41 anticipated all-ages graphic novels for Winter 2022 – The Beat

Are you looking for something to keep kids engaged and off the video games? Look no further. With our list of 41 anticipated all-ages graphic novels for winter 2022, you’ll have all the information needed to select that special book from book stores and book fairs for the little ones!

Judd Winick (Hilo), Mark Siegel (5 Worlds), Hope Larson (All Summer Long), James Kochalka (Glork Patrol), John Patrick Green (InvestiGators), and Lincoln Peirce (Max and the Midknights) return with new books in their bestselling series. Middle graders will find plenty to rave about with Amy Kim Kibuishi’s new fantasy graphic novel Realm of the Blue Mist and Marjorie Liu’s and Terry Issakhanian’s Wingbearer. Tyler Page puts pen to page to explore what it means to grow up with ADHD. And Tillie Walden teams up with Emma Hunsinger to take on a topic that all children come to dread — when their parents talk too dang much.

Without further ado, here are the 41 anticipated all-ages graphic novels for winter 2022.

January

Fearbook Club

Writer: Richard Hamilton
Artist: Marco Matrone
Editor: Mike Marts
Publisher: Aftershock Comics
Release Date: Jan. 5 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 18 (Bookstores)
List Price: $16.99

When shy 6th-grade shutterbug Whit Garcia starts middle school, he’s forced to join a yearbook club with three other weirdos who will never be voted most likely to succeed. But after the ghosts of missing students start haunting them, Whit, Hester, Hillary and Press must solve the supernatural secret behind these spirits – or their yearbook club will be voted most likely to join them. But are these ghostly students the real bad guys? Or are they just warning Whit and his friends? Warning them about a darkness beyond their schoolyard…a darkness that threatens to swallow the school – and its occupants – whole.

Magical Boy

Author: The Kao
Publisher: Graphix
Release Date: Jan. 5 (Comics Shops) / Feb. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $15.99 (TPB) / $24.99 (HC)

Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max’s life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret: he’s descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil! With a sassy feline sidekick and loyal gang of friends by his side, can Max take on his destiny, save the world, and become the next Magical Boy? A hilarious and heartfelt riff on the magical girl genre made popular by teen manga series, <i>Magical Boy</i> is a one-of-a-kind fantasy series that comic readers of all ages will love.

Stars Wars Adventures: The Weapons of a Jedi

Created By: Jason Fry
Writer: Alec Worley
Artist: Ruairí Coleman
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: Jan. 12 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 11 (Bookstores)
List Price: $9.99

The Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Empire’s dreaded Death Star, but the Imperial starfleet continues hunting the rebels throughout the galaxy. Luke Skywalker now seeks to support the Rebellion as an X-wing fighter. But as he flies with the pilots of the Red Squadron, Luke feels stirrings of the Force. And this farm boy turned fighter pilot begins to suspect that his destiny lies along a different path. This middle-grade Star Wars adventure also foreshadows events to come in Episode VII: The Force Awakens!

A Difficult Thing: The Importance of Admitting Mistakes

Writer: Silvia Vecchini
Artist: Sualzo
Publisher: Ablaze
Release Date: Jan. 12 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 25 (Bookstores)
List Price: $9.99

Every child, at some point, makes mistakes and must learn to deal with and admit those mistakes. This charming, two-tone, wordless comic deals with that very lesson and shows just how powerful the word sorry is. This beautifully rendered volume is a good lesson for children and adults alike. This edition includes a discussion guide and activity guide.

My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron

Writers: James Asmus, Sam Maggs
Artists: Jack Lawrence, Casey W. Coller, Tony Fleecs
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: Jan. 19 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 18 (Bookstores)
List Price: $10.99

Owly, the little owl with a heart of gold, returns for another forest adventure in this Eisner-winning series about friendship! For Owly and Wormy, nothing beats the power of friendship! But fear can be a powerful force, too. There’s a new visitor to the forest, an opossum who’s misunderstood because of the way he looks. Wormy is afraid of him, and when Owly tries to untangle him from a fence, Possey begins hissing and bares his sharp teeth! He’s scared and hurt, and now everyone is afraid! Can the trio be brave and face their fears with just a little courage and a lot of friendship? Through a unique blend of words and symbols, Owly can be read by the youngest readers, and is a great introduction to graphic novels!

