Nerds of all stripes are gearing up for New York Comic Con, which begins Oct. 6 and runs through the weekend. And book nerds — which many of us at NYPL are proud to call ourselves — are especially excited, because the first day of the conference focuses on comic books, graphic novels, and manga. Panels, autographing sessions, debuts of new volumes and series, and meet-and-greets with authors and illustrators are all on the agenda.

Our NYPL book experts picked out the comics they’re most excited about right now, so readers anywhere can enjoy them… even if you can’t make it to the Javits Center this weekend.

 

Descender! I was really surprised by this comic by Dustin Nguyen. The cover reminds me of the movie A.I., and there are hints of it​ in the story, but the world-building is amazing. Can’t wait to get my copy signed by Dustin at Comic Con. —Gregory Huchko, Yorkville

 

 

 

 

 

I’m looking forward to more visibility for John Layman’s Chew, which takes place after an epidemic of avian flu and follows FDA Agent Tony Chu as he uses his psychic tasting powers to uncover corruption and solve mysteries about black-market poultry. This hilarious and disgusting series wraps up in November, so I’m hoping there will be cosplay! —Leah Labrecque, 58^th Street

 

 

 

 

Bitch Planet is a science fiction dystopian vision of a patriarchy run amok set on a women’s prison planet. It does everything good science-fiction is supposed to do and then some. —Judd Karlman, Pelham Bay

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite overall series this year is Jason Aaron & Jason Latour’s brutal Southern Bastards (and Aaron’s similarly-themed Men of Wrath). Old man Earl Tubb returns to his corrupt hometown in Alabama and decides to take a stand against violent criminal Euless Boss, with unexpected consequences. —Crystal Chen, Muhlenberg

 

 

 

 

 

I’m not going to Comic Con, but Cool Japan Guide: Fun in the Land of Manga, Lucky Cats and Ramen just happened to arrive for me this morning. It is billed on the cover as “a comic book writer’s personal tour of Japan.” —David Nochimson, Pelham Parkway-Van Nest

 

 

 

 

Just in time for Halloween comes the new graphic novel, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Book One: The Crucible. But do not be deceived, this is not the Sabrina the Teenage Witch you thought you knew; this is Satan-worshiping, cannibalistic, dark, twisted witchery like never before. —Morgan O’Reilly, Aguilar

 

 

 

 

The Demon Prince of the House Momochi, vol. 5 by Aya Shouoto. Himari Momochi inherits the Momochi estate, except upon arrival she soon discovers that the house isn’t as abandoned as she thought. In fact, the house sits on a barrier between the human world and the spiritual one, and it has mysterious guardians. I’m hyped to see what comes next! —Chantalle Uzan, Francis Martin

 

 

 

 

Nailbiter by Joshua Williamson. A small town in Oregon has a knack for producing serial killers, including the eponymous Nailbiter. When a rogue NSA agent is forced to team up with the charmingly macabre Nailbiter to find his missing partner, drama ensues. Dark, funny, and exciting — read it in time for Halloween! —Emily Merlino, Yorkville

 

 

 

 

 

There’s a lot of anticipation for Miracleman: The Silver Age, vol. 2 from Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham. (The publishing date was pushed back a few times; it’s now Feb. 22, 2017.) The title originally began as “Marvelman” under other authors, including Alan Moore, and this volume is the latest installation. NYPL has some early Miracleman. —Jenny Baum, Jefferson Market

 

 

 

 

I am excited about Black Panther, vol. 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Monstress by Marjorie Liu. I am looking forward to the panels at Comic Con. —Lilian Calix, Hamilton Grange

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the series I’ve had the most fun with in 2016, and can’t wait to continue onwards with, is Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida. —Joe Pascullo, Grand Central

 

 

 

 

 

I’m looking forward to checking out New Super-Man by Gene Luen Yang. Clark Kent, the classic Superman, has disappeared and a new super-powered Chinese teenager has taken his place. It’s not out in a collected edition yet, but patrons can read Yang’s story about the retirement of Clark Kent in Superman: Vol. 1, Before Truth. —Benjamin Sapadin, Morris Park

 

 

 

 

 

I love The Arrival by Shaun Tan.  This wordless graphic novel depicts the moving tale of an immigrant trying to navigate life in a new land.  Gorgeous, moving, and fantastical. —Althea Georges, Mosholu

 

 

 

 

If I had the foresight to buy my tickets in advance, I would have loved to see Image Comics: Character Presentation with speakers Jason Hurley& Jeremy Haun, the co-creators of The Beauty. It’s a unique story about a new STD with a side effect of turning people beautiful. But what happens when more dire side effects start to manifest and a medical corporation attempts to take advantage of this situation? Stunning artwork that wholeheartedly reflects the dialogue, this graphic novel really takes the concept of attractiveness to another level. —Susen Shi, Mid-Manhattan

 

 

 

---

Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!