comic books

While Marvel’s newest Disney+ series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, is faithful to its comic-book counterpart in many ways, it’s also a departure from “the formula.” Jennifer Walters, a.k.a. She-Hulk, is not like other Marvel heroes. Unlike her cousin, Bruce Banner, she doesn’t lose herself to the “monster.” And unlike fellow lawyer (and vigilante) Matt Murdock/Daredevil, she doesn’t have a secret identity. But maybe a female-led comedy/legal drama (albeit with a healthy dose of action and adventure) is just what the Doctor (Strange) ordered?

If you’re new to the Jade Giantess or just find yourself wanting more than an episode a week, the Library has you covered.

July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month! Started in 2019 to bring attention to and promote the growing graphic novel and comics collections in our nation’s libraries, the month-long celebration coincides with the world’s biggest fandom event, San Diego Comic Con. In addition to highlighting collections and their accessibility through digital library apps like Hoopla, Graphic Novel Month is a great opportunity to show the range of formats, genres, characters and benefits that these mediums have to offer.

The latest Batman movie reboot is set in the vigilante's second year of fighting crime. For now, fans looking for stories from Batman’s later years or those centered around other members of the extended “Bat Family” will have to look beyond the big screen (for now). Fortunately, Batgirl, Batwoman, Robin, and Nightwing are all well-represented at the Library!

Comic book superheroes are experiencing a renaissance. But with so many characters, time travel plots, branching timelines, and alternate universes: sometimes it’s helpful to go back to the original source. So, whether you’re looking to fill in some gaps or you want to see what’s next, the Library has you covered.

Are you a fan of space wizards who carry laser swords or are you just another scruffy-looking nerf herder? Catch up with your favorite characters from a galaxy far, far away or meet a whole different cast of characters and Jedi from the newly-expanded High Republic era with Star Wars books, audiobooks, and comics! Whether it’s those sassy, lovable droids from the Skywalker Saga; Ahsoka Tano, Rex, Grand Admiral Thrawn and others from the Clone Wars or Rebels series; Vader himself; or even those older Expanded Universe “Legends” you hope make a reappearance in the new canon… Light Side or Dark: The choice is yours! May the 4th (and the Force) be with you!

Whether you’re a first-time comic book reader or a seasoned fan, Free Comic Book day is a great way to find new reads, revisit old favorites, or even explore some indie or niche creators. Of course, comics are always free to read at the Library and with Hoopla, you can enjoy instant digital access to hundreds of comics and graphic novels from top publishers like DC and Marvel. So, delve as deep as your heart desires into the fantastical worlds of those superheroes, villains, and even side characters from DC, Marvel, or Star Wars you already follow on the big and small screen.

July 2019 marks the very first Graphic Novels in Libraries Month! To kick off this month, we teamed up with Shawn Norton. Shawn is the manager of the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch Library and a graphic novels enthusiast. He chats with us about his personal graphic novel recommendations, as well as the process behind creating graphic novels of your own in Episode 56 of Completely Booked.