9-14-25 — Christina Critiques Graphic Novels

Oh, friends! I have some amazing recommendations and reviews for you this week.

Let’s get into them.

LITTLE MISS CHEERY

By: Zidrou

Illustrated by: Benoit Springer

Release: 1/23/19

Page count: 68

KU: No       Hoopla: Yes

Synopsis: Pep is in a bit of a love triangle and he vows to get rid of one of them. But the loser just won’t take “no, thank you” for an answer.

First line: “Cluk? Cluk? Cluk?”

Favorite line: “Must be nice, not having a thought in your head.”

Thoughts: I looooved the illustrations and the bat-shit over the top blood bath that continued throughout most of the story. All of the characters are garbage but you just end up kinda feeling bad for everyone (how do authors do that?!). A bloody, quick read to get you through a reading slump.

Rating: 4/5

Find it here: https://a.co/d/eYHia4d

A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE: The Complete Collection

By: Cullen Bunn

Illustrated by: Andrea Mutti

Release: 3/4/25

Page count: 288

KU: No     Hoopla: Yes

Synopsis: Dr. Nicholas Shaw isn’t from a normal family and be a use of that, the past indiscretions of his family haunt him - literally.

First line: “P-Please… Please let me up.”

Favorite line: “You’re stronger than you think.”

Thoughts: This was so disappointing. Bunn usually knocks it out of the park for me that this was not it. Nazis? Serial killers? A bunch of horrifically uncomfortable illustrations? Should have been an easy 5 star. But the ending was one of the worst I have read this year. Those illustrations though, they will get you.

Rating: 3/5

Other recommendations: HARROW COUNTY, THE GHOUL NEXT DOOR

Find it here: https://a.co/d/gl7wsCU

PUBLIC DOMAIN - Vol. 1: Past Mistakes

By: Chip Zdarsky

Release: 1/24/23

Page count: 120

KU: No      Hoopla: Yes

Synopsis: Miles has some big shoes to fill as his dad is a famous comic artist. When an assistant of a rival finds a contract long forgotten - things get more interesting.

First line: “Puff. Puff. Fuck!”

Favorite line: “So consider this years of back payment.”

Thoughts: You feel every emotion with this graphic novel. Anger towards some, fear for others, and I even teared up because of a super sweet part. What I loved most was the family aspect. Even with a famous father, both boys went their own ways, though those way were not always the best. They all still love each other and will fight tooth and nail for them. I cannot wait to finish the series.

Rating: 5/5

Other recommendations: I will finish the series.

Find it here: https://a.co/d/0sEbntt

KILLTOPIA: The Complete Collection

By: Dave Cook

Release: 10/29/24

Page count: 284

KU: No      Hoopla: Yes

Synopsis: In a world overrun with death, “the rot”, and robots, a motley crew of outsiders will have to save the world, even if that means they must make the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

First line: “Wreckers.”

Favorite line: “Oh, you have got to be shittin’ me.”

Thoughts: Gotta be honest here, the first 10% of this one had me board to tears. But I stuck with it and I’m so glad I did! Not only are the characters slowly fleshed out to be more than expected (likable and relatable), but the illustrations! Some of them turned my stomach. The use of technology and lack of humanity coupled with the commentary on poor medical care and capitalism makes KILLTOPIA extremely relevant.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it here: https://a.co/d/07ikhwu

COSMIC CENSORSHIP: Vol. 1

By: Ryuuichi Sadamatsu

Release: 7/1/25

Page count: 256

KU: No        Hoopla: Yes

Synopsis: Maki lives in a world that deals with a lot of meteors and space debris. That is until she finds out the truth from an unlikely source - a time traveler.

First line: “The gravational pull is usually strong here in Tokyo… But it’s also happening in the U.S., India, and France, too.”

Favorite line: “Our world will end. You can hear them tearing out planet apart.”

Thoughts: I really liked this one. From the start, we empty a size with Maki. She is forced out of the hobby she loves and has to come to terms with how and why that goes along with it. And just when it starts getting good - it ends on a cliffhanger! (It’s not a spoiler, you big babies, there are two more volumes set for release.) If you like to be a bit confused and love twist after twist, this might the one for you.

Rating: 5/5

Other recommendations: I will continue the series.

Find it here: https://a.co/d/07ikhwu