2025 RRT x GNCRT Collaboration Core List

Fiction

The Accursed Vampire. Written by Madeline McGrane. Art by Madeline McGrane. Quill Tree Books, 2021 (9780062954343).
A trio of vampire kids go hunting for a grimoire at the behest of a powerful witch.

Beetle & the Hollowbones. Written by Aliza Layne. Art by Aliza Layne. Assisted by Kristen Acampora and Natalie Riess. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2020 (9781534441538).
Beetle is a 12-year-old goblin who would rather go hang out with her ghost friend than go to school. But when she hears that the mall will be torn down, ending the afterlife of her ghostly companion, it'll be up to her and her friend Kat to save it all!

Buckle Up. Written by Lawrence Lindell. Art by Lawrence Lindell. Random House Graphic, 2024 (9780593479797).
Lonnie's parents are recently divorced, and he misses the days of living together with his dad, mom, and sister. Through car rides before and after school, he starts to open up to his dad while learning important life lessons.

Camp Prodigy. Written by Caroline Palmer. Art by Caroline Palmer. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024 (9781665930383).
Tate is surprised to meet their hero, nonbinary violist Eli Violet, at a summer orchestra camp, but balancing new friendships and performance anxiety proves more difficult than expected.

Carousel Summer. Written by Kathleen Gros. Art by Kathleen Gros. Quill Tree Books, 2025 (9780063057692).
Lucy thinks she is in for a boring summer until she meets Anaïs, the daughter of an artist coming to refurbish an old carousel. Tensions rise as a development company takes over the town and Lucy struggles with her dad's expectations of how she should express herself as a girl.

Lunar Boy. Written by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo. Art by Jes Wibowo and Cin Wibowo. HarperAlley, 2024 (9780063057609).
Indu is from the moon and is struggling to fit in on Earth with his new blended family. One day he calls out to the moon for help, and when the moon agrees to help, Indu must decide for himself where he belongs. 

Mamo. Written by Sas Milledge. Art by Sas Milledge. BOOM!Box, 2022 (9781684158171).
Jo seeks out the local witch, Orla, to assist her with removing a curse from her mom. Once the curse is removed they realize that it is a large problem encompassing the whole town and that it was created by Orla's grandmother as a way to lure her back home.

PetWizards. Written by Kirk Scroggs. Art by Kirk Scroggs. Union Square Kids, 2024 (9781454950486).
Finch Eaglehawk may seem normal, but he has a big secret: he is a PetWizard, someone able to control the animal kingdom. Finch wants to control a bigger variety of animals, so he seeks out ways to increase his powers. Along the way, he tries to impress his crush, Ken.

The Real Riley Mayes. Written by Rachel Elliott. Art by Rachel Elliott. HarperAlley, 2022  (9780062995759).
Fifth-grader Riley Mayes doesn't fit in with the other girls at school. She wants short hair, she wears ‘boy’ clothes, and her celeb crush is a female comedian. After being bullied and meeting her new friend's gay dads, Riley realizes how she is different and embraces being unique.

The Ribbon Skirt. Written by Cameron Mukwa. Art by Cameron Mukwa. Graphix, 2024 (9781338843255).
Ten-year-old Anang wants to wear a traditional Anishinaabe garment, a ribbon skirt, to the upcoming powwow. Anang is two-spirit and nonbinary, and they are nervous about what others will think of them. Despite this, Anang sets off to find the needed materials, finding unlikely friends and help along the way.

A Song for You and I. Written by K. O’Neill. Art by K. O’Neill. Random House Graphic, 2025 (9780593182314).
Rowan is a ranger-in-training assigned to a rather dull post for a final rotation, overlooking the meadows where Leone, an easygoing shepherd, prefers playing the violin to tending sheep. When Rowan’s pegasus is injured following an error in judgment, they start to question their readiness to become a full ranger. 

The Tea Dragon Society. Written by K. O’Neill. Art by K. O’Neill. Lettering by Saida Temofonte. Oni Press, 2017 (9781620104415).
Greta sets out to become a blacksmith apprentice and learns about the magical world of tea dragons, meeting many new friends and realizing that self discovery is a lifelong journey.

The Witch Boy. Written by Lee Knox Ostertag. Art by Lee Knox Ostertag. Color by Lee Knox Ostertag, Niki Smith, Barbara Geoghegan, and Shannon Murphy. Graphix, 2017 (9781338089516). 
Aster is supposed to shapeshift like the men in his community, not be a witch like the women. But Aster has a talent for and fascination with witchcraft. A friend from outside the community helps Aster realize the truth, enabling him to be his authentic self while saving the village.

