Like the years before it, 2024 has been an excellent year for comics in terms of creativity and originality from comics artists and writers, whether they were published through large publishers like Viz Media and Scholastic, or the efforts of individuals self-publishing their art and stories to enthusiastic readers. However, it is also becoming increasingly apparent that despite the continued growth and expansion by different publishers into the comics market, whether it is through original graphic novels or manga and webtoon imprints, that the people who make comics are struggling in an industry that does not support them as well as it should. To make matters worse, the year began with the news that Diamond Comic Distributors has filed for Bankruptcy, making the future for comics all the more uncertain for retailers and publishers.
With this in mind, I feel like it is all the more important to highlight the comics that were either self-published by cartoonists or published through smaller companies. Here is my list of eighteen comics and manga that deserve more attention for their art, stories, and cartooning. Like my video game list from last week, I have organized these comics based on age rating, with comics intended for all ages on the top of the list, and comics that are only intended for mature and adult audiences at the very bottom of the list. I hope you’re able to find one new story to enjoy as a result of this list.
All Ages
The cover of the comic “Light Through Memory” by Jean Wei. The cover features two people, sitting and facing each other. The person on the left is sitting cross-legged and slouching, holding their head up on the knuckles of their left hand. They are wearing a simple Roman toga, and their black hair is tied up in a simple ponytail. The figure on the right is sitting on their knees, back upright, a fan in their right hand. They are wearing a simple dark-coloured hanfu and their hair is tied up in a topknot. Above them are blue scrolls of paper, with undefined writings written on them. In the center of the cover is a white, glowing, stylized star.
Light Through Memory by Jean Wei
The year is 185 CE. In two completely different parts of the world, Alexandria and Luoyang, two young astronomers observe the “birth” of a new star. Light Through Memory showcases the unique power of comics as a medium for storytelling by simultaneously showcasing both of the main characters’ stories who, despite their geographical and cultural differences, are united by a single star. Available as a digital or physical book through the author’s webstore.
The cover of the manga “The Legend of the Edible Maze” by Nekobungi Sumire. The cover features two humanoid non-binary individuals, sitting on top of an orange cube. The person on the left is a cat-person with long, wavy light blue hair, sitting with their left leg crossed over their right. They are wearing a purple hat over their cat-ears, and are wearing a purple t-shirt and jean-shorts. They are holding onto a device that resembles a blue iPod in their left hand, the cord for the earphones going below their hat. The person on the right is a devil with short orange hair with a black streak, and orange horns on their head. They are wearing matching white and orange tank-top and shorts, their navel showing. They are holding a device that resembles a red Nintendo Game Boy in their hands. The background is an orange abstract cubic cityspace, with stylized fish “swimming” in the air.
The Legend of the Edible Maze by Nekobungi Sumire
Published by: Amaitorte
Another delightful dive into the creative worlds of Nekobungi Sumire, The Legend of the Edible Maze follows a day in the life of two non-binary friends as they seek out the titular maze. A fun piece of science fiction showing that while many things may change in the future, interpersonal connections remain the crucial glue that keeps us together. Available as a digital or physical book. The digital version is available on Apple Books, Google Play, and Amazon Kindle, while the physical book is available on Amazon.
Content warning: Non-sexual nudity
Early Adolescents
The cover of the comic “Near You, Beside You” by Elise Schuenke. The cover features two siblings during two different time periods, their current age and their childhood selves, the sibling on the right has dark brown hair and are wearing green shirts, and the sibling on the left has dark blond hair and are wearing red shirts. Their childhood versions are happily playing a video game on the Nintendo 64 console together; the sibling on the right has a slight closed-mouth smile, while the sibling on the left has an open-mouthed grin and talking excitedly. Their adult versions are standing far apart from each other, the sibling on the right hesitantly looking towards the sibling on the left, whose back is turned. On the purple floor are various video game consoles, handhelds, software, controllers, and peripherals intended for systems developed by Nintendo and Sony from the 1990s to 2024.
Near You, Beside You by Elise Schuenke
In this autobiographical comic, Elise Schuenke recalls their childhood with their older brother as the two connected through video games. While Schuenke’s experiences are different from my own, I greatly empathized with how they depicted being a neurodivergent child, and the joy and comradery that forms by playing video games with your siblings. Digital only through the author’s itch.io store.
