Riot Headline The Best Books of 2024
Comics/Graphic Novels

There’s No Place Like Comics

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Eileen Gonzalez

Contributing Editor

Eileen's primary literary love is comic books, but she’s always on the lookout for her next literary adventure no matter what form it takes. She has a Bachelor's in media studies, a Master's in digital communication, a smattering of published short stories, and a seriously cute dog. Follow her on Bluesky.

The nice thing about the Stack is that you don’t have to click your heels three times — or at all — to get what you want, as long as what you want is more comics.

Bookish Goods

A large black gaming mat featuring white panels that contain white sketches of anime-style eyes

Manga Sketch Faces Desk Mat by VibeNight

If you’re a video game nerd as well as a manga nerd, there’s no better way to game. Pick between two different sizes! $50+

New Releases

Boulet's Notes Back in Time cover

Boulet’s Notes: Back in Time by Boulet

This new book collects some of Boulet’s early work, which he has spent the past two decades posting online. His cartoons encompass just about every subject you can imagine and probably quite a few you can’t. Whether you’re new to Boulet’s work or want to reminisce about his older stuff, Boulet’s Notes is sure to satisfy.

Erased cover

Erased: An Actor of Color’s Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood by Loo Hui Phang and Hugues Micol

Maximus Wyld had roles in some of the biggest films of the 1940s and ’50s, but as a mixed-race actor in a white-obsessed Hollywood, his opportunities were limited, and he is all but forgotten today. This graphic jaunt through classic Hollywood is perfect for movie buffs and hidden history lovers alike.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: home! It means something a little different to everybody, including the folks in these graphic memoirs.

The Lucky Poor cover

The Lucky Poor by Mazie Lovie

Lovie never really felt poor growing up, but her life still changed forever when her family — her single mother, autistic young brother, and herself — received a house from Habitat for Humanity. To earn the house, they all had to put in a lot of hard work and make big adjustments. In the end, it had a profound effect on Lovie’s life, and it demonstrated to her the vital significance of having one’s own space.

The Circuit cover

The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez and Celia Jacobs, Adapted by Andrew J. Rostan

Based on the first part of his memoir (there’s a cliffhanger ending, in other words), The Circuit relates various episodes from Jiménez’s early life, when he and his family came to America to become migrant workers. Moving from place to place, Jiménez had little chance to put down roots or make friends, but he still dreamed of getting an education and of a life beyond the cotton fields.

Personally, I think home sweet home is the best place to enjoy reading comics. Wherever you find yourself reading this weekend, I hope you get a lot out of it!

~Eileen

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