Glam Prix Racers: Back On Track

Writer: Deanna Kent
Artist: Neil Hooson
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: Jan. 19 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 18 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99

It’s the second race of the Glam Prix Cup on Glittergear Island! This time the racers and their motos are off to Soft Swirl City, where they will have to navigate slippery candy tracks, collect glittergum power balls, and—most importantly—avoid getting caught by the Gummy Mummy! Mio the mermaid, her monster truck Mudwick, and their team are fresh off their win in the first round, but the mischievous Vroombot crew is up to their usual naughty tricks. Can the Glam Prix Racers escape the sticky situation in time to claim another sweet victory?

5 Worlds Book 5: The Emerald Gate

Writers: Mark Siegel, Alexis Siegel
Artists: Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, Boya Sun
Publisher: Random House Books
Release Date:  Nov. 17 / Jan. 18 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $20.99 (HC)

In the epic conclusion to the 5 Worlds series, the final battle looms as Oona, Jax, and An Tzu travel to the treacherous world of Grimbo (E)! There, Oona must light the last beacon to save the 5 Worlds, but first she has to find it! When Jax saves an old friend, Oona is given a clue to the green beacon’s location. Unfortunately, the journey to lighting it on this strange, watery planet is the most dangerous yet. Meanwhile, Stan Moon has one more trick up his sleeve as his frightening powers and mysterious connection to An Tzu continue to grow. How can Oona ever hope to beat him? Can she count on her friends or will a terrible betrayal mean the 5 Worlds will be lost to evil forever?

Coming Back

Author: Jessi Zabarsky
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Release Date: Dec. 8 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 18 (Bookstores)
List Price: $24.99

Preet is magic. Valissa is not. Everyone in their village has magic in their bones, and Preet is the strongest of them all. Without any power of her own, how can Valissa ever be worthy of Preet’s love? When their home is attacked, Valissa has a chance to prove herself, but that means leaving Preet behind. On her own for the first time, Preet breaks the village’s most sacred laws and is rejected from the only home she’s ever known and sent into a new world. Divided by different paths, insecurities, and distance, will Valissa and Preet be able to find their way back to each other?

Teen Titans Go!/DC Super Hero Girls: Exchange Students!

Writer: Amy Wolfram
Artist: Agnes Garbowska
Publisher: DC Comics
Release Date: Jan. 25 (Bookstores)
List Price:  $9.99

Starfire has always wanted to be better friends with her sister, who mostly comes to Earth to cause trouble instead of enjoying the sisterly bonding. But this time, Blackfire’s not even in the same Earth dimension! The Teen Titans will have to go undercover in a strange new version of Metropolis…one where the heroes have secret identities! Meanwhile, the DC Super Hero Girls have all been assigned exchange students to show around school. They’d really rather battle the new super-villain in town, but hiding their super-activities from the rather strange new people staying in their homes is proving difficult. Surely that’s all a coincidence.

All My Friends

Author: Hope Larson
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Release Date: Jan. 26 (Comics Shops) / Jan. 25 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

Middle-schooler Bina has everything she’s ever wanted. She has new friends and a new band whose song is about to be featured on her favorite television show. But being in the spotlight is hard. When Bina and her band are offered a record deal, her parents are not thrilled. Now, Bina is barely speaking to her mom and dad. To make matters worse, Bina and her best friend, Austin, are still awkward around each other after their failed first date. Can Bina untangle the various melodies in her heart? Or will fame go to her head?

