I was planning on posting these genre-specific “best of 2018” lists WEEKS ago, but… alas, time has slipped away from me. Better late than never?
Today, let’s talk about my favorite GRAPHIC NOVEL & MANGA reads of 2018!
Note: These are not only 2018 releases, just books I READ in 2018!
All of these are books I gave 4.5+ stars in 2018. These are in no particular order!
1. Fence, Vol. 1 — C. S. Pacat (review)
I’m forever going to rave about everything C. S. Pacat writes, I think, so this is really not a surprising beginning to the list.
Fence is a YA contemporary graphic novel series about boys who fence. There’s drama, angst, and loads of queerness, and it’s super fun and has really gorgeous artwork.
2. Watersnakes — Tony Sandoval (review)
I feel like I almost never heard people talk about this when it released last year, and the reviews I did see were mostly mixed, so I’m gonna go ahead and address the fact that this graphic novel is not going to be a favorite of everyone’s (and that’s okay!). It’s a mix of Lovecraftian and bizarro horror with some very bizarre (but freaking GORGEOUS) artwork and creepy queer girls. It was perfectly on brand for me. ?♀️
3. Check, Please! Vol. 1 — Ngozi Ukazu (review)
If you haven’t read Check, Please!, you are literally robbing yourself of joy. Seriously. Thief of your own joy. It is one of the cutest, softest, gayest little things I’ve ever seen in my life and I would protect little Bitty at all costs. I didn’t even know a fluffy graphic novel could feel like a slow-burn until this, but wow?! I felt like I was waiting for this amazing payoff and I was SO PLEASED??
4. Fragments of Horror — Junji Ito (review)
Regrets: I have them. I read this and 3 other Junji Ito titles within the span of a month and forgot to review this one, so I don’t remember exactly which stories it holds (it’s kind of a collection of short bits), but I do remember that it was by far my favorite Junji Ito work and I REALLY recommend checking it out if you’re looking for an introduction to great horror manga! What does stick out in my memory is that the stories reminded me of urban legends, so if you like those, or creepypasta, I feel like this would be up your alley.
5. The Princess and the Dressmaker — Jen Wang (review)
Was 2018 the year I became obsessed with the softest, sweetest, gayest graphic novels I could find? You bet your butt it was!
I don’t even know what to say about this besides pointing out that it’s adorable, appropriate for all age ranges, has such a heartwarming message of self-acceptance and of supporting our loved ones in their sexuality and/or identity, and it made me cry THE happiest tears.
6. Pilu of the Woods — Mai K. Nguyen (review)
I know I’ve stressed multiple times that these “best of” lists are in no specific order, but I’m going to bend my own rule here and say that, if I were picking one specific favorite graphic novel of 2018, this would easily take home the gold medal. Pilu is about a young girl who gets in a fight with her sister and runs off to the woods, where she meets a forest spirit who helps her fight off the “monsters” her anger issues and grief have caused. I have never cried so hard at a graphic novel in my life because this story worked its way under my skin SO fast. The art is STUNNING and, even though it doesn’t come out until April, I pre-ordered a finished copy months ago AND have already placed it on my acquisitions list for my library branch. It’s THAT good.
7. The Tea Dragon Society — Katie O’Neill (review)
Funny story about this one: I received an eARC of it back in 2017, but my eARC file was corrupted and the publishers didn’t reply to my email asking for a different file download, so I just kind of let it go and figured I’d check it out eventually. And honestly, after finally getting it from the library and learning how AMAZING it was, I’m low key salty that I haven’t been able to be a loud AF stan for this book since it released?! ? It has the sweetest little dragon babies and so much diverse rep, including an incredible disabled POC character I adored to no end.
8. My Boyfriend is a Bear — Pamela Ribon (review)
Me when I first heard about this: “Wait. Her boyfriend’s not REALLY a bear… ha… that’d be weird…”
Me after reading it: “Who knew bears made such good boyfriends?”
Seriously, though. So cute. So funny. It sounds weird, I know, but it’s precious and I recommend it 100000%.
