2025 Gift giving suggestions – Canadian comic books and graphic novels

As the gift giving season approaches, you may be looking for that special item to present to a loved one, colleague or office co-worker. This post offers a variety of options especially if you’re looking for a product that was Made In Canada by Canadians.

Here’s a list of the comic books and graphic novels introduced on this site over the past year that may fit the bill when it comes to gift giving.

For early readers

Amelia’s Loose Part Art – A Day At The Beach by Angela Odusanya and illustrated by Dileema Medonza (published by Sunshine and Rain Co.)
Amelia’s Loose Part Art – A Day At The Beach tells the story of “Amelia who is a resourceful young artist who creates art with everything around her. When her parents take her to the beach, loose part art is all she plans to do. However, she finds herself solving problems with loose parts instead. Will she make any art before the day is done? Join Amelia as she discovers new loose parts and new ways to use them.”
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Hide & Seek with Clyde & Monique: Clyde in Plain Sight by Graham Annable (published by HarperCollins Canada)
“Monique is excited to play with her best friend, Clyde. Clyde claims to be the best hider, but Monique is determined to prove him wrong in this fun seek-along game of hide and seek. Hide & Seek with Clyde and Monique: Clyde in Plain Sight is a Level Two I Can Read Comic, geared toward kids who are comfortable with comics, can read on their own, but still need a little help.”
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Sheila Shares Her Gift by Brandon Mitchell and illustrator Jessica Jerome (published by Friesen Press)
“The Turtle Island friends are at soccer practice when they meet a new kid named Sheila. When Sheila the fox uses sign language to communicate, the team is confused at first and makes Sheila feel shy. Wendell the owl, Sheila’s friend, shares that he is different, too. Through Wendell and Sheila, the group learns that we are all different and all have special gifts. The team welcomes their new friend, and she doesn’t feel nervous anymore.”
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The Village by Marilyn Reaume
Marilyn’s series of poetry books includes The Village, The Village Wedding, The Village Christmas and The Village Grows. Cover art and design is provided by illustrator Katelan Balah. Several of the poetry books feature artwork by students at local schools.
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For YA readers

Astronautical! by Brooklie Stormie (published by Annick Press)
“A century ago, planet Zephyr exploded under mysterious circumstances. Ever since, generations have been living out their lives on the remaining floating planet chunks. Brothers Max and Lari and their father Captain Cherryhair deliver goods around the galaxy on their spaceship—until their father is suddenly kidnapped by the fox minions of Cynosure, the Planet Breaker. Luckily, a couple of stars with a ferryboat business offer to help the brothers on their rescue mission. But when Max sustains a life-threatening black hole injury, little brother Lari finally has to step up and take care of his chronically in-charge big brother. Will Lari be able to figure out the secret of the broken planet and face the powerful Cynosure? Can he save not only his brother, but the people of Zephyr too?”
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Atana and the Jade Mermaid by Vivian Zhou (published by HarperAlley)
“Atana may be one step closer to discovering her past, but it didn’t come without a cost. Though the mermaid and her companions—Ren, the last known firebird, and Cosmos, a Witch Guard turned friend—narrowly escaped the Witch Queen, their world’s magic cycle is broken and the firebirds are to blame. Ren knows she must right her flock’s wrongs, and Atana is determined to join her on this quest. But lurking deep below the seas are secrets that could destroy their last chance at restoring the balance of magic—and, if they aren’t careful, their friendship.” 