February

Omar Rising

Author: Aisha Saeed
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Release Date: Feb. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $17.99

Omar knows his scholarship to Ghalib Academy Boarding School is a game changer, providing him—the son of a servant—with an opportunity to improve his station in life. He can’t wait to experience all the school has to offer, especially science club and hopefully the soccer team; but when he arrives, his hopes are dashed. First-year scholarship students aren’t allowed to join clubs or teams—and not only that, they have to earn their keep doing menial chores. At first Omar is dejected—but then he gets angry when he learns something even worse—the school deliberately “weeds out” kids like him by requiring them to get significantly higher grades than kids who can pay tuition, making it nearly impossible for scholarship students to graduate. It’s a good thing that in his favorite class, he’s learned the importance of being stubbornly optimistic. So with the help of his tightknit new group of friends—and with the threat of expulsion looming over him—he sets out to do what seems impossible: change a rigged system.

The Legend Of Brightblade

Author: Ethan M. Aldridge
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: Feb. 9 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $13.99 (TPB) / $23.99 (HC)

Young Prince Alto dreams of being a hero like his mother, the Lady Brightblade. Her well-known legend was woven into stories by the magical bard who fought by her side. The kingdom may be at peace now, but Alto believes that the world still needs heroes. He has been learning the bard’s magic, and has grown restless with royal life. Determined to have an adventure of his own, Alto runs away from the palace. On his journey, he finds himself making new friends and encountering new and exciting magic. But when he discovers that there are dangers threatening the kingdom, Alto realizes that he might not be able to handle them alone—and making his mark as a hero is harder than the stories made it seem.

My Parents Won’t Stop Talking

Authors: Emma Hunsinger, Tillie Walden
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Release Date: Feb. 9 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $9.99

It’s time to go to the park, and Molly can’t wait! It’s going to be awesome and amazing and—OH NO! The neighbors have spotted her moms, and now they’re talking. A lot. And everything they say is boring. Minutes feel like hours, hours feel like days, and days feel like eons . . .Will her parents ever stop talking?! This is a clever, irreverent take on a universal childhood dilemma, written and illustrated by two stars in the comics world.

Hilo Book 8: Gina and the Big Secret

Author: Judd Winick
Publisher: Random House Books
Release Date: Feb. 16 (Comics Shops) / Feb. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $13.99

There’s a NEW Earth! The world’s timeline has been turned upside down, and now magical creatures are EVERYWHERE. Gina has to fix things–FAST! With DJ and HILO’s help, can Gina find the key to turn the world back to what it was? Find out in <i>Hilo 8</i>–a laugh-out-loud, action-packed adventure filled with epic battles! True friendship! Good jokes! Bad jokes! Giant (hilarious) monsters! Spoiled royals! Prophecies! Good! Evil! And much, much more!

Spy School: The Graphic Novel

Writer: Stuart Gibbs
Artist: Anjan Sarkar
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Feb. 2 (Comics Shops) / Feb. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: CIA or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior CIA academy. Could the CIA really want him? Actually, no. There’s been a case of mistaken identity—but that doesn’t stop Ben from trying to morph into a supercool undercover agent, the kind that always gets the girl. And through a series of hilarious misadventures, Ben realizes he might actually be a halfway decent spy…if he can survive all the attempts being made on his life! With action-packed, eye-catching art, join Ben Ripley as he survives his first year at the Academy of Espionage.

Glork Patrol (Book Two): Glork Patrol Takes a Bath

Author: James Kochalka
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions

Release Date: Feb. 16 (Comics Shops) / Feb. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $9.99

What a mess! It all started when Glorkian SuperGrandma told the Glork Patrol they could eat candy for breakfast… now their “Dada,” the Glorkian Warrior, has a lot of cleaning up to do. Super Backpack gets a robot super-suit made of candy wrappers and takes Baby Gonk on the adventure of a lifetime, while Glorkian Warrior stays behind and tries to help the uncontrollable Baby Quackaboodle take a bath. Families come in all kinds… even in outer space. This kooky, colorful adventure will feel hilariously relatable and have kids giggling through story time and bath time alike!