Fiction

Angelica and the Bear Prince. Written by Trung Le Nguyen. Art by Trung Le Nguyen. Random House Graphic, 2025 (9780593125472).
Angelica finds connection and romance when she starts an internship at a local theater where they are putting on a favorite play from her childhood.

Ash’s Cabin. Written by Jen Wang. Art by Jen Wang. First Second, 2024 (9781250754059).
Fed up with the world, Ash decides to go find their grandfather's secret cabin and live on their own in nature.

Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story. Written by Nicole Maines. Art by Rye Hickman. Color by Bex Glendining. Lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. DC Comics, 2024 (9781779510457). 
Nia's older sister has always been assumed to become a Dreamer with the ability to see the future in dreams. When the gift is passed onto Nia instead, she runs away rather than deal with breaking the news, meeting new friends who accept and believe in her.

Belle of the Ball. Written by Mari Costa. Art by Mari Costa. First Second, 2023 (9781250784131).
B Hawkins finally gets the courage to ask out her crush, Regina, but discovers Regina already has a girlfriend, Chloe. After Chloe realizes that B is actually her childhood crush, Belle, the path for all three girls changes forever.

Boys Run the Riot, Vol. 1. Written by Keito Gaku. Art by Keito Gaku. Translated by Leo McDonagh. Lettering by Asher Caswell. Kodansha Comics, 2021 (9781646512485). 
A Japanese, transgender teen navigates his identity while teaming up with a classmate to design gender-affirming clothes. 

Brooms. Written by Jasmine Walls. Art by Teo DuVall. Color by Bex Glendining. Lettering by Ariana Maher. Flats by Mariya Juni, Zack Sharpe, and Elise Schuenke. Levine Querido, 2023 (9781646142675).
It’s the 1930’s in Mississippi, and people of color aren’t allowed to race brooms. However, there are lucrative underground rings where people do so. The book focuses on six women competitors of different races, ethnicities, and abilities who all have larger aspirations.

Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid. Written by Ngozi Ukazu. Art by Mad Rupert. Color by K Czap. First Second, 2024 (9781250193520).
Molly's first year of art college takes an unexpected turn when her full-ride scholarship disappears! In the school's financial aid documents, she finds a loophole. If she can put together a team to win a single game of softball, they will all receive athletic scholarships, but it won't be easy.

Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey. Written by Ngozi Ukazu. Art by Ngozi Ukazu. First Second, 2018 (9781250177957). 
This story follows Eric Bittle through his Freshman and Sophomore year of college as a member of his school’s hockey team. Eric balances his love of baking, his fear of being checked and injured in hockey, becoming friends with the team, and his crush on the team captain, Jack. 

Cosmoknights (Book One). Written by Hannah Templer. Art by Hannah Templer. Top Shelf Productions, 2019 (9781603094542). 
Set in a medieval inspired sci-fi setting, the protagonist, Pan, decides to run away from home to combat the patriarchal system of cosmoknights fighting in mecha jousting battles to win the hand of various princesses (as well as the political clout that comes with it). 

DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test. Written by Hamish Steele. Art by Hamish Steele. Union Square & Co., 2023 (9781454948957).   
The protagonist, Barney, runs away from home to work (and secretly live) at a rundown theme park and unexpectedly finds himself living on top of a portal to hell. Shenanigans and drama ensue. 

The Deep Dark. Written by Lee Knox Ostertag. Art by Lee Knox Ostertag. Graphix, 2024 (9781338839999).
Mags is dealing with being one of the only out queer people in a smallish California town while quietly suffering under the burdens of her fracturing family's expectations. When an old friend, newly transitioned, comes back to town, she's forced to deal with her identity and confront the past.

Flamer. Written by Mike Curato. Art by Mike Curato. Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2020 (9781627796415). 
At a summer camp before high school, Aiden endures bullying while trying to process his sexuality. Through camp activities, friendship, and complicated crushes, he slowly moves toward self-acceptance in this deeply personal graphic novel.

Full Shift: A Graphic Novel. Written by Jennifer Dugan. Art by Kit Seaton. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2024 (9780593529843).
Outcast teen werewolf Tessa struggles with belonging in her large werewolf family because she can’t fully transform. When hunters promise a cure to rid herself of being a werewolf for good, she must decide whether becoming “normal” is worth risking her pack and the people she loves.

The Ghostkeeper. Written by Johanna Taylor. Art by Johanna Taylor. Lettering by Micah Myers. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2024 (9780593526675).
A man who can see ghosts considers it his life's purpose to help them move on to the afterlife. When the key to Death's Door gets stolen, he has to retrieve it before it's too late.