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Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros (published by HarperCollins Canada)
“With her best friend away at camp, tons of chores to do, and her dad always on her case for being such a tomboy, Lucy is dreading summer. That is, until Milforth’s plan to revive an old carousel for the town’s 150th anniversary brings artist Ray and her daughter, Anaïs, to town. Anaïs is smart, funny, and easy to talk to, and Lucy—who’s used to being judged for her looks and interests—finally feels at ease in her own skin. And she thinks she may feel something for Anaïs, too. Leading up to Milforth’s big birthday, tensions begin rising with locals, thanks to a shifty development company trying to overrun the town. Things also come to a breaking point at home, when Lucy butts heads with her dad over how she wants to express herself as a girl. Can Lucy find the courage to be true to who she is? She’s got the whole summer to find out…”
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Soul Machine by Jordana Globerman (published by Annick Press)
“Chloe, 14, and her 16-year-old sister, Lacey, make souls by hand in an empty old house in the countryside. When their supply of breth—the raw material needed to make souls—runs dry, the evil MCorp tries to force them to franchise and make synthetic souls instead. Chloe sets out to the big city in hopes of finding a new source. And maybe a way to modernize their business that Lacey is so determined to keep in the past. On a journey to find a real breth crop, untouched by MCorp’s greedy hands, Chloe uncovers long-buried family secrets—and starts to question whom to trust and what reality even is.”
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The Gulf by Adam de Souza (published by Tundra Books)
“Ever since Oli found a pamphlet for a remote island commune as a kid, it’s all she can think about. Now that she’s nearing the end of high school, feeling frustrated with the mounting pressure to choose a career and follow a path she has no interest in, the desire to escape it all has been steadily increasing. Everything comes to a head when Oli’s relationship with her best friend goes south and she claps back at a school bully with more than just words. Oli flees to find the commune on a Gulf Island off the coast of Vancouver, taking with her Milo, who can’t help but hide his feelings behind the safety of a video camera, and Alvin, a shy teen who sees more than he lets on. Behind them trails Liam, Oli’s ex-best-friend and sometimes love interest, who wants to apologize for the way things went down. All four are grappling with a world that cannot be changed . . . and simply trying to find their place in it.”
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The Last Witch: Blood & Betrayal by Conor McCreery and illustrator V.V. Glass (published by Boom!)
“The one thing Saoirse has always known: witches are evil. But now she is one, and she has to contend with what that means for herself and her brother Brahm. All the while, Nicneven has plans that can mean the end of Ireland as they know it. Saoirse must learn to control her magic–and temper–if they want any chance of defeating her. Are her own prejudices against witches creating more of a barrier between herself, her powers, and her family?”
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The RACC Pack #2: Prince and the Pawper written by Stephanie Cooke and illustrated by Whitney Gardner (published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
“The Bins siblings have their sights set on the big pet expo in the heart of downtown Toronto. Dusty, Scraps, and ReRe expect to loot the convention for the latest treats, and they definitely don’t expect to meet…Dusty’s doppelganger?! Prince the Raccoon is everything Dusty isn’t—famous, pampered, and rich! But Prince wants to know what life is like outside his comfy digs and on the streets. So, with the Bins’ help, Dusty and Prince decide to switch places. At first, Dusty has a great time living it up, but he soon learns the grass isn’t always greener on the other side…even when that side has all the snacks he can eat!”
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Three Thieves – Tower of Treasure by Scott Chantler (published by PaperKutz)
“As an acrobat in a traveling circus, 14-year-old orphan Dessa Redd flies through the air with ease. Still, she is weighed down by troubling memories. But when her ragtag circus troupe pulls into the city of Kingsbridge, Dessa feels a tickle of hope. Maybe here in the royal city she will finally find her twin brother — or the mysterious man who snatched him away when they were just children. Meanwhile, Topper, the circus juggler, recruits Dessa and the circus strongman, Fisk, for the job of robbing the royal treasury. Hungry and desperate, both agree, setting off a series of adventures that will take the three thieves from one end of the world to the other in search of Dessa’s long-lost brother.”
