Best Graphic Novels of 2012

Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me

Here’s what I thought were the best graphic novels of 2012, in order, based on what affected, entertained, and enlightened me. For more information on any of the following titles, the links take you to my reviews. This may be the first time in years that I’ve managed to review all of the titles I’m recommending before this list was due!

  1. Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney
  2. Drama by Raina Telgemeier
  3. Friends With Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
    Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me
  4. A Wrinkle in Time adapted by Hope Larson
  5. Economix by Michael Goodwin and Dan E. Burr
  6. The Comic Book History of Comics by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey
  7. Dirt Candy by Amanda Cohen, Grady Hendrix, and Ryan Dunlavey
  8. Between Gears by Natalie Nourigat
  9. Please God, Find Me a Husband! by Simone Lia
  10. Polterguys by Laurianne Uy
  11. Hereville: How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch
  12. Unterzakhn by Leela Corman

What a terrific year! There was a lot of informative non-fiction that used the comic format well (5 of the above, including 3 graphic memoirs), as well as school-set stories that took full advantage of that significant time of life (5 of the above). Most significantly, without even trying, my list includes 8 1/2 works by women.

I’d also like to make a special honorary mention for my favorite comic book, Hawkeye, and my favorite comic strip/webcomic, JL8 (formerly Little League) by Yale Stewart. I love the lengthy reading experience a graphic novel provides, but it’s enjoyable having more frequently appearing great comics to read, too.



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