Classic Graphic Novels & Manga - Christchurch City Libraries
While diverse in plot, theme, and illustration, these graphic novels and Manga, a mix of fiction and non-fiction, are united by being revolutionary examples of the medium. Whether conceptually or visually, these works have changed the way we think about what a graphic novel can be, challenging tropes and preconceptions to break new ground and become praised and celebrated icons. A Christchurch City Libraries list.
The Sandman' is a sprawling tale that spans worlds as well as centuries. Written by Neil Gaiman, well known for his imaginative and darkly humorous fantasy novels. Dream, one of the seven Endless, escapes his captivity only to find his kingdom in…
The highly lauded, Hugo award winning Watchmen series depicts a group of superheroes as they succumb to their human foibles and subsequently find themselves on the wrong side of public opinion. On their way down, they find themselves the targets of…
This fast-paced but touching and humorous story driven by strong female characters is a graphic novel about the Iranian Revolution, told from the perspective of a young girl, Marji. Marjane and her parents live in the Iran of the Shah and when he is…
Beautiful and terrifying, 'Black Hole' deftly captures the classic anxieties and struggles experienced by young adults. Set in the suburbs of Seattle in the 1970s. Grotesque mutations caused by a sexually-transmitted infection afflict a group of…
A cyberpunk manga masterpiece. Several years ago, a powerful force known as 'Akira' ravaged Tokyo and triggered the third world war. In the wake of the apocalypse, charismatic leader Kaneda rules supreme over a teenage biker gang. When Kaneda's best…
Junji Ito showcases his exceptional talent for manga horror stories in this faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', perfectly capturing the moral conflicts of Dr Frankenstein and the lonely anguish of his monstrous creation. The volume…
This teen-friendly manga inspired the classic Sailor Moon anime TV series. Usagi is an average teenage girl whose whole world changes when she discovers that her true identity is Sailor Moon, a magical princess. Together with Luna, her talking cat,…
This feel-good teen-friendly manga series follows teenager Sakura Kinomoto as she finds herself on a mystical quest to capture a set of magical cards. Sakura is helped along on her adventures by Kero-chan, the charming guardian of the book from…
A fantastically illustrated and poignant story of the artist’s father’s experiences as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor. Beautifully framed through discussions between father and son, who have had a difficult relationship, and where all the…
A well-loved series, Fruits Basket revolves around Tohru, an orphaned girl taken in by the Sohma family, who hold a secret magical curse - select members of the family can turn into the zodiac animals. Difficult themes such as loss and identity are…
This long-running manga series portrays a post-apocalyptic world in which man-eating giants known as Titans terrorised the human race. One hundred years later, the few humans that survived are living safely in a barricaded city, when the Titans make…
A contemplative graphic memoir that is broad in scope, covering the intricacies of an ordinary life, and highlighting the humour in the everyday and human foibles. An anthology written in collaboration with some wonderful illustrators, Harvey Pekar…
This is the first volume of a series of graphic novels adapting the world’s greatest works of literature. Discover titles such as Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Plato’s Symposium, The Tale of Genji, and many more. Each story adorned with resonant…
Will Eisner bridged the gap between the visual medium of comic books and the power of the written word. The groundbreaking graphic novel ‘A Contract with God’ details the life and experiences of a small neighbourhood through a series of four…
A contemporary retelling of the relationship between Persephone and Hades (they are not related in this graphic novel series), where gods must deal with smartphones, scandals, and their emotions. What’s more, a kiwi is the author behind this…
