Rainbow Round Table and Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table and Announce Collaboration Core List Titles

ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) and Rainbow Round Table (RRT) are thrilled to announce their Collaboration Core List for 2026. The list recognizes the best published graphic novels by and about LGBTQIA+ people for all ages and in a range of genres with diverse characters and stories. The goal of the list is to increase awareness of the validity of the rich and diverse format of graphic novels and to specifically showcase LGBTQIA+ stories, characters, and creators. The list acts as an aid to librarians and library workers in the development and promotion of these graphic novels and serves as an aid for readers' advisory.

The list features 106 titles and is divided into five sections: Juvenile Graphic Novels for Elementary and Middle School; Young Adult Graphic Novels for High School, subdivided into fiction and nonfiction; and Adult Graphic Novels, subdivided into fiction and nonfiction. It includes 2025 titles such as: “A Song for You and I” by K. O’Neill; “Angelica and the Bear Prince” by Trung Le Nguyen; and “It Rhymes with Takei” by George Takei, Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger, José Villarrubia, and Nathan Widick; as well as older reprints such as “Hothead Paisan: Homicidal Lesbian Terrorist” by Diane DiMassa with and introduction by Sarah Schulman and an interview by Jay Graham; and “Stuck Rubber Baby, 25th Anniversary Edition” by Howard Cruse with an introduction by Alison Bechdel.

Of the list’s publication, GNCRT Past-President and Committee liaison Shira Pilarski said, “As an active member of the RRT, and as a former Co-Chair of GNCRT’s inaugural collaborative committee with the Black Caucus of ALA, I could not be more thrilled that an ongoing spirit of collaboration has produced this essential list of exceptional queer comics. To quote a popular GNCRT conference ribbon, Queer Comics Save Lives. The tireless work of this joint committee to spotlight these comics will save lives.”

RRT Chair Elizabeth Marshak said, “I am deeply appreciative of the diligence the committee has done in putting together this resource. I am excited to delve in and read. It’s remarkable and wonderful that there is so much high quality work that has been produced about the LGBTQIA+ experience that this list is so extensive. Thank you to GNCRT and the committee.”

To compile the list, GNCRT and RRT formed a joint Committee, composed of fourteen members from both GNCRT and RRT. The Committee completed their work from 2025-2026. GNCRT was represented by Co-Chair Kaci Wilson and Committee members Elizabeth Doherty (serving as Administrative Assistant), Gabriel Lopez, Morgan Whitney, Rosanne North-Jack, Shawn Norton, and Tristan Draper. RRT was represented by Co-Chair Ash Cook and Committee members Arthur Harper, Jenna Newcomb, Lea Wentworth, Maureen Babb, Peggy Griesinger, and Sloane Kazim.

"With strong roots in underground comix and zines, queer comics continue to not only survive but flourish in the face of attempts to censor and silence queer voices,” said GNCRT Co-Chair Kaci Wilson. “It has been a privilege collaborating with such a dedicated team on this project as we worked to curate a list that centers LGBTQIA+ voices, honors intersectional identities, and celebrates the diversity of stories told through this medium today. With space lesbians, gay superheroes, medieval trans men, and more, this core list features groundbreaking creators, such as Howard Cruse and Diane DiMassa, alongside contemporary voices, such as Ngozi Ukazu and Trung Le Nguyen. We hope this list serves as both a love letter to the incredible efforts of queer comics creators past and present and a safe space for readers looking for authentic stories in any genre."

“It has been a joy serving as co-chair of this committee this past year,” said RRT Co-Chair Ash Cook. “With censorship of LGBTQIA+ books being such an issue in recent years, I am so excited we get to showcase some amazing graphic novels by queer creators that feature some of the most fun, interesting, and lovable queer characters. This list features books about all kinds of queer topics, such as finding yourself, coming out, and first love. It also showcases exciting stories of magic, horror, space, sports, and more, all with the most beautiful illustrations to accompany the powerful stories. We had such a great team, each person dedicated to finding niche titles and pushing for stories they believed in. I hope that our list is able to bring attention to these great titles and creators, and that more people will be able to find graphic novels that make them feel seen and accepted as they are.”

About the Rainbow Round Table
The Rainbow Round Table (RRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) was founded in 1970 as ALA's Task Force on Gay Liberation. It is the nation's first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender professional organization, serving the information needs of the LGBTQIA+ professional library community and the LGBTQIA+ information and access needs of individuals at large. For more information connect with RRT on Facebook: Rainbow Round Table of the American Library Association; Instagram: @rrt_ala; Discord: ALA Rainbow Round Table; or the RRT ALA Connect page.

About the Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table
The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table of the American Library Association is dedicated to supporting library staff in all aspects of engaging with graphic novels and comics, including collection development, programming, and advocacy. For more information connect with GNCRT on Facebook: ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table; Bluesky: @libcomix.bsky.social; Instagram: @libcomix; Discord: ALA Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table; or the GNCRT ALA Connect page.

About ALA
Established in 1876, the American Library Association (ALA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.