Best graphic novels of 2017
Longer-form stories told with a combination of art and words remain popular among readers. Several outstanding graphic novels were released in 2017.
From B-movie monster-inspired mysteries to true crime tales to alien explorations, this year’s graphic novels provided variety, punch and style.
The following are my picks for the 10 best graphic novels of 2017.
‘My Favorite Thing is
Monsters’: Two comingof-age stories intertwine in this graphic novel told as a diary of a 10-yearold in 1968 Chicago. Drawn in ballpoint pen on lined notebook paper, “My Favorite Thing is Monsters” is a challenging, devastating tale that could perhaps only be fully realized in comics. In Emil Ferris’ debut graphic novel, Karen Reyes is a young B-movie junkie who imagines herself as a monster detective.
‘The Best We Could Do’: Thi Bui’s autobiographical novel follows her family’s travels immigrating from Vietnam to America. Bui explores becoming a parent while seeking understanding of her own parents’ experiences coming to America. She also recounts her family’s harrowing journey after the fall of South Vietnam with immersive art.
‘The Customer is Always
Wrong’: Mimi Pond returns for a second graphic novel about Madge’s journey as an artist in 1970s Oakland while working as a waitress.
‘everyone’s a aliebn when
ur a aliebn too’: Jonny Sun’s illustrated story is a sweet, cute tale of an alien observing life on earth.
‘Boundless’: Jillian Tamaki’s collection of stories includes the story of Jenny, who becomes engrossed in an alternate version of herself transmitted via social media.
‘Going Into Town: A Love
Letter to New York’: Writer/ artist Roz Chast follows up “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant” with this guide of sorts to New York City. ‘Tenements, Towers & Trash: An Unconventional Illustrated History of New York City’: Sort of an underground guidebook to New York City, “Tenements” shares the secret stories of New York. The meticulously researched histories are an interesting counterpoint read to Chast’s perhaps more personal book. Julia Wertz, writer/ artist, has provided hilarious insights, along with nostalgic tales and tidbits.
‘The Hunting Accident’: Graphic novelists David L. Carlson, writer and Landis Blair, artist, have crafted a beautiful and intriguing true-crime saga in “The Hunting Accident,” which follows the story of Matt Rizzo, a would-be gangster blinded in a stickup who becomes intertwined in the famed Leopold and Loeb saga.
‘Hostage’: Guy Delisle shares the account of Christopher Andre’s experience as a hostage in Chechnya.
‘Everything is Flammable’: Gabrielle Bell’s graphic memoir sees her return to her rural Northern California hometown after her mother’s home is lost in a fire.