Behind the Scenes with Burt: A Breaking Cat News Adventure

Author: Georgia Dunn
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Release Date: Feb. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $10.99

It’s big changes for the kitties at BCN! Burt is bringing this news station up a notch. Join Burt behind the scenes as he updates some of our favorite broadcasts from the past, with better imagery and brand new footage! Including a trip to the vet, exploring the cupboards, hordes of trick or treaters, the action packed “Our IX Lives” Christmas special, and Puck daring to believe in the elusive, mythical Mailman. This book welcomes some of the first BCN newspaper strips as Breaking Cat News made the jump from web to newsprint! Enjoy classic strips with beautiful updated artwork and never before seen broadcasts! Includes a “More to Explore” section with paper dolls and a real-life behind the scenes peek into when BCN first rolled out in newspapers.

InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder

Author: John Patrick Green
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: Feb. 23 (Comics Shops) / Feb. 22 (Bookstores)
List Price: $10.99

Our favorite sewer-loving secret agents between a rock and a hard place in InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder, the newest chapter in the hilarious New York Times-bestselling adventure series from John Patrick Green. The Investigators are having a hard time keeping a low profile with their new headquarters being a giant robot towering over the city! How can they be SECRET agents if everyone recognizes them? But with their ears to the ground, Mango and Brash hear mysterious rumblings about BOULDER BUDDIES… are they just the latest fad or part of a mob-run scheme? And could a rocky relationship from the Investigators’ past be hiding beneath the surface? Find out in their most stone-cold dangerous mission yet!

The Subtle Knife: The Graphic Novel (His Dark Materials #2)

Created By: Phillip Pullman
Writer: Stéphane Melchior
Artist: Thomas Gilbert
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release Date: Jan. 19 (Comics Shops) / Feb. 22 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99

In The Subtle Knife, Lyra steps into a new world and meets Will–a boy on the run, a murderer–a worthy and welcome ally. For this is a world where soul-eating Specters stalk the streets and witches share the skies with troops of angels. Each is searching–Lyra for the meaning of Dark Matter, Will for his missing father–but what they find instead is a deadly secret, a knife of untold power. And neither Lyra nor Will suspects how tightly their lives, their loves, their destinies are bound together…until they are split apart.

March

Took: A Ghost Story

Created By: Mary Downing Hahn
Writer: Scott Peterson
Artist: Jen Vaughn
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $24.99 (HC)

Daniel doesn’t believe the woods behind his new home are haunted by an evil witch and her terrifying beast. But then his little sister disappears . . . and it’s up to him to find her. This chilling graphic-novel version of Mary Downing Hahn’s popular page‑turner will thrill readers who love spooky stories.

Max and the MidKnights: The Tower of Time

Author: Lincoln C. Peirce
Publisher: Crown Books
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $13.99

Everyone’s favorite knight-in-training is back…to back! Max’s twin is public enemy number one, and it’s up to the Midknights to find her before time runs out! But dangers loom, including bloodthirsty trolls, murderous pirates, and even a ruthless king–or two. Can Max and her band of loyal friends unlock the mystery of her past? Lincoln Peirce pens another epic quest in The Tower of Time, book three in the New York Times bestselling Max & the Midknights series.

The Aquanaut

Author: Dan Santat
Publisher: Graphix
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $24.99 (HC)

Ever since her father was lost at sea, Sophia has been moping around Aqualand, a marine theme park. But Sophia’s world is turned upside-down when an “aquanaut” breaks into the park’s research lab. To her amazement, Sophia discovers that the aquanaut is not what it seems: inside lives a band of goofy sea creatures! And when they all realize that Aqualand is more sinister than advertised, Sophia is determined to help the aquanaut crew free the park’s captive marine life before it’s too late.

The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist

Author: Amy Kim Kibuishi
Publisher: Graphix
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $24.99 (HC)

Enter the rich and fantastical world of Rema in the first installment of this middle-grade graphic novel series with sweeping adventure and light romance! Tabby Simon is determined to learn what happened to her father, who was found dead after researching a tree that leaks a mysterious mist in her neighborhood. She is unexpectedly led to Rema, a distant world of magic and beauty that is periodically invaded by a nearby planet desperate for resources. While Tabby searches for the truth surrounding her father’s death, she meets a handsome blue-haired boy named Philip. He has his own dangerous secrets, but has promised to help Tabby get home. As she learns more about this strange world, Tabby discovers that she is destined for something far greater than she ever could have imagined.

