23 Canadian comics to check out in fall 2024
From graphic memoirs about grief and loss, to humorous coming-of-age stories for kids, there's something for every lover of comics and graphic novels this season. Here are some of the comics by Canadians to check out this fall.
Crystal Cave by Nancy Deas, illustrated by Mike Deas
The village of Sueño Bay is famous for its legendary Moon creatures and mysterious crystals. When Ollie's grandfather gets sick, Ollie and his friends Kay, Jenna and Sleeves set out on a mission to find one of these crystals with powerful healing powers. What they don't know is that a secret group of crystal keepers is dedicated to guarding the cave where the crystal resides and that removing the crystal could destroy Sueño Bay.
Crystal Cave is out now.
Nancy Deas is an author and creator of children's books. She is based in British Columbia.
Mike Deas is a Canadian author and illustrator of graphic novels, most recently Tank and Fizz, The Sueño Bay Adventures and Dalen and Gole. He is the illustrator of the Graphic Guide Adventure series.
Raw Sewage Science Fiction by Marc Bell
Part autofiction, part cultural criticism, Raw Sewage Science Fiction is the latest from Canadian cartoonist Marc Bell. Bell uses his unique style and humour to examine the making of art and reflect on a lost decade spent wandering from coast to coast.
Raw Sewage Science Fiction is out now.
Marc Bell is a Canadian cartoonist originally from London, Ont. His other books include Hot Potatoe, Pure Pajamas, and Shrimpy and Paul and Friends.
Little By Little by Sonya Ballantyne, illustrated by Rhael McGregor
When a speaker at a youth conference says things about Michael's community that aren't true, he decides to speak up for what he thinks is right. This graphic novel is inspired by the true story award-winning community organizer, public speaker, and member of Shamattawa First Nation Michael Redhead Champagne.
Little By Little is out now.
Sonya Ballantyne is a Swampy Cree writer, filmmaker and public speaker based in Winnipeg.
Rhael McGregor is a Métis and two-spirit/queer comic artist based in Winnipeg. Their work includes illustrations and stories published by publications such as Iron Circus Comics, Quindrie Press and Highwater Press.
Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1
Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 is an illustrated collection of four "terrifying tales" from the original series. In Rotting In a Cage a dead body looms, in Mandy Lives a doll is scarily alive, Isle of Demons focuses on an eerie part of the Maritimes and in Don't Get Caught there's a neighbour everyone avoids.
Adapted in four different art styles, the new graphic novel for young readers combines horror and Canadian history.
Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 is out now.
Joel A. Sutherland is an Ontario author of thriller, horror and fantasy short stories and novels, anthologies and children's books. Alongside many other books in the Haunted Canada series, he is also the author of Summer's End which received a Red Maple Award Honour and House of Ash and Bone.
The illustrators of Haunted Canada: The Graphic Novel are comprised of Canadian artists Hannah Barrett, David Bishop, Matt Salisbury and Jenn Woodall.
Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse
Adèle is just a normal teenager until her first period comes and with it the ability to see ghosts. When the ghosts won't leave her alone, Adèle starts to get to know them and their problems and eventually she starts helping them out in whatever ways she can.
Taxi Ghost is out now.
Sophie Escabasse is a cartoonist based in Montreal. She has illustrated many books for middle-grade readers, including her bestselling graphic novel series Witches of Brooklyn.
Steve, A Pretty Exceptional Horse by Kelly Collier
This graphic novel is based on Kelly Collier's popular picture book featuring Steve the Horse. Steve wants to be exceptional but can't find anything special about himself. That is until he finds a shiny gold horn in the forest and ties it to his head. When he heads to show off to his friends, their reaction lets Steve know that there is more to being exceptional than what you like.
Steve, A Pretty Exceptional Horse is out now.
Kelly Collier is a Toronto artist and illustrator. She is the author-illustrator of A Horse Named Steve and Team Steve, and the illustrator of numerous books including Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle, Izzy's Tail of Trouble and How to Party Like a Snail.
