Our World Book Fair haul is here and we have hoarded an insane amount of brilliant, evocative and genre-defying graphic novels. With explosively vibrant artwork exploding from the pages, each panel is a testament to the boundless creativity of the medium. From the whimsical fables of “Wendy” by Walter Scott to the haunting introspection of “Panther” by Brecht Evens, these unique stories transcend the boundaries of conventional comics. This curated selection of ten graphic novels will redefine your expectations of the genre.
Wendy by Walter Scott
She’s the anti-hero we love. The highly lovable and “painfully relatable” Wendy wants to be a sensational artist in a “party city” and is doing her best to survive millennial-dom. From working odd jobs to floating across galleries when high on MDMA, Walter Scott’s unpretentious graphic novel showcases the many anxieties, ennui and disasters of this ‘the privileged generation’. Wendy takes us through the adventures and hot-mess sloppiness of her 20s.
The Wrenchies by Farel Dalrymple
Sherwood and Orson walk into a cave and accidentally unleash a twisted realm that rapidly oppresses the world. Join alt-comic creator and his ruddy-cheeked pre-teen rebel Wrenchies in an unvarnished sci-fi epic that’d take to you a post-apocalyptic wasteland like no other. An unhinged, off-the-rails delirium with inter-dimensional travel, wicked magic, sneaking shadowmen, garish ghouls, strange quests and intense battles at the end of the world. Watercolour made grotesque, Dalrymple’s fast-paced graphic novel is a must read for anyone looking for violent, raw and weird narratives that navigate human pain and anxious existence.
Panther by Brecht Evens
A magical and “unsettling” graphic experience, Even’s Panther follows the friendship of a little girl, grieving the loss of her cat, and her imaginary familiar–an amorphous and evocatively intelligent leopard. Enveloped in bold, unrestrained and spellbinding watercolour, the narrative vividly explores dark corners of the psyche, sullen hollows of grief, the potency of the human imagination, and a sinister atmosphere that breeds greater discomfort when supplemented by vibrant splendour. A book like no other, Panther is iconoclastic in its triumphant storytelling and fascinating artistry.
Drawn & Quarterly Showcase 5
Drawn & Quarterly Showcase 5 unfolds like a global gallery, bursting with diverse artistic styles. Swedish dreamscapes meet Finnish psychedelia, while American whimsy pops in vibrant colours. Expect anything from detailed linework to bold washes, all capturing the unique visions of three emerging talents.
Heaven No Hell by Micheal Deforge
DeForge’s “Heaven No Hell” ditches halos for a quirky, minimalist world. Big-eyed characters with awkward postures navigate an afterlife as funny as it is strange. Expect bizarre landscapes, app-generated baby nightmares, and an angel’s tour through heaven’s oddball tiers. Hilarious and unsettling visuals await!
Library by Micheal Dumontier and Neil Farber
Part of a long series of collaborations between Canadian visual artists par-excellence, Dumontier and Farber, Library is quite literally a library of assorted, whimsical and hilarious book covers that carry surprising and often profound titles, forcing readers to contemplate the contents of their own bookshelves and, perhaps, even their consciousness.
Nancy by John Stanley
Nancy, reimagined by cartooning genius John Stanley, bursts with life. Forget static panels of dull-seeming comics, for Nancy leaps, pouts, and schemes across every page, her expressive eyes and exaggerated gestures reflecting every mischievous thought. Prepare for a visual feast of detailed backgrounds, wacky inventions, and hilarious facial expressions, all capturing the chaotic yet charming world of Nancy and her adventures.
Tono Monogatari by Shigeru Mizuki
Imagine a comic book journey through Japanese ghost stories. “Tono Monogatari” by Shigeru Mizuki is a graphic novel adaptation of folklore from the Tono region. Travel with Mizuki, a master of yokai (monsters) comics, as he brings these chilling tales to life. Encounter mischievous foxes, vengeful spirits, and legendary creatures, all beautifully illustrated and interwoven with Mizuki’s own experiences. It’s a unique blend of autobiography, spooky legends, and artistic mastery.
The Customer is Always Wrong by Mini Pond
Beyond having an excellent title, Pond’s graphic novel is a winner across categories. Aspiring artist Madge waitresses at the Imperial Cafe and is regularly graced by all sorts of charming, depraved and eccentric customers. Taking us to Oakland in the late-70s and all of its outlandish, peculiar, screwy and oddball irregulars, Mimi Pond’s The Customer is Always Wrong is a pseudo-memoir that, with delectable humour, wit and fresh originality, charts the evolution of a young girl as she rip-rocks through drug-fuelled escapades and the kooky insanities of the everyday.
The PushMan and Other Stories by Yoshihiro Tatsumi
Dive into the dark underbelly of Japanese society with “The Push Man and Other Stories.” This graphic novel collection by Yoshihiro Tatsumi isn’t your typical manga. Expect gritty tales, from a travelling pornographer to a voyeuristic telescope job, all showcasing the desperation and disillusionment simmering beneath the surface. Brace yourself for a raw, thought-provoking journey.
Pick up any one of these 10 Uniquely Brilliant Graphic Novels from any Kunzum store or WhatsApp +91.8800200280 to order. Buy the book(s) and the coffee’s on us.