20 of the best graphic novels to add to your wish-list

When a new acolyte desperate to speak with the divine spirit she worships accidentally reignites a cosmic war, the fate of her gods - and of her world - now lies in her inexperienced hands.

A cult crime FBI agent and a woman with a past linked to the Satanic Panic are drawn into a terrifying hunt for a killer hiding in the shadows of the underworld. This graphic novel asks the question: can you ever escape your past, or will your bad decisions just haunt you wherever you go?

Rose delights in escaping to an imaginary world of her own making, where her fluffy companions feel as real as the dangers lurking in its dark corners. But in one night, the barrier between fantasy and reality shatters, and Rose is drawn into a chilling tale that has been unfolding long before she was born.

An Amazon bestseller for a reason. The Complete Persepolis is a graphic memoir by Marjane Satripi, on growing up as a girl in Tehran, Iran during the revolution.

It covers the trials and tribulations of growing up in a country plagued by politics and, in the end, her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. A must-read.

Didn't I just tell you that not all graphic novels are superhero centred? Although, in a way, Barrie Arliss really is a superhero.

Following Barrie's very raw experience with infertility, we're taken on a journey through the common battles and struggles many women today face, from dealing with argumentative insurance companies to counting on her not-so-understanding friends to comfort her when she needs them the most.

Released in 2022 and noted as an "artefact of the historic year," this award-winning graphic novel revisits a time we all lived through, focusing on the impact of COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd.

It's told through the lens of a very normal family (names and ages unspecified), who are charged with confusion and fear over what's happening in the world. Something we can all greatly relate to.

Equally as good as the hit TV show, this artistic adaptation is said to bring "the terrifying reality of Gilead to life like never before."

Think the iconic reds of the Handmaids, the blue of the Wives, the looming Gileadean Eye and more, which has been adapted into a film, an opera, a ballet, a multi-award-winning TV series, and now, a groundbreaking graphic novel with artwork by Renée Nault.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll know that Japanese contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama, has been the talk of the town in recent years with her immersive exhibitions and eclectic choice in shapes and colours. Making this graphic biography high on our must-read list.

Detailing her bold departure from Japan as a young artist, her adventures in 1960s New York art scene, and her eventual return home and rise to twenty-first-century super-fame, here's a graphic novel with a difference.

Did you know that Netflix's Heartstopper was actually inspired by Alice Oseman's best-selling graphic novel series? Of course you did!

Charlie and Nick are at the same school, but they’ve never met…until one day when they’re made to sit together, and everything changes. Plus, the cast look so similar to their on-page versions.

A a love story between a vampire and werewolf, Sarah Andersen's Fangs is a romantic graphic novel flooded with relatable relationship humour and gorgeous gothic illustrations.

Said to have all the makings of a cult classic, it's described by reviewers as "beautiful and wholesome," and "a little work of art." It's not hard to see why!

From the same author as the previously mentioned Persepolis comes Embroideries — a humorous and entertaining look at the sex lives of Iranian women.

Bringing together generations of women in Marjane's family for an afternoon of tea-drinking and talk, things, naturally, turn to love, sex and men. Sounds like the recipe for a good time, am I right?

If you hadn't already gathered, this is a charming story about a pair of teens who fall in love, and, well, steal. Waking up from a party the night before, Ella tries to piece together why she's found herself nestled in amongst a range of objects that aren't her own.

But at the same time, she can't stop thinking about Maddy — to whom she has a huge crush on.

Howard, just like the generations before him, sells ice cream from his van in the small seaside town of Dobbiston. But trade hasn't been great as of late, and there's a reason — his half brother, Tony Augustus.

This graphic novel watches how this battle between brothers plays out, and sees Howard overcome every obstacle in his way. "A truly great little graphic novel."

It was only right we included one of the scariest animations in graphic novel form, right? Adapted from Neil Gaiman's best-selling book, Coraline is about a young girl who finds something strange about her new home.

She soon discovers that there's actually another house within the walls of her new home, with another version of both her mother and father, but this time they have black-button eyes and papery skin.

Paper Girls is, unsurprisingly, about a group of four girls who work delivering newspapers, when one morning everything changes — they bump into a gang of futuristic teenagers.

As a result, adventure awaits (in the form of time travel). Did I mention it's been likened to Stranger Things?

Beautifully illustrated and a childhood favourite, The Secret Garden takes us on an adventure with 10-year-old, Mary Lennox, as she navigates her way through a secluded estate on the Yorkshire moors.

During her time there, she hears rumours of a lost garden, as well as a mysterious midnight wail that echoes at night.

A relatable graphic novel with lovely illustrations and a strong sense of friendship, this adorable number is the first of a series, intended to draw compassion for those who live with anxiety, and feel as though they don't belong.

"When one sad ghost, alone at a crowded party, spies another sad ghost across the room, they decide to leave together. What happens next changes everything."

Not your typical graphic novel, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari tells the story of humankind's creation and evolution. Challenging us to reconsider accepted beliefs, and connect the dots between past developments and contemporary concerns, this book will no-doubt give you something to think about.