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Touching Grass illustrated by Rhael McGregor and written by Kristy Jackson (published by HarperCollins Canada)
“Tristen would do anything to avoid going outside. The bugs sting, the snakes are poisonous, the heat will kill you if the cold doesn’t, and bodies of water? Forget it. Tristen likes it best indoors, deep in his online world where it’s safe, with his online friends. Something he has a hard time with IRL. But Tristen is in trouble at school again, and the principal is threatening to kick him out of this third school in two years. His mom believes the answer is to get Tristen off the games and in touch with nature and his Dene roots. This means Tristen has to spend a week at a culture camp in the wilderness. It’s his worst nightmare! And at first it is a nightmare—no internet, no phone reception, no Bepsi!—and Tristen has no idea how to do any of the skills the other kids seem to do easily. But soon, with some surprising new friends and a few patient teachers, and a little help from technology, Tristen begins to think he might be able to hack this nature stuff after all.”
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All Ages

10,000 Ink Stains: A Memoir by Jeff Lemire (published by Dark Horse)
“In 10,000 Ink Stains: A Memoir, readers will gain insight into Jeff’s his work from Sweet Tooth, Essex County, Black Hammer, Descender, and more. Jeff takes the reader along book-by-book, writing essays about the making of each project, showcasing artwork from all of them, offering details about his personal life during the creation of each book and sharing some never-before-seen process material on each book, plus unpublished stories too. For anyone seeking answers about how Jeff creates his art, this is the ultimate book for modern comic book fans.”
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All Frugg’d Up by Britt Saunders (published by Kitten Coast Comics)
“With only 24 hours to save his failing businesses, Frugg embarks on an increasingly surreal adventure to make things right. Meanwhile his house-sitting pals, Kitt and Wilbur, battle unexpected visitors, grievous bodily injury and their own very, very weird night. “
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Armored by Michael Schwartz (published by Clover Press)
Armored is a spooky, supernatural tale about an orphan who stumbles across a mystical suit of armor haunted by the ghost who wore it centuries ago. Andy, a 13 year old boy whose parents disappeared under mysterious circumstances, is adopted by a peculiar couple whose son, Myles, also died under mysterious circumstances a year prior. Andy, obsessed with strange mysteries, takes it upon himself to investigate the death of Myles. In doing so, Andy comes across a magical 13th century suit of armor that grants him great powers. 
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Black Helm Saga comic book series by Scott Brian Woods and Jeff McClinchey
“The first Ragnarok has transpired. The world has fallen and before the cycle repeats itself, there will be a moment of something new, of firsts, there will be a time of struggle, a time where the evils that were to be wiped away cling to the underbelly of the land floating in an eery mist that is still held aloft by the dying magic of the old gods. These monsters new and old will make their way to the last bastion of humanity. From out of this darkness a champion rises tasked with the protection of these last people or a least the protection of a certain few.”
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Cursed at Sea comic book series by Nancy Zhang
“In a world populated by elves, humans, and sea monsters, Airon the half-elf has headed out at sea in search of revenge, as well as the peace amongst three races. He joins a magical and diverse crew filled with all different hopes and dreams to fulfill.”
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Doctor Awesome Woman by Ann Pirvu and Christopher Giroux (published by Vortex Comics)
The story of Doctor Awesome Woman starts with A Hero’s Journey in issue #1: “Dark forces crave the light, but Celine and her mighty team of Galactic Ranger are on a mission that will push her healing abilities to the limit in their attempt to save her home planet. The world needs more healers.”
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Endsickness by Sofia Alarcon (published by Conundrum Press).
Endsickness, a first collection of graphic stories about climate change and eco-anxiety, each tale by Sofia attempts to “counter that challenge seeing the scope and scale of the issue by taking a close look at the individual quandaries of living in a society that seems at odds with itself, unable to face the existential threat looming on the horizon.”
