics-reading-guide.html
Comics Alternative – http://comicsalternative.com/episode-168-our-favorite-comics-of-2015/
CBC – http://www.cbc.ca/books/bestbooks2015/
Savage Critic – http://www.savagecritic.com/uncategorized/abhay-2015-another-year-that-i-mindlessly-consumed-entertainment-almost/
Comics for Grownups – http://comicsforgrownups.tumblr.com/post/136118333648/episode-54-best-of-2015
Journeys in Darkness and Light – https://journeysindarknessandlight.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/best-comics-of-2015-my-top-10/
Publishers Weekly – http://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2015/comics
Nerdist – http://nerdist.com/the-10-best-comics-of-2015/
Polygon – http://www.polygon.com/comics/2015/12/23/10636552/best-comics-2015
Vox – http://www.vox.com/2015/12/11/9890256/12-best-comic-books-2015
CBR – http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/in-your-face-jam-top-10-series-of-2015
Bleeding Cool – http://www.bleedingcool.com/2015/12/31/bleeding-cools-11-best-comics-of-2015/
ComicBook.com – http://comicbook.com/2015/12/15/the-best-comics-of-2015-part-one/
ComicBook.com – http://comicbook.com/2015/12/15/the-best-comics-of-2015-part-two-/
Paul Gravett – http://www.paulgravett.com/articles/article/my_top_ten_comics_of_2015
The Factual Opinion – http://www.factualopinion.com/the_factual_opinion/2015/12/the-best-comics-of-2015-sure-why-not.html
popOptiq – http://www.popoptiq.com/best-comics-of-2015-part-one/
popOptiq – http://www.popoptiq.com/best-comics-of-2015-part-two/
Paste Magazine – http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/the-best-comic-books-of-2015.html?a=1
Guide Live – http://www.guidelive.com/comic-books/2015/12/30/top-10-comics-2015-year-newcomers-indies-took-reins
Mutha Magazine – http://muthamagazine.com/2015/12/ask-a-mutha-whats-the-good-stuff-a-readingwatching-picks-list-for-2015/
Just Indie Comics – http://justindiecomics.com/2016/01/09/best-comics-of-2015-part-one/
Just Indy Comics – http://justindiecomics.com/2016/01/12/best-comics-of-2015-part-two/
Vice – http://www.vice.com/read/vices-top-ten-comics-of-2015
CBR – Comics Can Be Good – http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2016/01/12/my-top-ten-comics-of-2015/
ABS-CBN – http://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/12/30/15/the-top-comic-books-of-2015
Anime News Network – http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2015-12-11/the-best-and-most-memorable-manga-of-2015/.96203
App.com – http://www.app.com/story/entertainment/books/2015/12/25/exciting-new-comics/77875946/
A.V. Club – http://www.avclub.com/article/our-favorite-ongoing-and-serial-comics-2015-229119
Comic Bastards – http://comicbastards.com/comics/best-of-2015-best-comic-of-the-year/
American Library Association – http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2016/01/yalsa-names-2016-great-graphic-novels-teens
CBR Comics Should Be Good – http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2016/01/16/dont-worry-about-those-other-best-comics-of-the-year-lists-because-this-is-the-one-youve-been-waiting-for/
Comics Anonymous – https://comicsanonymous2015.wordpress.com/tag/best-of-2015/
Your Chicken Enemy – http://danielrelkin.blogspot.ca/2015/12/top-10-comics-i-reviewed-of-2015.html
Entertainment Weekly – http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/22/best-comics-2015
GQ – http://www.gq.com/story/the-10-best-graphic-novels-of-2015
The Hollywood Reporter – http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/top-10-comics-2015-851021
ICV2.com – http://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/33360/2015-comics-favorites-delights-guilty-pleasures
The Independent – http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/the-best-graphic-novels-of-2015-a6750376.html
