18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (2024)

Portrait of a Body by Julie Delporte, translated by Helge Dascherand Karen Houle

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (1)

In Portrait of a Body, Julie Delporte examines her life experiences and trauma in an attempt to answer the haunting questions she has about her gender and sexuality. The book focuses on the journey inward to heal oneself and live more authentically.

Portrait of a Bodyis out now.

Julie Delporteis a comic creator and poet based in Montreal. Her other books includeThis Woman's Work,Everywhere AntennasandJournal.

Helge Dascheris a frequent translator of comic books. She's also translated many ofGuy Delisle's titles,Ayaby Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie,WhiteRapidsby Pascal Blanchet andPaul Goes Fishingby MichelRabagliati.

Karen Houle used to be a Professor of Philosophy but now she is a full-time Earth worker-activist and a sometimes translator.

Avengers: Twilight #1 by Chip Zdarsky

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (2)

Avengers: Twilight takes placeinthe far-flung future where the Avengers are no more and SHIELD is an authoritarianmilitary group that restricts the rights and personal liberties of citizens.Steve Rogers, now anelderly man without the super-soldier serum in his veins, jumps back into action and puts a new teamtogether to set things right.

Avengers: Twilightis out now.

  • Chip Zdarsky on the life of a comic book writer and why everyone loves Spider-Man

Chip Zdarsky is an Eisner Award-winning comic book creator from Toronto. He's contributed to series like Howard the Duck, Jughead and Spider-Man, and co-created comics like Kaptara, Sex Criminals,Afterlift,Jughead, Howard the Duck,Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-ManandDaredevil.

I'm So Glad We Got this Time Together by Maurice Vellekoop

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (3)

I'm So Glad We Had This Time Togetherdepictshisintense childhood and difficult young adulthood as a gay person in a strict Christian household. Set in Toronto in the 1970s,Vellekoop begins to see his relationships with his mother and father fracture. As he ventures out on his own, he explores his passion for art. He's set on finding romance and is met with violent attacks and the anxiety surrounding the AIDS era.I'm So Glad We Had This Time Togethershows an artist's personal journey to self-love and acceptance.

I'm So Glad We Had This Time Togetheris out now.

Vellekoop is a Toronto-born writer and artist. He has been an illustrator for the past three decades, for companies includingAir Canada and Bush Irish Whiskey. He is also the author ofA Nut at the Opera.

Degrees of Separation by Alison McCreesh

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (4)

Degrees of Separation blends stories, drawings and sketches that chronicle Alison McCreesh'sdecade spent living in the North. Frombeing stranded in the High Arctic to raising a baby in a small shack with no running water, the book is a coming-of-age story that recounts the challenges and joys of life living and working north of the 60th parallel.

Degrees of Separationis out now.

McCreeshis an artist who currently lives in Yellowknife. She has travelled around the Arctic and sub-Arctic and the theme of contemporary day-to-day life in the North carries through her creative work.

Gleem by Freddy Carrasco

Gleem is a collection of three interconnected Afrofuturist stories that channel a rebellious cyberpunk attitude. Freddy Carrasco uses the stories and artwork to reflect a near future that examines modern social realities.

When you can read it:Apr. 9, 2024

Freddy Carrasco is a Dominican-bornmulti-disciplinary artist from Toronto.

Botanica Drama by Thom

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (6)

What happens when the sun has had enough? That's the premise of Thom's latest book Botanica Drama. After taking a beating the night before, the Sun is fed up and decides not to rise. As the earth is plunged into darkness,Philomène, Death and their friends face a harsh winter and horrifying creatures from the shadows as they wonder if the sun will ever rise again.

When you can read it:Apr. 9, 2024

Thom is an illustratorand comic creator from Montreal. His other books are Casa Rodeo and VII.

Food School by Jade Armstrong

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (7)

In an attempt to recover from aneating disorder, college dropoutOlive is placed in an outpatient program they call "Food School." Intensely focused on getting better, Olive confronts their self-destructive behaviour and struggles with the intricacies of modern mental health care.

When you can read it:Apr. 15, 2024

Jade Armstrong is a non-binary cartoonist from Almonte, Ont. Their debut graphic novel was Scout Is Not a Band Kid was a finalistfor the Egghead Awardfor the best kids' bookat Doug Wright Awards in 2023.

Vera Bushwack by Sig Burwash

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (8)

Vera Bushwack is Drew's unflinching alter-ego — and when Vera takes charge things get done. When Drew needs to clear the land for their cabin in the woods, Vera rides in on horseback with a chainsaw in hand ready to get down to business.This comedic story uses watercolours and pencil drawings to explore themes of joy, grief and self-acceptance.

When you can read it:Apr. 16, 2024

Sig Burwash is a visual artist and comic creator originally from Rossland, B.C.

Shout Kill Revel by Jarret Hartnell

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (9)

In this fantasy Western, a ruthless cult called the Undrowned Order rules the land as they enact their evil plans. They believe thatHelmina is their messiah who will unleash unspeakablehorror upon the earth.After a lifetime of wrestling with her cosmic affliction,Helmina decides to take her destiny into her own hands.

