The Best Comics We Read July-September 2021

Even though I’m not typically a fan of superhero comics, I was riveted by this YA graphic mystery about Barbara Gordon’s origins as Oracle. When Barbara is shot, she becomes paralyzed and now uses a wheelchair. To help her become accustomed to the wheelchair and her new life as a disabled person, Barbara enters the Arkham Center for Independence. Almost immediately, she senses something wrong, and when a patient goes missing — a patient with horrific fairytales she told Barbara at night — Barbara begins to investigate. I loved the disabled representation in this, as well as the searing glimpse into ableism from a disabled perspective. This is such a clever and engrossing read.

—Margaret Kingsbury

This graphic novel is truly one of the best books I’ve read this year. It follows 13-year-old Nisrin who is the victim of a horrible hate crime. As she recovers from her trauma, Nisrin also learns more about Islam, her family’s complicated past with religion, and the history of the country her family comes from: Bangladesh. Piece by Piece is at once a moving story of a young girl navigating the world around her, and a powerful exploration of multigenerational trauma.

—Adiba Jaigirdar

Featuring the story of Poison Ivy as a teen, this graphic novel is a great one for teens. In the comic, Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy) is secretive, withdrawn and doesn’t let anyone into her life. Plus, she deeply cares for her plants. She mostly doesn’t trust men, so she hides. Until one day she meets a girl by the name of Alice Oh, who she just might consider letting into her life. Only, dark family secrets might stop her from doing so. This was an enjoyable read with themes of love, family, friendship and secrets that I truly love.

—Aurora Lydia Dominguez

If you follow superhero comics, you probably already know this is the story that ends with Tim Drake, AKA the third Robin, AKA Red Robin/Drake/current superhero identity TBD, coming out as queer. The Batfamily has become so sprawling that an anthology book like Urban Legends is a great idea, giving DC a chance to highlight as many characters as possible, and though some segments of the book haven’t been quite to my taste, I’ve found something to love in every issue so far. But the highlight has been this long-awaited story, told with thoughtfulness and care by Fitzmartin and Ortega — and my goodness, has Tim ever looked this stinkin’ cute? I can’t wait for more of both Tim’s story (returning to Urban Legends in December!), and whatever Fitzmartin and Ortega do next.

—Jess Plummer

The Sacrifice of Darkness follows two generations of families. One who caused the darkness, and the ones who live in it. This is a beautifully written sci-fi dystopia about what happens when something that seems world ending doesn’t actually end the world. I knew nothing about it when I picked it up, but I’m so glad I did. I finished it in one sitting. The pacing, the worldbuilding, the narrative structure, all of it felt both familiar, but new and engaging. I think this is a great story for those who love speculative fiction but want something that doesn’t rely on physical violence to communicate the dystopian nature of the world. I now count this in my top ten favorite graphic novels! 

—Mara Franzen

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a notoriously difficult process. In this novel inspired by the Jacksons’ own experiences, Joanne and her husband Conrad embark on an IVF journey after she receives an endometriosis diagnosis that makes it unlikely she’ll get pregnant without assistance. The book reveals the brutal, painful process, from its rushes of hopes followed by deep disappointments, to its financial pressures, to the unequal emotional and physical weight that lands on the person who will be carrying a child. Their marriage almost breaks under the strain. Two-Week Wait, illustrated in muted blues and peaches, is a fantastic and honest depiction of what it’s like to try and have a child.

—Leah Rachel von Essen

Clara is really trying her best, even if her friends think she could be trying harder. That’s the trap of depression: you can do everything to maintain your life, keep working, going through the motions, but the bottom still falls out. I related so deeply to Clara’s difficulties talking to her friends about what she was going through, but ultimately pulling away from them because she felt like she was bumming them out. Their advice to find a therapist and take time off isn’t necessarily wrong, but Clara just has too much going on to stop everything. Clara is also a writer with no time to write because her part-time job keeps creeping into her off-hours, which is such a relatable experience for young, flexibly employed people who have to make ends meet. The pages of Clara sitting in bed, researching how to deal, are particularly evocative. 

—Julia Rittenberg

Pre-pandemic I couldn’t really tell you what manga exactly was. Now I love it, thanks to starting this series. It’s hilarious in this ridiculous and smart way where a former yakuza has turned his back on gang life and instead is now a househusband. But can you really turn your back on your previous way of life? In Tatsu’s case he brings all the intensity he used and puts it into grocery shopping, house cleaning, and helping his wife. 

—Jamie Canavés

I love this new superhero coming out of DC. I’ve been looking for a superhero to adore after Squirrel Girl ended and this fits the bill. Willow Zimmerman, AKA Whistle, is a young Jewish woman who wants to change the world. She works at an animal shelter and she’s befriended a stray Great Dane named Lebowitz. But her mother is sick with cancer and their health insurance (or lack thereof) isn’t cutting it. Willow gets a lucrative job helping to arrange underground poker games but soon realizes that there’s more to the gatherings and the people she works for than meets the eye. After an unexpected encounter, she discovers she has superpowers along with her sidekick The Hound, and tries to use her newfound powers to save her neighborhood. I can’t wait for y’all to read this and more adventures in Whistle’s world.

—Elisa Shoenberger

This slim comic is a riot of color and whimsy, about a small-time punk band on the move in ‘80s England. The aesthetic is sort of like Edgar Wright meets Tim Burton meets Jim Henson meets Lisa Frank…in a good way. After reading the digital version, I saved one page as my phone wallpaper, and printed another page to pin to the wall. These panels are instant mood-brighteners.

—Christine Ro