November’s Top Picks in Graphic Novels

Southern Cross, Vol. 1, by Andy Belanger and Becky Cloonan
The latest science fiction debut from Image, Southern Cross is the story of Alex Braith, who finds herself on a massive space cruiser on its way to the moon Titan. Her sister died there, and Alex is hoping to collect her remains and shed some light on the circumstances of her demise. As it happens, there are plenty of mysteries aboard the Southern Cross itself, and Alex will be lucky to make it to her final destination.

Star Wars: Kanan: The Last Padawan, Vol. 1, by Greg Weisman and Pepe Larraz
The great Star Wars: Rebels series is a generally all-ages affair, but this comic spinoff goes a bit darker. Set years prior, sometime during the events of Revenge of the Sith, it tells the backstory of Jedi-in-hiding Kanan Jarrus (aka Caleb Dume). Following the final battle of the Clone Wars, Caleb and his master Deepa Billaba are on the run from their former allies during the darkest period for the heroes of the Jedi order.

The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition, by Neil Gaiman and JH Williams
There’s not much left unsaid about Neil Gaiman’s seminal, addictive The Sandman. Neil has revisited the story Dream of the Endless only rarely since it ended in 1996, and the last time was 12 years ago. Here, he goes back to the very beginning to tell the story of Morpheus’ capture prior to the events that kicked off his epic. Throw in some beautiful art from JH Williams III, and this is the very definition of an “event.”

Rick and Morty, Volume 1, by CJ Cannon and Zac Gorman
It’s time to get schwifty with the first collection of Rick & Morty comics from Oni Press. Slightly evil genius Rick takes his grandson Morty on a series of adventures that capture the funny and (often) disturbing tone of the TV show, beginning with a tale of intergalactic finance gone horribly awry. The book also has a series of interlude stories that focus on each member of the Sanchez/Smith family.

Low, Vol. 2, by Greg Tocchini and Rick Remender
We loved the first collection of Remender and Tocchini’s Low, and the second volume continues with the same moody SF style. In this book, Stel Cain is risking everything to journey to Earth’s surface with hope of recovering the space probe containing the location of another habitable world. Stel’s optimism is put further to the test when she meets the competition: her estranged daughter, Della, who is determined to destroy mankind’s only hope.

Star Wars: Journey to The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire, by Greg Rucka, Marco Chechetto
Marvel’s Star Wars comics have offered a level of variety and consistency that’s pretty amazing. If you’re even remotely interested in the franchise, there’s been at least a little something for everyone, but this is the book that you’ll want to check out before lining up for The Force Awakens. In the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Endor, our heroes struggle to make sure that a beaten Empire stays down. The old gang’s all here, along with some original characters with significant ties to the new movie.

Spider-Gwen, Vol. 0: Most Wanted?, by Jason Latour and Robbie Rodriguez
First appearing during the Spider-Verse crossover, this alternate-universe Spider-Woman happens to be Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s lost love. In her world, he died and she fights on. Given a unique look and a cool attitude, the character made such a splash that the creators left the door open for her return. In her ongoing series, she’s back in her own universe and taking on the bad guys in a world without Peter Parker.

Giant Days, Vol. 1, by John Allison, Lissa Treiman, and Whitney Cogar
There’s been a fair bit of buzz around Giant Days, one of the premiere titles from Boom! Studios’ Boom! Box Imprint. The line is geared toward women, or at least toward telling stories about women by female writers and artists. This one is the comedic, slice-of-life story of three friends just starting their freshman year at college.

City of Clowns, by Daniel Alarcón and Sheila Alvarado
Lovely pencil work is one of the highlights of this adaptation of a Daniel Alarcón’s collection of stories, War by Candlelight. When his dad dies, a young man in Peru confronts his father’s double life and the ways in which he’s been affected by that deception. As a journalist, he simultaneously details the lives of street clowns on the mean streets of Lima.

Hawkeye, Vol. 5: All-New Hawkeye, by Jeff Lemire and Ramón Pérez
Following Matt Fraction’s epic, Pizza Dog-infused run on the Marvel’s archer, Jeff Lemire and Ramón Pérez take up the bow. Kate Bishop and Clint Barton are still a team, this time facing down threats from Clint’s past as a criminal (and as a circus performer).

Wolf, Vol. 1, by Matt Taylor and Ales Kot
Les Kot (Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier) writes this new book from Image about a paranormal investigator named Antoine Wolf. He’s immortal, haunted by ghosts of people he’s known throughout his long life. The hard-boiled detective finds himself saddled with an orphaned girl with ties to a coming apocalypse.

Thanos: Cosmic Powers, by Ron Marz
There’s been a big resurgence of interest in Thanos given his prominent place in the Marvel movie universe, which means reprints of his classic appearances are more than welcome. This one’s a cool oddity from the early ’90s, a storyline in which the mad Titan takes over leadership of the Defenders, Marvel’s oddest super-team. Sounds weird in all the right ways.

Batman and Robin, Vol. 7: Robin Rises (The New 52), by Peter Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Andy Kubert
Batman’s two-year quest to rescue his son Damian comes to a conclusion. Bruce and friends face down the hordes of Apokalips in order to recover Robin’s coffin. In the fires of that hellish world, what began as an attempt to bring home Robin’s body turns into a real hope to bring the kid back to life.

Drinking at the Movies, by Julia Wertz
A new edition of Wertz’s memoir includes some new sketches and an introduction from Janeane Garofalo. The book deals with substance abuse and alcoholism, among other things, but does so with dry, witty style.

Deathstroke, Vol. 1 Book & Mask Set, by Tony Daniel
What better way to enjoy your favorite Deathstroke book than by pairing it with a super-cool replica mask? (Of course, like Slade’s own mask, there’s only one eye-hole here…so reading may be tricky). The accompanying book is the first volume of Deathstroke’s New 52 series, which sees him betrayed and left for dead by his most trusted ally. Big mistake.
What’s on your pull list?