Grab a Graphic Novel: Let’s be Heroes
We’re highlighting our graphic novel collection by exploring tried-and-true cartoon classics, as well as fresh-off-the-press new releases. Pick up a graphic novel today!
Welcome to the next installment of our Grab a Graphic Novel blog series, where we present our latest reads from the aforementioned collection. Available at all five libraries, the collection encompasses comics, manga and, of course, graphic novels — anything that uses pictures as an intrinsic part of the storytelling process.
Our focus this time around is on heroes, of your blockbuster inspiring, masks and tights variety. Super heroes are featured in all three of our Graphic Novel collections — Junior, Young Adult and Adult — so this post should have something for everyone!
DC SuperHero Girls series by Shea Fontana
Start with Book 1: Finals Crisis
Description: When a mysterious villain kidnaps the students of Super Hero High, they will have to work together to outwit their captor, save the city, and pass their finals.
Novelist recommends this series for readers age 9-12, with nine books in the series, as well as two supplemental texts. The series follows the adventures of DC’s most iconic female heroes as they try to balance school life with their crime fighting extracurriculars. The high school setting and personal issues tackled make the cast of bombastic characters accessible and highly relatable to readers who might not be ready for their PG-13, silver-screen counterparts.
Ultimate Spider-Man Web Warriors: Spider-Verse Graphic Novel by Joe Caramagna
Description: SPIDER-VERSE! The Goblin opens portals to alternate dimensions, forcing Spidey to team up with alternate versions of himself to fight back.
Another book for our readers age 9-12, this graphic novel is the only standalone publication on this list. Based on the television series Ultimate Spider-Man, and with tie-ins to the popular Sony Production Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, this graphic novel is fast-paced and action packed for readers who enjoy (or even those whom have never seen) the aforementioned works, as well as Spider-Man fans young and old.
Avengers: Ultron Revolution series by Joe Caramagna
Start with Book 1: Adapting to Change
Description: THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER! As the Avengers unite once more, they’ll have to relearn how to work as a team. And they’d better figure it out quickly before Ultron’s master plan kicks into high gear! If that weren’t enough, the Scientist Supreme unveils the latest deadly creation from AIM!
The last Junior title on our list (but not the last Avengers title!) is also one of our shorter reads – though fear not, there are more installments of this seventeen-book series at your local Plano Public Library! Based on the animated series Avengers Assemble, Avengers: Ultron Revolution features characters and groups from the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film series as they appear in the television show adapted for younger audiences. Like our other two entries, this series is most suitable for ages 9-12, but enjoyable for readers of all ages.
New Avengers series by Jonathan Hickman
Start with Volume 1: Everything Dies
Description: The Illuminati must reassemble to prevent the collision of our universe with another!
Available in our Young Adult Graphic Novels collection, this New Avengers series sets a darker tone with its portrayal of the Illuminati, a group of iconic Marvel heroes (including the much loved Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man, Captain America and Black Panther), as they make difficult decisions as morally repugnant as they are necessary. This series is suitable for an older audience of teens and adults as it explores topics of moral ambiguity and mortal danger, but is notable for its second installment which features the Mad Titan Thanos of Avengers: Infinity War fame, as he (once again) invades Earth in scenes reminiscent of that film. If you’ve ever wondered who “those aliens fighting the Avengers” are, this series gives a bit more insight into their characters.
The Infinity Gauntlet Graphic Novel by Jim Starlin
Description: On the edge of Armageddon and lead by the mysterious Adam Warlock, Earth’s super heroes join in a desperate attempt to thwart this nihilistic god’s insane plunge into galactic self-destruction.
If they fail the astral gods of the universe wait to step into the fray. But in such an awesome cosmic conflict will anyone prevail? Will anyone survive?
Yet another Marvel comic featuring Thanos. Like the series we previously mentioned, there are key moments from this graphic novel that Marvel fans might remember from the characters’ appearance in the MCU films. This story in particular is a wonderful showcase of just how many heroes there are in Marvel’s comics, and is essentially a deep dive into the lore of the Marvel Universe, featuring teams such as the East and West Coast Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, as well as big-time Marvel villains like Galaktus and Dr. Doom.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Saladin Ahmed
Start with Volume 1: Straight out of Brooklyn
Description: Miles Morales swings back into the spotlight! Balancing a normal life, school, friends, family and super-heroing has never been easy for Miles, but when the rampaging Rhino and a cadre of mysterious criminals start plaguing Brooklyn, things take a dark turn for the young Spider-Man!
Miles Morales, as seen in the previously mentioned film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, represents a new era for the web-slinging hero, leaving Peter Parker behind for a new protagonist to take on the role of friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Miles is easily more relatable for a teen audience as he tackles issues of school and work-life balance, identity and race, while performing his “superheroing” duties. NoveList recommends the series for teenagers, befitting its placement in our Young Adult Graphic Novel collection.
Wonder Woman series by Greg Rucka
Description: When an ancient ritual requires Wonder Woman to protect a young woman from anyone who threatens her, it pits the Amazon Warrior against her Justice League ally, Batman!
This particular series featuring DC’s most iconic heroine, played by Gal Gadot in the upcoming film, Wonder Woman 1984, explores Wonder Woman’s place in the world of mortals, how they perceive her, and whether she is a hero to mankind, or a threat. This series also showcases a handful of Wonder Woman’s enemies and DC villains, such as the Cheetah, who also features in the upcoming film. This particular entry is from our Adult collection of graphic novels due to the complexity and darker nature of its themes, and graphic violence. Not suitable for younger readers.
As we talk about different graphic novels, we can only feature a fraction of the awesome works within our collection. We’d love to hear from you as well! What is your favorite superhero graphic novel? Leave a comment with your own recommendation!
For more reading suggestions, check out the posts in our Plano Reads tag. We also have several virtual Book Clubs to appeal to any kind of reader.
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