As a follow up to my recommendations for All Age Comics I’ve compiled a list of comics that should appeal to Young Adults. I hope that parents and librarians will add some of these items to their bookshelf and spark a lifelong love of reading in the lives of young people.
Comics For Young Adults
Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley has charmed multiple generations of young adults. The series follows Scott Pilgrim’s quest to win the heart of the mysterious Ramona Flowers by defeating her seven evil exes! The series has been rereleased in three full-color omnibus editions, perfect for any new reader. If you can’t get enough of the comics then you can also enjoy the cult-favorite film by Edgar Wright and the upcoming anime adaptation by Science Saru.
Barbarous is a webcomic by creative couple, Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Ota. Fans of Rumiko Takahashi will enjoy Barbarous’s neo-manga aesthetic. The webcomic is about the unlikely relationship between Percy, a wizard school dropout, and Leeds, a monstrous familiar. The best part about its being a webcomic is that Barbarous is free to read online. For those who prefer physical copies, chapters are available in the online store.
I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly and Ken NiiMura is the bittersweet story of a young girl struggling to conquer monsters both real and imagined as her carefully constructed world crumbles at the feet of giants bigger than any one child can handle. It’s the rare comic book story that tackles heavy subject matter with creativity and imagination. I Kill Giants is sure to bring some comfort and inspiration to any teen who’s struggling to face problems that are too big to solve alone.
Djeliya: A West African Fantasy Epic by Juni Ba follows Prince Monsour and his royal storyteller Awa as they journey to the mysterious tower guarded by the wizard Soumaoro. Juni Ba takes the best visual elements of 2000s era Cartoon Network shows, Manga, and Franco-Belgian comics and weaves them into something totally new. There’s bombastic action, mythological monsters, cartoony humor, creative paneling, and thought-provoking ideas.
Giantess by J.C. Denevey and Nuria Tamarit is about a giant baby girl who is found in a forest and adopted by a local village family. Once she grows to become an even bigger giant, the girl must learn to navigate a world of prejudice and frightened hostility to truly become herself.
Persephone by Loic Locatelli-Kournwsky is a Miyazaki-inspired update on the Greek Myth. Loic makes creative use of vintage fashion and vehicles to give this urban fantasy an “out of time” quality. In this tale, Persephone is a sorceress’s daughter who searches for the truth about her identity, leading her on a journey deep into the Underworld.
Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City by Sarah Soh is a unique blend of manga, fantasy, and cyberpunk aesthetics. Juniper Mae must embody the bravery of the legendary Guardian Knights to save her city of Tykotech from a sinister force. Cute characters and thrilling action make Juniper Mae perfect for fans of Steven Universe.
Junkwraith by Ellinor Richey asks the question what if our abandoned possessions became possessed? When ice-skating prodigy, Florence Sato, is overwhelmed by pressure and throws away her skates– she accidentally summons a junkwraith. Now Florence must set off (with her trusty digital assistant, Frank) on a long journey into the Wastelands to put to rest the monster she created.
Skip by Molly Mendoza takes readers to a colorful, unpredictable post-apocalyptic world about two unlikely friends, Bloom and Gloopy. Gloopy is running toward adventure, and away from their home and friends who don’t understand their creative talent. Bloom is desperately trying to return home to their lake, and avoid the terrible violence of the city. Instead, both Bloom and Gloopy find what they need in each other, and bravely return home to challenge their fears and create beauty in their own worlds.
Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh follows Aiza, a young girl who’s always dreamt of becoming a Knight. As a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Now Aiza must hide her Ornu background to enlist in the the competitive Squire training program.
Klaus by Grant Morrison and Dan Mora is a fantastic retelling of Santa Claus’s origin in an epic Lord of the Rings-sized world. The Klaus series represents Morrison and Mora at their creative best. Morrison is known for using strange pop-culture characters to tell personal stories on a mythological scale. Mora’s art is both fresh and classic at once. Mora’s drawing embraces the beauty of nature and the human form in contrast to the brutality of human fears and vices. Psychedelic, whimsical, and adventurous, Klaus is the kind of comic that never loses its wonder or its edge.
Wynd by In a world where magical heritage is punishable by death, a young boy named Wynd must hide his true identity – and pointy ears – from everyone in Pipetown, even if it means he’ll never have the normal life he wants. But when his secret is threatened, Wynd is forced to leave his home behind to embark on a dangerous quest that will put him at the heart of a royal conspiracy beyond imagination.
Lumberjanes by At Miss Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, things are not what they seem. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together…and they’re not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way!
Teen Titans: Raven by
Middlewest: The Complete Tale by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona is a masterclass on how to create impactful comics that can speak to readers of any age. The atmospheric pacing and creative character designs make Middlewest’s emotional story a wonder to read. When a violent storm levels his sleepy Middlewest town, Abel and his childhood companion, Fox, must hastily flee into a world of mystical carnies and soothsayer hobos, bridge trolls and wilderness spirits, endless forests and forgotten children.
As a follow up to my recommendations for All Age Comics I’ve compiled a list of comics that should appealCOMICONRead More