Sparks! The Future Purrfect: A Grapic Novel

Writer: Ian Boothby
Artist: Nina Matsumoto
Publisher: Graphix
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99

Charlie and August, the kitty duo who control the incredible Sparks costume, are exhausted. It’s hard work saving people all the time! So what better way to relax than to get away to a beautiful tropical island? But when weird things start to happen and they discover that the island holds a surprising secret, they’re blasted off on their craziest adventure ever. And this time they have to save themselves!

Anne of West Philly

Writer: Ivy Noelle Weir
Artist: Myisha Haynes
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Release Date: Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $24.99

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to foster a teenage girl for the first time, their lives are changed forever. Their redheaded foster daughter, Anne Shirley, is in search of an exciting life and has decided that West Philly is where she’s going to find it. Armed with a big personality and unstoppable creativity, Anne takes her new home by storm as she joins the robotics club, makes new friends in Diana and Gilbert, experiences first love, and turns the ordinary into the extraordinary. But as Anne starts to get comfortable, she discovers one thing she wasn’t looking for: a family.

Wingbearer

Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Teny Issakhanian
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $22.99 (HC)

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now. When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined—one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

Red Panda & Moon Bear (Book Two): The Curse of the Evil Eye

Author: Jarod Roselló
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99

When an evil curse descends upon the city of Martí, it’s up to Red Panda and Moon Bear to put a stop to it… but it won’t be easy! First, they’ll have to solve weird mysteries, fend off new monsters, and uncover the secret history of their neighborhood. With their trusty dog companions and some magical new friends by their side, Red Panda and Moon Bear must find a way to defeat Mal de Ojo — The Evil Eye — and keep it from ruining the lives of everyone they love!

Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, Vol. 1: Disciples of Aran

Created By: Riku Sanjo
Writer: Koji Inada
Publisher: Viz Media
Release Date: Mar. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 1 (Bookstores)
List Price: $19.99

Begin the adventure of a lifetime in this classic fantasy series set in the world of the legendary Dragon Quest video games! Raised by monsters in a battle-scarred world, Dai has the heart of a hero! He sets off on a grand journey with brave friends, traveling the world to take down the Dark Lord’s minions. Along the way, Dai must awaken the hero he was meant to be and master his dormant powers. Before his adventure begins, Dai lives in peace as the lone human among monsters on Dermline Island. While he dreams of becoming a hero, a group of fakes shows up to kidnap the Golden Metal Slime! Then, when Princess Leona arrives in need of a hero, Dai is ready to answer her call…but he needs more training! Will a tutor come along to help him?

Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American

Author: Laura Gao
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release Date: Mar. 9 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 8 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99 (TPB) / $22.99 (HC)

After spending her early years in Wuhan, China, riding water buffalos and devouring stinky tofu, Laura immigrates to Texas, where her hometown is as foreign as Mars—at least until 2020, when COVID-19 makes Wuhan a household name. In Messy Roots, Laura illustrates her coming-of-age as the girl who simply wants to make the basketball team, escape Chinese school, and figure out why girls make her heart flutter.

Cats! Girlfriends and Catfriends

Writer: Frédéric Brrémaud
Artist: Paola Antista
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Release Date: Mar. 8 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99

Every day holds new surprises for best friends Manon, Erika, and Camille—after all, they have three rambunctious cats to look after! And with even more furry friends being added into the mix they better prepare for more antics than ever, from toupee snatching on the beach to fun in the kitchen—the cats even compete in a Cat Show! Join these three girls and their pets on their adventures and get ready for some laugh-out-loud feline-filled fun! From author Frédéric Brrémaud (Love, Little Tails) and artist Paola Antista (Disney Frozen, Sorceline) comes an all-ages humorous collection of all the joys of being a cat owner. Published for the first time in English, this volume collects the final three of the original six French albums. Collects volumes 4–6 of the original French albums.

