Get Dad a Graphic Novel This Father's Day

There are so many amazing graphic novels across so many genres available (you can read more about how so many things are being adapted into graphic novels here!). Lizzy has rounded up a few options for Dads that love different things - everything from Horror to Fantasy to a little bit of Non-Fiction. And if you don't feel like reading a whole blog, just take a look at the 21 top picks that she's selected below, with a little bit of everything!

Who doesn't love a throwback to the 90s with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or the gorgeously nostalgic Flash Gordon? For the Dad's who love a new Marvel movie, won't stop talking about the new Spider Man movie, or is more than a little obsessed with Batman, there are some excellent options for gifting. I asked my husband which Batman comic would be the best one (there are so manty!) and he recommended The Killing Joke (deluxe edition) which is about Batman and the Joker and the thin line between their two characters. A psychological battle intensely told on the page, this is perfect for any enthusiast. For a dark and fascinating 'what if' from the Marvel universe, check out The Spider's Shadow where in an alternate reality Peter Parker's life has taken a darker turn.

Think graphic novels and comics are just for the superhero fans? Oh boy, we've only just started. For the Sci-Fi reading Dad I really only need to provide one suggestion - get him the graphic novel adaptation of Dungeon Crawler Carl! This only comes out on 1st September so unlikely he'll have it before Father's Day, and it's based on the best series ever which literally everyone loves. LITERALLY. You can't go wrong, and if he hasn't read the novel itself yet just by him both, easy.

After absolutely loving the TV show adaptation, I'm also intrigued by the entire Three-Body Problem series which has been adapted into an impressive 10-volume graphic novel and would make such a great gift for the Sci-FI Dad. You also just can't go wrong with a Star Wars graphic novel, and we've got The Original Trilogy, as well as The Mandalorian with everyone's fave duo.

In the manga world there are the incredible deluxe editions of the dark fantasy series, Berserck. Set in a dark, medieval world, these huge, black, leather tomes sell themselves and every time someone walks out with one I get jealous. Dad would love it. And if he wouldn't, then maybe the beautiful graphic novel adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's fantasy classic, A Wizard of Earthsea, is more his style? First published in 1971, this is a classic fantasy adventure story perfect for children and adults alike. 

We all know I'm in my horror era and have only just started dipping my toes into learning more about the horror genre of graphic novels and manga, but there are some absolute gems. H.P. Lovecraft's Call of Cthulu was adapted skillfully by modern manga horror master Gou Tanage and the single volume result is spectacular. Fellow horror master, Junji Ito, has another incredible option for father's day with Yon & Mu, a quirky and eerie story about the life of one man his wife and 2 cats. It's pretty tame compared to the rest of Junji Ito's terrifying oeuvre, but this one would be perfect for the dad who loves felines and appreciates a slightly twisted gift. Lastly, from the mind behind the MrBallen youtube channel and podcast, Strange, Dark & Mysterious is a graphic novel short story collection that feels a bit like sitting around a fire telling ghost stories, beautifully illustrated to add to the atmospheric sense of suspense and terror - perfection.

Has Dad just watched The Odyssey and now can't talking about the genius of Christopher Nolan? Get him the graphic novel deluxe hardback adaptation. It's strikingly illustrated, has beautiful stenciled edges, and captures the original in a way that honours it's poetry and grandeur, but also adds a dynamic quality. It would be such an easy and yet gorgeous gift for that Dad who might have never read a graphic novel in his life but wants a pretty trophy of his favourite classic to browse. 

I'm also obsessed with getting myself the graphic novel adaptation of 1984 by George Orwell, and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - two completely different visions of the path humanity is on that somehow have both become true in various ways (did you know that Huxley taught Orwell French at Eton College??! Mind blown). Both with completely different art styles that represent beautifully the difference in their visions, I love that these classics are available in this format now. Myabe Dad is more into War of the Worlds? A little bit of Shakespeare? Or even some Sherlock Holmes? Turns out all of that is available in graphic novel form!

We all know that person, the one who no longer reads fiction because they only have time for non-fiction (don't get me started on why we need to read both - I have to remind myself that I am only in charge of my own reading habits, no one else's). There are some absolutely incredible non-fiction graphic novels on the market and I really hope we start to see more and more. I am absolutely in love with the graphic novel adaptations of Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens, a set of three stunning hardbacks (with the fourth to come soon!) that look amazing on the bookshelf but are also packed with the genius history of mankind told through Yuval's insightful wisdom and observations, along with engaging illustrations. They are so well done and great for older curious kids, as well as adults. 

Randall Munroe is an internet classic, creating absurdly clever and funny comics about the world and science and the weirdest questions - now available in a couple of different editions of What If? Featuring intricate illustrations and in-depth wonderings like "How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living? How many humans would a T. Rex rampaging through New York need to eat a day? It's a unique option for the Dad who gets lost in random rabbit holes and loves an interesting fact.

Today I also discovered that we stock a graphic novel adaptation of Miyamoto Musashi's legendary masterpiece, the Book of Five Rings, which brings the wisdom of Samurai and military tactics to sharing life lessons, perfect for the Dad who loves to read a self-help book every now and again. This graphic novel adds a lot to the original, sharing more about the background to how and why the book itself was written, the lessons included, and more about the authors final days as one of Japan's greatest warriors. Father's Day = Sorted. You're welcome.

I couldn't not include a few options for the Dad who loves D&D - whether he still finds time to play (we don't but for a long time it was our weekly highlight spending hours slipping into other characters and rolling endless dice), or whether he just gets to watch a bit of Critical Role on Youtube every now and again. My pick here is an easy one after spending a huge amount of my life listening to an amazing D&D podcast, The Adventure Zone. With a fabulous series of graphic novels now chronicling the bizarre and hilarious adventures of the McElroy brothers, this would be such a fun gift for the D&D dad. 

Oh also, have I mentioned that there's a Dungeon Crawler Carl graphic novel coming out? The D&D Dad would love that too. As would I. Please someone buy it for me.

Graphic novels are not sub standard to reading, the combination of storytelling and beautiful artistry is uniquely special and I truly think there's probably a graphic novel out there for anyone. So whether you're buying a gift for someone or looking for something new for yourself, hopefully there's something fun on this list for you too!