Top Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga I Read in 2022

These are my top reads in graphic novels, comics, and manga for 2022. These are titles that I rated at four or five stars. The list is in no particular order, and if I have a review done by now, I am including a link. 

Usagi Yojimbo: Bunraku and Other Stories.

Bomb Run and Other Stories.

Star Wars Age of Rebellion: Villains.

From the review: "I personally liked the Tarkin story, which shows how ruthless he can be. The Jabba the Hutt tale was pretty good too with a bit of a twist revealing that the gangster can also be practical."

Shadowman, Book One.

From my review: "For starters, the art in this book is very good. Early on Shadowman and Baron Samedi look very good. I particularly liked the sort of dark and fun portrayal of Baron Samedi. The art overall is colorful and can be a bit evocative."

Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 1.

From my review: "Story combines good action with a bit of the grittiness Batman comics are known for, and it also maintains the humor that distinguishes TMNT comics."

Deadpool Samurai, Volume 1.

From my review: "Deadpool's humor is spot on in this series. His fourth wall breaks are great, and he aims his humor at everyone up to and including his publishers-- Marvel and Shonen Jump. "

Deadpool Samurai, Volume 2.

From my review: "The Merc With the Mouth is back and still doing all sorts of hijinks in Tokyo as part of the newly formed team Samurai Squad."

Space Pirate Captain Harlock.

From my review: "Author Alquié takes Matsumoto's story and art in a new direction that is a sequel to the 1970s original series.  If you watched and enjoyed the original series, you'll probably enjoy this one as well."

Lady Mechanika, Volume 6: Sangre.

From my review: "This is a solid selection for libraries with graphic novel collections. I'd buy it for our library."

The Art of Sushi.

 

From my review: "The author travels from France to Japan to learn all he can about sushi. Along the way not only do we learn about sushi, but we also learn about elements of sushi such as the fish and the rice as well as those who make it and even related topics like sake and soy sauce."

Book Review: Lady Mechanika, Volume 1

Joe Benitez, Lady Mechanika, Volume 1: The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2021.  ISBN: 9781534320567.

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: steampunk, science fiction, adventure

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss

 

This is where the legend begins, and we are right in the action. Mechanika is a survivor of a mad scientist's experiments that leave her with mechanical limbs and no memory of what happened or how it came about. As she tries to find answers to her own questions, she uses her abilities as a sort of private investigator in a fictional steampunk world centered in Victorian England. In this volume, the main story is "The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse." When a young dead girl with mechanical parts is found, Mechanika wonders if there is a connection to her own past. She soon finds herself in the midst of a case some would rather not have solved. 

The tale is intriguing and draws the reading in. The pace is swift and steady, and the story offers a good blend of mystery, suspense, and adventure. Fans of adventure stories and steampunk will find plenty to enjoy. The story has a bit of feel like some of the old pulp adventures. 

The art is a big reason to pick up the series. It's rare that a comic series gets both the story and the art in perfect harmony. This volume does it. The art is in full color with high quality. The artist not only depicts the characters well. The artist also brings the steampunk world to life with great attention to detail. Details large and small are rendered with quality and care. The art goes along well with the story. 

The volume is the first in the series, and after reading this one I definitely want to keep on reading. This is a volume I highly recommend. It would make a great selection for libraries with graphic novel collections. I'd buy for my library. It is one I would also buy for my personal library. To be honest, this is leaps and bounds better than most of the stuff the "big" comics publishers put out. If you like adventure and steampunk plus a strong heroine then read this. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Lady Mechanika, Volume 6: Sangre

Joe Benitez, et.al., Lady Mechanika, Volume 6: Sangre. Encino, CA: Benitez Productions, 2020. ISBN: 9781949328028.

 

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: steampunk, Victoriana

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley 

 

I continue to enjoy this series. Previously I read Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte (link to my review).  In fact, I listed that one among my top graphic novels read in 2020. So I was happy to find this volume and keep reading her adventures. 

In this volume, Lady Mechanika travels to Spain to protect a baron's son from what may be a demonic entity. However, when she gets there, she finds out it's not just a demonic possession case. The exorcist priest the baron called in may be doing cruel experiments on the boy, experiments the church would not likely approve but that his fathers approves of tacitly. That is not all. There may be a more sinister force at play, one with a connection to the New World. 

This book grabs you from the start. Initially I was not sure what the Mesoamerican prologue had to do with the main story, but soon the author reveals the connection. Once the connection is revealed you can appreciate the story's depth a lot more. Throughout the book, you get great world building and some very good and detailed lore. Clearly some good effort and imagination along with some research went into crafting the story. This story moves along well, has good action, and a lot of detail to keep readers interested. 

As in previous volumes, the art on this is excellent. The art is a great reason to get this volume. There are even some large panels I wish I could get as prints; the art is that good. In addition, if you want to see more of the art, the volume includes a cover gallery of the comics issues making up the volume. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and I will recommend it to anyone who listens. This is a solid selection for libraries with graphic novel collections. I'd buy it for our library. It is also one I would be happy to have in my personal collection. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

Qualifies for the following 2022 Reading Challenge: 

Top Graphic Novels and Comics Read in 2020

This is my list of my top comics and/or graphic novels I read during 2020. List is based on titles I read that I rated 4 or 5 stars. Links go to the reviews of the titles so you can check them out. 

Hit-Girl in Colombia, Volume 1

 

 Redbone: the True Story of a Native American Rock Band

 

 

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! (Zenescope series)

 

 

 

 

Batman: White Knight

 

 

 

Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte

Booknote: Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte

Joe Benitez, Marcia Chen, et.al., Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte. Encino, CA: Benitez Productions, 2017. ISBN: 9780996603065.

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: steampunk, Victoriana, adventure

Format: e-book galley

Source: NetGalley

 

Lady Mechanika is a young woman and gunfighter who has no memory of her past and has mechanical limbs as a result of a mad scientist's experiments on her. This particular volume is part of a larger series, and while it may help if you've read previous volumes, the story here can stand on its own. 

Lady Mechanika is grieving a tragic loss, finds herself in a remote Mexican village as the Day of the Dead festivities are about to start. When the Jinetes del Infierno, the infernal riders, rob and bully the town, she decides to stand up and fight them. This story is the often common Western genre trope of the lone gunfighter against a gang threatening a small town. 

The story is uplifted by the excellent art. This comic looks great. The Day of the Dead element is handled well and with respect and with great art and color. In addition, the variant covers look great; they could make great wall prints. 

As I mention, the story's trope is not really new, but the story is still interesting and well paced. Lady Mechanika is a reluctant hero that perseveres to see justice is done. This is a quick read with excellent art that makes it a pleasure to read. Based on that, I am willing to seek out other volumes in this series. 

If you are looking for something different, this blend of Victoriana and steampunk can be a good addition for libraries with graphic novel collections. This is one I would order for our library. In the end, I really liked it and recommend it. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2020 Reading Challenges: 

#ArcApocalypse