Content warnings: Non-graphic depictions of simulated violence within video games, including killing enemies, guns and blood, possible casual ableism
The cover of the first volume of the manga series “The Other Side of the Clouds” by Yoruno Hitsujigumo. The cover features a girl, with short sandy-blonde hair and light green eyes, leaning against a light-blue wheeled carry-on luggage bag that she has propped up on a white stone structure. She is wearing a white dress shirt and a navy blue skirt and carrying a green backpack on her back. She has a small, content smile on her face. Behind her is the skyline of a Japanese town, which includes various white-roofed buildings, trees, powerlines, a fence and a view of the ocean. The sky is blue with a large white cloud in the center.
The Other Side of the Clouds Volume 1 by Yoruno Hitsujigumo
Published by: Glacier Bay Books (Translator: Matthias Hirsh. Editors: emuh ruh & zhuchka. Letterer: Tim Sun. Design: emuh ruh. Proofreader: zhuchka)
Disclosure: I was a backer of this manga’s Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign
Drawn to the town of Kumogaura by a mysterious book, Mayowa Kusunoki spends her time getting to know this pleasant, but strange, Japanese seaside town, which seems to have spellbound its denizens under its cloudy skies. For fans of manga that are simultaneously grounded in slice of life but entwined with an air of intrigue, like Kozue Amano’s Aria or Tomohi’s Nightfall Travelers. Physical only through the publisher’s website and Sendai Books for readers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Content warning: Memory loss
The cover of the comic “To Me, To You” by Chereen Francis-Roberts. The cover features two women, whose bodies are facing different directions, gazing at each other and holding onto each other with their right hands on their wrists. Both women have dreadlocks and light blue and white outfits. The woman on the left, whose head is facing the bottom of the cover, is wearing a blue raincoat and white shorts, her hair tied up behind her head. The woman on the right, whose head is facing the top of the cover, is wearing a blue and white outfit that resembles a wetsuit, with a diamond shape cut out on her chest. Encircling the women are various water bubbles. The cover’s background is dark blue.
To Me, To You by Chereen Francis-Roberts
Lily has tried many times to sail out to reach her desired “Destination”, but each time she has done so her ship has sunk and she is brought back to shore with the help of a mysterious woman. Will she finally be able to make it? A gorgeously illustrated tale about the struggles that people undertake in order to fulfil their dreams, and the importance of remembering why you began to pursue them to begin with. Digital only through the author’s Ko-fi store.
Content warnings: Depression, near drowning, imagery that can be considered a metaphor for burnout, imposter syndrome, and/or gatekeeping
Teenagers
The cover of the comic “Come Home Safe” by Boya Sun. The cover features a person, with short black hair, wearing a futuristic space suit with an umbilical cable attached to the back, looking at a planet below them, from the inside of a vessel in space with a circular window. Their back is facing the audience. The only colours used in the cover are various shades of purple.
Come Home Safe by Boya Sun
After a catastrophic accident occurs while working in space, an astronaut is confronted with their mortality. Come Home Safe is a gorgeous, melancholic comic about memory and family. Recommended for those who enjoy character driven short stories, and comics that utilise their colour choices for meaningful storytelling. Physical only through the author’s webstore.
Content warnings: Implied character death, blood, potential kidnapping attempt in a flashback
The cover of the manga “Couples: Akahachi Short Manga Collection” by Akahachi. The cover features two men walking together and looking towards each other, their backs to the audience. The man on the left has short black hair and is wearing a white dress shirt, carrying a navy suit top in his right arm. His visible eye is wide and mouth agape, his expression somewhat stunned, and he is blushing. The man on the right has auburn brown hair that is so short it resembles a buzzcut, wearing a short-sleeved green-blue dress shirt, carrying a messenger bag on his right shoulder and back. His visible eye is closed and he has an open-mouthed grin.
Couples: Akahachi Short Manga Collection by Akahachi
Translator: Yuma Kemp. Cover Design: MOJ-i. Special Thanks: Richard Kemp
Couples is a collection of Akahachi’s boys’ love manga, most originally posted on their Twitter account. With soft lines and earnest feelings, this is an endearing and sweet collection of love stories, ranging from high school sweethearts to office romances. Perfect for those looking for something fluffy. Digital only on Amazon Kindle.
