Hey, there, true believers! Welcome back to another installment! For this “issue” of Quintessential Comics, we’re going to take a look at a few of the series that are currently trending due to either current or upcoming project releases! If you’re a fan of “She-Hulk,” “Sandman,” or “House of the Dragon,” stay tuned!
“She-Hulk”
This adult graphic novel debut by Rainbow Rowell is sure to excite fans of the Disney+ television show. Rowell is known for her young adult works, “Eleanor & Park,” “Carry On,” and “Fangirl.” She also worked on the Runaways series. In this adventure, Rowell has us follow along as Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, attempts to get her life back together after spending some time as a rage-filled monster. Haven’t we all been there? She has to find a way to rebuild her law career, reestablish relationships, and all while avoiding her many foes! Did I mention she has a new roommate?! Fans of Jack of Hearts rejoice!
“The Sandman”
If you’re a fan of Netflix’s “The Sandman,” then you’re bound to enjoy the graphic novel collection that serves as the source material for the popular series! Now, this one is kind
of a trip, as it revolves around Sandman, aka Dream, aka Lord Morpheus, who is quite literally the metaphysical embodiment of the realm of dreams. He is one of the Endless, a host of powerful beings, each in charge of a base aspect of reality. These seven “siblings” exist to fulfill their respective purposes of governing the laws of nature, often guiding humanity along throughout history. Our protagonist, Dream, has just escaped from a rather sticky situation and now faces the challenge of navigating the realm of the gods in order to seek out his relics of power. Fans of the surreal are sure to find something to enjoy here.
“A Game of Thrones”
Okay, so, I know that this isn’t exactly what you were hoping for when I mentioned “House of the Dragon,” but it’s currently the best we’ve got! For those who’ve been enjoying the latest in George R. R. Martin’s world of intrigue and betrayal, you might be interested in the graphic novel adaptation of the original series. Now, I know there are those of you out there who feel burned by the ending of Game of Thrones, and I hear you. However, the graphic novel series is a fun way to rediscover your love for Westeros! Not to mention that the graphic novels feature 50 pages of exclusive bonus content, such as early renderings of scenes and characters, as well as additional commentary!
“Heartstopper”
It’s a tale of boy meets boy in this heartwarming love story that doubles as a coming-of-age novel. Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, seemingly polar opposites, meet one day in
class and soon develop a deep connection. What starts as friendship blossoms into something more as both struggle with their feelings as well as all the potential pitfalls of high school life. Charlie is certain that he doesn’t have a chance with Nick, but what he doesn’t know is that Nick is wrestling with understanding himself and just might be discovering a new perspective on things. If you’re a fan of YA literature and all that mushy gushy love stuff you might have just found your new obsession. Also, rugby!
“Nimona”
What started as a webcomic and went on to become an award-nominated graphic novel, “Nimona” is an interesting tale that operates on a few levels. On the surface, it functions as a fun romp in a realm that’s a mix of medieval and more futuristic technology. A layer beneath, it’s a story of good vs. evil with its fair share of intrigue and betrayal. At its heart, however, this is actually a pretty nuanced story about the complexity of morality and how our choices define us rather than societal labels. Nimona is a shapeshifter who decides to play sidekick to supervillain Ballister Blackheart in order to get revenge on the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. However, as the story progresses, Blackheart begins to question if Nimona’s true nature is more than he bargained for. If you’re looking for a fun time with a character-driven story, this one’s for you.
I hope all you graphic novel enthusiasts out there enjoy these and I’ll see you for the next one!
