In the past year alone, it has become much easier to access comics, graphic novels and manga online, especially at libraries. If you are unable to find these books at your local library, I would suggest using other resources like your local bookstore, Marvel Unlimited, Hoopla (which may be free at your local library) or Viz. In case you want to place a pre-order for any of these titles, we’ll leave our Amazon Affiliates and Bookshop links, as well as our Bookshop list! So, without further ado, here are a few graphic novels that I am excited to read in 2021!
Parenthesis by Elodie Durand
Parenthesis looks at the journey of Julie as she suffers from a tumor that changes her personality, causes her to have seizures and creates large gaps in her memory. This tumultuous story shows the effect that health crises can have on one and their family. The artwork is a soft, monotone to the dark message that this graphic novel portrays. I would like to thank NetGalley and Top Shelf Productions for giving me access to an advanced reader copy of this.
Publication Date: February 9, 2021
Tono Monogatari by Shigeru Mizuki
It is hard to describe the immense impact that Shigeru Mizuki has had on the manga community. He is considered the master of the yokai comic, which are tales of Japanese folklore. You may also know him from his incredibly important Showa series. His latest work has the work of the Tono region originally transcribed in 1910. This is a fundamental text to Japanese literature and can be helpful to those that enjoy manga as a way to learn more about Japanese culture and folklore.
Expected Publication: March 9, 2021
Our Work is Everywhere: An Illustrated Oral History of Queer and Trans Resistance by Syan Rose and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
To me, nonfiction works are one of the most underrated parts of the graphic novel medium. This graphic novel explores the history of key figures in queer and trans communities from the last ten years. These illustrated conversations look to answer more about how queer and trans people have lived through the harmful institutions in their lives.
Expected Publication: April 6, 2021
Lovesickness by Junji Ito
It would not be a list written by Helen if it didn’t include some upcoming work by Junji Ito. I have been completely obsessed with his works since picking up a copy of Uzumaki a decade ago. Like most of Ito’s past works, Lovesickness follows Ryusuke as he returns to his former town. A terrible rumor is swirling around that local girls are killing themselves after seeing a beautiful young man. Ryusuke tries to catch the young man in the act and to understand his own dark secrets. Ito’s works are sure to make a shiver run up your spine and are always a good read.
Expected Publication: April 20, 2021
Dai Dark by Q. Hayashida
Q. Hayashida is the author of the extremely zany manga, Dorohedoro. Fans of it will be relieved that this new manga isn’t dissimilar to its predecessor. Zaha Sanko’s bones are magical and can grant any wish that one has. Travelers come from around the galaxy to try to take his bones. Luckily, Sanko has made friends with Avakian who has the power of darkness. Together they are looking for the man that cursed Sanko and made him the way that he is. This manga is a great mix of humorous design and the grim dark drawings of Hayashida. Don’t miss out!
Expected Publication: April 27, 2021
The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim
If you haven’t yet read Grass by this author, I would highly recommend for you to read it. You will be completely devastated by what Korean women went through during World War II. The Waiting focuses on the author’s mother who was separated from her sister during the Korean War, a time when the 38th parallel divided many families. Gendry-Kim writes the story of Gwija, who is separated from her husband and son while fleeing to the south. Jina, her daughter, wants to explore her mother’s story and find her brother. I would recommend this book far above the rest on this list. It is sure to be a masterpiece.
Expected Publication: September 14, 2021