Little Moons by Jen Storm, illustrated by Ryan Howe
A year after her sister Chelsea's disappearance, thirteen-year-old Reanna and her family are still struggling to come to terms with her loss. In an attempt to escape the painful memories, Reanna's mom moves to the big city leaving Reanna and her brother on the reserve in the care of their dad. When lights start turning on in empty rooms and objects move without being touched Reanna starts to wonder if she's not as alone as she's been feeling lately.
Little Moons is out now.
Jen Storm is an Ojibway writer and artist from the Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. She was born and raised in Winnipeg and completed her first novel, Deadly Loyalties, when she was 14 years old. She is the author of the graphic novel Fire Starters. Storm wrote Red Clouds and illustrated Nimkii with Ryan Howe for This Place: 150 Years Retold.
Storm was a 2017 recipient for CBC Manitoba's Future 40 Under 40 and in 2019, she served as the writer-in-residence for One Book UWinnipeg at the University of Winnipeg.
Ryan Howe is a comic artist, illustrator and graphic designer from Saskatoon. His work includes the Henchmen comics, Gun Street Girl: Volume 1, the Female Force collection and the ongoing Daisy Blackwood series.
God Flare by David A. Robertson, illustrated by Scott B. Henderson
God Flare is the latest volume in the Reckoner Rises series from best-selling author David A. Robertson. Following the events of Version Control, Cole and Eva are reunited as a new terror looms. Mihko Laboratories latest human experiments are about to be unleashed as the crew prepares for the final showdown.
God Flare is out now.
David A. Robertson is an author and graphic novelist of Swampy Cree heritage based in Winnipeg. He has published 25 books across a variety of genres, including the graphic novels Will I See? and Sugar Falls, a Governor General's Literary Award-winning picture book called When We Were Alone, illustrated by Julie Flett, and the YA book Strangers.
Scott B. Henderson is an illustrator and comic book artist. He graduated from the School of Fine Art at the University of Manitoba and started as a digital colourist for comics.
Andrew Thomas is a comic creator, artist and letterer based in Brantford, Ont. He also is the co-creator of the award winning series Auric of the Great White North.
Nancy Spector, Monster Detective 1 by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Linh Pham
Nancy Spector is an intrepid eight-year-old who hunts monsters with the help of her talking dog Jinx. When The Invisible Man's invisible dog Spot goes missing, he enlists Nancy to get to the bottom of the case.
Nancy Spector, Monster Detective 1 is out now.
Stephen W. Martin is a Canadian screenwriter and children's author based in Los Angeles.
Linh Pham is an award-winning illustrator and visual development artist from Vancouver.
Something, Not Nothing by Sarah Leavitt
Following the medically assisted death of her partner of twenty-two years, cartoonist Sarah Leavitt began small sketches that quickly became something new and unexpected to her. The abstract images mixed with poetic text, layers of watercolour, ink and coloured pencil combine to tell a story of love, grief, peace and new beginnings.
When you can read it: Sept. 24, 2024
Sarah Leavitt is a Vancouver comics creator and writing teacher. Her debut book was Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer's, My Mother, and Me.
The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy, illustrated by Veronika Barinova
This inspiring graphic novel is inspired by a true story and follows young Ryan Fox, a good student who isn't sure what he wants to be when he grows up. All of that changes when Ryan meets Blackfoot doctor that inspires him to chase his dream of becoming a doctor himself. The Rez Doctor recounts some of the pressure, loneliness and other struggles Ryan faced along his journey.
The Rez Doctor is out now.
Ryan "Gitz Crazyboy" Derangé is a Siksikaitsitapi and Dene author, actor and activist. The Secret of the Stars was his debut novel.
Veronika Barinova is an emerging illustrator currently living in Calgary. She has a Bachelor in visual communication design from the Alberta University of the Arts and works primarily in digital media.
All Our Ordinary Stories by Teresa Wong
Starting with her mother's stroke a decade ago, Teresa Wong takes a journey through time and place to find the origin of her feelings of disconnection from her parents. The series of stories carefully examine the cultural, language, historical and personality issues that have been barriers to intimacy in her family.