The Girl from the Sea. Written by Lee Knox Ostertag. Art by Lee Knox Ostertag. Color by Maarta Laiho. Graphix, 2021 (9781338540581).
A girl in a small town on the sea plans to leave after high school and move somewhere she can be herself: gay and happy. These plans are thrown into disarray when she kisses a selkie and falls in love.

Goldie Vance, Vol. 1. Written by Hope Larson. Art by Brittney Williams. Color by Sarah Stern. Lettering by Jim Campbell. BOOM!Box, 2016 (9781608868988).
Marigold “Goldie” Vance lives at the Florida resort her dad owns, and she dreams of being the resort’s detective. When the current detective can’t crack a case, Goldie tries to take over and solve the mystery.

The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn’t a Guy at All, Vol. 1. Written by Sumiko Arai. Art by Sumiko Arai. Translated by Ajani Oloye. Lettering by Brandon Bovia. Yen Press, 2024 (9781875399689).
A girl has a crush on the guy who works at the local record store, but it turns out the guy is actually a girl and also her classmate.

Heartstopper, Vol. 1. Written by Alice Oseman. Art by Alice Oseman. Graphix, 2020 (9781338617436). 
Charlie and Nick navigate the awkwardness of teenage romance. As they slowly fall in love, their tender moments will melt even the coldest of hearts. Alice Oseman delivers a beautifully sweet, relatable story about young love and the challenges of growing up.

Heathen, Vol. 1. Written by Natashi Alterici. Art by Natasha Alterici. Lettering by Rachel Deering. Vault Comics, 2017 (9781939424181).
Aydis, a viking warrior, is exiled from her village for kissing another woman. She decides she will make the world better by freeing the Valkyrie, Brynhild, and defeating Odin.

Hey, Mary! Written by Andrew Wheeler. Art by Rye Hickman. Color by Hank Jones. Lettering by Frank Cvetkovic. Oni Press, 2025 (9781637156384).
When Mark realizes that he has a crush on a boy, he has to go through the process of reconciling this new information about his identity and his Catholic faith.

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy. Written by Faith Erin Hicks. Art by Faith Erin Hicks. First Second, 2023 (9781250838735). 
After a violent outburst jeopardizes her hockey future, driven athlete Alix seeks help managing her anger. An unlikely bond with a calm theater kid reveals shared vulnerabilities and opens the door to personal growth and unexpected romance.

I Shall Never Fall in Love. Written by Hari Conner. Art by Hari Conner. HarperAlley, 2024 (9780358682394).
In this Austen-inspired story, two friends try to abide by the strict rules of society but find their growing feelings for one another increasingly difficult to ignore. 

I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 1. Written by Okura. Art by Okura. Translated by Leo McDonagh.  Lettering by Lor Prescott. Square Enix Manga, 2021 (9781646090921). 
Tomoko Aoyama's son, Hiroki, is starting high school and seems to have a first crush on a classmate. Even though Hiroki has not come out to his mother yet, she is aware of his sexuality and does her best to be supportive without forcing him to out himself. 

I Want to Be a Wall, Vol. 1. Written by Honami Shirono. Art by Honami Shirono. Translated by Emma Schumacker. Lettering by Alexis Eckerman. Yen Press, 2022 (9781975338961). 
An asexual woman and a gay man enter into a lavender marriage so that they can remain true to themselves without having to constantly push back on society's expectations. 

If You'll Have Me. Written by Eunnie. Art by Eunnie. Viking Books for Young Readers, 2023 (9780593403228).
Momo is introverted, sensitive, and believes the best in people. PG is a lone wolf and a known flirt. When the two meet and fall for each other, Momo isn't sure if she should follow her heart or listen to her friends who tell her that PG is bad news. 

Is Love the Answer? Written by Uta Isaki. Art by Uta Isaki. Translated by Sawa Matsueda Savage. Lettering by Jennifer Skarupa. Kodansha Comics, 2023 (9781646516490).
In high school, Chika feels different from her friends because she’s never had a crush or wanted physical intimacy. When she goes to college, Chika finally meets other people like herself and learns about asexuality. 

Juliet Takes a Breath. Written by Gabby Rivera. Art by Celia Moscote. Color by James Fenner. Lettering by DC Hopkins. BOOM!Box, 2020 (9781684156115).
Juliet leaves the Bronx for Portland, Oregon, after coming out to her family. Interning with her favorite feminist author, Harlowe Brisbane, Juliet hopes to find answers about being Puerto Rican, lesbian, and out. But Harlowe, a white author, doesn’t have all the answers in this heartfelt graphic novel.

