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Best Graphic Novels For Beginner Graphic Novel Readers

26 items

Anjali Kay

I never used to like graphic novels (perhaps I had never found the right one!), but over the years I've really warmed to them and will often pick one up. I definitely like a certain type of illustration, so Iam definitely drawn to the cover 🙈 and th...

Sections

'Real Life' Graphic Novels

Myths and Legends Graphic Novels

Medieval Vibes Graphic Novels

Witches and Wizards Graphic Novels

Ghostly Graphic Novels

Misc Fantasy Graphic Novels

'Real Life' Graphic Novels

Graphic novels that are more ‘real life’ stories - they're all fiction, but there are no fantasy or supernatural elements to them.

My fave of all time!

I love Pumpkinheads so much I re-read it every single year in October. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks is the story of the last day of a pumpkin patch shift. Seasonal friends Deja and Josiah have mixed emotions. This is the last t...

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

Ben Cook takes a restaurant job while chasing his writing dreams, only to fall for a charming chef and start questioning what he really wants. Super sweet, swoony, feel good story about ambition, love, and finding your place. And food. And writing.

Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez & Danica Brine

I really enjoy the artistry and illustrations in this one! In Real Life takes place both in real life, and also in the online gaming world.

In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang

I love the illustrations by Faith Erin Hicks! This one is about a boarding school, Ellsmere Academy, and it's a mix of school and mythical beasts. Very fun!

One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks

This was, I think, the first graphic novel I ever read. And it was a super cute story. A touch predictable, but very cute all the same.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Myths and Legends Graphic Novels

These graphic novels are based on things like Ancient Greece and Rome, and then Mythology and Legends.

Lore Olympus was originaly a web comic on Webtoon but in 2021 they started publishing it in paperback, and that's when I really picked it up. This is a graphic novel, based on the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone and it's fantastic! I love this ser...

Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe

The second in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe

The third in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe

The fourth in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe

The fifth in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Five by Rachel Smythe

The sixth book in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Six by Rachel Smythe

The seventh book in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Seven by Rachel Smythe

The eighth book in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Eight by Rachel Smythe

The ninth book in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerds and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure read these in order though!

Lore Olympus: Volume Nine by Rachel Smythe

The tenth book in the Lore Olympus series. One of my favourite series (and graphic novels) of all time. Being a Classics nerd and with a big love of Greek Mythology … this is a goodie. Make sure youread these in order though! There is only one more d...

Lore Olympus: Volume Ten by Rachel Smythe

Medieval Vibes Graphic Novels

They're giving sword fighting, castles, peasants, villians, that's kind of thing.

Nimona by N.D. Stevenson is one of the best graphic novels I’ve ever read. It tells the story of Nimona, a shapeshifting whiz who just wants to be Lord Blackheart’s sidekick and help him do evil things. Even if you’re not into graphic novels or you'...

Nimona by ND Stevenson

This book is a DELIGHT. I absolutely loved the story, the characters, the illustrations - everything about it was enjoyable. Did the story make sense? Not really, no. Was the artwork brilliant? As always, yes.

Bloodlust & Bonnets by Emily McGovern

Witches and Wizards Graphic Novels

For some reason I've read a lot of graphic novels about witches or wizards.

In this sweet YA graphic novel from Webtoon, Ray, a young seer who spends her days at a magical bakery where dreams are baked into every treat, falls for Laurie, a musician barista. Another goodie for people who are just getting into graphic novels.

Crumbs by Danie Stirling

A middlegrade (but enjoyed by all, for sure!) story about a family where girls are raised as witches and boys as shapeshifters. Thirteen year old Aster, who has not shifted and is secretly drawn to forbidden witchery, must embrace the magic he is not...

The Witch Boy by Lee Knox Ostertag

Mooncakes was a sweet story about magic, friendship, love, good and evil, and family. This graphic novel covered quite a few different themes and supernatural elements; one of the main characters wears hearing aids, another uses they/them pronouns, a...

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

I enjoyed the doughnuts and the doom connection (great title!), and how the seemingly ordinary things in life, like buying doughnuts, were woven together with magic and witches flying about on their brooms. I loved that combination of 'normal' life a...

Doughnuts and Doom by Balazs Lorinczi

Ghostly Graphic Novels

Mostly the Sheets series by Brenna Thummler, but I'll update the list when I've read more! Feel free to suggest some to me!

This is SUCH a sweet series! There are three graphic novels in this series I believe, and it's a really cute story.

Sheets (Sheets #1) by Brenna Thummler

The second in the Sheets series by Brenna Thummler. Another cute addition to the story, just make sure you've read the first one first.

Delicates (Sheets #2) by Brenna Thummler

The third in the Sheets series by Brenna Thummler. Another cute addition to the story, just make sure you've read the first and second ones first.

Lights (Sheets #3) by Brenna Thummler

Really sweet ghostly story! I love the illustrations in this one, too.

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

Misc Fantasy Graphic Novels

Misc fantasy-themed graphic novels.

Super adorable graphic novel about Greta, a blacksmith's apprentice, how finds a lost tea dragon in the marketplace. There are few in this series, too!

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill