Best of 2013: Graphic Novels and Anthologies

2013 Graphic Novels Read:

Ayun Halliday and Paul Hoppe, Peanut

John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, March: Book One

Gene Yuen Yang, Boxers/Saints

2013 Anthologies Read: 

Nisi Shawl (ed.), Bloodchildren

João Barreiros (ed.), Lisboa no Ano 2000

John Joseph Adams and Douglas Cohen (eds.), Oz Reimagined

Mike Allen (ed.), Clockwork Phoenix 4

Fabio Fernandes and Djibril al-Ayad (eds.), We See a Different Frontier

Mariano Villarreal and Luis Pestarini (eds.), Terra Nova:  vol. 2 

 2013 was not a good year for me in terms of reading graphic novels or anthologies published that year.  Above is the list of the graphic novels and anthologies that I have read, either completely or in part, through the year to date.  Two of the three graphic novels, however, I loved, perhaps in part because of the historical content of the two (and meeting the writers in October in Nashville at the Southern Festival of Books), but certainly because the stories were compelling reads.  As for the anthologies, this is one of those years where nothing wowed me in terms of an extremely strong opening-to-close lineup of knockout stories, but each was mildly pleasing at least to read.  In the end, chose the one in which I had pledged money to in a 2012 Kickstarter, as I did feel like I got my money's worth there.

3.  Mike Allen (ed.), Clockwork Phoenix 4 

The Clockwork Phoenix series of original anthologies has been a personal fav for years and the current volume carries on the tradition of having good, solid, hard-to-classify stories.

2.  Gene Luen Yang, Boxers/Saints (boxed set) 

 See my November review for more on this 2013 National Book Award finalist for Young People's Literature book.

1.  John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, March:  Book One 

This graphic novel rendering of Rep. John Lewis's life up to the immediate aftermath of the Nashville sit-ins is one of the most moving things I've read this year.  It certainly was the most memorable of any on these two lists and so it deserves this ranking.  Go out and read it, ASAP.