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Top 7 Comics, Graphic Novels & Manga:
February 2026
I’m continuing to round up, and update, my PG Tips columns for you in this atomised publishing system, so I can bring to light what I feel are the most interesting, diverse titles out now or soon. I interviewed Barbara Yelin at the Comix Creatrix exhibition at The House of Illustration in London in 2016, when her first English edition came out from SelfMadeHero. A decade after, her latest is one of the stand-outs for February. More discoveries await below and as more releases get confirmed and scheduled.
Chicken Heart
by Morgan Boecher
Street Noise Books
$23.99
The publisher says:
One standup comedian goes on a journey of self-discovery and explores the pitfalls and power of choosing one’s own queer narrative. Jackie Locklear is a stand-up comedian who is trans and doesn’t know how to confront that part of himself. His Aunt Sheila’s death spurs Jackie to take a trip to the refuge Sheila built for trans folks, the Chicken Heart Love Commune. The people there represent a range of backgrounds, in contrast with the world where Jackie was raised. But as a city kid still coming to terms with his trans identity, and struggling to process his grief, the bucolic place and its residents don’t make him feel like he fits in. Through the power of humour and acceptance, Jackie is able to make space for himself. An emotional, powerful story about finding one’s heart and opening up to people who are willing and able to love. Morgan Boecher is a comics writer and artist dedicated to telling trans stories with humour and heart. Their first book What’s Normal Anyway? started as a webcomic and has now been translated and sold to educators and readers internationally. As a speaker and performer on queer topics, Morgan has appeared at places such as NYComicCon, FlameCon, Columbia University, University of Florida, and the LGBT Center in Manhattan. They live in Brooklyn, New York. 236pgs two-colour paperback.
The Color of Paper: Representing Race in the Comics Medium
by Chris Gavaler
Ohio State University Press
$129.95 / $36.95
The publisher says:
How does a comics reader understand that a certain race is assigned to a character? In The Color of Paper, Chris Gavaler establishes a formal approach for analysing racial representations in comics, demonstrating that the ink-on-paper materiality of comics reveals the illogic of metaphorical colours as racial categorisations. Analyzing images by a wide range of comics artists and colorists, including Emilee Denich, Jaime Hernandez, George Herriman, Jack Kirby, and Ben Passmore, Gavaler goes beyond pigment and gradient to explore the formal and material elements of page backgrounds and the negative space of gutters that literally frame race in comics. He surveys major and independent publishers to assess how industry trends and evolving coloring techniques affect racial representation. And, breaking from subjective and overgeneralized analytical norms, Gavaler grounds his analysis in quantitative research on viewers’ responses. The centuries-old relationships between drawn racial markers and assumptions about their meanings continue in a white-dominated culture that benefits from and therefore preserves illusions of their natural accuracy. Denaturalising racial depictions through formal visual analysis potentially alters racial thinking in ways that extend beyond works on paper and into daily lives. 292pgs with 13 colour illustrations, 31 B&W illustrations, hardcover / paperback.
Comics and The Global South: Methodologies from and within Majority Worlds
by various, edited by Andrea Aramburú, Dibyadyuti Roy & Joe Sutliff Sanders
Leuven University Press
€55.00
The publisher says:
Comics, graphic novels and webtoons are exploding in popularity across the Global South and Majority World(s). Because most of the critical and methodological tools in English-language comics scholarship come from the Global North, such approaches are often imperfectly designed to illuminate Global South/Global Majority specificities, innovations, and achievements. Comics and the Global South brings together original comics scholarship that offers methodologies crafted within the histories, artistic traditions, and social and political realities of the comics and visual cultures in and from the Global South. The contributions make a major breakthrough in our ability to understand comics of the Global South on their own terms. Contributing authors: Caroline Bagelman, Jen Bagelman, Swarnima Banerjee, Partha Bhattacharjee, Kin Wai Amelia Chu, Amadeo Gandolfo, Josephine Gitome, Rounak Gupta, Amrutha Mohan, Debanjana Nayek, Ananya Saha, Letícia Simões & Zak Waipara. 300pgs B&W with 60pgs colour paperback. Digital editions also available.
