The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Comics & Graphic Novels

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian

Fustuk is a compelling story of a complicated family trying to staying true to their heritage in more ways than one. I loved this art, I loved these characters, and the overarching story – Katah making a magical deal to save his mother’s life – had me on the edge of my seat. Memories play a huge role in this graphic novel, and Apelian did an amazing job at portraying the perfect mix of past and present in his story and art.

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian, (List Price: $25.99, Penguin Workshop, 9780593658895, January 2026)

Reviewed by Mallory Sutton, Bards Alley in Vienna, Virginia

Fustuk by Robert Mgrdich Apelian Read More »

Anzuelo by Emma Rios

>Anzuelo plunges readers into a dreamy world of risen oceans and mythic creatures as a trio of young people try to understand the epic metamorphosis that engulfs them. Emma Rios’ beautiful graphic novel turns the apocalypse inside out, finding poetry in nature’s awesome power, and humankind’s ability to survive.

Anzuelo by Emma Rios, (List Price: $19.99, Image Comics, 9781534330160, December 2025)

Reviewed by Jonathan Hawpe, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

Anzuelo by Emma Rios Read More »

Book Buzz: Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd

ad

Megan Wagner Lloyd, photo credit Seth Lloyd“I’ve moved a lot, including back and forth across the country three times! When I moved to the Washington, DC, area, I learned about luna moths—beautiful and short-lived moths who can only be found on the eastern side of the country. This helped me realize that there would be special and unique things about my new home. Since so many kids deal with the difficult experience of moving, I thought this might be the beginning of a new story idea.”
  ― Megan Wagner Lloyd, Creator Q & A, Discussion Guide

Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd

What booksellers are saying about Winging It

  • Luna is twelve and moving across the country with her dad to live with the grandmother she barely knows, where she has to make new friends and face the legacy of her late mother. Winging It is a beautiful story about family, friendship, and discovering what makes you who you are. I was especially touched by the way Luna slowly connected with her grandmother.
      ― Beth Seufer Buss, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina | BUY

  • Winging It was a very good book with a plot that kept me on my toes! It always had me wondering what would happen next. The book is relatable to what some people are going through in life right now. Overall, I found the book to be amazing. I would recommend it for kids and even young adults!
      ― Mandy Harris, Angel Wings Bookstore in Oxford, North Carolina | BUY
  • Go on Luna’s journey of self-growth as she navigates a life-changing move across the country with her father, surviving a new middle school while still mourning her long deceased mother and getting to know her seemingly aloof grandmother along with her very rigid rules. I devoured Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter in one sitting because the character development was so good that I was instantly invested in Luna’s well-being, relationships and her nature hunting ways. Beautiful illustrations, great story line and satisfying feel good ending! Now I’m off to search for the ever elusive Luna Moth…
      ― Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina | BUY

About Megan Wagner Lloyd

Megan Wagner Lloyd is the co-creator, with Michelle Mee Nutter, of Allergic and Squished, both instant bestsellers. Megan is also the co-creator, with Abhi Alwar, of the Super Pancake graphic novel series and is the author of Haven, a novel, and several picture books. She lives in the Washington, DC, area. Visit her online at meganwagnerlloyd.com.

Michelle Mee Nutter is the co-creator, with Megan Wagner Lloyd, of Allergic and Squished, both instant bestsellers. Michelle graduated with a degree in illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, 3×3, Creative Quarterly, and more. Michelle lives in Boston. Visit her online at michellemee.com.

ad

Book Buzz: Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd Read More »

Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd

Go on Luna’s journey of self-growth as she navigates a life-changing move across the country with her father, surviving a new middle school while still mourning her long-deceased mother and getting to know her seemingly aloof grandmother, along with her very rigid rules. I devoured Winging It by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter in one sitting because the character development was so good that I was instantly invested in Luna’s well-being, relationships, and her nature-hunting ways. Beautiful illustrations, great storyline, and a satisfying feel-good ending! Now I’m off to search for the ever elusive Luna Moth…

Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd, (List Price: $14.99, Graphix, 9781338818529, October 2025)

Reviewed by Barb Rascon, Page 158 Books in Wake Forest, North Carolina

Winging It: A Graphic Novel by Megan Wagner Lloyd Read More »

Buff Soul by Moa Romanova

A super fun sisters-in-arms rock tour misadventure, as three pals from Europe rock their way from California to Austin, with guest stars, sex, drugs, and friend conflict galore as the past, tensions, and secrets fester. With eye-popping and completely original art, this makes for a wild, enjoyable, and surprisingly touching graphic novel.

Buff Soul by Moa Romanova, (List Price: $29.99, Fantagraphics, 9798875000683, August 2025)

Reviewed by Seth Tucker, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

Buff Soul by Moa Romanova Read More »

The Knives: A Criminal Book by Ed Brubaker

Brubaker and Phillips, the best crime/noir team in comics, return with another stellar graphic novel in their acclaimed Criminal series. Do you need to read the previous 11 (all great) books in this series first? No! Interweaving tales of crime, regret, and failure collide, pulp fiction-style, in gritty, personal, and shocking tales unfold, the most interesting of which parallels a bit of the Hollywood runaround Brubaker himself experienced as a creator pushing against the system. As always, The Best!