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Forest Folk by Dax Gordine (published by RAID Press)
Described as the ‘Sunday funnies crashing headlong into Looney Tunes’, the story of Forest Folk features Filburt the Fox, a jokester and a know-it-all with a knack for finding trouble and his best friend Thomas, a happy-go-lucky elf, whose magic drawing quill can conjure the solution to any of their woes. Most of the time. Follow the shenanigans of Filburt and Thomas, and meet the quirky friends they make along the way, Including no-nonsense Barry the Bearista, Grumpy Cat Gus, and nerdy Benni the Bunny. Watch as they deal with playful misunderstandings and wacky hijinks during spirited adventures in the forest they all call home. Forest Folk is available in stand-alone collections of the much-beloved all-ages comic strip.
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Froggy! A Pond Full of Pals by Paige Walshe (published by Flying Eye Books)
Froggy! A Pond Full of Pals is the story of Froggy “a small, slimy guy trying to navigate the big wide pond, and there’s no end of sticky situations for him to get caught up in this young comic! A small pond like any other lies in the forest, but dwelling in this pond is no ordinary Froggy. He’s a little bit of a klutz, and making friends with local wizards, falling foul of picnicking humans, and befriending giant fish are all in a day’s work for this slimy guy. Learning how to deal with big feelings, big magic spells, and big fish in the big world can be a lot for a little frog, but he’s not giving up any time soon.”
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Let The Good Times Roll by Veronica Post (published by Conundrum Press).
This is the story about “how disabled travellers and their loved ones come up with creative solutions while navigating barriers abroad. Designed to expose the reality of travel in a wheelchair to able-bodied readers, this book fosters greater understanding and change toward a more inclusive world.”
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Lucha Mystery comic book series by Evan Quiring (published by Studiocomix Press)
“Two luchadors are sent to wrestle a match in a small town in Southern California. Unbeknownst to them, their destination is in actuality an abandoned prison town overrun by zombies, flying saucers and a beautiful but deadly, Space Queen!!”
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Mordecai Crow: Blood and Fire by Bill Salvin (published by Renegade Arts Entertainment)
Readers of Mordecai Crow: Blood and Fire are taken back in time to see “Crow’s ravaged world through the eyes of his mother, Raven. Snatching up the threads from the first two books, Raven’s story weaves a tale of blood and fire that leads to an action-packed climax played out on the embattled ramparts of Ironcast, throne of the merciless ruler of the Luddites, Lord Pyke. Why has the crazed bandit chieftain Zeya delivered Crow into the hands of the Luddites? Will stalwart Podd, with the help of the Baker’s Dozen crew of misfits, succeed in finding his friend once again? And most importantly, will our hero Mordecai Crow finally unravel the secrets of his lost past?”
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Murder City Devil comic book series by Evan Quiring (published by Studiocomix Press)
“In 1996, a dark entity was released from an old, abandoned funeral home. Twenty-five years later, legendary boogeyman, Spring-Heeled Jack, appears to exact revenge on Murder City’s criminal underworld!”
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Oriana: The Forgotten Deities comic book series by Emilia Strilchuk
“In a world abandoned by the Gods ages ago, their absence robbed humanity of their powers, resulting in devastation and natural calamities, leaving only myths behind. Enter Karolina, a young girl who stumbles upon an ancient secret. Will the delicate balance between the human realm and the realm of magic be restored, just as it existed thousands of years ago? Embarking on a journey of discovery, Karolina finds herself confronted with unforeseen: not all is as it seems.”
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Peregrines: Flights, Fiends, & Fisticuffs by Chris Sanagan and Jason Lapidus (published by Group of 7 Comics)
“Whether sneaking into a Bavarian castle, uncovering a secret cult beneath the ruins of Roman London, dodging death in the Rocky Mountains or fighting to liberate a subterranean paradise in the Alberta Badlands, the Peregrines will need to think fast and strike faster!”
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Precious Metal by Darcy Van Poelgeest with illustrator Ian Bertram (published by Image Comics)
Precious Metal takes place thirty-five years before the events of Little Bird, Vol. 1: The Fight For Elder’s Hope. “Disillusioned mod-tracker Max Weaver’s routine hunt for a modified child takes a grisly and unexpected turn. Now, saddled with an unpredictable mod who may be the key to unlocking his missing memories, Max will soon find that he isn’t the only one interested in the child’s unique abilities – and if he wants to know more, it’ll cost him everything. In fact, the future may well depend on it.”