Content warnings: Implied or non-graphic sexual content. One story, “Devee-kun”, has instances of non-consensual kissing.
The cover of the comic “Crossing Wires” by Marty Tina G. The cover features two women, their backs to each other. The woman on the bottom of the cover, facing the audience, has a buzzcut and a futuristic red outfit including a jacket tied around her waist and fingerless gloves. She is frowning, looking to her left towards the other woman, and her eyebrows are drooping in grief. Her left hand is clenched in a fist and her right is raised upwards. The woman on the top of the cover, her back to the audience, is upside down, and has long dark hair, and is wearing a business skirt suit. She is entirely blue and her appearance is pixelated like a hologram. A display screen is hovering above her left hand. Behind them is a yellow background that resembles a circuit board.
Crossing Wires by Marty Tina G.
Bounty hunter Tala is currently searching for a new body for Sheda, the businesswoman who is currently co-residing in her brain, as they traverse through treacherous terrain and their shared history. Crossing Wires is a brief, but effective, glimpse into the lives and circumstances of two women, and the futuristic world they live in. Digital only through the author’s Ko-fi store.
Content warnings: Death and near-death experiences, blood, non-consensual body sharing, multiple references to lobotomies, loss of autonomy, guns and injuries caused by bullets
The cover of the manga “Day In, Day Out” by Rion Nomiya. The cover features two women looking towards each other, each holding a steaming cup of coffee in matching white ceramic mugs. The woman on the left has short, dark brown hair, is wearing glasses and a beige shirt. Her eyes are closed and she has an open-mouthed smile, her face flushed. The woman on the right has long, auburn brown, done up in a loose bun, wearing a white dress shirt with a light brown checkered waistcoat. Her eyes are open, and she has a close-mouthed grin, her face slightly flushed.
Day In, Day Out by Rion Nomiya
Published by: Yuri Hub (Translator: WOLF. Editor & Quality Checker: Yukiko Kohira. Proofreader: Willow Nunez)
Yuki Azusa has spent the past decade working alongside her co-worker, Onodera Sumire, enjoying morning cups of coffee and companionable conversations every day. But when Onodera leaves the company, the everyday routine Yuki has taken for granted falls apart, leading the woman to make an important choice. Day In, Day Out is a grounded yuri manga about the changes that come from the passage of time, and the importance of taking initiative. Digital only for purchase through Yuri Hub’s official webstore, Yuri Hub’s BOOTH store, and Renta.
Content warning: Implied sexual content
The cover of the comics anthology “In Another Life” organized by noble comix. The cover shows a red wallpapered wall with six golden framed pictures hanging on it, which are all greyscale. From top to bottom the pictures feature the following: a landscape image of a shattered glass frame; a portrait image of a corvid sitting on a branch; a portrait image of a cow grazing in the grass, a farm in the distance; an image of a moth; a landscape image of a medieval castle; and a portrait image of an angel flying and holding a black spear in their hands.
In Another Life by noble comix
Stories by: brett, reetz, salt, butter, happyhoney
The isekai, or “different world”, genre is one that has existed for decades under different names, such as “portal fantasy”, but has become increasingly popular in recent years, arguably to the point of oversaturation. This makes In Another Life a breath of fresh air, as the five stories within the anthology each provide a unique twist on escapist fantasies, where things do not play out the way the protagonist anticipated. Available as a digital or physical book through the publisher’s Etsy store.
Content warnings: Death, gore, body horror, vomiting, abduction, realistic depression, unanticipated kisses
The cover of the comic “The Quiet End of the Mundane Age” by Theo Stultz. The cover features two men, standing close to each other and gazing at their partner’s face intently. The man on the left has long, shoulder-length, black hair, and is wearing a black suit; his eyes are narrowed with a curious, and slightly mischievous, expression, his left, gloved, hand reaching up to the other man’s face to caress it. The man on the right has short dark red hair, wearing a white and grey suit with a light-grey waistcoat; his expression is anxious with confusion, and possible desire, his face flushed. Both men’s suits resemble fashion from the Edwardian era. Behind them are the ruins of a castle that resembles the Medieval era. The skyline is pink.
