Grab a Graphic Novel: Binge-able Series
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Grab a Graphic Novel: Binge-able Series

We’re highlighting our graphic novel collection by exploring tried-and-true cartoon classics, as well as fresh-off-the-press new releases. Pick up a graphic novel today!

Our Grab a Graphic Novel blog series presents our latest reads from the aforementioned collection. Available at all five libraries, the collection encompasses comics, manga and, of course, graphic novels — anything that uses pictures as an intrinsic part of the storytelling process.

This month, we’re looking for great series to read over the holidays. Graphic novels can be like television shows: they can tell episodic, self-contained stories following a particular character (or cast of characters), they can tell a bigger story over multiple volumes, or they can be stand-alone works of fiction – like a made for tv movie. The series we’re spotlighting this month all have longer stories to tell, keeping us hooked and ready to pick up the next volume! This list includes series for all ages.

Avatar The Last Air Bender by Gene Luen Yang

Description: Yang has collaborated with the creators of the original television series to deliver multiple fleshed-out stories featuring Aang and his friends, perfect for fans of the show. Having ended a war spanning one hundred years, Avatar Aang, master of all four elements, has ushered in an era of peace, but that doesn’t mean he and his friends won’t have to fight to maintain it.

This franchise for young readers has multiple stories, listed below and separated into three parts each. Some of them have even been collected into a single book, but all of them are a continuation of the story started by the television series.

The Promise

Description: Aang and friends must join together once again as the four nations’ tenuous peace is threatened by an impasse between Fire Lord Zuko and Earth King Kuei! As the world heads toward another devastating war, Aang’s friendship with Zuko throws him into the middle of the conflict!

Request

The Search

Description: For years, fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra have burned with one question–what happened to Fire Lord Zuko’s mother? Finding a clue at last, Zuko enlists the aid of Team Avatar–and the most unlikely ally of all–to help uncoverthe biggest secret of his life

Request

North and South

Description: When Aang leaves to aid Zuko with the Kemurikage, Katara and Sokka return to the Southern Water Tribe by themselves. Katara is shocked to find that her beloved village has become a bustling city, with none other than their father, Hakoda, in charge! A Northerner named Malina seems to be behind this change, pushing the North and South to be more unified…but what are her true goals?

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Smoke and Shadow

Description: When the Fire Nation begins to believe that the country will perish if Zuko stays in power, Avatar Aang and his friends must protect the ruler.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3


Pokemon Adventures by Kusaka Hidenori

Description: Following the storyline of the popular video game franchise, Pokemon Adventures introduces a colorful cast of characters alongside well-known Pokemon for a series full of new friends, intrigue, and of course, adventure! The series spans dozens of volumes, with new entries to coincide with each video game release, so there’s plenty of story left after you’ve finished the first saga.

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5 (eBook), Vol. 6, Vol. 7


Indiana Jones and the Spear of Destiny by Elaine Lee

Description: Indiana Jones travels to England seeking the Spear of Destiny. But who else is searching for this lost treasure?

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4


Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack

Description: When Cleo finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, really far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo’s style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, while trying to figure out how she’s going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!

Book One, Book Two, Book Three, Book Four, Book Five, Book Six


Dragon Ball Z by Akira Toriyama

Description: After years of training and adventure, Goku has become Earth’s ultimate warrior. And his son, Gohan, shows even greater promise. But the stakes are increasing as even deadlier enemies threaten the planet. Dragon Ball Z is the ultimate science fiction-martial arts manga.

Dragon Ball Z has 26 volumes, so there’s plenty more for you to read and enjoy!

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10


Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

Description: As young boys, Edward & Alphonse Elric dabbled in alchemy to try to resurrect their dead mother. As a result, Ed lost one arm and one leg, while Al lost his entire body and had his spirit sealed into a suit of armor. Now, they are searching for the fabled Philosopher’s Stone to restore what they’ve lost.

There are 27 volumes in this series, but we’ve linked the first ten below!

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10


Captain Marvel Earth’s Mightiest Hero by Kelly Sue DeConnick

Description: The former Ms. Marvel is charting a future for herself as Captain Marvel, but she can’t walk away from a challenge from her past.

Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4


Say I Love You by Kanae Hazuki

Description: Mei Tachibana has no friends–and she doesn’t need them! Ever since her “friends” betrayed her in elementary school, she’s sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she’s well enough on her own. But everything changes when she accidentally roundhouse kicks the most popular boy in school! However, Yamato Kurosawa isn’t angry in the slightest– in fact, he thinks his ordinary life could use an unusual girl like Mei! He won’t take no for an answer, and soon Mei and Yamato embark on an unwanted friendship that will change both of them forever.

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10


Maximum Ride by James Patterson

Description: Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride knows what it’s like to soar above the world. She and all the members of her ‘flock’– Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel– are just like ordinary kids, except they have wings and can fly! It may seem like a dream come true to some, but for the flock it’s more like a living nightmare when the mysterious lab known as the ‘School’ turns up and kidnaps their youngest member. Now it’s up to Max to organize a rescue, but will help come in time?

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, Vol. 8, Vol. 9


Locke & Key by Joe Hill

Description: Tales of the Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them– and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of all.

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6


Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello

Description: Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, has kept a secret from her daughter all her life-and when Wonder Woman learns who her father is, her life will shatter like brittle clay. The only one more shocked than Diana by this revelation? Bloodthirsty Hera. So why is her sinister daughter, Strife, so eager for the truth to be told?

Blood, Guts, Iron, War, Flesh, Bones


Batgirl by Hope Larson

Description: A part of DC Rebirth! Barbara Gordon looks to add a new bullet point to her already impressive BATGIRL resume: travel agent. Having just (barely!) survived the Battle of Burnside and verging on an Arkham-worthy breakdown, the star pulls a Kerouac and gets on the road to find herself.

Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4


The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman

Description: Police officer Rick Grimes is shot on the job and wakes up a month later to find that the world that he knows is gone. Zombies have taken over and are killing and eating those who are still alive. He sets out toward Atlanta in the hope that his family is still alive and endures many horrors along the way.

Book 1, Book 2, Book 3, Book 4, Book 5, Book 6, Book 7, Book 8, Book 9, Book 10


Be sure to check out our Grab a Graphic Novel blog series for additional graphic novel and manga recommendations!

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