When you can read it:April17, 2024

Jarret Hartnellis a comic writer and artist based in Calgary. Shout Kill Revel is his debut graphic novel.

So Long Sad Love by Mirion Malle, translated by Aleshia Jensen

In So Long Sad LoveCleo is hurt to find out her boyfriendmay not be the man she thought he was and she doesn't know if she can trust him moving forward. As the life they built togethercomes apart at the seams, Cleo rediscovers her identity as an artist and explores romantic relationships with other women.

When you can read it:Apr. 30, 2023

Mirion Malle is a French cartoonist and illustrator who lives in Montreal. She has published three books.The League of Super Feministsis her first book translated into English and was nominated for the 2020 Prix Jeunesse at the Angoulême International Comics Festival.Her bookThis is How I Disappear was a finalist forthe 2022 Governor General's Literary Award for French-to-English translation.

Aleshia Jensen is a French-to-English literary translator and former bookseller. Her translations includeExplosions, written by Mathieu Poulin, which was a finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for translation. Jensen lives in Montreal.

Hero-Man by Zach Schuster and Lyndon Radchenka

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (11)

When Citiesville's local costumedcrime fighter Hero-Man uncovers a plot by the Mayor, he'll need to enlist the help of Kid-Lad, Hero-Lass and the residents of Citiesvilleto overcome his toughest challenge — himself.

When you can read it:May1, 2024

Lyndon Radchenka is a writer and award-winning letterer from Winnipeg.

Zach Schusteris a Calgary-based comic creator and boardgame artist.

Cheryl by Jillian Fleck

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (12)

Cheryl is about to embark on a journey of self-discovery after recently coming out as a lesbian. As she struggles toshake the internalized hom*ophobia and recover from childhood trauma, Cheryl falls deeper and deeper down a toxic New Age wellness rabbit hole. Now she has to look inward for the answers about what's really going on with her and how to fix it.

When you can read it:May 7, 2024

Jillian Fleck is a multidisciplinary artist and comic creatorfrom Calgary. Their work has been featured in various anthologies and publications. Their previous graphic novel isLake Jehovah.

The Jellyfish by Boum, translated by Robin Lang andHelge Dascher

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (13)

The Jellyfish follows a twenty-something named Odetteliving a normal life until one day theybegin being haunted by a jellyfish floating in their eye. It's just a minor annoyance until the jellyfish starts to multiply. Boumusesstunning and inventive artwork in a powerful story about facing the thing we fear most.

When you can read it:May8, 2024

Samantha Leriche-Gionet,also known as Boum,is an illustrator, animator and comic creator from Montreal.

Helge Dascheris a frequent translator of comic books. She's also translated many ofGuy Delisle's titles,Ayaby Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie,WhiteRapidsby Pascal Blanchet andPaul Goes Fishingby MichelRabagliati.

Robin Lang has been co-translating graphic novels for Pow Pow Press with Helge Dascher since 2017. They have worked together on several titles, includingLonely Boysby Sophie Bédard, which won the 2021 Doug Wright Award for best book. Robin runs a cut-flower farm in the Eastern Townships during the growing season and translates from French to English in the winter.

Quid Pro Crow by Bill Slavin

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (14)

A century into the future in a climate-ravaged world,Mordecai Crow is searching for his long lost family in Quid Pro Crow. Crow and his friend Poddend up in enemy territory where they are in constant fear of an attack. The duo try to unlock the mysteries of newly discovered old tech and find Crow's family once and for all.

When you can read it:May17, 2024

Bill Slavin is an illustrator originally from Belleville, Ont. His graphic novels include the Elephants Never Forget trilogy and the Mordecai Crow trilogy. His illustration work also includes Tim Beiser's children's bookThere, ThereandPaulette Bourgeois's bookToo Many Chickens!as well as a number of other children's books.

Just Happy to See You by Shea Proulx

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (15)

Just Happy to See Youcombines autobiographical sequential art andbizarre comedy into a psychedelic visual narrative.

When you can read it:May24, 2024

Shea Proulx is a comic creator and painter from Calgary. She is the author of Alice at Naptime and ABC Monstrosity.

Indiginerds by Alina Pete

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (16)

This graphic novel anthology celebrates modernIndigenous storytelling.Featuring an all-Indigenous creative team, Indiginerdsis a collection ofstories about Indigenous people balancing traditional ways of knowing with modern pop culture.It includes writing fromAlina Pete, PJ Underwood, Kameron White, Rhael McGregorand more.

  • Self-proclaimed 'Indigenerds' claim space in streaming, sci-fi and table top role-playing games

When you can read it:May24, 2024

Alina Pete is a nehiyaw artist and writer from Little Pine First Nation in western Saskatchewan.