Just Like Mona Lisa, Vol. 1. Written by Tsumuji Yoshimura. Art by Tsumuji Yoshimura. Translated by Leo McDonagh. Lettering by Asher Caswell. Square Enix Manga, 2024 (9781646092772). 
Set in a world where people are born genderless and their bodies change to their desired gender during puberty, 18-year-old Hinase still doesn't have an assigned gender and struggles with what choice they should make, a decision made more difficult when their two best friends confess to them.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me. Written by Mariko Tamaki. Art by Rosemary Valero-O'Connell. First Second, 2019 (9781250312846). 
Freddy is a 17-year-old high school student in Oakland, California who has been in love with Laura Dean since they square danced in gym class. Laura disappears a lot, often with another girl, leaving Freddy with a broken heart over and over again in this tale of toxic young love. 

Love, Misha. Written by Askel Aden. Art by Askely Aden. First Second, 2025 (9781250866226). 
Misha and their mom go on a road trip to heal their relationship. But Misha’s mom, despite her so-called efforts, still treats them like a girl. Their fights lead them into a strange new world and only through fighting to get home will they be able to reconcile their differences.

The Magic Fish. Written by Trung Le Nguyen. Art by Trung Le Nguyen. Random House Graphic, 2020 (9780593125298).
In this stunning debut graphic novel, a young boy bridges the gap between himself and his Vietnamese immigrant parents through the language of fairy tales. But when it comes to revealing that he’s gay, will stories be enough?

My Love Mix-Up! Vol. 1. Written by Wataru Hinekure. Art by Aruko. Translated by Jan Cash. Lettering by Inori Fukuda Trant. VIZ Media, 2021 (9781974725274).
A misunderstanding leads to a love triangle and unexpected romance in this charming comedy of errors.

Magical Boy, Vol. 1: A Graphic Novel. Written by The Kao. Art by The Kao. Lettering by Dezi Sienty. Graphix, 2022 (9781338775532). 
A transgender teen discovers he is descended from a long line of magical girls and through the story goes on adventures while navigating what it means to be a magical boy. 

Navigating With You. Written by Jeremy Whitley. Art by Cassio Ribeiro. Lettering by Nikki Foxrobot and Micah Myers. Maverick, 2024 (9781952303609).
Two girls become friends and fall in love as they decide to start a book club around an out-of-print manga series that they both had started and never finished when they were younger.  

Nimona. Written by ND Stevenson. Art by ND Stevenson. Quill Tree Books, 2015 (9780062278227). 
Set in a medieval inspired sci-fi world, shapeshifting teen, Nimona, decides that she wants to be a henchman to the supervillain Lord Ballister Blackheart.

Nubia: Real One. Written by L.L. McKinney. Art by Robyn Smith. Color by Brie Henderson, Robyn Smith, and Bex Glendining. Lettering by Ariana Maher. DC Comics, 2021 (9781401296407).
Nubia is just as much a superhero as Wonder Woman, but as a Black teen, society treats her like a threat even when she’s saving the day. After using her superhuman strength to help a friend, Nubia must decide whether to stay hidden or share her powers with the world.

The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, Vol. 1. Written by James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal. Art by Isaac Goodhart. Color by Miquel Muerto. Lettering by Aditya Bidikar. Dark Horse Books, 2024 (9781506736723).
Christopher Chaos is a brilliant but isolated teen whose scientific genius sets him apart from others. Everything changes when he discovers that the boy he likes is actually a monster, plunging him into a hidden world filled with supernatural beings, secret hunters, and dark mysteries. 

On a Sunbeam. Written by Tillie Walden. Art by Tillie Walden. First Second, 2018 (9781250178145). 
New graduate Mia quickly becomes part of the family after joining a restoration crew aboard a space ship, but worlds collide when she has a second chance with her first love.

Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare, Vol. 1. Written by Yuhki Kamatani. Art by Yuhki Kamatani. Translated by Jocelyne Allen. Adapted by Ysabet MacFarlane. Lettering by Kaitlyn Wiley. Seven Seas, 2019 (978164250607).
Tasuku contemplates suicide after being outed by a classmate, but a chance encounter leads him to find a supportive community and start the path toward accepting his sexuality.

The Prince and the Dressmaker. Written by Jen Wang. Art by Jen Wang. First Second, 2018 (9781626723634). 
Prince Sebastian has a secret: he loves wearing bold dresses at night and sometimes feels more like a princess than a prince. When Sebastian hires Frances, a talented young seamstress, she quickly becomes his best friend and dressmaker, but can Frances reach her dreams while keeping Sebastian’s secret?

