by 
Updated on December 10, 2021
It’s nearing the end of the year. With the holidays approaching, I thought I’d put up a list of my 2018 picks for graphic novels and trade paperbacks.
DC Comics
DC Super Hero Girls
- Date With Disaster
- Out of the Bottle
- The Search For Atlantis
“DC Super Hero Girls” is not just a series of amusing web videos and animated films. It’s also a series of graphic novels. While very kid-friendly, the series also feature some nods to certain aspects of the DC Universe. (Barbara’s voice-activated Bat-computer system’s named “Oracle,” for instance.)
Scooby-Doo Team-Up
- Scooby-Doo Team-Up, vol. 5
This “Scooby-Doo” series revolves around the Mystery, Inc. gang meeting various characters from both the DC Universe and other Hanna-Barbera series. Volume 5 features appearances from characters ranging from Top Cat to the Challengers of the Unknown.
Future Quest Presents
- Future Quest Presents, vol. 1
DC’s “Future Quest” series featured modernized versions of the various Hanna-Barbera adventure heroes in various adventures.
Marvel
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl
- I’ve Been Waiting For a Squirrel Like You (vol. 7)
- My Best Friend’s Squirrel (vol. 8)
- Squirrels Fall Like Dominoes (vol. 9)
Squirrel Girl continues to be one of my favorite superhero series currently published. The above volumes feature Doreen’s adventures in places such as the Savage Land (Marvel’s dinosaur-filled “lost world”).
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, vol. 5: Fantastic Three
Moon Girl’s series in 2018 featured appearances by the Fantastic Four… or at least the Human Torch and the Thing.
Black Panther
- Rise of the Black Panther
“Black Panther” was one of Marvel’s (and Disney’s) biggest hits of the year in movie theaters. Of course, they put out various comics as tie-ins. “Rise” focuses on telling some of T’Challa (and his father’s) backstory.
Independent comics
The Backstagers
- The Backstagers, vol. 2
A second volume of “The Backstagers” appeared in 2018, along with two one-shot holiday specials, centered around Valentine’s Day and Halloween.
Lumberjanes
- Lumberjanes, vol. 9
- The Infernal Compass OGN
A new “Lumberjanes” original graphic novel, “The Infernal Compass,” was published in 2018, centering around the relationship between two of the ‘Janes, Molly and Mal.
Goldie Vance
- Goldie Vance, vol. 4
The fourth volume of “Goldie Vance” features a story about a rock music festival, all with the graphic novels’ usual 1960s setting (but 2018 cultural norms).
Atomic Robo
- Atomic Robo and the Spectre of Tomorrow TPB
A new “Atomic Robo” storyline appeared in a trade paperback this year. Unlike the “Real Science Adventures” storylines, this story’s set in the present.
FoxTrot
- Mother Is Coming: A FoxTrot Collection
The latest collection of “FoxTrot” comic strips. Yes, Jason’s a “Game of Thrones” fan, despite its extremely kid-unfriendly tone (or maybe because of it).
Conclusion
That wraps up my list for 2018 graphic novels and trade paperbacks. If you have any suggestions or favorite ones released this year, feel free to list them in the comments below.
Photo by Classroom Camera (Cascade Canyon School) (Flickr / CC BY / cropped from original)