A Witch's Guide to Burning by Aminder Dhaliwal

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (17)

Life as a witch can be tough. With the town relying on her magicfor success, the demands keep coming in. But when a witchoutlives her usefulness she is burned at the stake, taking her memories and her magic. When she is left half-burned because of a rainstorm, it's up to a witch doctor and her toad friend to help her get her magic back before it's lostforever.Viral comic creator Aminder Dhaliwaluses prose, illustrations and comics tocrafta humourous allegory for burnout in A Witch's Guide to Burning.

When you can read it:May28, 2024

  • In her latest graphic novel, Aminder Dhaliwal uses cyclopes as a metaphor for racism

Dhaliwal is a comic writer and television animatororiginally from Brampton, Ont. Now based in Los Angeles, Dhaliwalis a director at Disney TV Animation. Her comic seriesWoman World, originally published on Instagram to hundreds of thousands of followers,was released as a graphic novelin 2018.CBC Books namedDhaliwalawriter to watch in 2019.

Special Topics In Being a Parent by S. Bear Bergman

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (18)

Special Topics in Being a Parentis the follow-up toSpecial Topics in Being Human. It is a queer guide to things the author has learned the hard way about parenting. The book offers parenting advice andwisdom, all filtered through a queer lens, to help readers navigate some of the complexities of raising children.

When you can read it:July 30, 2024

  • Transgender activist publishes kids books with positive stories of LGBTQ families

S. Bear Bergman is an author, educator and public speaker. He has documented his experience as a trans parent and writes the advice column "Asking Bear." He is also the founder and publisher of the book press Flamingo Rampant. Bergman is one of the readers for the 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize.

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books (2024)

FAQs

18 Canadian comics and graphic novels to check out in spring 2024 | CBC Books? ›

Graphic novels are widely accepted by youth librarians and teachers as books worth reading by kids of all ages and reading levels.

What age group is graphic novel appropriate for? ›

Graphic novels are widely accepted by youth librarians and teachers as books worth reading by kids of all ages and reading levels.

Are graphic novels worth collecting? ›

Comic books can be a great alternative asset to add to your investment portfolio. It's important to diversify your investments – you want to have a variety of things that you've invested into. Comic books often increase in value, with some of the rarest comics experiencing a huge spike in their value.

What was the first graphic novel in the United States? ›

History. As the exact definition of the graphic novel is debated, the origins of the form are open to interpretation. The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck is the oldest recognized American example of comics used to this end. It originated as the 1828 publication Histoire de Mr.

Are graphic novels and comic books okay for my kid to read? ›

Graphic novels are a good choice for struggling readers. They have less text than traditional books, which makes them less overwhelming. When kids have trouble with reading, chances are they're not thrilled when it comes time to sit down with a book. Traditional books can be hard to get through.

What is rated T+? ›

T+ – TEEN PLUS – Appropriate for readers age 15 and older. May contain moderate violence, mild profanity, graphic imagery and/or suggestive themes. M – MATURE – Appropriate for readers age 17 and older.

What age is middle grade for? ›

Middle grade is exactly what it says on the tin. The target age range of the audience for such books would be readers aged 8-12 (3rd grade to 6th grade in the US school system, hence 'middle grade'.

How do I tell if my comic books are worth anything? ›

The best way to find out what comic books are worth is to look at what people are paying for them. Heritage Auction archives show actual prices paid in our auctions for many outstanding comic books and pieces of comic art.

What is the difference between a graphic novel and a graphic book? ›

Comic Books: are serialized stories, mostly short in length and the stories they contain can continue over months and sometimes years. Graphic Novels: Tend to be much longer than comic books, and also usually have their story lines wrapped up in one or two books.

Does reading graphic novels count as reading? ›

Graphic novels and manga do not count as books.” While every grown-up may have differing views of whether or not graphic novels and manga (a type of graphic novel) aid in reading comprehension, there are a lot of statistics, educators, and librarians who say that graphic novels do improve literacy in young people.

What was the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize? ›

Critics have classified Maus as memoir, biography, history, fiction, autobiography, or a mix of genres. In 1992 it became the first graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Who is the father of graphic novels? ›

HIS NAME IS WILL EISNER. MANY PEOPLE CALL HIM THE FATHER OF THE GRAPHIC NOVEL.

What demographic reads graphic novels? ›

YA readers aged thirteen to fourteen are particularly likely to enjoy YA graphic novels. Comics/manga/graphic novels consistently rank as one of the top genres kids read for fun, often outranking other popular genres such as middle grade and young adult novels and books with favorite characters or movie tie-ins.

Are graphic novels appropriate for the classroom? ›

They not only motivate students to read, they support learning in your classroom and help your students develop the skills they need to read and comprehend even more challenging works of literature. Shop the best graphic novels for your classroom library below!

What is the age range for comic books? ›

The Marvel Rating System assigns each comic book one of the following ratings: ALL AGES – Appropriate for all ages. A – Appropriate for age 9 and up. T – Appropriate for most readers 13 and up, but parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.

What is the age range for picture books? ›

Picture Books (4-8 Years Old)

Picture books are for children aged 4-8 years old, but some of these books are suitable for children up to 10 years old as well. Younger readers will most likely have a parent read the story to them. Older readers will likely read these books on their own.

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