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PRÊT, Camille? by Meg Leader
PRÊT, Camille? is the story of “Camille, an enthusiastic 16 year old living in Vancouver’s West End with her father. Life seems to be going just peachy for Camille- she spends every moment she can training to be the BEST female fencer, a title she has claimed at her high school. With Camille so used to everything going her way, how shaken will her world be when the best Canadian fencer transfers to their school from Toronto? And, will she finally face the turmoil regarding her mother’s abandonment?”
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Quiet Crossings by Vivi Patridge (published by Conundrum Press).
“After crashing her car in the unfamiliar countryside, Selena agrees to help out at the nearby Inn in exchange for a room. Located on the edge of the world, the Inn attracts extraordinary customers from near and far. The most popular attraction is the complimentary ferry ride to the Great Unknown, a mysterious shore past the edge of the world. But when no one ever travels back, Selena begins to feel uneasy. Is the innkeeper Alice really as nice as she seems? What secret does the ferryman hold? And should Selena be packing her bags and hailing the nearest taxi? One thing’s for sure: Selena’s never had a job like this before.”
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Romeo vs. Juliet: A Kill Shakespeare Adventure by Anthony Del Col and illustrator Stefan Tosheff  (published by Gemstone Publishing)
“In this Shakespearean Western, warrior-for-hire (and pregnant) Juliet Capulet is hired to protect a border town nunnery from the evil forces led by her ex Romeo. As they prepare, she reluctantly reunites with her old allies, including Hamlet, Othello, Puck (a “Magnificent Shakespeare Seven”) but they soon discover something rotten in the state of the nunnery and a magical force that dreams are made on… all while Juliet must determine if the father of her child is Hamlet… or the man she must kill, Romeo.”
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The Evil Things: Red Assembly comic book by Charlotte Forrester
The Evil Things: Red Assembly is described as a 1930’s murder mystery where you will delve into the interwar period of extremist politics and social upheaval, under the looming shadow of war with Germany. The story goes like this: “It’s 1936 in Oxford, England, and a body is found following a tumultuous meeting led by infamous fascist politician Oswald Mosley. Who has been murdered, and why?”
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Town: St. John’s in Comics by various creators (published by Black Panel Press)
“The graphic anthology that captures the spirit of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador — its crooked streets, tangled wires, salt-stained houses, and the people who live in them. Told by artists who call this place home, each story spotlights a different neighbourhood, from Rabbittown to Rawlin’s Cross, through a unique visual voice. Some are funny, some melancholic, some bursting with colour, and others inked in black and white, but all of them share the same beating heart: a deep connection to place. It’s not just a comic about a city. It’s a comic of a city — shaped by it, inspired by it, and impossible without it”.
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Witch Hazel: Variety Hour deluxe comic book by Colton Fox and art by Beige Blum (published by Silver Sprocket)
Witch Hazel: Variety Hour offers a story of Hazel a talented spell caster and walking disaster where “spells fizzle, side gigs go sideways, and magical villains wreak havoc! For Hazel, it’s just another day as a witch-for-hire. Luckily, her friends, her crush, and her familiar Noot are there to pick up the pieces (or make things worse). Monsters, Magic and Mayhem? Hazel’s definitely not getting paid enough for this!” The 48-page deluxe printing features a cardstock cover with foil accents, fun activities and a sticker sheet. 
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Wordburglar Rhymes With Comics by Wordburglar
The Wordburglar Rhymes With Comics graphic novel features 15 artists illustrating the songs as comics. Wordburglar has scripted and narrated the song lyrics so readers can listen and rhyme along to the inspired artistry. The graphic novel features a cavalcade of creative talent including Jason Loo, Troy Little, Kelly Tindall, Dave Howlett, Mike Holmes, Brenda Hickey, Kalman Andrasofsky and an amazing cover supplied by Steve McNiven, Dave Howlette and James White.