When you can read it: Sept. 24, 2024
Teresa Wong is the author of the graphic memoir Dear Scarlet: The Story of My Postpartum Depression, a finalist for The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize and longlisted for Canada Reads 2020. Her comics have appeared in The Believer, The Rumpus and Event Magazine. She teaches memoir and comics at Gotham Writers Workshop and was the current Canadian writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary. CBC Books named her a writer to watch in 2019.
Tegan and Sara: Crush by Tegan Quin and Sara Quin, illustrated by Tillie Walden
In the follow up to their bestselling graphic novel Junior High, Tegan and Sara have made it out of seventh grade but that doesn't mean their junior high drama is over. Just as Tegan's falling out with her BFF and Sara is dealing with growing feelings for her dream girl — the twins also have to find a way to focus on their upcoming battle-of-the-bands and a chance to open up for their favourite artist.
When you can read it: Oct. 1, 2024
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Tegan Quin and Sara Quin are twin sisters, musicians and writers from Calgary. Their previously published memoir, High School, was adapted into a television series with Amazon. They are also the authors of the graphic novel Junior High.
Tillie Walden is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist, illustrator and writer. She has published several graphic novels, including On a Sunbeam and Spinning.
Puffin and Penguin by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Kevin Sylvester
On Puffin's first day at his new school he's happy to find out Penguin, the coolest kid in school, has been assigned to be his buddy. But Puffin quickly finds out that popularity also comes with a lot of work — especially with Penguin set to play King Midas in the school play. But when a blackout threatens the play's opening night, it's up to Puffin to save the day.
When you can read it: Oct. 1, 2024
Helaine Becker has written more than 80 books, including Porcupine in a Pine Tree , Dashing Through the Snow, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Counting on Katherine and That's No Dino! Or Is It?. Becker lives in Toronto.
Kevin Sylvester, is a broadcaster and the award-winning illustrator and writer of middle-grade books such as the Neil Flambé Capers series and the MiNRS space adventure series.
Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp
Sisters Beatrice and Magnolia are polar opposites — Beatrice is always cheerful and Magnolia is always grumpy. When Beatrice is gifted a magic yarn from a giant forest spider she sets out to knit the perfect sweater. But her greedy sister Magnolia sees this as a chance to put the spiders to work for profit. And when the spiders strike Bog Myrtle is not pleased.
When you can read it: Oct. 8, 2024
Sid Sharp is a Toronto-based painter and comic creator. Their debut comic was The Wolf Suit.
Boy vs. Shark by Paul Gilligan
The summer of 1975 starts out as carefree as any other for ten-year-old Paul Gilligan. His only worries are keeping his comics in pristine condition and keeping up with his friend David's increasingly bold stunts. That is until the movie Jaws to town, leaving Paul a cowering mess as he begins to seemingly be haunted by the big screen shark.
When you can read it: Oct. 15, 2024
Paul Gilligan is a Toronto-based cartoonist. He is also the author-illustrator of Pluto Rocket: New in Town, Pluto Rocket: Joe Pidge Flips a Lid, King of the Mole People and its sequel, Rise of the Slugs.
Helge Dascher is a frequent translator of comic books. She's also translated many of Guy Delisle's titles, Aya by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie, White Rapids by Pascal Blanchet and Paul Goes Fishing by Michel Rabagliati.
Lost at Windy River by Trina Rathgeber, illustrated by Alina Pete
Lost at Windy River tells the story of thirteen-year-old Ilse Schweder who got lost in a snowstorm checking her family's trapline. Facing freezing temperatures and wild animals and with no food or supplies, Ilse uses her traditional teachings and connection to the land to find her way home.
When you can read it: Oct. 15, 2024
Trina Rathgeber is a children's author and member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. She is the author of French Fries Are Potatoes and The Bunnies Talk Money.
Alina Pete is a nehiyaw artist and writer from Little Pine First Nation in western Saskatchewan. She is the editor of the graphic novel anthology Indiginerds.
we see stars only at night by Cole Pauls
This collection of art was originally created for the Nanaimo Art Gallery's group show "Gutters are Elastic," before Pauls expanded it into this full length book. This dreamlike narrative looks at the connection between the land, heritage and performance.
