The Best Comic Books by Portland Writers and Artists

Comic books and graphic novels aren’t just about superheroes. They span the gamut of every imaginable genre from fantasy to nonfiction.

“Art that tells pictures in order is one of the oldest ways that humans have told stories,” says Katie Pryde, owner of the southeast Portland comic book shop Books With Pictures. “You can tell a story about absolutely anything using comics.”

Pryde recommends the best comics by local writers and artists for your next good read or for a holiday gift.

‘Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen’

A reporter for the now-online version of the Daily Planet is forced to flee to Batman’s Gotham City where he’s out-of-place and struggling to stay alive. “It’s extremely silly and charming,” says Pryde.

‘One-Star Squadron’

It’s technically about superheroes, but they’re doing gig work for an app, performing at birthday parties or offering personal protection. “It's funny; it's sad,” says Pryde. “It's one of those stories where there is a supervillain, but the real supervillain is late capitalism.”

‘Black Cloak’

It’s a murder mystery, but set in a world with both humans and mermaids. “It's beautiful; it's weird; it's sci-fi fantasy,” says Pryde.

There has been an explosion in comic books and graphic novels for children and teens, so here are a couple of recommendations in that category:

‘Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy’

It’s “a story about feeling like an alien when you are in middle school,” says Pryde. “One of my customers said that she bought it for her kid and it actually wound up being the thing that triggered his big middle school glow-up. It meant that he started talking to people and finding friends and feeling more comfortable with himself.”

‘The Hundredth Voice’

A haunted music school has scary fairies. “If your kid picks it up, you’ll know that they have a great deal of eyeliner in their near future: it's very goth,” says Pryde.

She has more recommendations worth considering.