This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo

Another winner by Anta and Salcedo! Truly, a great and inspiring superhero origin story that readers will have no problem identifying with the characters and being engrossed in the comic’s thought-provoking, inspiring storytelling. A must-read when it comes out in the Fall!

Petrol Head Vol. 1 by Rob Williams and Pye Parr

In a climate crisis-ravaged future metropolis, an old, grumpy, obsolete, smoke-belching, cigar-chomping, HOTROD-RACING ROBOT is one 12-year-old girl’s only hope. Together, can they outrace the chasing Robo-Cops with an invention that might just save humanity? (Credit: Image Comics)

Scrapper by Alex De Campi and Cliff Bleszinski 

Scrapper is a good dog, adopted by good people. Sure, he spends his nights patrolling his post-apocalyptic metropolis with his buddy Tank, protecting its citizens from the city’s totalitarian overlords, but everyone needs a hobby, right? When a catastrophe sends Scrapper’s world spiraling out of control, he will need to rally the city’s critters — strays and undesirables — to save both themselves and the humans all around them. (Credit: Image Comics)

Nights Vol. 1 by Wyatt Kennedy and illustrated by Luigi Formisano

It’s 2003, supernatural creatures casually exist amongst humans, and America is made up of 31 states.

Vince Okonma was an ordinary teenager, living in an ordinary town, with an ordinary life. Until an encounter with a mysterious vampire girl changed everything. Now, the supernatural monsters, his hitman cousin, and a video game-making ghost are the least of his problems. And besides possibly preventing the apocalypse and the shadowy government hounding him, he’s still gotta work through the biggest challenge of them all. (Credit: Image Comics)

Lavender Clouds: Comics about Neurodivergence and Mental Health by Bex Ollerton

Breathtaking in its artistic range and emotional truth, Lavender Clouds offers an enlightening and uplifting read for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, burnout, or other issues related to mental health. (Credit: Andrew McMeel Publishing)

Kill Your Darlings by Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan and Bob Quinn

Narnia meets Hereditary in this compelling and emotional dark fantasy adventure.

Rose loves nothing more than to play pretend in a magical land of her own creation. To her, that world is as real as our own–from her fluffy friends to the terrible evil that lurks at the center of it all. In one night, the line between fantasy and reality will disappear, an ancient hunger will feed again, and Rose will be pulled into a gruesome saga that began centuries before her birth. (Credit: Image Comics)

A Haunted Girl by Ethan and Naomi Sacks and illustrated by Marco Lorenzana

The fate of all life on Earth depends on a girl who doesn’t know if she wants to live. Cleo, a 16-year-old adopted Japanese-American whose anxiety and depression drives her to suicidal thoughts, is fresh out of the hospital and trying unsuccessfully to reintegrate back into her old life. What she doesn’t know is that her real struggles are just beginning as she finds herself encountering an increasingly terrifying succession of ghosts. Is she losing her grip on reality…or is the explanation much, much worse. (Credit: Image Comics)

Safe Passage by G. Neri and illustrated by David Brame

Safe Passage is a deeply impactful and moving book that highlights current events that even I didn’t even know about. You will feel emotionally connected with the story and its characters. The rules that Darius and Cissy have to abide, the lengths that not only for the parents, but the neighborhood will go to protect the children.

Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic by Sangu Mandanna and illustrated by Pablo Ballesteros

Author of the bestselling Kiki Kallira series releases a graphic novel debut that is filled with courage, inclusivity and heart like her previous children books. This is a perfect read for fans of the fantasy genre and the Harry Potter series.

Karate Prom by Kyle Starks

Imagine finding romance with the first karate chop? That’s the story of high schoolers Don and Sam. Their romantic escapade and comedic journey will make you thankful your prom was nothing like theirs. Yet, the trials they endure for love will not just punch but profoundly touch your heart.

The Cull by Kelly Thomspon and illustrated by Mattia de Lulis

Another graphic novel that I was immensely surprised by this year! Think Stranger Things meets Stand By Me, this is a gripping and suspenseful tale of alternate worlds but with an exploration of the darker side of human nature. And the artwork is amazing!

The Deviant Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV and illustrated by Joshua Hixson

As snow falls over Milwaukee in 1972, a blood-stained Santa Claus commits unimaginable atrocities against young men. Fifty years later, a troubled young writer interviews this so-called “Deviant Killer,” who still maintains his innocence from behind bars. And as Christmas approaches once again, the past returns, wielding a sharpened ax. (Credit: Image Comics)