Listicle: 10 must-reads for a dose of comic relief

New Zealand artist Rachel Smythe’s retelling of Persephone-Hades myth started out as a weekly romance webcomic in 2018. The meet-cute happens at a party, Hades, ruler of the Underworld, comes across as misunderstood. Persephone has agency and depth as she grapples with Olympus politics and relationships. The romance is the central pillar in the story, but Smythe makes the most of Greek myth to tell other stories. Volume 1 collects episodes 1-25.

Where was this when we were stuck with boring history textbooks in school? Nikhil Gulati and Harappan archaeologist Jonathan Mark Kenoyer team up to answer, among others, the question: Who were the people of the Indus Valley? With intricate, historically accurate illustrations, and an engaging, guidebook-style narration, this is a fitting account of a most fascinating civilisation.

Ai Weiwei’s first graphic memoir was always going to be a little fiery. Artist Gianluca Costantini illustrates 12 chapters inspired by the signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics. Each speaks of the power of artistic expression and how it fuels intellectual freedom. There’s folklore, scenes from Weiwei’s memory, political turning points, messages about finding one’s voice in big and small ways. And of course, his tongue-in-cheek view of how art makes us human.

Author Rainbow Rowell sets her story in Nebraska, amidst crisp apples, roasted chestnuts, and piles of jewel-toned leaves. Deja and Josiah have spent every autumn working at the local pumpkin patch. This Halloween, facing their last-ever shift, both high-school seniors are bursting with hidden feelings about their imminent parting. With vibrant accompanying artwork by Faith Erin Hicks, this novel is giving adolescent nostalgia, giggles and fuzzy feels.

Anya is finally a Moth Keeper, protector of the lunar moths that allow the vital Night-Lily flower to bloom once a year. It’s an honour and responsibility, and she’s excited. But it’s nothing like she thought it would be. Anya is steadily consumed by thoughts of the sun. Kay O’Neill’s stories are typically whimsical. This coming-of-age fantasy is illuminated with stunning artwork that’s a departure from their usual brighter style, but is no less magical.

An occult ritual entraps Lord Morpheus. aka Dream of the Endless, instead of his older sister, Death. For 70 years, stripped of his objects of power, he lies helpless while everything in his realm falls apart. People can’t dream.But he does find a way to escape and embarks on a lengthy quest to recover his helm, his ruby, and his pouch of dream dust, so that he can restore the dreaming. Neil Gaiman’s classic got a Netflix adaptation in 2022. The novel, Preludes and Nocturnes, compiles issues 1-8 of the original run.

Boy meets boy in Alice Oseman’s webcomic, which has had two seasons of a series adaptation on Netflix. Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson go to the same British all-boys grammar school. A chance bench assignment puts the opposite personalities in each other’s paths, and an unlikely friendship soon shows the potential for something more. It’s wholesome, sparse, with sweet artwork to hug to your chest, even when it’s putting the characters through Big Feelings.

Young orphaned Margaret lives on a tiny island off the coast of Albion, with only convent nuns for company. Then Eleanor arrives, seemingly a prisoner. Little does Margaret know that this enigmatic, aloof stranger is none other than the Queen, banished by her sister. This hybrid historical story by cult graphic novelist Dylan Meconis brilliantly reimagines the exile of Queen Elizabeth I by her sister, Queen Mary, through traditional comic book panels and more experimental illustrated narrative.

Author-illustrator Jen Wang dips into her own childhood to explore adolescent friendship, identity, belonging and acceptance. Christine and Moon grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, but these polar opposites turn unexpected best friends only after becoming neighbours. With quirky illustrations and seamlessly embedded cultural references, Wang crafts a gorgeous tale of early girlhood and all the wonder, joy, heartbreak and hope it brings.

Surely you watched and loved the animated adaptation on Netflix last year? Shapeshifting Nimona has a penchant for villainy. But she’s committed to help Lord Ballister Blackheart prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are. But there’s a secret underneath it all. And the villain isn’t who you think it is. There is snark, hilarity, compelling anti-heroes, heart, and quirky artwork in ND Stevenson’s webcomic.