When you mention comic books or graphic novels to most people, they automatically think of caped crusaders flying around beating the bad guys. There are, of course, many comics and graphic novels collecting those types of adventures. Superhero comics are an underrated medium. A skilled creative team can do a lot with a superhero comic. Some of the best stories address issues like sexuality, racism, sexism, and class imbalances.
However, sometimes you don’t want to have to learn 50 plus years of company lore just to read a single story. Even if you normally love these types of tales, superhero fatigue is a very real thing. Variety is the spice of every healthy media diet, including comic books and graphic novels. Thankfully there are a ton of absolutely amazing comic books and graphic novels that don’t centre around good guys in masks.
Trillium by Jeff Lemire
Billed as “the last love story ever told” Trillium is the story of two very star-crossed lovers. Nika is a botanist in the year 3797. William is an explorer in 1921. Each of them is looking for a way to save themselves, and somehow they find each other. It’s beautiful, heartwarming, and unbelievably tragic (a Lemire trademark).
Trillium is the time-travelling, romantic, space opera you had no idea was missing from your life. Some reviewers complain that his style of art detracts from the story, but I couldn’t disagree more. His raw art style suits the tone of the work perfectly. Truth be told, Trillium is my favourite graphic novel; one I re-read frequently. I cannot recommend it enough. And not a cape to be seen.
Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, And Me by Ellen Forney
Marbles tells the story of Forney’s life before and after her bipolar diagnosis. As she tells her story, she weaves in those of others who have suffered from mental illness in the past. Forney uses these stories to help come to terms with her diagnosis, and to help her face her fears of medication. As someone who was also diagnosed late in life, I strongly relate to many of her fears. I too was worried medication would dull me or would change be into someone else.
Marbles is dark, don’t get me wrong. Forney does not sugar coat the lows or glamorize the highs. She presents depression and mania exactly as they are. Despite this, she also manages to be wry, using dark humour and self-deprecation to tell her story.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
You may recognize Alison Bechdel from her work on the comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For. Fun Home is her graphic memoir, most of which focuses on her youth. In Fun Home, Bechdel deals with a variety of complex themes, including sexual identity, suicide, and emotional abuse. The book won an Eisner Award (the Oscar’s of this particular medium) and was nominated for several others. Fun Home is still well loved among critics and fans of the medium itself. It has even been adapted into a musical, which won a Tony Award.
The narrative structure itself is unique and compelling. As new information is acquired, Bechdel revisits earlier scenes, looking at each one through the lens of this recent knowledge. The non-linear structure also allows for retellings of events using allusion and real-life diary excerpts. It’s impossible to describe this book and still do it justice. Instead, you should pick up a copy and start reading.
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Persepolis tells creator Marjane Satrapi’s story of what it was like to come of age in Tehran during the Iranian revolution. The story contains biting political commentary, beautiful art, and shockingly wry humour despite her very chaotic circumstances. The English translation of the work was published in two volumes: the first explores her childhood and the second follows her through high school until the present day.
Persepolis is moving, poignant, wry, and witty all at the same time. It’s one of the American Library Association’s most challenged books, which is reason enough to pick up a copy.
Sex Criminals, Vol 1: One Weird Trick by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky
Okay, hear me out on this one before you give up on me. The protagonists of Sex Criminals can stop time whenever they have sex. Literally. So, they do what any two 20-somethings would do in this situation: use their abilities to save the local library. Seriously.
While the two characters have their fair share of adventures and bad guys, they also deal with very real emotions. The book focuses on their relationship, and their struggles, just as much as their misadventures. Sex Criminals is an ongoing series. You can still read it in graphic novel form, by picking up the trade paperbacks as they are released. These versions will collect a series of six or so individual issues into one volume.
Bitch Planet, Vol 1: Extraordinary Machines by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine DeLandro
Imagine a world where “difficult” women are labelled Non-Compliant and sent to an off world prison. The work itself can best be described as dark, dystopian, and fiercely feminist. It is also violent, tragic, and definitely not safe for work. Focusing around a group of women sent away for very different reasons, Bitch Planet is incredibly compelling. There are layers of biting commentary on many issues we see today, including racial, economic, gender, and sexual inequality.
As with Sex Criminals, Bitch Planet is an ongoing series. You can pick up the first few volumes in trade at your local bookstore or comic book retailer.
What are your favourite non-superhero graphic novels? Let us know!
