Rad Graphic Novels
Here at The Folkestone Bookshop, we love graphic novels. They are a brilliant entry into reading for all ages and a unique collaboration of art and storytelling. Graphic novels and comics range from fiction to educational to memoir and everything in between. Here are some of our favourites!
Golden Rage by Chrissy Williams
Illustrated by Lauren Knight
Older women have been deemed useless to society and abandoned on a remote island, where they must fight to the death, whilst making friends and dessert.
This super fun graphic novel series is a hilarious and satirical read, set in a not-too distant dystopia where Battle Royale meets The Golden Girls.
Gender: A Graphic Guide by Meg-John Barker
Illustrated by Jules Scheele
This non-fiction book is a thorough history of gender exploration, from ideas about masculinity and femininity, to non-binary and transgender identities, to intersecting experiences of gender, race, sexuality, class, disability, and more. A guide suitable for anyone wanting to learn more about the way we understand and interact with gender. Part of an excellent series including titles covering ‘Queer’, ‘Sexuality’ and ‘Feminism’!
No Surrender by Constance Maud
Illustrated by Scarlett and Sophie Rickard
No Surrender was first published in 1911 as part of the ongoing women’s suffrage movement. This is a faithful graphic adaptation by Folkestone-locals Scarlett and Sophie Rickard. It’s a compelling, fast-paced story that is a picture of social, political, economic, and cultural life in early 20th century Britain, but that is still relevant for reader today.
On The Books: A Graphic Tale of Working Woes at NYC's Strand Bookstore written and illustrated by Greg Farrell
A first-hand account of the labour struggles at New York’s legendary Strand bookstore in the summer of 2012. Greg Farrell was an employee at the time and the book also includes interviews with many other staff members. It gives a personal view to the events, but also provides nuance and background to the retail environment and the economic factors involved.
Weeding written and illustrated by Genevive Lebleu
A satirical portrayal of feminine archetypes in the social landscape of the 1960s, Weeding is inspired by soap operas that use unexplained disappearances and repetitive character reanimations to liven up otherwise uneventful plot lines. Perfect for fans of surreal sci-fi and pop culture references!
Are You Listening? written and illustrated by Tillie Walden
Tillie Walden is a firm favourite of ours. She writes young adult graphic novels about zombies, middle-grade novels about being a twin, and adult novels about finding yourself. In Are You Listening? a teenager on the run hitchhikes with an older woman and while driving they share stories about their own experiences with darkness. It’s heart-achingly beautiful both in the artwork and in the profundity of human connection.
CATALYST edited by Ayoola Solarin
This anthology has collated work from a range of artists of colour from across the UK and united their work on the theme of ‘catalysts’. The range of artists includes Asia Alfasi, Catherine Anyango Grunewald, Sonia Leong, Woodrow Phoenix and showcases the various ways people’s lives have been accelerated and how chains of events are triggered by the smallest of incidents - or the largest of colossal life changes.
Across a Field of Starlight written and illustrated by Blue Delliquanti
This epic sci-fi aromance about two non-binary characters finding each other across time and distance is an uplifting story of what brings humans together. It’s heart-warming and beautiful - suitable for anyone from 14 years old and up.
The Best of Assigned Male written and illustrated by Sophie Labelle
One of our first events at the shop was to host the hilarious Sophie Labelle to discuss her comics. Initially published online, the stories follow a young trans girl and her queer friends as they navigate everyday life. Including references to news stories and political movements but in regular situations and conversations, while still remaining humorous, it’s an important and joyful read.
