I love good stories and comics. That’s why I read a lot of graphic novels. Last year may have been my most prolific yet.

Unintentionally, many of the graphic novels I read were nonfiction personal accounts, offering not just a compelling narrative but also education and commentary on human events and circumstances. These stories delivered vivid, haunting lessons in humanity, laying bare the best and worst of what we’re capable of.

Stories of War: Lessons in Humanity

Several of these works focused directly on war, including Safe Area Gorazde (Bosnia), Palestine, Such a Lovely Little War (Vietnam), and The Faithful Spy (Hitler’s Germany). These accounts highlighted the staggering lengths we go to in dehumanizing and hurting people we see as different. They were difficult to read but felt particularly striking in light of the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

What struck me most about these war-related stories was how quickly life can change—from friends to enemies, peace to war, prosperity to desolation… from good to evil. It’s a chilling reminder of how fragile stability can be. I’m deeply grateful that I have not had to experience these things in life, and I’m saddened that such conditions exist for so many people around the world.

Joe Sacco’s work is a standout for his graphic journalism covering Palestine and Bosnia.

Windows Into Other Cultures

Beyond their depictions of war, these stories—along with The Arab of the Future, Shubeik Lubeik, and This Country—opened windows into other cultures and perspectives. The accounts felt authentically different from stories or histories I’ve encountered before. They deepened my empathy while leaving me overwhelmed by what sometimes seems like an inevitable cycle of human behavior.

I especially enjoyed The Arab of the Future, which is a series of books that unfortunately have not all been translated from the original French.

Power, Manipulation, and Control

Works like Monstress, V for Vendetta, and The He-Man Effect explored themes of power, manipulation, and control. Whether through propaganda, mythology, or even toys, these stories reveal the many ways humans influence and exploit one another.

Monstress is a series that is currently on volume 9. While the characters, cities, and politics are sometimes overwhelming to follow, the matriarchal world and fantastic storyline is a fun adventure—and the illustration is amazing!

On the Fun Side: The Moomins

One outlier on my reading list was The Moomins and the Great Flood, inspired by a trip to Helsinki. I knew very little about the origin story of the Moomins, and I was delighted to learn how and when Tove Jansson created these characters during World War II. Jansson envisioned the Moomins as a way to provide a sense of hope and comfort amidst a dark and uncertain time—a sentiment that feels timeless.

It made me appreciate the brand they’ve become today while also connecting to the nostalgic branding manipulation portrayed in The He-Man Effect.

Ratings, If I Must

While I recommend them all, if I had to rank them, here’s the rating.