The Knives: A Criminal Book by Ed Brubaker, (List Price: $29.99, Image Comics, 9781534355590, September 2025)

Reviewed by Seth Tucker, Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky

The Knives: A Criminal Book by Ed Brubaker Read More »

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan

This story had me hooked! I loved following Eugenia Wang after a bonk to the head gives her dreams/visions of impending doom leading up to her birthday, which is on the 4th (a bad omen in Chinese culture). Not to mention, she loves drawing and wants to go to an art camp that her mother deeply disapproves of. And she has a pesky younger brother who seems set on getting her in trouble. In short, this one hits on it all things: secret crushes, brilliant best friends, comics, and also important themes of the immigrant experience and how our family’s attempts to protect us might also hurt us. Oh, and Peanut the pug is pretty cute.

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan, (List Price: $14.99, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 9781665943321, September 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan Read More »

Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell

Ready for adventure? Pack your bags and join Cabin Head and Tree Head as they save the world without losing their heads. The playful comic book-style illustrations paired with hilarious stories will have you falling head over heels with laughter! A truly unique picture book about once-in-a-lifetime friends.

Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell, (List Price: $13.99, Tundra Books, 9781774885055, September 2025)

Reviewed by Laura Hoefener, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

Cabin Head and Tree Head (Cabin Head and Tree Head, Book #1) by Scott Campbell Read More »

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.)

Ghost Circus has beautiful illustrations! I loved the characters in the Circus and I hope we see more of the creepy girl and find out more about her and her memories! I am also super excited her friend Casey gets to come back and see her more and they can uncover more of the mystery of the creepy girl!

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.), (List Price: $24.99, Union Square Kids, 9781454948285, August 2025)

Reviewed by sarah dimaria, Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana

Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress, Jade Zhang (Illus.) Read More »

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin

Strangely enough, I just watched this on Netflix, and it was definitely telling of the time we are going through now. A very talented painter is captured by the OSS and sent to an insane asylum, given meds to make him compliant, and eventually gets force-fed. Eventually, he is released and tries to marry as a way of getting out of his country. He finds his way through his traumatic enslavement and manages to regain some of his humanity. Fabulous story.

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin, (List Price: $22.99, Candlewick, 9781536215533, September 2025)

Reviewed by Judith Lafitte, Octavia Books in New Orleans, Louisiana

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This by Eugene Yelchin Read More »

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen

A graphic novel that this former overachiever wished they had in high school. A gentle reminder that we all grieve in different ways, that burnout does not define us, and that we can build ourselves back up after burnout with community, friends, and compassion. When Angelica (or to her close friends and family, Jelly!) begins messaging local theatre mascot Per the Bear and then takes an internship with the theatre for their winter production featuring Per, she doesn’t know what to expect. But what she ends up with is kindness, and maybe a little bit of magic. A completely precious re-telling of “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” that is sure to leave you feeling warm and cozy.

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen, (List Price: $24.99, Random House Graphic, 9780593125472, October 2025)

Reviewed by Mikey LaFave, Avid Bookshop in Athens, Georgia

Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen Read More »

Cannon by Lee Lai

Cannon by Lee Lai is a blow to the nervous system with cathartic aftershocks. Through gorgeous linework, paneling, and speech bubble placement, Cannon portrays a pressure cooker of circumstances for “stoic” protagonist Cannon/Lucy, in her relationships (platonic, romantic, and familial), stressful restaurant job, and attempts to keep everything under control (even as she’s seeing birds) in the form of going on runs while listening to breathing meditation podcasts. I sweated. I felt too seen. I devoured it.

Cannon by Lee Lai, (List Price: $29.95, Drawn and Quarterly, 9781770468023, September 2025)

Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, South Carolina

Cannon by Lee Lai Read More »

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano

I loved this story so much! A young boy, Pacheco, is enamored by magic and the witches who have the gift for it on the mountain. But he’s a fisherman’s son, and he’s also a boy – both of which keep him from magic. This all changes when he meets Doris, a rogue witch who does things differently. At its heart, this is all a story about making space for what’s different, of questioning our traditions and way of doing things. I loved it!

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano, (List Price: $12.99, Andrews McMeel Publishing, 9781524892180, June 2025)

Reviewed by Morgan DePerno, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Pacheco and the Witch of the Mountain by Juan E. Zambrano Read More »

This Place Kills Me by Mariko Tamaki

What a pair! Thrilled to see Mariko Tamaki and Nicole Goux team up for This Place Kills Me, bringing together their signature skills in creating wonderful misfit weird girls to this beautifully drawn, dark, theatrical mystery. Set at an all-girls boarding school in the ’80s/’90s, I couldn’t put this book down as the secrets of the Wilberton Theatrical Society spilled out in devastating and compelling ways.

This Place Kills Me by Mariko Tamaki, (List Price: $26.99, Abrams Fanfare, 9781419768460, August 2025)

Reviewed by Julie Jarema, Hub City Bookshop in Spartanburg, South Carolina

This Place Kills Me by Mariko Tamaki Read More »

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo

It’s Sue’s first time at summer camp, and she is so excited! She knows exactly what she wants to do and can’t wait to do it all with her best friend. She soon finds that things don’t always pan out the way we plan, but sometimes that can lead to something better. Miss Camper is a fun, enjoyable read full of adorable illustrations. It is an all-around fun-filled adventure you won’t want to miss!

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo, (List Price: $24.99, Graphix, 9781338535600, July 2025)

Reviewed by Keeshia Jacklitch, Bookmiser in Marietta, Georgia

Miss Camper: A Graphic Novel by Kat Fajardo Read More »

Scroll to Top