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Written by Deya Muniz. Art by Deya Muniz. Ink by Dominic Bustamante. Color by Eleonora Bruni. Little, Brown Ink, 2023 (9780316538701). 
Disguised as a nobleman to claim her inheritance, Lady Camembert builds a new life in the capital, but falling for the charming Princess Brie makes it much harder to keep her secret.

The Strange Case of Harleen and Harley. Written by Melissa Marr. Art by Jenn St-Onge and Lea Caballero. Color by Jeremy Lawson. Lettering by Lucas Gattoni. DC Comics, 2024 (9781779509758).
Harleen Quinzel joins a clinical trial with her girlfriend Pamela in hopes of getting some extra cash and a cure for her constant anxiety, but she ends up sharing her mind with the chaotic Harley Quinn, turning her life upside down.

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1. Written by Mokumokuren. Art by Mokumokuren. Translated by Ajani Oloye. Lettering by Abigail Blackman. Yen Press, 2023 (9781975360542).
Yoshiki's best friend came back from the mountain not the same. After confronting him about it, Hikaru admits that he is not the real Hikaru, but a creature that has his memories and his face and no intention of getting rid of either. 

Toxic Summer. Written by Derek Charm. Art by Derek Charm. Lettering by Frank Cvetkovic. Oni Press, 2025 (9781637156445).
It’s summer, and best friends Ben and Leo were planning to go to the seaside, be lifeguards, and find some hunks. But when they arrive, a mysterious spill in the water changes all their plans. 

Wynd Book One: The Flight of the Prince. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Michael Dialynas. Lettering by Aditya Bidikar. BOOM!Box, 2021 (9781684157099).
Wynd is trying to be the typical boy in Pipetown, one of the last human settlements that is strictly against magic. However, Wynd has magic, and it’s getting harder to hide.

You Brought Me the Ocean. Written by Alex Sanchez. Art by Julie Maroh. Lettering by Deron Bennett. DC Comics, 2020 (9781401290818). 
Jake dreams of leaving his desert hometown for the ocean, but his best friend and overprotective mom hold him back. Drawn to swim team captain Kenny and hiding markings that glow when touching water, Jake faces a tough choice between the life he knows and his hopes for the future. 

Young Avengers: Style > Substance. Written by Kieron Gillen. Art by Jamie McKelvie and Mike Norton. Color by Matthew Wilson. Lettering by VC’s Clayton Cowles. Marvel Worldwide, Inc., 2013 (9780785167082). 
Wiccan attempts to bring his boyfriend Hulkling's dead mother back, it goes awry, and the eventual team begins to form when they start to help each other.

Young Men in Love: A Queer Romance Anthology. Edited by Joe Glass and Matt Miner. A Wave Blue World, 2022 (9781949518207).
This anthology features comics celebrating love between men, from epic stories of pirates to ghosts to familiar tales of love.

Nonfiction

Homebody. Written by Theo Parish. Art by Theo Parish. HarperAlley, 2024 (9780063319592).
Homebody takes readers along for the author's journey of finding their identity as a trans non-binary person. Theo Parish shares the good and bad things along their discovery of their identity, as well as the wonderful outcomes of being your authentic self.

I’m a Wild Seed. Written by Sharon Lee De La Cruz. Art by Sharon Lee De La Cruz. Street Noise Books, 2021 (9781951491055).
A short graphic memoir about growing into queerness. De La Cruz discusses her own intersectionality and how her intersections of race, sexuality and gender play out. 

Liberated: The Radical Art and Life of Claude Cahun. Written by Kaz Rowe. Art by Kaz Rowe. The J. Paul Getty Trust, 2023 (9781947440074).
A lightly fictionalized biography of the Jewish French surrealist artist Claude Cahun that draws heavily from primary sources and focuses primarily on her anti-fascist work during WWII in collaboration with her longtime romantic and artistic partner.

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American. Written by Laura Gao. Art by Laura Gao and Weiwei Xu. Color by Weiwei Xu. HarperAlley, 2022 (9780063067776).
Laura tells her life story of growing up in Wuhan, moving to Texas, going to college, and returning home to Wuhan as an adult. She goes through steps of self-realization between trying to fit in in America, trying to relearn Chinese, coming out as Queer, and connecting with her roots.

Spinning. Written by Tillie Walden. Art by Tillie Walden. First Second, 2017 (9781626729407). 
A memoir featuring Tillie Walden's relationship to her skating, her sexuality, and her place in the world as she grows up. The work focuses on the emotional aspects of all these things.  

Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to Present Day. Written by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett. Art by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett. Lettering by Tif Bucknor. Candlewick, 2025 (9781536219234).
This well-researched graphic guide traces trans history from antiquity to today, highlighting diverse perspectives and compelling historical figures.

