Graphic Novel

Animal Pound (Issues #1-#5) / Tom King, Peter Gross (Illustrator)

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Animal Pound (Issues #1-#5)
By: Tom King, Peter Gross (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Dystopia
Number of Pages: 176
Published: November 18, 2025
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Dates Read: May 6, 2026 - May 6, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9798892155724

When the animals at the pound have decided they’ve had enough, they join together against anyone who walks on two legs. But with this newfound freedom comes the challenge on how best to lead everyone. When the groups work together will their efforts be enough to be fair for everyone?

This kept my attention for about ¾ of it and then I ended up skimming the ending. The artwork was great – a bit dark, a bit creepy/off putting, but in an interesting way, made the animals more realistic that’s for sure.

Obviously I hated Piggy and his Trump-like actions.

Overall, an interesting retelling of Animal Farm but with animals and a little more connection with modern times.

News From the Fallout (Issues #1-#6) / Chris Condon, Jeffrey Alan Love (Artist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)

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News from the Fallout (Issues #1-#6)
By: Chris Condon, Jeffrey Alan Love (Artist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror
Number of Pages: 200
Published: March 31, 2026
Publisher: Image Comics
Dates Read: April 27, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781534335745

In 1962, Nevada’s nuclear bomb test goes horribly wrong at the Army Base and it releases a contaminate that turns humans into zombies. Otis Fallows is the only person who was there and survived but is now on the hunt to find somewhere safe – if that even exists anymore.

You know “silent” graphic novels where there’s little to no dialog? This one is like that, except it’s a darkened scene – barely any details and lots of shadows/silhouettes, plenty of dialog. It did make it a little hard to keep track of who was who, but anyone important was a bit easier to distinguish.

Overall, I totally felt the despair of the novel, but wished there was a little more to it. I kept getting lost in the illustrations (or kind of lack thereof) and though I appreciate the alternative / dystopian history, there could have been a bit more.

*Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for a digital copies of this book in exchange for an honest review

Skating Wilder / Brandon Dumais, AJ Dungo

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Skating Wilder
By: Brandon Dumais, AJ Dungo
Genre: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, YA
Number of Pages: 264
Published: March 3, 2026
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781913123208

No one can tell you who exactly invented skateboarding, but generations of skaters have been rolling on four wheels. In Skating Wilder, Brandon Davis and AJ Dungo reminisce over their own best (and worst) skateboarding memories as well as going through skateboarding history – from the first boards to handmade zines, the VHS heydays and video game era, they go through it all.

This was such a fun read, especially for someone who has been kind of on the outskirts of the skating community for years. I’ve watched a lot of skating videos, both past and current releases, so it was fun to see and read about the build up for VHS tapes and such.

The artwork throughout the novel has a distinct skateboard-style feel to it with orange tones being for memories or a dive into history, purple tones are for present day, and black and white are for demonstrations for simple skateboarding tricks. 

Overall, this part memoir, part history, part love letter to skateboarding culture graphic novel will capture the attention of anyone who has ever been impressed by those who can get around on the four wheeled piece of wood.

The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne / Sonya Ballantyne, Azby Whitecalf (Colorist), Kielamel Sibal (Letterer), Rhael McGregor (Illustrator)

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The Unbeatable Sonya Ballantyne
By: Sonya Ballantyne, Azby Whitecalf (Colorist), Kielamel Sibal (Letterer), Rhael McGregor (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA, Memoir
Number of Pages: 64
Published: March 10, 2026
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781774921371

Trigger Warnings: racism, bullying, misogyny, self harm

In this short graphic memoir author Sonya Ballantyne bounces from stories at different points in her childhood. From dealing with racism, bullies, and misogyny, Ballantyne’s family is with her along the way, sometimes bringing humor.

The artwork was bright and colorful. Even though the story was a little choppy, everything was still easily digestible, even the harder events like racism, bullying, misogyny, and self harm.

Little Moons / Jen Storm, Ryan Howe (Illustrator),  Alice RL (Colorist), Nickolej Villiger (Letterer)

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Little Moons
By: Jen Storm, Ryan Howe (Illustrator), Alice RL (Colorist), Nickolej Villiger (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 64
Published: September 3, 2024
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781774921074

It’s been a year since Reanna’s older sister, Chelsea, went missing on her way home from school. Without any idea what happened, Reanna and her family struggle to find closure. Because of the memories, Reanna’s mom moves to the city, leaving behind Reanna and her little brother to go live with their dad.

Reanna is hurt and feels alone, but she’s anything but that; light turns on in empty rooms and objects move without being touched and her brother sees little moons everywhere.

This short graphic novel tackles the heart wrenching topic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People in Canada and how one family handles their grief of a loved one gone. I truly appreciate how the author also incorporates cultural forms of mourning from her own Ojibwe traditions.

I wish it went into a little more about the little moons, but overall, I still thought this was a powerful read.

From the Roots Up (Surviving the City #2) / Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

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From the Roots Up (Surviving the City #2)
By: Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 64
Published: October 17, 2020
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781553798989

In the sequel to Surviving the City, Dez’s grandmother has passed away and they are now living in a group home. On top of their grief, Dez is also navigating a new relationship and their identity as a Two-Spirit person.

Miikwan is crushing on the new student, Riel, but doesn’t fully understand what Dez is going through. Elder Linda is trying her hardest to be supportive, but doesn’t know how to respond to challenging the gendered protocols she’s grown up with.

I am so glad this goes into Two-Spirit individuals and how they can sometimes be treated in the Indigenous Community. I knew in certain ways, Two-Spirit individuals were usually regarded highly because they were connected to both genders, but I had never thought about what they do during specific gender role ceremonies.

