Last week I restarted my Q&A series with authors both traditionally and independently published. My guest was the author of a recent graphic novel, The Cross and the Stag, and a genial conversationalist named Gabriel Wilson. We talked about unexpected skateboard accidents, the value of graphic novels and comics to tell compelling stories, and why the life of St. Eustathius is like “Gladiator meets the Lives of the Saints.”
You can watch the video of our interview here:
For those who’d prefer the audio on its own, here you go:
Gabe was generous enough to suggest his recommendations for graphic novels, which, surprisingly, didn’t include a single superhero book! Personally, I like some of the more recent superhero stuff (it’s quite beautifully drawn), but I agree there’s a bit too much of it out there.
So here are Gabe’s five best graphic novels you’ve never heard of (and probably should immediately read):
Adventurers Rex and Pogo trek across the Ruinlands searching for treasure and magical artifacts, along with their not-always faithful companions.
It’s every adventurer for themselves in the Ruinlands! Join Pogo and Rex as they set out on a quest to hunt for valuable artifacts and magical weapons across the land. Along with plenty of not-always faithful companions, our heroes must battle dangerous tribes of Toadies, survive giant stone Golems, and stop a catastrophic world-ending disaster, all while evading a cunning gang of thieves trying in a race to the biggest treasure of all time.
Cartoonist Derek Laufman (Marvel Superhero Adventures) leads an unforgettable journey as Rex and Pogo misadventure their way across the Ruinlands, facing dangerous foes and fair-weather friends alike!
2. Scurry by Mac Smith
A colony of mice in an abandoned house struggle to survive a long, strange winter. The humans are all gone and the sun is rarely seen. As food becomes scarce and many mice fall ill, the scavengers are forced to search farther from their home, braving monster infested lands in search of anything that will help the colony survive another day.
As young Pict and her father Orim struggle to keep the colony from devolving into chaos, diminutive Wix and his rat friend Umf embark on another scavenging run in search of food. Being hunted by feral cats and predatory birds is part of life for these mice, but beyond the fences stalks something far more fearsome…
Scurry: The Doomed Colony is the first oversized graphic novel in the Scurry saga, collecting the first 3 episodes of the epic story plus additional artwork.
3. Isola by Brendon Fletcher and Karl Kerschl
An evil spell has been cast on the Queen of Maar and her Captain of the Guard will do anything to reverse it. Their only hope lies on an island half a world away–a place known in myth as Isola, land of the dead.
Gotham Academy creators Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl reunite with series colorist MSASSYK and letterer Aditya Bidikar for a breathtaking fantasy adventure two decades in the making.
4. Middlewest by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona
The lands between the coasts are vast, slow to change, and full of hidden magics. The town of Farmington has been destroyed sending an unwitting adventurer and his vulpine companion in search of answers to quell a coming storm that speaks his name.
From author SKOTTIE YOUNG (I HATE FAIRYLAND, DEADPOOL) and artist JORGE CORONA (NO. 1 WITH A BULLET, FEATHERS, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA: OLD MAN JACK) comes the tale of Abel, a young boy who must navigate an old land in order to reconcile his family’s history.
5. The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi
Life in Sunrise Valley is tranquil, but beyond its borders lies certain death. A dangerous black fog looms outside the village, but its inhabitants are kept safe by an ingenious machine known as the dam. Pig’s father built the dam and taught him how to maintain it. And then this brilliant inventor did the unthinkable: he walked into the fog and was never seen again.
Now Pig is the dam keeper. Except for his best friend, Fox, and the town bully, Hippo, few are aware of his tireless efforts. But a new threat is on the horizon―a tidal wave of black fog is descending on Sunrise Valley. Now Pig, Fox, and Hippo must face the greatest danger imaginable: the world on the other side of the dam.
Thanks for the recommendations, Gabe!
If you’re interested in my own recommended fantasy and sci fi reading list, click here.
My next author interview will be in late October, and it’s a bit of a secret right now. But mark your calendars tentatively for October 28!
Gift alert! I’m offering a free download of the fantasy map for my Raven Son universe. Interested? Add your email below so I can share it with you!