Emmie Arbel: The Colour of Memory
by Barbara Yelin, translated by Helge R. Dascher, Edited by Charlotte Schallié & Alexander Korb
SelfMadeHero
£19.99
The publisher says:
Arrested with her family in her native Holland, deported, held in a series of Nazi concentration camps, and orphaned—all by the age of seven—Emmie Arbel transformed her childhood survival into a lifelong mission to stand against any such other horrors. With her home now in Israel, to where she and her brother emigrated with their foster-parents in the wake of the Holocaust, she still frequently travels abroad to report and record her testimony. Working closely with Emmie herself, the acclaimed German graphic artist Barbara Yelin has created a brilliant portrait – what she calls a “visual biography”—of this remarkable woman: her rebellious spirit, her resilient humour, the seriousness of her contemplation. “Surviving is not over,” Emmie reflects. “Surviving is every day.” Emmie Arbel: The Colour of Memory is at once a haunting portrayal of a historical atrocity; an inspiring account of a modern friendship; a beautiful work of art; and a meditation on memory itself. Because, as Barbara Yelin has put it, “The long arms of history wrap right around the present.” This graphic novel was developed as part of the https://visualnarratives.org/ Survivor-Centred Visual Narratives Project funded by the Social Science. 192pgs colour hardcover.
First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth
by Angélique Roché, Alvin Epps, Bex Glendining & Millicent Monroe
Oni Press
$29.99 / $19.99
The publisher says:
The incredible journey of activist Opal Lee—known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth—is brought to life in this biographical graphic novel that not only explores Opal’s remarkable path, but the history of the holiday of Juneteenth itself. From the 1860s to Ms. Opal’s childhood home, from her years as a teacher to the White House, First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth seeks to give readers an insight into the history behind one of the central figures in the creation of America’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth. Born in 1926, Opal Lee grew up in a racially divided America and dedicated her life to overcoming the obstacles presented therein. A lifelong educator, Ms. Opal has been a community activist all her life, and would take on the movement to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth not just as a holiday, but as a symbol of comprehensive freedom for all people. Ms. Opal’s life personifies the fight for everyday freedom that leads to lasting change. As the Grandmother of Juneteenth says, “There is so much more to do.” Written by acclaimed journalist, producer, and author Angélique Roché (My Super Hero is Black) and drawn by a trio of talented artists—including Alvin Epps (I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel), Bex Glendining (the upcoming Indigo Port), and rising star Millicent Monroe—The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth promises to illuminate the life of a singular woman and the history of a momentous holiday, with additional back matter providing more insights into Juneteenth’s history and the making of this graphic novel tribute. 208pgs colour hardcover / paperback.
Joe the Pirate: The Life & Times of Marion Barbara Carstairs
by Hubert & Virginie Augustin, translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger
Iron Circus
$18.00
The publisher says:
Marion Barbara Carstairs—“Joe” to her friends—began a life of adventure soon after her birth in 1900, when a camel accident gave her the spark of inspiration to change her name to Tuffy. Joe was an adrenaline junkie who drove an ambulance in the First World War, piloted speedboats into history as “the fastest woman on water,” flew an airplane through a hurricane, and battled crocodiles. Her love life was no less whirlwind. “I came out of the womb queer,” she said, preferring suits and ties over dresses, and enjoying affairs with Gwen Farrar, Dolly Wilde, Marlene Dietrich, and Tallulah Bankhead among countless other women. Her longest acquaintance was Tod Wadley, a doll who was her muse, companion, and reflection. With him, she governed the Caribbean island of Big Whale Cay for forty years, living her extraordinary windswept life of romance and speed through every twist and turn of the 20th century. Joe the Pirate brings these thrilling episodes of history to life with vivid artwork and a wryly subversive critique of the jet set; a tale of adventure, danger, and passion for our time. Hubert was born in 1971 in Saint-Renan, Finistère, and was originally a colorist for many popular French comics. Later, he became a scriptwriter and reached success with his work Miss Pas Touche (2006). He was prolific and worked in both comedic and dramatic veins, writing on subjects like anorexia and queer identity. He wrote Beauty (2011), a medieval fantasy about a woman cursed with beauty by a fairy, which won a selection prize at Angoulême in 2012. His previous work with Virginie Augustin, Monsieur Desire? (2017) won the Prix Diagonale. He passed away in February 2020, just prior to the publication of his work A Man’s Skin (2020). 224pgs B&W paperback.
