Graphic novels come in all genres and topics and a popular genre is the biography, with some all-time great books like Persepolis and Maus. In our recent picks we have a few new biographical graphic novels. We have The Buildings are Barking where Bill Griffith processes the loss of his wife; we have Dear Mini an autobiographical memoir about the writer’s teenage years; and if you want something more peculiar try The Second Fake Death of Eddie Campbell, where the author Eddie Campbell pushes the boundaries of what an autobiography can be. If biographies aren’t your cup of tea, there are lots of other great graphic novels to choose from our recent picks!
The buildings are barking : Diane Noomin in memoriam / Griffith, Bill
“After fifty years together, Diane Noomin’s death left her husband Bill Griffith alone. He processed her death by doing the same thing he did every day of their shared life: comics.” (Catalogue)
Dear Mini : a graphic memoir. Book one / Norris, Natalie
“This debut graphic memoir, is a bittersweet coming of age story that chronicles the author’s teenage experiences with sexual assault, PTSD, and resiliency. Dear Mini is not a cautionary tale, however, it is a vivid depiction of adolescent agency in the face of trauma. Norris’s spirited and free-flowing page designs and full colour cartooning bring her frank voice and personality to life.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
The second fake death of Eddie Campbell ; The fate of the artist / Campbell, Eddie
“Eddie Campbell is not himself. But these days, who is? It’s meta-fictional mystery and mischief as the award-winning artist of From Hell sets out to find his own imposter. Plus, on the flipside- a deluxe new presentation of The Fate of the Artist, Eddie Campbell’s classic work of graphic meta-memoir!” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Tori Amos : little earthquakes : the graphic album
“This graphic novel demonstrates the lasting influence of this defining work with 24 stories inspired by the 12 songs on the album, as well as the 12 ‘B-sides’ that accompanied the album and its associated singles.” (Catalogue)
Do a powerbomb! [1] / Johnson, Daniel Warren
“Lona Steelrose wants to be a pro-wrestler, but she’s living under the shadow of her mother, the best to ever do it. Everything changes when a wrestling obsessed necromancer asks her to join the grandest pro-wrestling tournament of all time, which is also the most dangerous!” (Catalogue)
Juliette or, The ghosts return in the spring / Jourdy, Camille
“A vibrant tableau of small-town life as seen through the eyes of a woman returning home from Paris. Jourdy’s beautiful watercolor pages provide an unfeigned milieu for the subtle dramedy at hand. All too real human emotions, bittersweet and relatable in their rawness come together to form a poetic realism.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Dictatorship : it’s easier than you think / Kendzior, Sarah
“If becoming a dictator sounds intriguing, well, you’ve just stumbled upon the playbook that will guide you step by step towards making your big lie a reality. Gaslit Nation will show you how to consolidate your authority, silence your critics, weaponize your citizens, and even prolong your inevitable downfall!” (Adapted from Catalogue)
Offshore lightning / Saito, Nazuna
“A collection of manga short stories about aging and death. Anxiety and longing suffuse incisive portraits of post-war Japan.” (Catalogue)