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure. Written by Lewis Hancox. Art by Lewis Hancox. Graphix, 2022 (9781338824445). 
Lewis Hancox, now an adult and out as trans, chronicles his gender journey by narrating and trying to talk to his younger self as he goes through the ups and downs of realizing you're not cisgender.

Fiction

Bingo Love, Vol. 1: Jackpot Edition. Written by Tee Franklin. Art by Jenn St-Onge. Color by Joy San. Lettering by Cardinal Rae. Image Comics, 2018 (9781534310247).
Set in 1963, Hazel and Mari fall in love at church bingo. As their families and society don’t accept, they drift apart until, decades later, they meet again at church bingo night.

Black Panther: World of Wakanda. Written by Roxane Gay, Yona Harvey, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Rembert Browne. Art by Alitha E. Martinez, Robert Poggi, Afua Richardson, and Joe Bennett. Color by Rachelle Rosenberg and Tamra Bonvillain. Lettering by VC’s Joe Sabino. Marvel Worldwide, Inc., 2017 (9781302906504).
This graphic novel details the back story of the Midnight Angels, as well as the story of Ayo and Aneka’s forbidden love. After political unrest in Wakanda, Ayo and Aneka must fight to protect Wakanda.

Blue Is the Warmest Color. Written by Julie Maroh. Art by Julie Maroh. Translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger. Arsenal Pulp Press, 2013 (9781551525143).
In this coming-of-age story set in 1990s France, Clementine struggles with internalized homophobia as well as that of family and friends. She falls in love with the slightly older Emma during her teenage years. The story is primarily told through Emma reading Clementine's diaries after her untimely death.

A Boy Named Rose. Written by Gaelle Greniller. Art by Gaelle Greniller. Fairsquare Graphics, 2023 (9798985927863).
It’s Paris in the 1920’s, and a boy named Rose dreams of dancing at a cabaret. As Rose begins to discover love, he must figure out how to be true to himself when it is not accepted.

Boys Weekend. Written by Mattie Lubchansky. Art by Mattie Lubchansky. Pantheon, 2023 (9780593316719). 
Sammie, a transfemme artist, is invited as best man to a bachelor party weekend for an old college friend. On their trip, their friends repeatedly forget that she does not identify as a man, and Sammie realizes she’s the only one noticing the cult activity happening in the city.

The Chromatic Fantasy. Written by H. A. Art by H. A. Silver Sprocket, 2023 (9798886200324).
Jules, a trans man and reluctant nun, makes a deal with a devil that allows him to leave the convent. After meeting Casper, a charming thief and fellow trans man, Jules begins a life of equal parts crime and romance while managing his possession by an increasingly jealous demon. 

The Demon of Beausoleil. Written by Mari Costa. Art by Mari Costa. Oni Press, 2026 (9798894880341).
Half-demon Helianthes performs exorcisms alongside his reluctant bodyguard in an alternate Victorian London.

The Deviant, Vol. 1. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Joshua Hixson. Lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Image Comics, 2024 (9781534356917). 
In 1972 Milwaukee, a man in a Santa suit terrorized young men. Decades later, a struggling writer seeks answers from the convicted killer but is surprised to find the past repeating itself. 

Eighty Days. Written by A.C. Esguerra. Art by A.C. Esguerra. Archaia, 2021 (9781684156573). 
In a war-torn world, a pilot must come to terms with what it truly means to be free when he falls in love with a thief.  

Far Sector. Written by N.K. Jemisin. Art by Jamal Campbell. Lettering by Deron Bennett. DC Comics, 2021 (9781779512055). 
In a utopian city where emotions were erased to ensure peace, a shocking murder exposes buried histories and rising tensions. Rookie Green Lantern Jo Mullein must solve the crime and navigate political unrest to prevent war and decide the future of a fragile society.

Flung Out of Space: Inspired by the Indecent Adventures of Patricia Highsmith. Written by Grace Ellis. Art by Hannah Templer. Abrams ComicArts - Surely, 2023 (9781419744334).
This graphic novel tells the story of the author Patricia Highsmith as she writes Strangers on a Train and Carol, all while juggling her multiple jobs, trying to date a man, and going in and out of conversion therapy.

Grand Slam Romance, Book 1. Written by Ollie Hicks. Art by Emma Oosterhous. Abrams ComicArts - Surely, 2023 (9781419758010).
In this exciting tale of softball and magical girls, Mickey Monsoon's plans to dominate the league as pitcher extraordinaire of the Belle City Broads are disrupted when a superpowered fling from their past joins a rival team.

