Libraries are one of my favorite places in the world. Without them, I don’t think I would be nearly as well read as I am. Well, without them and the used book section of my local Barnes & Noble. $1 paperbacks. Can’t beat that unless you’re free.
Speaking of free, that’s where your local library steps in. More and more they have robust comics sections containing everything from “Persepolis” to “Sandman” to “Amazing Spider-Man” Vol. 6 (Vol. 7) to that funky BOOM! Studios mini you missed a couple years back to oodles and oodles of manga, manhua, manhwa, print webcomics and so! much! more! In fact, it’s so much it can be hard to choose what to read next. Thankfully, we’ve got a couple lists for all you avid readers out there.
These lists were put together not by me but by the good people over at Libby. Libby’s basically a digital platform for your local library, allowing them to purchase and lend out digital books, audiobooks, magazines, etc. They have an app, which you should download if your library system uses them. I read a lot of digital comics, from my library and not. The convenience is great and it saves on both travel and storage.
The Libby people held a week long event called Load Your Libby, all about checking out books from the library to hold you over the holiday weekend. Of course, the Thanksgiving holiday is over here in the US but that doesn’t mean you can’t still load up on all your favorite comics.
Now, I can’t guarantee all these titles are available from your system. Every collection is different and you might find them in print or via a different service. Or ask your Librarians to buy a copy. A nice ask goes a long way. I think the lists hold up regardless – I even found a couple titles I hadn’t heard of – even if I might personally quibble with a couple choices.
OK. On with the lists. Books are in no particular order. First up, a holiday mix for this winter season.
1. “Blankets” by Craig Thompson. Published by Drawn & Quarterly
2. “Mouse Guard” (2006,) Volume 2: Winter 1152 by David Peterson. Published by Archaia.
3. “Klaus” by Grant Morrison, Dan Mora and Ed Dukeshire. Published by BOOM! Studios.
4. “30 Days of Night” by Steve Niles, Ben Templesmith and Robbie Robbins. Published by IDW Publishing.
5. “Four Gathered on Christmas Eve” by Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Dave Stewart, Comicraft, Becky Cloonan, and James Harren. Published by Dark Horse/Albatross Funnybooks.
6. “Abigail and the Snowman” by Roger Langridge and Fred Stresing. Published by KaBOOM!.
7. “Nemo” (2013), Volume 1: Heart of Ice by Alan Moore, Kevin O’Neill, Todd Klein, and Ben Dimagmaliw. Published by IDW Publishing/Top Shelf.
8. “Freddy on the Ice” by Maxi Luchini. Published by Picture Window Books.
9. “Snow Angel” by David Chelsea. Published by Dark Horse.
10. “The Batman Adventures” (1992,) Volume 4 by Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Kelley Puckett, Alan Grant, Dan Raspler, Ty Templeton, Ronnie Del Carmen, Mike Parobeck, Rick Burchett, Dev Madan, Glen Murakami, Dan Riba, Kevin Altieri, Butch Lukic, Rick Taylor, Richard Starkings/Comicraft, and Tim Harkins. Published by DC Comics.
Second (and last) is a combo of new highlights and classics.
1. “Invincible” (2003,) Volume 1: Family Matters by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker and Bill Crabtree. Published by Image Comics/Skybound.
2. “Extreme Venomverse” by OH BOY so many people. Let’s see. We’ve got Joe Sabino, Ryan North, Louise Simonson, Paulo Siqueria, Greg LaRocque, JP Mayer, Jim Mooney, Federico Blee, George Roussos, Janice Chiang, Mirka Andolfo, Nico Leon, Erick Arciniega, Leonardo Romero, Roberto Poggi, Al Ewing, Vicenzo Carratù, David Pepose, Ken Lashley, Ceci De La Cruz, Clay McLeod Chapman, Paul Davidson, Alex Guimarães, Jed MacKay, Daniel Earls, Taran Killam, Rod Reis, Nelson Daniel, Antonio Fabela, Ty Templeton, Peach Momoko, D.J. Bryant, Alvaro Lopez, Alyssa Wong, Ken Niimura, Kelly Thompson, Gurihiru, Jordan Blum, Brian Croby, Scott Hanna, Chris Sotomayor, Jason Loo, Gavin Guidry, KJ Diaz, Cody Ziglar, Jim Towe and Dee Cunniffe. Published by Marvel.
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3. “Static: Up All Night” by Lamar Giles, Paris Alleyne, Yancey Labat, N. Steven Harris, Ben Glenending, and AndWorld Design. Published by DC Comics.
4. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin – Lost Years” by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, SL Gallant, Maria Keane, Ben Bishop, Esau & Isaac Escorza, Freddie E. Williams II, Luis Antonio Delgado, and Shawn Lee. Published by IDW Publishing.
5. “Demon Wars” by Peach Momoko, Zack Davisson, and Ariana Maher. Published by Marvel.
6. “Hellboy” (1994,) Omnibus Volume 1 by Mike Mignola, John Byrne, Mark Chiarello, James Sinclair, Pat Brosseau, and Dave Stewart. Published by Dark Horse.
7. “Batman: Year One” by Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli, Richmond Lewis, and Todd Klein. Published by DC Comics
8. “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, Matheus Lopes, and Clayton Cowles. Published by DC Comics.
9. “Cosmoknights,” Book 1 by Hannah Templer. Published by IDW Publishing/Top Shelf.
10. “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II” (2022,) Volume 1 by Ryan Parrott, Dan Mora, Raúl Angulo, and Ed Dukeshire. Published by BOOM! Studios.
Go get your comics, load your Libby, and enjoy the end of the year!
