For the past year or so I’ve fallen in love with comic books and graphic novels. In particular I like reading about badass women, alongside the classic superheroes like Superman, Captain America and Spiderman. It’s nice to read these books that have the amazing story with the bonus of incredible art. My friend Joe introduces me to so many amazing comic books and I’m in the shop every weekend seeing what’s in my subscription box. Mostly I like to collect trades, which are usually 6 issues of a series in a volume, known to everyone as a graphic novel or a trade for those who collect. I thought I’d share with you 10 trades that I absolutely love at the moment and it was so hard to just try and pick 10!

 

Captain America: Civil War comes out in cinema’s later this year and so it was only right that I read this beforehand. My friend Lucy got my this for christmas and I really enjoyed seeing all these amazing superheroes as well as the angle of the plot. Now, I don’t know how much of this is going to stay in the film but I’m hoping it’s close because this really was a great book.

I’m a huge Star Wars fan, watching the trilogy last year changed my life. So when I found out there was going to be a six part mini-series featuring my favourite princess I had to own it. It shows Leia as we all love her, smart, clever and not taking crap from anyone. Ther artwork and storyline was fantastic and I recommend it to all my friends who like Star Wars. I’ve read a few Star Wars based ones and this was definitely my favourite.

This was the first trade I bought and so far the goriest. Lady Killer is about a 1950s housewife who is also a killer, but when the tables are turned she needs to protect herself. A really different and imaginative story and great artwork, waiting for the next installment is driving me mad.

I picked this up after browsing. I wanted to read some more Captain America and I was told this was good. It’s written after 9/11 and kind of looks at how Captain America reacts to what has happened and how it affected the everyday people. Really enjoyed it and it was well done especially because of the subject matter was handled.

This started my obsession with Harley Quinn. I know a lot of people who don’t like this comic and don’t really like Harley as a character but I absolutely loved her. The first one I read so quickly and just admired how Harley came to life, I don’t think it was as well done in the second and I’m get to read the third but I’m definitely a Harley fan for life, whether or not Suicide Squad does a good job with her is yet to be seen.

The first comic book I bought when I was 11 was of a variant of Spider Girl (different to what she is now) so Joe recommended me Spider Gwen, it was the first time I subscribed to anything. I don’t know what it is about her but I can’t get enough (and she’s getting her own Funko Pop this year!!). It’s set in an alternate universe where Gwen Stacey has Spider Powers and is trying to get over the death of Peter Parker, a great spin on Spider Man.

 

 

I’m putting these two together because they have the same Author, whom I absolutely love. These are different series’ but similar in the way they deal with Gods and Godesses mixed in with the real world. The Wicked and The Divine focuses on a group of Gods who are bought back to earth every 90 years, they set the tone and popular culture for the world, but in two years they are dead. Phonogram is a musicians dream, focusing on Britpop in the 90s, Goddesses and mentions brilliant music. Seriously have worship vibes towards Kieron Gillen.

Codename Baboushka is about a Russian Spy, it’s fairly new at the moment having only just completed its first 6 issues but the first part was brilliantly done and left on an interesting ending. Baboushka isn’t my favourite but I did really enjoy it, hence why it’s here.

Again Black Magick is just starting out. It’s really hard to explain without someone reading it, not because of spoilers but because it’s so early in that I’m not even 100% sure that I know what’s going on. There is dark magic that is returning that seems to be after Rowan, who’s also a police officer. I think there’s still a lot to be explained but even with the little knowledge I have I’m really keen to keep reading, meaning it’s definitely a keeper.

I hope you enjoyed these and as always I’d love your comments below and any recommendations!