Luna Express
by Campbell Whyte
Top Shelf Productions
$19.99
The publisher says:
Between crummy day jobs and nights out on the town, Celeste and her friends can barely find time to use their super-powers! Sailor Moon meets Late Capitalism in this deliriously epic graphic novel, bursting with life and vibrant colour. Celeste was always told that she could grow up to do anything she dreamed of, but she didn’t exactly dream of being a delivery biker for her parents’ bakery, Luna Express. Life is so much more exciting at night: when the stars come out, so do her magical powers of super-strength and speed! Those gifts haven’t made her destiny any clearer, though… until Celeste and her friends are targeted by a series of strange, supernatural attacks throughout their hometown of Perth. Now this reluctant team must battle land-sharks, roller-skating disco mushrooms, mind-bending art exhibitions, and their own personal drama, while trying to unravel the unsettling mystery that connects them and their city. Campbell Whyte was born in Perth, where he makes stories about place and strives to create an inclusive and supportive comics community. His graphic novel series Home Time won numerous international awards and was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Awards. As the co-founder of the Milktooth School of Art and Stories with Elizabeth Marruffo, he provides opportunities for young people to develop their comics skills and publish their works. As a co-founder of the Perth Comic Arts Festival, he has helped grow and steer the organisation to become one of Australia’s most significant comic events. 280pgs colour paperback French flaps.
Mama Came Callin’
by Ezra Claytan Daniels & Camilla Sucre
William Morrow Paperbacks
$25.99
The publisher says:
A gripping graphic horror novel set in the Florida bayou, following a young biracial woman as she uncovers her estranged father’s role in a grisly hate crime. Kirah was born from an improbable interracial relationship that, in central Florida’s infamous Asurupa County, defied all the odds. But her idyllic childhood was shattered by an urban legend come to life. The “Gatorman” was a nightmare on the lips of kids and grown-ups alike all the way back to Jim Crow: a monster with the body of a man, the head of an alligator—and a taste for Black children. That’s who crawled into Kirah’s window when Kirah was just five years old. According to the police, it was Kirah’s own father who put on that gator mask and tried to kill her. Twenty years later, Kirah works hard to build a life unburdened by the traumatic events of her childhood. Just when it seems like she’s managed to find her stride, her dad, fresh out of prison, crashes back into her world with a chilling message: “He’s coming for you.” Finally forced to face the hideous family history she’s been avoiding, Kirah sets off to discover where, and who, she truly came from. And the more she learns, the more disturbing the whole picture becomes. Turns out there’s a lot more to the Gatorman than Kirah thought, and even worse: he isn’t through with her just yet. A clever hybrid of swamp noir, slasher horror, and social satire—and brought to life by Camilla Sucre’s vivid illustrations—Mama Came Callin’ is a story about family and legacies, both the ones we inherit and the ones we can’t escape. Camilla Sucre is a Caribbean American artist from Trinidad, born in New York and raised in Baltimore. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art with a love for period dramas, vampires, and of course illustration. Mama Came Callin’ marks her debut graphic novel. 240pgs colour paperback.
Queen of Cosmos Comix
Barbara “Willy” Mendes
Fantagraphics
$40.00
The publisher says:
Barbara “Willy” Mendes’ masterpiece of hallucinogenic storytelling, Queen of Cosmos Comix Trilogy, is collected for the first time in a single volume. In Queen of Cosmos Comix Trilogy, underground cartoonist, fine artist, and muralist Barbara “Willy” Mendes chronicles women creators’ psychedelic journey through Biblical tableaux, modern life, and into a fantastical, interstellar future, weaving in her own intimate stories of being an artist, mother, and grandmother, especially in the never-before-published third volume. Inspired by Jewish mysticism, Mendes presents a creation myth shaped by feminine cosmic consciousness, with new, immersive worlds—and a radical reimagining of this one. Includes an illuminating and entertaining interview with Mendes, as well as the third never-before-published chapter of the trilogy. 236pgs part-colour hardback.