Olympians: Dionysos: The New God

Author: George O’Connor
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: Jan. 26 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 8 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

The Olympians saga draws to a close with the tale of Dionysos, the last Olympian, and maybe, just maybe, the first of a new type of God. His story is told by the first Olympian herself, Hestia, Goddess of the hearth and home. From her seat in the center of Mt. Olympus, Hestia relates the rise of Dionysos, from his birth to a mortal mother, to his discovery of wine, his battles with madness and his conquering of death itself, culminating, finally, in his ascent to Olympus and Godhood.

Fitz and Cleo Get Creative

Writer: Jonathan Stutzman
Artist: Heather Fox
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: Feb. 2 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 8 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99

Fitz and Cleo are:

– Siblings (the closest)

– Ghosts (the friendliest)

– Best friends (the tightest)

– Cat owners (Mister Boo approves..of Cleo)

– And now bandmates (only the gnarliest!), writers (watch out Hemingway!), filmmakers (auteurs), artists (the list goes on?!)…

These two know how to keep spirits high and the good times rolling! In their first-ever second book, join the most adorable apparitions this way of the afterlife through ten gut-busting creative farces, including flexing their storytelling muscles with ghost stories, songwriting, and directing their first film.

Squire

Writers: Nadia Shammas, Sara Alfageeh
Artist: Sara Alfageeh
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: Mar. 9 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 8 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

From two incredible rising talents comes the fantasy graphic novel Molly Knox Ostertag calls “instantly compelling.” Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It’s the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt-Sajji Empire, and as a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Ravaged by famine and mounting tensions, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again, so Aiza can finally enlist in the competitive Squire training program. It’s not how she imagined it, though. Aiza must navigate new friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the unyielding General Hende, all while hiding her Ornu background. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the “greater good” that Bayt-Sajji’s military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in greater danger than she ever imagined.

Paws: Gabby Gets It Together

Writer: Nathan Fairbairn
Artist: Michele Assarasakorn
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: Mar. 9 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 8 (Bookstores)
List Price:   $12.99 (TPB) / $20.99 (HC)

Meet best friends Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Kim. They’re different in just about every way—personalities, hobbies, family, and more—but they have a few important things in common: they’re all in the same class, they absolutely love animals, and for reasons that are as varied as the trio themselves none of them can actually have any pets. Unable to resist the adorable temptation any longer, the girls decide to come up with a way to finally get their hands on some furry friends. And, as luck would have it, it seems like their neighborhood is in need of some afterschool dog-walkers. So, just like that, PAWS is born! But it turns out that running a business is harder than it looks, especially with three co-owners who are such different people. The girls soon argue about everything, from how to prioritize their commitments to the best way to keep their doggy clients happy. And when their fighting ultimately leads to a doggo crisis, will it tear their business and friendship apart or will they be able to get it together to save the day?

Isla to Island

Author: Alexis Castellanos
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Release Date: Mar. 16 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

This stunning wordless graphic novel follows a young girl in the 1960s who immigrates from Cuba to the United States and must redefine what home means to her. Marisol loves her colorful island home. Cuba is vibrant with flowers and food and people…but things are changing. The home Marisol loves is no longer safe—and then it’s no longer her home at all. Her parents are sending her to the United States. Alone. Nothing about Marisol’s new life in cold, gray Brooklyn feels like home—not the language, school, or even her foster parents. But Marisol starts to realize that home isn’t always a place. And finding her way can be as simple as staying true to herself.

Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms

Writer: Rey Terciero
Artist: Megan Kearney
Publisher: HarperAlley
Release Date: Mar. 16 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $22.99 (HC)

Odette and Dillie are supposed to be enemies. Their kingdoms have been feuding since before they were born. But when the two princesses meet each other at the lake that separates their castles, it’s clear they were destined to be best friends. Odette—who lives with a curse that magically transforms her into a swan when the sun rises—is happy to find someone who treats her like everyone else. And Dillie has finally met someone who understands her dream of having an adventure instead of sitting on a throne. When they discover that Odette’s curse is the reason for tension between their families, they decide to follow an ancient legend that could lead them to someone who can set everything right. As they travel through enchanted lands, meet new allies, and fight terrible foes, Odette and Dillie are put to the ultimate test. But when the time comes, will they choose their deepest wishes or the fragile fate of their world?