A Guest in the House. Written by E.M. Carroll. Art by E.M. Carroll. First Second, 2023 (9781250255525).
After marrying a recent widower, Abby tries to settle into her new life with him and his young daughter. But the more she uncovers about his late wife, the more suspicious things become, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality and leaving Abby increasingly obsessed with her husband’s deceased wife. 

Heaven, West Virginia. Written by Ravi Teixeira. Art by Ravi Teixeira. Oni Press, 2025 (9781637158746).
After his abusive father’s death, Lamont retreats to a small Appalachian town to heal with his aunt, learning foraging and tea-making. As a terrifying creature stalks him through the woods, Lamont must confront grief, trauma, and the lingering darkness within himself.

Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist. Written by Diane DiMassa. Art by Diane DiMassa. Introduction by Sarah Schulman. Interview by Jay Graham. New York Review Comics, 2025 (9781681378619).
Hothead Paisan struggles with homicidal ideation due to consumerist and misogynist culture. Real struggles with mental health and real anger at societal norms are interspersed with humor and conversations with her cat.

I Hated You in High School. Written by Kathleen Gros. Art by Kathleen Gros. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2025 (9781524889531).
Tessa loses her job and returns to her parents' place across the country (to help her sister plan their big wedding anniversary party) and discovers that her high school nemesis (and former crush, not that she'd admit that) is living in her parents' basement rental suite. 

Liebestrasse. Written by Greg Lockard. Art by Tim Fish. Color by Héctor Barros. Lettering by Lucas Gattoni. Dark Horse Books, 2022 (9781506724553).
Near the end of the Weimar Republic, an American banker falls for a German art critic after a chance meeting, but their romance quickly begins to suffer at the hands of the Nazis. 

Matchmaker. Written by Cam Marshall. Art by Cam Marshall. Silver Sprocket, 2023 (9798886200294). 
Mason and Kimmy are best friends navigating their early 20s. When shy Mason can't find a boyfriend, it's up to Kimmy to be a matchmaker. This story details the funny and sweet bonds between queer and trans friends, showing how much happiness and love can be in found families.

Midnighter and Apollo. Written by Steve Orlando. Art by Fernando Blanco. Color by Romulo Fajardo Jr. and John Rauch. Lettering by Josh Reed. DC Comics, 2017 (9781401272012).

In Midnighter and Apollo, when Apollo’s soul is taken by the demon Neron, Midnighter battles through Hell itself to save the man he loves. This action-packed graphic novel blends brutal combat, queer romance, and supernatural stakes in a gripping story of devotion, vengeance, and heroic determination.

Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening. Written by Marjorie Liu. Art by Sana Takeda. Lettering by Rus Wooton. Image Comics, 2016 (9781632157096).
Maika, a young arcanic, struggles with a monstrous entity within her as she navigates a war-torn, matriarchal world. Seeking answers about her past, she confronts deadly foes while battling personal demons both literal and figurative.

Motherlover. Written by Lindsay Ishihiro. Art by Lindsay Ishihiro. Iron Circus Comics, 2025 (9781638991465).
Two mothers meet at the kindergarten drop off for their kids. It turns out they live next door to each other. They become friends and work through the struggles of raising kids, understanding success, and navigating relationships with partners and family. And the moms fall in love, of course.

My Favorite Thing is Monsters. Written by Emil Ferris. Art by Emil Ferris. Fantagraphic Books, 2017 (9781606999592).
Set in late-1960s Chicago, 10-year-old Karen Reyes records her life in a monster-filled diary while investigating the murder of a neighbor in this dynamic coming-of-age story. 

The Nice House on the Lake: The Deluxe Edition. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Alvaro Martino Bueno. Color by Jordie Bellaire. Lettering by AndWorld Design. DC Black Label, 2023 (9781779521576).
Walter invites his closest friends for a week-long stay at a luxurious lake house, but as the situation grows increasingly unsettling, the guests realize they are in for a much longer stay than expected. 

Poison Ivy, Vol. 1: The Virtuous Cycle. Written by G. Willow Wilson. Pencils by Marcio Takara, Brian Level, Emma Rios, and DaNi. Ink by Marcio Takara, Stefano Gaudiano, Jay Leisten, Emma Rios, and DaNi. Color by Arif Prianto, Jordie Bellaire, and Trish Mulvihill. Lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. DC Comics, 2023 (9781779525031).
Poison Ivy embarks on a road trip to reclaim her lost powers and enact vengeance on humankind as retribution for their environmental injustices.

Restless. Written by Joseph Kai. Art by Joseph Kai. Translated by Carolyn Ernst. Street Noise Books, 2023 (9781951491215). 
In Beirut, Lebanon, Samar lives life as a queer comic book artist trying to juggle his art, dating apps and hook ups, and the political revolution of his country. 