The Quiet End of the Mundane Age by Theo Stultz
In a world much like our Edwardian era, research is being done into an old castle where the ancient art of magic was lost for good. Our story follows William Prior and Lucien Cornett, two researchers who are studying the castle for different institutions, gradually uncovering these long-lost histories and growing closer to each other. Highly recommended for fans of character focused romances and excellent world-building. Digital only through the author’s itch.io store.
Content warnings: Long past death of humans, animal death, accidental self-injury
The cover of the manga series “Threads of Me and You” by Ayu Inui. The cover features two women, wearing kimonos and holding flowers in their arms, looking towards each other. The woman on the left has short black hair and is wearing a blue kimono with red cherry blossom flowers and white leaves embroidered on it, and a yellow-beige jacket overtop. She is holding purple flowers, possibly irises, in her arms. The woman on the right has wavy brown hair done up in a bun and is wearing a white kimono with yellow sunflowers embroidered on it and a purple jacket overtop. She is holding sunflowers in her arms. Both womens’ faces are slightly flushed.
Threads of Me and You by Ayu Inui
Published by: Yuri Hub (Translator: Sabrina Williams. Editor: Yukiko Kohira. Quality Checker: Ayumi Fujishiro. Proofreader: Willow Nunez)
Nanjou Yui is an office worker who is frustrated by people constantly treating her in a condescending fashion in the workplace due to her youthful appearance and short height, which results in her wanting to look more mature. Upon meeting and befriending Shiiba Mizuho, a refined looking restaurant worker who always dresses in kimonos, Yui sees this as an opportunity to learn more about kimonos and dress the way she wants to be seen. An extremely rare example of a yuri manga receiving a simulpub, Threads of Me and You is shaping up to be a fun, down-to-Earth story about self-expression. Digital only through Renta, still ongoing.
Content warning: Casual sexism and heterosexism
The cover of the first chapter of the comic series “Unicorn, Hunted” by Ian Simmons. The cover features a humanoid figure, sitting naked by a fountain in the woods. He has several features that resemble a unicorn, such as a single horn protruding from his forehead, equine ears, a long, thin tail with a glossy tuft of fur on the end, hooves, and a creamy white complexion. His expression is tired and somber. Surrounding him are various animals, including an elk, a fox, a rabbit, two lionesses, two pheasants, and an ermine, all calm and relaxed.
Unicorn, Hunted Chapters 1 & 2 by Ian Simmons
Colouring Assistance: Allie Drake
Unicorn, Hunted is an ongoing medieval fantasy series following the misadventures of Haelan, a man with the appearance of a unicorn, as he struggles to make his way back to his kingdom. With gorgeous artwork and intriguing characters, I am excited to see where the story will go from here. The first two chapters are available as digital books through the author’s itch.io store and as physical books through the author’s webstore, either individually or bundled together.
Content warnings: Animal death, blood, attempted murder, nonconsensual transformation, purity culture
Mature and Adult Audiences
The cover of the graphic novel “A Home in Her” by Sarah Winifred Searle. A man with short, dark hair is lying on the ground, looking upwards, lovingly, towards the woman above him, his eyes starry. His left hand is holding onto the right arm of the woman on top of him. The woman is only visible by her light hair and right arm; she has a gauze bandage wrapped around her wrist, and an adhesive bandage on her middle finger. A moth is visible on the bottom of the cover. The only colours used in the cover are various shades of blue.
A Home in Her by Sarah Winifred Searle
Published by: Gestalt Comics (Australia, Physical Edition)
Trying to cope with the recent loss of his parents, Aoi Hughes meets Eerie Midgley, a peculiar woman with a strong interest in bugs, and the two soon develop a mutual attraction. As the two begin to grow closer to each other, Aoi begins to think about his future, and what it means to have a home. A delightful adult romance with ruminations on language, self, and family. The digital version is available through the author’s itch.io webstore while the physical version is available through various comic independent comic retailers in Australia and the United States.
Content warnings: Sexual content, grief from past familial loss, discussion of body/gender dysphoria, animal death, blood and injury, casual cissexism and misgendering from background characters
The cover of the manga “Color Collection” by Tomo Serizawa. The cover features two men walking on a spring day in Japan with pink cherry blossoms in full bloom, one man being carried on the other’s back. The man doing the carrying has long black hair, and is wearing orange coveralls with various paint stains; his eyes are closed and he is smiling with a wide toothy grin. The man being carried has short brown hair, glasses, and is wearing a white dress shirt with a short-sleeved green sweater on top and light-brown dress pants; his eyes are open and he has an open-mouthed smile, a faint blush on his cheeks. He is carrying a tote bag on his left shoulder, which has two stylized cartoon paint tube figures, one orange and one green both with the Latin letter “S” on front, attached to the strap.
