Top 10 Graphic novels, comics, and manga read in 2024

Continuing with my series of top books I read in 2024, this week we are looking at the graphic novels, comics, and manga I read in 2024. This does not mean they were books published in 2024. These are books that were new to me and that I read in the last year. For this list, some titles have more than one volume. These are titles that I rated four or five stars. Find the list below in no particular order. If reviews are available on this blog, I will provide a link. 

Eerie Archives, Volume 1

 

Eerie Archives, Volume 2

Dark Horse Books is doing a labor of love publishing these classic Warren Publishing horror comics for a new generation.  If you enjoy horror and the macabre, with a twist here or there you'll likely enjoy these. 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 1

 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 2

 

The Punisher: the Complete Collection Volume 3

 These three volumes are part of the Marvel MAX series, designed for adult readers. The three volumes feature Garth Ennis' run of the series. The series features good writing and some very good but also gruesome art at times. I will also add a warning due to graphic violence. 

Captain Harlock Classic Collection Volume 1

Captain Harlock Classic Collection Volume 2

 For me, Captain Harlock and his pirate crew were a major part of my childhood, and I watched the anime back in the day. So when I came across this series, I knew I had to read it, and for me, it was a trip back down Memory Lane. If you are fan of the series, you should read this. If you've never experience Captain Harlock, here is your chance. 

The Puerto Rican War; a Graphic History

From my review: "This graphic novel is both a work of history and a work of art. The book looks at the 1950 Nationalist armed insurrection in Puerto Rico, including an assassination attempt on U.S. President Harry Truman." 

 

Spawn Origins Collection, Volume 1

 While I have read Spawn stories here and there, I never really read it from the beginning. This collection takes us back to the beginning. Spawn first came out in 1992. Time has flown since then it seems. 

The Vault of Horror, Volume 1 (EC Archives) 

Another excellent collection of classic horror comics, this time part of the EC Archives series from Dark Horse. I am really enjoying reading these classics, and I hope to read more down the road. 

And that is the list. Thank you for stopping by and reading this. If you have read any good comics, graphic novels, and manga, feel free to share them in the comments. I may find something new to add to my TBR list. 

Next I will be publishing my annual list of cartomancy and esoterica books I read in 2024. This is a little different as I list all the books I read on the topic during the year. I do that as a bit of service to the esoteric community as well as for reader's advisory. So feel free to come back for that. 

Happy reading. 

Book Review: The Puerto Rican War: A Graphic History

John Vasquez Mejias, The Puerto Rican War: a Graphic History. New York: Union & Square Company, 2024.  ISBN: 9781454952466.

Genre: Puerto Rico history, art

Subgenre: U.S. history, graphic novels

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss Plus 

 This graphic novel is both a work of history and a work of art. The book looks at the 1950 Nationalist armed insurrection in Puerto Rico, including an assassination attempt on U.S. President Harry Truman. This is a piece of history that is not always taught. I know it is not taught in the U.S. for the most part. Anecdotally, I taught social studies for a while in high school, and this story was not included in any U.S. History units. It certainly was not taught back in Puerto Rico when I was going to school there, and I am not sure if it is taught in schools now. This book provides a relatively easy way to learn about this crucial piece of history. 

The art is very good. The story is told in carved woodblock images done by the author. This book reprints the comic that now resides in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in their Thomas J. Watson Library. There may be one or two images that are not as clear, but overall the woodblock medium tells the story well. The art is expressive and can be moving at times. 

The book also includes a Puerto Rico Timeline and an insightful interview with the author where he discusses his art as well as some of the sources he used to create the narrative. At one point he talks about how he balanced two differing versions of an event to create the story he tells. 

Overall, I really liked this one. I definitely recommend it for all libraries with graphic novel and comics collections. This is one I would order for our library. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: