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Research Guides

Graphic Novels A - L

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"Thi Bui painstakingly interviewed members of her family, and researched their past, so that she could tell their stories spanning three generations (or more) in Vietnam, their experience as refugees, and citizens in America."

Recommended by: Aydin Kwan, Student UW Seattle, iSchool

"Bingo Love is a romance comic about two black girls who fall in love in the 60s, are separated, and reunite half a century later. As elderly black women, the protagonists represent populations that are largely missing from LGBTQ romance. The story also takes great advantage of its visual medium by depicting body diversity and a range of skintones among its black characters."

"This intersectional feminist sci-fi satire depicts a near future dystopia in which women are incarcerated for "non-compliance," i.e., being too big, too old, too brown, too queer, too loud, and so on. It shines a light on aggressions experienced by specific populations of women, such as Black women and Asian-American women, as well as by women as a whole in a patriarchal society."

Recommended by: Anonymous, Staff UW Seattle, Health Science Library

"A graphic novel that uncovers the hidden, surprising lives of Iranian women. This is a more adult continuation of Satrapi's Persepolis (also worth reading!)"

Gumballs

Recommended by: Anonymous, Staff UW Seattle, Libraries

" Some of the best autobiographies lately have been graphic novels and this one is one of the best I've read in a long time. The combination of the drawings and text seem to allow for a better understanding of the life of the creator than text or drawings alone. The many of problems, joys, and daily minutia of that are shared in Gumballs though specific to the author will sound familiar to anyone working their way though their 20s & will leave you feeling like you know Erin and can better understand the ways in which gender transitioning changes and doesn't change his life."

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"This Manga explores the issues deaf & hearing impaired people face in Japan. The story is told through an individual perspective - one of the main characters is hearing impaired, and a big-picture perspective - his boyfriend (spoilers!) begins working for a company that provides support services to deaf people, but not to hearing impaired people. He tries to change this!"

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"Kim is a cheerful, chaotic, impulsive, tough, trans, and imaginative bounty hunter. Her partner Kim, a queer, POC, who's a little more level headed & practical (but just barely), and does some necromancy on the side. They're lives are a bit of a mess - but not because of their identities. Being a bounty hunter is hard!"
 
"Fresh perspective on pre-war african american slave history, uses science fiction to insert a contemporary into the midst of a history-drenched era. The contrast of a modern individual having to suffer history that seems ancient and closed helps cast a deeply personal, relatable light to a story that is many times told in a divisive manner."

Graphic Novels M - Z

Recommended by: Carolyn Martin, Staff UW Seattle, Health Sciences Library

My Brother's Husband

Recommended by: Le A. Button, Staff UW Seattle, Tateuchi East Asia Library

" This graphic novel explores issues of race, family, and sexuality in modern day Japan. Japanese single father Yaichi must welcome Canadian Mike Flanagan - the husband of Yaichi's recently deceased brother - into his home. Unsure of how to deal with this unexpected addition to his family, Yaichi must confront the prejudices and cultural attitudes that drove a wedge between his brother and himself. I'd recommend My Brother's Husband because it explores issues of cultural difference in a way that is engaging and informative to a wide range of readers. Its story is straightforward, but it manages to avoid simplifying the complex issues that are at its core. Queer identity and homophobia are discussed in plain terms, but with enough depth and nuance that readers more familiar with these topics won't feel talked down to. And although it deals with heavy subject matter, the tone is upbeat and optimistic, focusing primarily on how conversations leading to understanding and acceptance can be started and maintained."

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"It's a graphic novel set in late 19th century Paris, about a cross-dressing prince & a career-focused woman. Even though both main characters face obstacles, and that time period would have been friendly to neither of them, they are both able to create the life they want for themselves. It's a positive & hopefully message to anyone who identifies with either character."

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"This story puts Sherlock Holmes & John Watson in Harlem in the 21st century, as black men. Almost all of the characters are black, except inspector Lestrade who is portrayed as a woman. It seems to end just as it's getting started, which is unfortunate, but it nonetheless creates a new & newly compelling version of this story."

Recommended by: Melissa, Staff UW Bothell, Library

"This book takes a broad look at many physical, social, and psychological issues women are judged for - and then gives them words of support. Uplifting, inclusive, accessible and positive. I often buy extras of this book, and give them to women in my life."

Recommended by: Anonymous

"Eye-catching title, interesting artwork, emotionally resonant. An artist's call to build a better world."

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