Color Collection by Tomo Serizawa
Published by: Manga Planet (Translator: Taylor Drew. Letterer: Shirley Chen. Retoucher: Jezael Manahan. Proofreader: Jordan. Production Assistant: Usa N. Editor: E. Hanashiro)
Color Collection is a boys’ love manga centered on the lives of various men attending an art university, each pursuing their own passions for their chosen artform, which lead into romantic connections. Each character’s craft, be it sculpture, video game design, or graphic design, is treated with sincere interest and respect, and each character is compelling with their own personal struggles and goals. An excellent character-driven romance collection. Digital only through Manga Planet Pass subscription on Manga Planet’s website.
Content warnings: Sexual content, discussions and depictions of homophobia, past death of a spouse and associated grief, student-teacher relationship (both men involved are roughly the same age)
The cover of the comic “Love Me Like You’re Real” by Cynthia Yuan Cheng. The cover features two people in the center; the person on the left is a transmasculine individual, with short dark brown hair wearing a modern green and brown waitstaff uniform, walking forward and looking towards the man on their left, their face blushing, reaching towards him with their left hand, and holding menus under their right arm; the person on the right is a man, with short blond hair and a scar on his face on his nose and left eyebrow, wearing a historical outfit, a white shirt which exposes part of his muscular chest and brown pants, caressing the transmasculine person’s face in his left hand, his face flushed. Behind them are various pages with full-colour images from a fantasy world with architecture and landscapes resembling historical Europe, and a contemporary restaurant with three staff members doing various tasks, coloured in pink, orange and yellow.
Love Me Like You’re Real by Cynthia Yuan Cheng
Tones Assistance: Sunmi
Additional/Guest Art: Xanthe Bouma
Frustrated with their lack of success in finding a boyfriend, Terr suddenly finds themself transported into the world of their favourite fantasy novel, and falling for their favourite character who reciprocates their feelings. But by spending time in this perfect world, will Terr miss out on opportunities and connections in their real one? Love Me Like You’re Real dives into why people are drawn to escapist fantasies, and the importance of not getting lost in them. Digital only through the author’s itch.io webstore.
Content warnings: Nudity and implied sexual content, one instance of being misgendered, unhealthy coping mechanisms
The cover of the comic “maintenance” by crvptozoology (Court Normandin). The cover shows the exposed torso of a robot woman, their arms raised upwards, showing their various wires and circuits, most notably a circuit that resembles a stylized heart. The left hand of a human woman is gently caressing the robot’s torso and handling some of the robot’s wires with her right hand. The only colours on the cover are bright pink and black.
maintenance by crvptozoology (Court Normandin)
A short comic about the sensual connection between a robot and the human they love, maintenance is a sapphic comic exploring the intimacy and eroticism of trusting another person to care for your body, and an examination into unspoken desire and longing from a non-human perspective. Recommended for its creative panel design, gorgeous art, and stellar writing. Digital only through the author’s itch.io webstore.
Content warnings: Sensual robot maintenance that said robot finds very arousing
The cover of the comic “My Father Was a Good Man” by Adeline Kon. The cover features a woman with short hair, wearing a light snow jacket and thick snow pants, holding a shotgun in her hands, with the barrel pointed downwards. She is coloured in greyscale. Above her, a black wolf opens its jaw towards her, tongue salivating, ready to snap at her, their right eye visible and looking directly at the audience. They are coloured in black and various shades of red. The cover’s background is red.
My Father Was a Good Man by Adeline Kon
A deeply discomforting, but exquisitely executed, tale of memory and fear, My Father Was a Good Man peels back the layers of a woman’s personal vendetta against the wolf that killed her father years ago. But is the wolf really what she should be hunting, and was her father really a good man? Physical only through the author’s Etsy store.
Content warnings: Human and animal death, blood and gore, familial/domestic abuse (including implied sexual abuse), nudity