I believe the author did a fantastic job to where she not only teaches the reader, but does so in a way that is relatable to the teenagers who would most likely pick this up. I can also appreciate how Elder Linda discusses with the teens her fault in how she approached the gendered protocols – adults don’t often apologise to teens, so it was nice to see that happen.

Overall, this is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel for young adults that explores not only Dez’s journey as a Two-Spirit but also the community around them who help.

Surviving the City (Surviving the City #1) / Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donocan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

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Surviving the City (Surviving the City #1)
By: Tasha Spillett, Natasha Donovan (Illustrator), Donocan Yaciuk (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 56
Published: March 1, 2019
Publisher: HighWater Press
Dates Read: April 11, 2026 
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN: 9781553797562

Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew and together they navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape. They’re so close, they even did their Berry Fast together. But when Dez’s grandmother becomes too sick to care for Dez, the threat of a group home becomes closer. Fearing being taken away, Dez disappears. Miikwan’s wound of her mother’s disappearance and murder resurfaces as the community tries to find Dez before it’s too late.

I’ve been wanting to read more Indigenous Voices and this series was on a list I found, so I immediately put them on hold at my library. Even as it highlights the teens going to school, hitting the mall, and working on a class project, this short graphic novel begins the dive into the discussion of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People in Canada.

I really like the depiction of spirits in this story, for both Indigenous Peoples and Non-Indigenous. I do wish a few of the ceremonies mentioned and done in the story talked more about what it was for, but that also opens the door for doing research myself and finding out too.

Overall, a wonderful, short graphic novel that just scratches the surface of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People in Canada.

Queen Kodiak / Christopher Greenslate, Riccardo Faccini (Illustrator), Dearbhla Kelly (Colorist), Justin Birch (Letterer)

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Queen Kodiak
By: Christopher Greenslate, Riccardo Faccini (Illustrator), Dearbhla Kelly (Colorist), Justin Birch (Letterer)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Number of Pages: 168
Published: January 26, 2026
Publisher: Maverick
Dates Read: March 15, 2025
Format: Library Book / Paperback	ISBN:9781545821015

After the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Joey moves to Alaska’s Kodiak island with her absent dad. There, she befriends a giant bear she names Little Bear. However, hunters discover Little Bear’s existence and kill him. When they do, they awaken his mother, Queen Kodiak, a colossal, super-charged Kodiak grizzly bear, who is now on a rampage. Can they save Seattle before Queen Kodiak gets there?

I enjoyed the art of this novel and the fact that this was a quick read, but there were parts of this graphic novel that I felt could have had better transitions from one part to the next instead of otherwise feeling like a giant jump was being made – I would flip pages back and forth to make sure the numbers were in order. There was also some unexplained stuff too – like why can Joey see auras around some people?! Maybe this will be a series, or at least have another book since it ended with “The End?”

Overall, I enjoyed the fast paced story and if I come across a sequel, I’d be sure to pick it up, but I don’t think I’ll be actively searching for it though.

Rune: Tale of the Obsidian Maze (Rune #2) / Carlos Sánchez

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Rune: Tale of the Obsidian Maze (Rune #2)
By: Carlos Sánchez
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 160
Published: November 4, 2025
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Dates Read: February 3, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover	ISBN: 9781838741631

Chiri and Dai have stayed in Puddin’ to learn more about magic and sword now that the Shadow King is trapped in a bottle. One day, their group gets attacked by skeletons that bring them an invitation to the Obsidian Maze. The Darkness created two other Heralds besides the Shadow King, one is trapped in crystal inside the Obsidian Maze: The Midknight. Chiri and Dai must face the obstacles of the maze as well as the taunts from the Shadow King before they fight the Midknight.

As with the volume before, this book is beautifully drawn and has such an eye catching color palette, after every page you can find me engrossed in the background and details.

I still love the way Sánchez draws Chiri and the sign language she uses. 

This volume for sure gives the vibe of more to come (I would hope so with the ending that was given anyway!), which makes me super excited to keep an eye out for them. I’ve been getting them as requests for my library but have plans to purchase my own copies of them for sure.

Overall, it is still an amazing, action packed, background filled, beautiful graphic novel that middle grade readers and above would enjoy (even adults!).

Hello Sunshine / Keezy Young

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Hello Sunshine
By: Keezy Young
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Horror
Number of Pages: 384
Published: September 23, 2025
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Dates Read: January 19, 2026 - January 19, 2026
Format: Library Book / Hardcover	ISBN: 9780316509473

When a troubled teen disappears from his small town, his loved ones go on a paranormal journey to save him from his inner demons.

It’s taken me a while to review this book simply because trying to put into words how amazing I think the author did in showing and handling the character’s mental health struggles was brilliant and impactful. Every member of the group had their own journey throughout this story and each arc felt complete at the end. I appreciated the struggle Noah had between religion and his sexuality, I was a little nervous about it going into this, but that turned around pretty quickly.

I’m a huge Hawkeye fan, and the artwork in this graphic novel really reminded me of Matt Fraction’s 2010’s Hawkeye. The art style, color, and texture of the panels gave the perfect amount to make it supernaturally and horror-y at the same time. 

Without getting into too much of the storyline due to spoilers, I just want to say that the mixture of what was real and what was only available to the one character was phenomenal and well taken care of. With both the visual and the dense dialog pages, Keezy Young showcases the losing of one’s mind by mental illness more effectively than I’ve seen with a graphic novel in a long time.