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For Mature Readers

Crimson Fall: The Shore Tower by Derek Laufman
Crimson Fall is a “horror fantasy anthology series that follows Sir Duncross, the infamous monster hunter and his humble scribe Father McKellen who are hired to kill the fabled monster of Shore Tower Island. However, the secrets of the island run deep and when the power of an ancient god is unleashed they soon learn they are the ones being hunted.”
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Fela: Music is the Weapon by Conor McCreery and Jibola Fagbamiye (published by HarperCollins)
This graphic novel recounts a “once-in-a-lifetime musical talent who innovated the musical genre Afrobeat, Fela was also an outspoken critic of the Nigerian military regime. Fela focuses on a pivotal moment in his life, when he and his mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the renowned Nigerian suffrage activist, were ruthlessly attacked in their own home by soldiers who suffered no repercussions for their violence. It also explores Fela’s complex relationship with women, including his mother and Sandra Izsadore, the American singer and activist who revitalized and inspired him. Chronicling Fela’s perilous journey to capture his destiny—to become the King of Afrobeat, and to advocate for Pan-African unity in the face of European imperialism and white supremacy—this masterful biographical graphic novel celebrates this enduring legend and his legacy, offering inspiration for our own troubled time.”
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I Hated You In High School by Kathleen Gross (published by Andrews McMeel Publishing)
“Struggling 20-something Tessa has a dead-end job as a barista and the dream of a creative career that never quite seems to take off. When the coffee shop where she works goes out of business, she’s able to visit her parents for the first time in years. Arriving at her family home, she discovers that her parents have rented out the basement apartment to her high school nemesis, Olive Virtue. Old wounds resurface during Tessa’s stay, but an accident that traps them in the attic forces them to face their past and think about their future.”
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Hobtown Mystery Stories: The Secret of the Saucer by Kris Bertin and Alex Forbes (published by Oni Press)
“The lines between conspiracy and reality become intertwined like never before during the town’s highly contested mayoral election. There’s the arrival of an unexplained, unidentified flying object, a chaotic and unhinged Ape Lord, and an outbreak of literal backward thinking. The high school Teen Detective Club should be at the forefront of the case but is rife with conflict and its own crisis of leadership as the sleuths become increasingly paranoid. Is there anyone they can trust?”

Time Waits by Chip Zdarsky with art by David Brothers and Marcus To (published by DSTLRY)
“Blue, a man trapped in the past, which is our present. Sent back in time for a mission he could not bring himself to complete, the former soldier Blue builds a life with Grace, the Sheriff of a small rural town. The pair build a foundation of happiness on a history of bloodshed, as far away from the trigger-happy corporate overlords that used Blue as a human gun. After ten years together, Blue and Grace are on the cusp of taking the next step in their relationship: adoption. Before Grace can fully convince Blue to expand their family, the future comes calling. The overlords want their first deserter and to complete the mission Blue could not. They have one simple rule: kill anyone who stands in their way.”
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Prairie Gods by Shane Connery Volk (published by Mad Cave Studios)
Prairie Gods has been compared to the intersection where The Twilight Zone meets Sin City. Each self-contained issue centers on supernatural events and characters in and around the small prairie town of Broadacres. The series will resonate with fans of Hellboy, while the shifting genres and themes will appeal to fans of westerns, crime, racecar movies, lost treasure serials, and war stories—with a dose of action throughout. The first issue features Freddy Davis, a champion race car driver, who has returned home to Broadacres. He buys the abandoned speedway intending to race against its only undefeated driver: the Devil himself.
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You’re invited to discover more about Canadian comic book and graphic novel creators at TrueNorthCountryComics.com