Science Comics: Birds of Prey

Author: Joe Flood
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: Mar. 23 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 22 (Bookstores)
List Price: $12.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic—dinosaurs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, robots, and more. Whether you’re a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these graphic novels are for you! In this volume, you’ll get up-close and personal with some of the world’s most skilled hunters, from the majestic eagle to the oft-maligned scavenger vulture! Armed with razor-sharp claws, keen eyesight, powerful wings, and killer instincts, these stealthy predators can make a meal of rodents, fish, snakes, lizards, monkeys, and even kangaroos! Discover how these amazing birds who are often at the top of the food chain, play an integral role in many different ecosystems around the world.

Crab & Snail: The Invisible Whale

Writer: Beth Ferry
Artist: Jared Chapman
Publisher: HarperAlley
Release Date: Mar. 23 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 22 (Bookstores)
List Price: $7.99 (TPB) / $12.99 (HC)

The never-ending rain is putting a damper on Crab and Snail’s plans for a sunny, funny day. So when the BBFs (Best Beach Friends) realize that it’s only raining on them, they put their heads together and consult one know-it-all gull (he really does know it all!) to get to the bottom of it. By the time the rain clears, the duo will have made a new friend and learned something new and wonderful about friendship! Crab and Snail are everyone’s next favorite characters in the graphic early reader space. Fans of Narwhal & Jelly; Pea, Bee, & Jay; and Arlo & Pips will love these quirky characters and clever stories.

Poiko: Quests and Stuff

Author: Brian Middleton
Publisher: Wonderbound
Release Date: Mar. 29 (Bookstores)
List Price: $9.99

Have you ever had to deliver a care package to a dragon with allergies? Have you ever been waylaid by a school of space fish? That’s just an average day for Poiko, the kingdom’s most reliable courier. The world can be a big, scary place, but it can also be wondrous. Sad things can happen, but there are always good friends to turn to, or new friends to make. And no matter what, there is always, always someone who could use your help. Poiko learns all these lessons and more every time he brushes his tail, pulls on his hoodie, and steps out into a new adventure. The philosophical whimsicality of Calvin & Hobbes meets the fantasy-scapes of Adventure Time in this modern-day classic.

Ham-Let: A Shakespearean Mash-Up

Writers: Jim Burnstein, Garrett Schiff
Artist: Elisa Ferrari
Publisher: Dark Horse Books
Release Date: Mar. 30 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 29 (Bookstores)
List Price: $10.99

Ham-let is a fun and endearing graphic novel reimagining of a classic Shakespearean tale! This satirical story stars a cast of anthropomorphic animals based on characters from Shakespeare’s greatest plays!

Button Pusher

Author: Tyler Page
Publisher: First Second
Release Date: Mar. 23 (Comics Shops) / Mar. 15 (Bookstores)
List Price: $14.99 (TPB) / $21.99 (HC)

Tyler’s brain is different. Unlike his friends, he has a hard time paying attention in class. He acts out in goofy, over-the-top ways. Sometimes, he even does dangerous things—like cut up a bus seat with a pocketknife or hang out of an attic window. To the adults in his life, Tyler seems like a troublemaker. But he knows that he’s not. Tyler is curious and creative. He’s the best artist in his grade, and when he can focus, he gets great grades. He doesn’t want to cause trouble, but sometimes he just feels like he can’t control himself. In Button Pusher, cartoonist Tyler Page uses his own childhood experiences to explore what it means to grow up with ADHD. From diagnosis to treatment and beyond, Tyler’s story is raw and enlightening, inviting you to see the world from a new perspective.

Looking for some great adult and young adult graphic novels to check out this Winter? Check out the 83 graphic novels we’ve selected for Winter 2022!

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