Longbox Coffin – http://arecomicsevengood.tumblr.com/post/136186593959/top-comics-of-2015
Multiversity Comics – http://www.multiversitycomics.com/columns/2015-best-new-series/
Existential Ennui – http://www.existentialennui.com/2015/12/the-ten-best-graphic-novels-and-comics.html
NPR – http://apps.npr.org/best-books-2015/#/tag/comics-and-graphic-novels
Panel Platter – http://www.panelpatter.com/2016/01/james-2015-favorites.html
Panel Platter – http://www.panelpatter.com/2016/01/scotts-year-of-comics-or-his-favorite.html
Panel Platter – http://www.panelpatter.com/2016/01/guy-thomass-top-ten-favorite-comics-of.html
Publishers Weekly – http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/69024-the-sculptor-tops-pw-s-10th-annual-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html
Sequential – http://www.sequential.cc/2015/12/top-ten-graphic-novels-of-2015.html
sktchd – http://sktchd.com/column/creators-share-their-favorite-comics-of-2015/
sktchd – http://sktchd.com/column/the-sktchies-favorite-comics-of-2015/
School Library Journal – http://www.slj.com/2015/11/feature-articles/top-10-graphic-novels-2015/
School Library Journal – http://blogs.slj.com/goodcomicsforkids/2015/12/15/the-good-comics-for-kids-2015-gift-guide/
Forward.com – http://forward.com/culture/books/328162/from-ira-glass-to-ultra-orthodox-ya-heroines-the-best-jewish-graphic-novels/?attribution=home-hero-item-img-4
Smoo Comics – http://www.smoo-comics.com/2015/12/five-great-comics-i-read-this-year/
The Gaurdian – http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/dec/07/best-graphic-books-2015-adrian-tomine-rachael-ball-jillian-tamaki-andy-hixon?CMP=twt_gu
The Village Voice – http://www.villagevoice.com/arts/the-outstanding-comics-of-2015-bring-it-all-back-home-7957185
Washington Post – https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/best-graphic-novels-of-2015/2015/11/18/89086376-7902-11e5-b9c1-f03c48c96ac2_story.html
Creative Bloq – http://www.creativebloq.com/comics/best-graphic-novels-2015-121518520
Comic Alliance – http://comicsalliance.com/comics-alliance-best-of-2015-winners/
The Kansas City Star – http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/books/article49301710.html
The Alligators Mouth – http://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/#!Books-of-the-Year-2015-Comics-Graphic-Novels/co3i/56571c7f0cf22d6285177161
Library Journal – http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2015/11/best-of/best-books-2015-graphic-novels/
Panels – http://panels.net/bestof2015/
Richland Library – http://www.richlandlibrary.com/recommend/best-comics-2015-biased-selection
Under the Radar – http://www.undertheradarmag.com/lists/under_the_radars_top_25_comic_books_and_graphic_novels_of_2015/
Clear Eyes Full Shelves – http://cleareyesfullshelves.com/blog/2015-list-of-awesome-comics-graphic-novels
News OK – http://newsok.com/article/5469978
ConTV – http://blog.contv.com/best-new-comic-series-and-graphic-novels-of-2015/
Harris County Public Library – http://www.hcpl.net/content/2015-staff-favorites-graphic-novels-part-one
Harris County Public Library – http://www.hcpl.net/content/2015-staff-favorites-graphic-novels-part-two
The Globe & Mail – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-globe-100-the-best-books-of-2015/article27607992/#collection/comicsfive/
The Mary Sue – http://www.themarysue.com/the-best-of-pull-wisely-2015/
Heroic Girls – http://www.heroicgirls.com/the-best-all-ages-comics-for-girls-in-2015/
Vertigology – http://vertigology.net/2015/12/23/the-top-30-comics-of-2015/
Outlandish Lit – http://outlandishlit.blogspot.ca/2016/01/best-comics-of-2015.html
Book Minx Reads – https://bookminxreads.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/top-ten-week-best-comicsgraphic-novels-read-in-2015/