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You made it to May! Got any fun plans? Maybe a barbecue, a vacation, or just some time off from the regular grind? Whatever your plans, why not take one of these new graphic novels along with you? They’re the perfect addition to a blissful afternoon at the park or a good way to unwind after a hectic day of travel.
Aside from offering lots of intriguing suggestions for what you could be reading over the next thirty days, these new release lists are also a reminder of just how versatile comic books are. It doesn’t matter what kind of story you want to tell—short, long, funny, serious, scary, fiction, nonfiction—comics are a fantastic medium for bringing that story to the public eye. Below, you’ll find everything from tales of supernatural horror to fun, kid-friendly titles. Most are works of fiction, as usual, but there are also a couple of nonfiction titles for people wanting to learn history or new skills. One even draws inspiration from real life to create an entertaining story with an important message.
As usual, each entry includes a handy-dandy buy link and the publication date, accurate as of the time of writing. Happy reading!
Creaky Acres by Calista Brill and Nilah Magruder (May 6)
When Nora’s family—including her beloved horse—have to move to a new, rural community, she’s afraid she won’t fit in or be able to achieve her goals. Can Nora use her love of horseback riding to make new friends and find her place?
Epitaphs From the Abyss Volume One by Various Creators (May 6)
A bevy of renowned creators—including Jason Aaron, Stephanie Phillips, Brian Azzarello, and many more—help bring EC’s notorious horror comics back from the grave in this gory collection, which includes the first four issues of the series.
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J vs. K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft (May 6)
J is an amazing artist, while K’s poetry is second to none. So what happens when these creative, competitive kids enter the same contest? Will they learn to work together or just bring the whole school down with them?
The Manga Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening by Hideki Yoda (May 13)
‘Tis the season to get your garden in order. This chipper guide uses a combination of photos, illustrations, and text to tell you everything you need to know. The Kindle edition is out this month, but if you want the paperback, you have to wait until June.
Saga Volume Twelve by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (May 13)
The acclaimed series returns! Marko and Alana may be lovers from feuding planets who face daunting political challenges on a daily basis, but raising their daughter Hazel is a whole other story…
Snow Angel Volume One by Haruka Chizu (May 13)
For too long, Muku has lived her life for other people, unable to develop and pursue her own path. Can an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend give her the strength to break free?
Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett
The title says it all: this book highlights trans people from throughout history, exploring the contributions they have made and society’s reaction to them in different times and places.
Thunderbolts Epic Collection: Targeted for Death by Various Creators (May 27)
Want more Thunderbolts? Here’s over 450 pages’ worth! This collection features some of the group’s earliest adventures. Roster shifts and returning villains are sure to keep them on their toes!
And check out the New Release Index for even more exciting new titles!
The following comes to you from the Editorial Desk.
This week, we’re highlighting a post about the literary events that should be on your calendar for the rest of 2025. From awards announcements to famous authors’ birthdays to Banned Books Week, these are the dates readers should have on their radars. Read on for an excerpt and become an All Access member to unlock the full post.
The Most Anticipated Literary Events of (the Rest of) 2025
For some, the major literary events of the year come as a pleasant or interesting surprise—something to enjoy in the moment, rather than to anticipate. For others, there’s big appeal in bookmarking these occasions in advance to plan, predict, and build around. I and the rest of the editorial team are in the business of thinking ahead about what the year has in store for book lovers, publishers, industry experts, and the like, which is why we all got together toward the end of 2024 to plot out everything from birthdays of literary greats, to anniversaries of books that have made a deep cultural impact, to literary awards and events coming up this year. We’ve been marking these events as they happen on the site for what’s shaping up to be a very busy year in books, but there are still so many big, exciting literary events of 2025 to anticipate.
Whether you’re a book-focused or -adjacent content creator, someone who beefs up their TBR with literary awards honorees, or a book lover who appreciates being in the know, I’m here with a starting place for calendaring out the rest of this storied year…
Sign up to become an All Access member for only $6/month and then click here to read the full, unlocked article. Level up your reading life with All Access membership and explore a full library of exclusive bonus content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations.