Flyleaf's Graphic Novels & Manga Picks for Adults 2022
Kat & Colin recommend their favorite adult graphic novels & manga reads of the year.
Back to the 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
Kate Beaton has been renowned for her hilarious history comics for over a decade; Ducks is an introspective graphic autobiographical look into her life in the liminal moments between university and establishing herself as an artist. The perfect choice for anyone who is looking for inspiration and direction in life. --Kat
Oh man, where do I start and how much do I say? A group of people are summoned to, well, a nice house on a lake, for a fun and relaxing vacation, and they get more than they bargained for. Some of these folks know each other, but they all have the host in common. I’m hesitant to say more because I know exactly how shocked I was when I turned that page at the end of issue #1, so you’ll just have to trust me that this is a must-read for horror/thriller/suspense fans. Collects the first five issues of the ongoing comic. --Colin
2120 is a surrealist must-read for choose-your-own-adventure lovers. As in any choose-your-own-adventure, your autonomy only goes as far as what your character—in this case, Wade Duffy the repairman—would do, and your decisions only plunge him deeper into the bizarre world of 2120 Macmillan Drive. It is The Stanley Parable set in the Backrooms, and great for anyone who finds joy in eerie loneliness. --Kat
Collecting issues #1-5 of the comic book, volume one of The Me You Love in the Dark tells the story of a young artist who moves into a creepy old house in a small town in an attempt to rekindle her creativity. But inspiration comes from strange places, like a spirit with mysterious intent living in the house. A horror story that’s more about discovery and love than flat-out terror, but there’s plenty of spooky atmosphere here too, don’t worry. --Colin
Fungirl is loud, crass, and falls on her face when she skateboards, and while she is far from perfect, Elizabeth Pich has created a visual world so charming that it's almost spectacular to see someone come in and mess it all up. If you have ever felt like you’re the odd one out, swimming against the current, you will love Fungirl. --Kat
This collection of graphic short memoirs covers the whole spectrum of life on the spectrum. Featuring more than 40 autistic comic artists and writers who came together with the goal of sharing their firsthand experiences as autistic creators, this book is a great choice for everyone—on the spectrum or not—interested in understanding terms, experiences, and what it means to be human in an overwhelming world. --Kat
In his first full-length graphic memoir, filmmaker James Spooner reflects on the formative years of his life as a teen on the punk scene of California in the eighties. The High Desert is an unflinching depiction of finding self-identity in the face of racism. --Kat
A young woman decides to spend the last summer before starting law school with her boyfriend in his idyllic hometown of Crestfall Bluffs, meeting his wealthy family and the small community of people who seem just a little too happy to be there. A wonderfully terrifying tale of hidden horrors and secrets that might just consume those curious enough to unearth them. This collects the first five issues of the ongoing comic book. --Colin
Junji Ito is the master of horror manga, and The Liminal Zone is another brilliant collection of paranormal nightmares come to life. Pick this one up for someone who loves horror this holiday season. --Kat
Monsters roam the earth, and it's up to our avian protagonist to save the day! This hilarious manga is a great choice for any fan of One Punch Man who ever thought, what if he were a badass rooster instead? --Kat
Dandadan is going to be the next big hit in Shonen manga. This manga follows a ghost-hunting and UFO-chasing duo who team up to fight off the weirdest supernatural creatures out there. It's hilarious and weird and it pokes fun at the Shonen genre with ease. --Kat
From Chainsaw Man author Tatsuki Fujimoto, Look Back is a coming-of-age debut, the tale of a prospective manga artist who strives for perfection to the point of obsession. Look Back masterfully blends innocence and horror. --Kat