9. Colder, Vol. 1 — Paul Tobin (RTC)
I kept seeing this one on horror GN recommendation lists, and I was so intrigued by the gross and creepy AF cover, but it seems like it took me forever to find a branch in my library system that actually had a copy in stock (and nobody has Vol 2, so I’ll be buying it eventually). I’m so glad I finally got to read it, though, because it’s really creepy, and more than that, the level of creativity that goes into the settings and characters and just EVERYTHING in this story? Phenomenal.
10. Fruits Basket Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 — Natsuki Takaya (review)
This series is more of an honorary mention, because I usually refuse to put rereads in my “best of” lists… but I couldn’t help but include the Fruits Basket series. It was my first ever manga and anime love as a kid, and I’d been dying to get back into it, so last year, I finally started buying up these collector’s editions and rereading it. I also started my fifth or sixth rewatch of the show, and I have no regrets. I’m so pumped for the anime remake, but until then, I’ll be over here, falling in love with the Sohma family all over again. ??????? (← my faves ?)
That’s it! Those were my 10 favorite romance reads of 2018.
What were yours?
Samantha Duffy
February 8, 2019I was literally just working on a Graphic Novel recommendation post actually :] I feel like it is a genre that many people pass up but should be reading! Awesome list :] I am curious about Fences but haven’t tried it out yet
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Haha that’s awesome! I’d love to see your list!! 🙂
KateMonroeSeries (@rachel_troyer93)
February 8, 2019I loved the Fence comics, I’m all caught up and can’t wait until they release more! Awesome list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Thank you! Fence is so cute, I really need to read volume 2 this week. 🙂
Laura Beth
February 8, 2019Thanks to your reviews, I really want to read the Fruits Basket series now! I love this list!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Thank you! <3 Fruits Basket is such a fun series!!
journeyintobooks
February 8, 2019Great review, I adored The Tea Dragon Society when I read it and Pilu of the Woods sounds adorable 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Thank you! Pilu was so so precious and I hope you get the chance to check it out!
✩ Ashley ✩
February 8, 2019I had never picked up a comic until last year and I’m so happy I did! From your list, I really enjoyed Fence!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019That’s awesome, I’m so glad you finally did and that you enjoy them! 😀
✩ Ashley ✩
February 18, 2019I need to pick more up again this year!
La Femme Livresque | A Reader To Whatever End
February 9, 2019I really, really want to read The Price and The Dressmaker! ? I haven’t read many graphic novels or manga yet but I absolutely loved Orange Vol. 1 & 2. It broke my heart but I love it!
La Femme Livresque | A Reader To Whatever End
February 9, 2019*Prince
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019The Prince and the Dressmaker was so cute! I hope you get to read it soon 🙂 and yes to Orange! It’s so heartbreaking but in the best way!
Ellyn
February 10, 2019*immediately adds everything to tbr* Also, yes Fence was such a fun read. Have you read vol 2 yet? I’m debating waiting until vol 3 comes out and reading them back to back.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Bahaha YAY! Success. <3 No, I haven't yet! I'm hoping to read it some time this week though!
rachel @ typed truths
February 11, 2019“was 2018 the year I became obsessed with the softest, sweetest, gayest graphic novels I could find? You bet your butt it was!”
honestly, same. i adored the prince & the dressmaker and the tea dragon society so much. i can’t wait for my library to get check, please! in too because ahh, i need all the soft gayness in my life
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019lmaooo MY TWIN. <3 20gayteen was legit and now I need to make 20biteen happen.
theperksofbeingnourablog
February 16, 2019Great post! I still need to read Fruits Basket. I watched the anime back when I was still in school and I remember loving it so much! I don’t know if you’ve read this or not but I would highly recommend Black Butler. It’s been one of my most favorite Manga for years! It’s a dark fantasy with a demon butler and a young earl.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
February 18, 2019Oooh, you totally gotta check out the Fruits Basket manga! It’s even better than the anime! And I will absolutely check out Black Butler, I feel like that’s been on my unofficial TBR for years and years but I always forget about it so thank you!! I’m going to go right now and see if my library system has the first one. 😀
theperksofbeingnourablog
February 18, 2019I definitely will! Really enjoyed it as an anime and I’m pretty excited to start reading it. Haha Black Butler was the first manga I fell in love with. The art work becomes amazing and the storyline just keeps getting better ? really hope you love it!
Misty
March 25, 2019I love comics. I really enjoyed