Halloweeny Comic & Graphic Novel Recommendations

Thanks to Hoopla and my amazing library, I've picked up quite a few graphic novels and comic book series over the years. I've been reading a lot of comics this month in particular, since I seem to have an obsession with Batman this year, and I wanted to read more superhero stories before Halloween. To me, Halloween isn't just witches and ghosts I also think about fantasy, mystery, and superheros. Anything that could inspire a Halloween costume is in my wheelhouse as we approach the 31st!

These are just a few recommendations based on my perusal through comics over the past few years. the first three Nimona, Zita the Spacegirl and Lumberjanes are all relatively light-hearted and fun reads. The second row, featuring Monstress and a couple of those before-mentioned Batman comics, would be in the adult realm. So depending on what you are looking for this fall, I have a few bases covered!

 

 

Comic Mash Up Review - Lumberjanes/Monstress

 

 

In the past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon! 

Lumberjanes Vol. 8: Stone Cold

by Shannon Watters

Ebook Trade - 112pgs

Published: February 2018

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Rating: 3.5/5 

Once again with this series I love the characters, but the plot is quite weak. We still have action, adventure, diversity, and magic involved so I'm still having fun. The characters continue to grow and we learn even more about them as the series goes along. I enjoyed the return of Greek mythology for this volume and how old enemies are reexamined.

Lumberjanes 33-36:

by Shannon Watters, Carey Pietsch (Illustrator)

Ebook Issues: 24-29pgs

Published: December 2016-March 2017

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Rating: 4/5 

This series of issues (that will probably be volume nine eventually) is my favorite of the past few volumes. Though this one was a little sillier, I really enjoyed the competitiveness the girls displayed in this one. There was a feeling of being at camp in this arc which I've missed recently in this series.

Monstress Vol. 1: Awakening

by Marjorie M. Liu (Writer), Sana Takeda (Artist), Rus Wooton(Letterer, Designer), Jennifer M. Smith (Editor)

Ebook Trade - 192 pgs

Published: July 2016

Image Comics

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Rating: 4.5/5 

This first volume was incredibly beautiful and incredibly gruesome. The art is stunning and the full page spreads were difficult to move past. I could stare at them for a long time and sometimes the detail of the art distracted me from the story. I did find myself rereading parts of this complex fantasy. The panels were confusing at times not just because I was distracted, but overall the story was lush and beautiful. It is full of gods, humans, and supernatural beings that fight against one another.

My Last Review ---> More Comic Reviews

Comic Mashup Review - Lumberjanes & Paper Girls

In the past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon! 

Lumberjanes Vol. 7: A Bird's-Eye View

by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh,Grace Ellis (Creator), Carey Pietsch (Illustrations), Ayme Sotuyo (Illustrations), Maarta Laiho (With), Brooke Allen

Ebook Trade - 112pgs

Published: December 2017

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Rating: 4/5 

Once again the campers plan on a non-magical day at camp, but magical creatures destroy those plans! I adore all the characters in this series as I've mentioned before and the group is more cohesive in this volume. I'm so glad the girls are working together again and I was glad we focused on the group rather than individuals. The magical kitten adventures were adorable. I loved all the kitten powers!

After two volumes that disappointed me, I really enjoyed this one and I continue to recommend it to everyone looking for fun female-positive comics.

Paper Girls Vol. 2

by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Colorist), Jared K. Fletcher (Letterer) 

Ebook Trade - 128 pgs

Published: November 2016

Image Comics

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Rating: 4/5 

This volume really packed a punch. The girls travel forward in time and they face themselves and their futures. The concept is fascinating. I think the plot and time travel could have been explained more. Time travel is messy and confusing in general. Having minimal text to explain multiple plot lines in time travel could be disastrous. Instead this is fairly coherent and a mystery is mixed in so there is intentional confusion. Overall, I still really love the girls and how they are both scared and badass throughout the story.

Last Review --> Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Comic Mash Up Review - Superman & Lumberjanes

In the past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon! 

Superman Vol. 3 - Multiplicity (DC Rebirth)

by Peter J. Tomasi (Writer), Patrick Gleason (Writer, Artist)

Trade Paperback: 144 pgs

Published: August 2017

DC Comics 

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Rating: 3/5

An enjoyable installment in this series. Personally, I liked the issues within this volume about Superman's inner struggle and the ones about his son's adventures. There were issues within the volume about the Multiverse that I didn't find as interesting and no matter how many times I come across the Multiverse I find it confusing. It also interrupted the overall arc of this series in my opinion. I'd rather focus on Clark and his son's struggles and how they parallel one another. 

Lumberjanes Vol. 6

by Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson (Creator), Kat Leyh, Grace Ellis (Creator), Carey Pietsch (Illustrations), Maarta Laiho (Colorist), Brooke A. Allen

Ebook Trade - 112pgs

Published: April 2017

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Rating: 3.5/5 

After a disappointing volume five I hoped this would blow me out of the water. Unfortunately, though we are once again focused on the mysterious lake, the girls are mediating someone else's problem once again. The sheer number of misunderstandings between the last volume and this one started to wear on me. Everything was a little bit better, but I still want more from this series

Comic Mashup Review - Lumberjanes & Paper Girls

In the past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon! 

Lumberjanes Vol. 5: Band Together

by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak (Illustrations), Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen (Illustrator)

Ebook Trade - 112pgs

Published: December 2016

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Rating: 3.5/5 

Thus far this has been my least favorite of the Lumberjanes volumes. The plot line of this story didn't appeal to me as much. As always the core group of campers are funny and jump into the adventure. Though April's character development was really well done, this volume was less focused on the entire group of girls which wasn't as interesting to me. The artwork wasn't quite as good as the other volumes have been either. Overall this volume wasn't as good as what I've come to expect.

Even so, I will always recommend this series because it is fun, exciting, and full of adventure. 

Paper Girls Vol. 1

by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang (Illustrator), Matthew Wilson (Illustrator)

Ebook Trade - 144pgs

Published: April 2016

Image Comics
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Rating: 4.5/5

After hearing this series described as Stranger Things meets Saga, I was intrigued and excited to check it out. I haven't found a better way to describe it either. I loved this. I was glued to each page of this graphic novel. The girls have a great dynamic and I am really excited to check out more volumes of this series. The art style is vibrant and it really pops. Though the storyline is a little confusing, I expect that was part of the point. The girls are confused and travel through time. They don't always understand exactly what is happening. At least I understood all the references from the 80's and today! Very fun and fast paced.

March Wrap Up (Part 2) | Comics

Happy April! Extra post today! I'm not fooling! Today I wanted to wrap up the other half of my reading month. In March it was split down the middle between novels and comics. If you want to see the novels I read in March, check out my video wrap up HERE. I'm anxious to read even more comics, I'll be visiting the library today actually, so you may see another split video in April depending on how many I read!

Books Mentioned: 

Hawkeye Vols 2-4 by Matt Fraction & Various

Ms. Marvel- Vol. 1, 2 & 4 by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona 
Sex Criminals Vol. 1 by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky

Lumberjanes Vol 1 by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis
Amulet Book One: The Stonekeeper by Kazi Kibushi