Arthurian Legends, Dark Family Secrets, and Monsters in the Best Graphic Novels of 2024
Graphic novels have never been more diverse, and 2024's offerings range from enchanting quests in Arthurian legend to gritty, atmospheric explorations of dark family secrets. This year's selection of graphic novels combines a mix of mythical adventures, deep psychological narratives, and some truly haunting visuals. If you're a fan of thrilling monsters, princesses, Russian detectives, or deeply reflective storytelling, there's something for everyone.
Young Hag – Isabel Greenberg
British writer and illustrator Isabel Greenberg has established herself as a visionary in the graphic novel scene, delivering brilliant works that tackle both historical and fantastical themes. This year’s Young Hag (Jonathan Cape) is no exception, as it follows a trainee witch on an epic quest to mend the broken Excalibur and restore magic to a fragmented Britain. Combining Arthurian legend with Greenberg’s signature whimsical art, it’s a must-read for anyone interested in tales of magic and redemption.
Final Cut – Charles Burns
Charles Burns’ Final Cut (Pantheon) is a beautifully executed, unsettling narrative that delves deep into the blurred lines between dreams and reality. Known for his groundbreaking work Black Hole, Burns creates a hauntingly atmospheric world where awkward young Brian, an obsessive movie fan, struggles with personal demons and distorted fantasies. As the sexual tension builds and the boundaries between fiction and life disintegrate, Final Cut captures a sense of dread and inevitability with stunning visuals.
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters Book Two – Emil Ferris
It's been seven years since the release of the first volume of My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, and this year’s Book Two (Fantagraphics) continues to captivate with its gothic, ballpoint pen-drawn illustrations. Karen Reyes, a young artist who believes she’s a werewolf detective, embarks on a journey into the dark underbelly of Chicago to uncover family secrets. This book is a rich, deeply felt continuation of the first volume, offering readers a dive into a detailed, compelling world where gothic horror meets personal discovery.
GLEEM – Freddy Carrasco
GLEEM (Drawn & Quarterly) is a short, yet incredibly unique work by Dominican-Canadian artist Freddy Carrasco. The graphic novel features three distinct stories that unfold with surreal and existential undertones. A boy loses himself in a preacher’s sermon, friends try to resurrect an android buddy, and a group of clubbers seeks release in fragmented tales. The book feels like a rush of shapes and sensations, all trailing deep existential questions about identity and purpose.
World Without End – Christophe Blain
In World Without End (translated by Edward Gauvin, Particular), artist Christophe Blain and climate expert Jean-Marc Jancovici team up to explore urgent global issues like sustainability and climate change. With an engaging narrative and clever visuals, Blain’s work makes a complex and data-driven subject accessible. This book, which outsold Astérix in France, presents vital information in a visually stunning and surprisingly digestible format, encouraging readers to rethink the future of our planet.
Self-Esteem and the End of the World – Luke Healy
Irish cartoonist Luke Healy’s Self-Esteem and the End of the World (Faber) is a funny, reflective exploration of personal growth in the face of global crisis. Blending a cartoonist's self-exploration with talking mice and submerged cities, Healy crafts a narrative filled with humor, grief, and existential reflection. The hero—also named Luke—experiences personal growth while navigating self-help podcasts, disastrous team-building events, and a movie based on his life. It’s a playful and anxious journey through contemporary struggles.
Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad – Matyás Namai
The legacy of disaster and war is explored in Chernobyl: The Fall of Atomgrad (Palazzo) by Czech artist Matyás Namai. This graphic novel offers a stark, stylized retelling of the 1986 nuclear disaster, capturing both the chaos and tragedy of the event. With sharp, evocative art, Namai’s book offers a unique historical perspective on one of the most significant disasters in modern history.
Victory Parade – Leela Corman
Set in the 1940s, Leela Corman’s Victory Parade (Schocken) offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of New Yorkers during WWII. Rose, a New York welder, embarks on an affair while struggling refugee Ruth takes on the role of a Nazi villain in a wrestling ring. Meanwhile, Rose’s husband Sam is one of the first soldiers to enter concentration camps. This powerful book delves into themes of war, survival, and the complex relationships that form in times of turmoil.
The Heart That Fed – Gallery 13
The Heart That Fed (Gallery 13) is a powerful portrait of trauma and healing. Following David, a young soldier and traumatised father, the book offers a compassionate examination of post-war life and the emotional scars left behind. It explores forgiveness, the cost of conflict, and the path toward redemption, presenting an intimate and candid narrative about overcoming personal struggles.
From monsters and princesses to global crises and personal reckonings, 2024’s graphic novels have something to offer every reader. Whether you’re drawn to tales of mystical legends or modern-day reflections on trauma, these books are bound to captivate, challenge, and entertain.