The Best Teen & Young Adult Comic Books & Graphic Novels 2026

1. ORACLE CODE, THE

The #1 New York Times bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp ( This Is Where It Ends ) and artist Manuel Preitano unveil a graphic novel that explores the dark corridors of Barbara Gordon's first mystery: herself. After a gunshot leaves her paralyzed, Barbara Gordon enters the Arkham Center for Independence, where Gotham's teens undergo physical and mental rehabilitation. Now using a wheelchair, Barbara must adapt to a new normal, but she cannot shake the feeling that something is dangerously amiss. Within these walls, strange sounds escape at night; patients go missing; and Barbara begins to put together pieces of what she believes to be a larger puzzle. But is this suspicion simply a result of her trauma? Fellow patients try to connect with Barbara, but she pushes them away, and she'd rather spend time with ghost stories than participate in her daily exercises. Even Barbara's own judgment is in question. In The Oracle Code , universal truths cannot be escaped, and Barbara Gordon must bat...

ORACLE CODE, THE

2. Out of Left Field (Paperback)

A nerdy gay teenager jumps headfirst into the bro-y world of high school baseball in this semi-autobiographical LGBTQ+ graphic novel by Eisner-nominated author Jonah Newman! 2025 Eisner Award Nominee, Best Publication for Teens 2025 CBC Teacher Favorites Winner 2025 CBC Librarian Favorites Winner Ninth-grader Jonah is not a jock. On the contrary, he loves history class and nerdy movies, and his athletic ineptitude verges on tragic. So, what's he doing signing up for the baseball team? Could it have something to do with the cute shortstop, Elliot? For the rest of high school, Jonah faces challenges on and off the baseball field, from heteronormative social pressure to thrilling romance. Realizing who his real friends are, he figures out what really matters and finally recognizes and embraces his gay identity. Based on debut author-illustrator Jonah Newman's coming-of-age experiences, Out of Left Field is a big-hearted and funny YA graphic novel about learning to be yourself. "Brilliantly written and illustrated high school story that deftly showcases the triumphs and regrets of friendship and finding oneself. A remarkable debut!" --Dav Pilkey, #1 bestselling graphic novelist "First base, first boyfriends, and believing in yourself--Out of Left Field is a charming tour of the mistakes and triumphs of coming out in high school." --Ngozi Ukazu, award-winning creator of Check, Please!

A nerdy gay teenager jumps headfirst into the bro-y world of high school baseball in this semi-autobiographical LGBTQ+ graphic novel. Ninth-grader Jonah is not a jock. On the contrary, he loves history class and nerdy movies, and his athletic ineptitude verges on tragic. So, what’s he doing signing up for the baseball team? Could it have something to do with the cute shortstop, Elliot? For the rest of high school, Jonah faces challenges on and off the baseball field, from heteronormative social pressure to thrilling romance. Realizing who his real friends are, he figures out what really matters and finally recognizes and embraces his gay identity. Based on debut author-illustrator Jonah Newman’s coming-of-age experiences, Out of Left Field is a big-hearted and funny YA graphic novel about learning to be yourself. “Brilliantly written and illustrated high school story that deftly showcases the triumphs and regrets of friendship and finding oneself. A remarkable debut!” —Dav Pilkey, #1 bestselling graphic novelist “First base, first boyfriends, and believing in yourself—Out of Left Field is a charming tour of the mistakes and triumphs of coming out in high school.” —Ngozi Ukazu, award-winning creator of Check, Please!

3. Dancing at the Pity Party, (Paperback)

This acclaimed graphic memoir that Kirkus calls "cathartic and uplifting" is the tale of losing a parent and what it feels like to grieve and to move forward. "I can't recommend this kind, funny, and poignant memoir enough. It's an intimate, life-affirming story of resilience that feels like a good friend." --Mari Andrew, author of Am I There Yet? Tyler Feder had just white-knuckled her way through her first year of college when her super cool mom was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Now, with a decade of grief and nervous laughter under her belt, Tyler shares the story of that gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, extremely awkward time in her life--from her mom's first oncology appointment to her funeral through the beginning of facing reality as a motherless daughter. She shares the sting of loss that never goes away, the uncomfortable post-death firsts, and the deep-down, hard-to-talk-about feelings of the grieving process. Dancing at the Pity Party is a frank and refreshingly funny look at what it's like to grieve--for anyone struggling with loss who just wants someone to get it.

Dancing at the Pity Party, (Paperback) Author: Rocky Pond Books ISBN: 9780525553038 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2022-04-05 Page Count: 208