Wake Now in the Fire
A Graphic Novel
by Jarrett Dapier & AJ Dungo
Ten Speed Press
$38.00
The publisher says:
In this empowering graphic novel based on a true story, a group of high schoolers in Chicago work to overturn the system-wide ban of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis. It starts as an update at one Chicago high school: copies of a certain book are no longer allowed in the classrooms or the library. But it’s not just one high school—it’s all Chicago public schools. Not even the principals know why this is happening; they just know they must comply with the order. One thing is clear: The book, which tells a story of oppression, survival, and resistance against authoritarian power, is seen as a threat, dangerous enough to ban. One other thing is clear: Some of the students aren’t going to let this go without resistance of their own. As the extent of the ban becomes known, the students rise up. They organise a school-wide walkout and library sit-in. They publicise the banning in every forum they can: social media, the press, classes, clubs, the school paper. And most of all, they get everyone they know to read the book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. Told from multiple perspectives, based on extensive interviews with the real-life students and teachers who were affected, and written by the librarian who exposed key information about the Chicago Public Schools censorship decision, Wake Now in the Fire is a fictionalised account of a true event that galvanised a community. With illustrations by Alex Award-winner AJ Dungo that perfectly capture the everyday joys, heartbreak, and stresses of high school, this graphic novel is an inspiring portrayal of student activism taking on one of the most urgent issues of our time, and a passionate reminder of why protecting the books we love matters. 464pgs colour hardcover.
The Woodchipper
by Joe Ollmann
Drawn & Quarterly
$25.00
The publisher says:
An award-winning cartoonist confronts anxiety and regret. A long-time city maintenance worker keeps pulling an accident prone newbie’s fat out of the fire or maybe in this case, an arm and another arm and a leg out of the woodchipper. What happens when nothing happens? Can a disaster averted still be a disaster? In “Nestled All Snug,” frazzled bookstore clerk Sasha prepares to close the store and head home to watch Hallmark Christmas specials after a fight with her boyfriend means she’s home alone for the holidays. Hmm, that stack of boxes outside the bathroom seems a little precarious. Maybe Sasha will do returns when she gets back to work post-holidays. FWUMP FWUMP FWUMP. Guess someone is going to regret leaving their phone by the register before going to the bathroom. In The Woodchipper, Joe Ollmann, cartoonist of the groundbreaking Governor General Award finalist Fictional Father, returns with a suite of comic short stories focused on his trademark nervous wreck characters caught in a series of escalating personal disasters. Everybody’s doing their best. Everybody’s just trying to get through the day. 216pgs colour paperback.
The Yves Saint Laurent Revolution: The Story of ‘Le Smoking’
by Loo Hui Phong & Benjamin Bachelier
Thames & Hudson
£19.99
The publisher says:
The story of an outfit, a designer, his muse, and what the three of them created together: contemporary style. Paris, 1966. In the tranquility of his studio on Avenue Marceau, Yves Saint Laurent is conducting research for his next collection. From his drawings a female figure emerges… in a tuxedo! ‘Le Smoking’ is born. New York, 1967. Yves Saint Laurent steps out for lunch on the Upper East Side with his lifelong muse Betty Catroux. They are denied a table at every restaurant… because Betty is wearing Le Smoking. A woman in trousers? Unacceptable! This chic graphic novel tells the story of Yves Saint Laurent and Betty Catroux’s journey with Le Smoking. Through encounters with such timeless figures from fashion and art as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior and Andy Warhol, we discover the studio secrets of the making of Le Smoking and learn how this iconic piece anticipated and contributed to second-wave feminism in the late 1960s. 168pgs colour hardcover.