The Science of Ghosts. Written by Lilah Sturges. Art by El Garing and Alitha Martinez. Lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt. Legendary Comics, 2024 (9781681160863). 
Joy Ravenna, a newly out, trans parapsychologist, is working to prove that her research is legitimate and deserves funding. She hopes that working with the haunted heiress of the Haskell Gun Company will provide her with enough evidence.

SFSX (Safe Sex) Vol. 1: Protection. Written by Tina Horn. Art by Michael Dowling, Alejandra Gutiérrez, and Rye Hickman. Cover by Tula Lotay. Lettering by Steve Wands. Image Comics, 2024 (9781534315853).
Set in an alternative future where the ultra-conservative group, The Party, has taken over the US, queerness and sexuality are illegal. Avory, a former pornography director, and her husband try to blend in but get caught, leading to a reunion with her former co-workers/family for a rescue mission.

Shadow Life. Written by Hiromi Goto. Art by Ann Xu. 23rd St., 2021 (9781626723566). 
After being placed in assisted living, 76-year-old Kumiko escapes to a secret apartment to reclaim the joys of independence, but can she stave off death armed with only salt and her trusty vacuum cleaner?

Stuck Rubber Baby, 25th Anniversary Edition. Written by Howard Cruse. Art by Howard Cruse. Introduction by Alison Bechdel. First Second, 2020 (9781250249487). 
Set in the U.S. South during the turmoil of the 1960s, this bildungsroman follows a young gay male, Toland Pike, as he confronts both his sexuality and the racial injustice that surrounds him.

Nonfiction

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic. Written by Alison Bechdel. Art by Alison Bechdel. Mariner Books Classics, 2007 (9780618871711).
In this award-winning graphic memoir, Alison Bechdel explores her complex relationship with her late father, a closeted English teacher and funeral director, through the lens of classic literature and her own coming out story. 

Gender Queer: A Memoir. Written by Maia Kobabe. Art by Maia Kobabe. Color by Phoebe Kobabe. Oni Press, 2019 (9781549304002).
Maia Kobabe’s (e/em/eir) graphic memoir depicts a lifelong journey of understanding eir gender and sexual identity, from childhood experiences with gender dysphoria to eir decision to come out as nonbinary and asexual as an adult. 

I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together: A Memoir. Written by Maurice Vellekoop. Art by Maurice Vellekoop. Pantheon, 2024 (9780307908735).
Canadian cartoonist Maurice Vellekoop shares his journey to self-acceptance, from growing up gay in a conservative household to using therapy and art to finally process his difficult experiences with love, sexuality, and family relationships. 

It Rhymes with Takei. Written by George Takei. Art by Harmony Becker. Adapted by Steven Scott and Justin Eisinger. Color by José Villarrubia. Lettering by Nathan Widick. Top Shelf Productions, 2025 (9781603095747).
An autobiography of George Takei (of Star Trek fame) specifically centering around living as a closeted gay man who eventually came out because of his commitment to social justice.  

Kimiko Does Cancer: A Graphic Memoir. Written by Kimiko Tobimatsu. Art by Keet Geniza. Arsenal Pulp Press, 2020 (9781551528199). 
A moving and honest graphic memoir about the unexpected cancer journey of a young, queer, mixed-race woman.

My Journey to Her. Written by Yuna Hirasawa. Art by Yuna Hirasawa. Lettering by Dietrich Premier. Kodansha Comics, 2024 (9798889334682). 
Yuna, a Japanese transgender woman, recounts her transition experience, focusing on a trip to Thailand for gender-affirming surgery.

A Queer Prisoner’s Comix Anthology: Edition 1. Edited by Casper Cendre. A.B.O. Comix, 2018 (9781736584521).
An anthology of comics created by queer incarcerated people that discuss their experiences of life in prison, but also before and after incarceration. The artists range from experienced comic creators to first-time artists and the stories span genres from superhero comics to memoir and beyond.

Us. Written by Sara Soler. Art by Sara Soler. Translated by Silvia Perea Labayen. Lettering by Joamette Gil. Dark Horse Books, 2023 (9781506734187).
In this memoir, Sara recounts her journey with her partner, Diana, as they navigate their relationship through the ups and downs of Diana’s gender transition.

Washington's Gay General: The Legends and Loves of Baron von Steuben. Written by Josh Trujillo. Art by Levi Hastings. Abrams ComicArts - Surely, 2023 (9781419743726).
This graphic novel details the life of one of the most important, but often forgotten military leaders, Baron von Steuben. During the American Revolution, he created a guide used to train soldiers for over a century.