When you can read it: Oct. 17, 2024
Cole Pauls is a Tahltan comic artist. He created his first comic, Dakwäkãda Warriors, as a language-revival initiative. In 2017, it won Broken Pencil magazine's awards for best comic and best zine of the year. In 2020, it won best work in an Indigenous language from the Indigenous Voices Awards. He is also the author of the graphic novel Pizza Punks.
Roth by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Christopher Shy
Richard Van Camp's latest graphic novel follows a local hero named Ross, who is bitten by a Wheetago at his cabin in northern Edmonton. The province of Alberta is crawling with the deadly monsters and Ross must form an alliance with escaped prisoners in order to reach his family, who are trapped in the city.
Half-transformed, Ross holds onto his humanity with the help of his family medicine. But the Wheetago are not discouraged — they've already renamed him "Roth" and wait for him to join their "gruesome crusade."
When you can read it: Oct. 18, 2024
Richard Van Camp is a Tłı̨chǫ Dene writer from Fort Smith, N.W.T., who has written 26 books across multiple genres. His graphic novel A Blanket of Butterflies was nominated for an Eisner Award and his children's book Little You, illustrated by Julie Flett, was translated into Bush Cree, Plains Cree, South Slavey and Chipewyan.
Christopher Shy is an American artist, book cover designer and film poster artist. His graphic novel work includes Dead Space, I Sleep in Stone and The Mummy.
Dog Days by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, translated by Janet Hong
Dog Days is cartoonist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim's latest graphic novel, which centres on an unconventional family trying to build trust, not only with each other, but with their neighbours.
When you can read it: Oct. 22, 2024
Keum Suk Gendry-Kim is a Harvey Award-winning South Korean comic artist and translator. Her books include Grass, The Waiting, La saison des pluies, Jiseul, Jun, The Naked Tree among others.
Janet Hong is a writer and translator based in Vancouver. She has translated numerous works of fiction, essays, and graphic novels such as Keum Suk Gendry-Kim's Grass.
The Cosmic Con by Ron Kasman
It's 1960s Toronto and Herbie Weingarten finds out his uncle Jeffrey has been taken in by a religious cult called "Exalted Consciousness." The young man tries to free his uncle from the cult's grasp as he navigates Toronto's downtown core when Yorkville was a hippy haven, Rochdale College was a centre of the illicit drug trade.
When you can read it: Oct. 30, 2024
Ron Kasman is a Canadian comics creator. He created William Lyon Mackenzie, the first graphic novel of Canadian history.
The Squad by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna Cacao
Christina and her best friends Megan and Leanne are preparing for another brutal set of cheerleading tryouts. Christina is finally coming into her own, but as they worry about making the team, Christina finds out her parents' marriage is coming to an end. Can she keep her composure long enough to keep her cheerleading dreams alive?
When you can read it: Nov. 12, 2024
Christina Soontornvat is an award-winning author of over a dozen books for kids of all ages.
Joanna Cacao is a Canadian Filipino author and illustrator based in Winnipeg.
The Forgotten Frontier by Tristan Jones, illustrated by Alexander Bumbulut
The Forgotten Frontier is a critical retelling of the often misrepresented story of the Western Frontier from an Indigenous perspective, which has been historically missing.
When you can read it: Nov. 21, 2024
Tristan Jones is a Toronto-based writer of Black Mi'kmaq heritage and Anishinaabe ancestry. The Forgotten Frontier is his debut book.
Alexander Bumbulut is an illustrator, graphic designer and painter based in Germany.
Curb Angels Vol. 2 by Nyala Ali, illustrated by Lisa Mendis
In the follow up to Curb Angels Vol. 1, the all female vigilante group continues their mission to free human trafficking victims and bring the people responsible to justice.
When you can read it: Nov. 28, 2024
Nyala Ali is a Winnipeg writer, editor, and comics journalist. Her graphic novel Curb Angels Vol. 1 received a Doug Wright Award nomination for Best First Book.
Lisa Mendis is a Winnipeg illustrator, print maker and graphic designer. Her previous book Curb Angels Vol. 1 received a Doug Wright Award nomination for Best First Book.
