The Greatest "Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Speculative Fiction" Books Since 1990

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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Fiction

Comics & Graphic Novels

"Comics & Graphic Novels" is a diverse and dynamic category of books that encompasses a wide range of visual storytelling forms. This genre is characterized by sequential art—a series of illustrations which, when combined with text, narrate a story or bring to life complex ideas and emotions. Comics can range from brief strips to serialized stories in magazines, while graphic novels are typically longer, bound works that often tell a complete narrative in one volume. The content can vary from superhero adventures, fantasy, and science fiction to autobiographical works, historical drama, and profound explorations of social and political themes. This category is known for its ability to transcend age barriers, appealing to children, teens, and adults alike, and is celebrated for its unique blend of literary and artistic expression that can convey intricate stories with both depth and visual impact.

Speculative Fiction

Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre encompassing narrative fiction with supernatural or futuristic elements. This includes genres such as science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history. The unifying factor of speculative fiction is its departure from the narrative constraints of reality, exploring imaginative and often profound questions that challenge our understanding of the world and our place within it. These stories often delve into themes like the human condition, social commentary, and the exploration of philosophical and ethical dilemmas through the lens of the fantastical or the yet-to-be-possible. By pushing the boundaries of the known, speculative fiction invites readers to consider the myriad possibilities of existence and the potential consequences of our actions in worlds that are, at once, vastly different from and eerily similar to our own.

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  1. 1. Uzumaki by Junji Ito

    The book is a horror manga that centers around a small fog-bound Japanese town cursed by supernatural events involving spirals. As the obsession with the spiral pattern begins to spread among the townspeople, it manifests in increasingly bizarre and terrifying ways, warping both the minds of the inhabitants and the very fabric of the town itself. The narrative follows a high school teenager and her boyfriend as they struggle to understand and survive the madness engulfing their once-peaceful home, revealing the spiral's hypnotic and monstrous influence on both the human psyche and the natural world.

  2. 2. Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan

    In a war-torn galaxy, two soldiers from opposite sides fall in love and have a child, igniting a dangerous pursuit by various factions who seek to control the child's extraordinary powers. With a mix of fantasy, science fiction, and romance, "Saga Vol. 1" takes readers on a thrilling and visually stunning journey through a vast and imaginative universe.

  3. 3. Rules Of Summer by Shaun Tan

    "Rules of Summer" is a visually stunning and thought-provoking picture book that explores the complex relationship between two young boys during their summer vacation. Through a series of surreal and imaginative illustrations, the book delves into themes of friendship, power dynamics, and the unspoken rules that govern their interactions. With its rich imagery and open-ended narrative, "Rules of Summer" invites readers to reflect on the nuances of human relationships and the lessons learned during the season of growth and change.

  4. 4. Black Hole by Charles Burns

    The graphic novel in question is a dark and surreal exploration of adolescence, set in a 1970s Seattle suburb. It follows a group of high school students as they navigate the complexities of their teenage years, all while dealing with a mysterious sexually transmitted disease that causes grotesque physical mutations. The narrative delves into themes of alienation, transformation, and the desire for acceptance, weaving a haunting and visually striking tale that captures the anxieties and horrors of growing up.

  5. 5. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda

    The book is a thrilling adventure that follows a young, ambitious pirate whose dream is to find the world's ultimate treasure, known as "One Piece," and thereby become the Pirate King. Along his journey, he gathers a diverse crew of loyal companions, each with their own unique abilities and dreams. They sail the Grand Line, facing off against other pirates, the World Government, and various powerful enemies, all while exploring mysterious islands, uncovering hidden secrets, and forging strong bonds of friendship. The story is renowned for its intricate plot, dynamic characters, and a world rich with fantastical elements and lore.

  6. 6. Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley

    The graphic novel follows the life of a slacker and part-time musician, Scott Pilgrim, who falls for an enigmatic American delivery girl named Ramona Flowers. However, to win her heart, Scott must defeat her seven evil exes in a series of surreal video game-inspired battles. Set in Toronto, Canada, the story combines elements of romance, comedy, and fantasy, as Scott navigates the complexities of relationships, self-identity, and adulthood, all while showcasing the unique visual style and cultural references that have made the series a cult favorite.

  7. 7. Solo Leveling 02 by Dubu, CHUGONG

    "Solo Leveling 02" continues the thrilling saga of a weak hunter in a world where humans with special abilities fight monstrous creatures emerging from gates. After a near-death experience in a particularly dangerous dungeon, the protagonist discovers he has become a "solo player," gaining the unique ability to level up on his own, a power unseen in the hunter community. With his newfound strength, he embarks on a journey of self-improvement and faces increasingly perilous dungeons, all while uncovering the mysteries behind his abilities and the gates. This installment follows his challenges and growth as he aims to become one of the world's most formidable hunters.

  8. 8. A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori

    "A Bride's Story" by Kaoru Mori is a captivating historical manga that follows the life of Amir Halgal, a young woman from a nomadic tribe in Central Asia during the 19th century. Set in a time of arranged marriages and cultural traditions, the story beautifully explores Amir's journey as she navigates the challenges and joys of becoming a bride. With stunning artwork and intricate details, the book offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of life in a bygone era, highlighting themes of love, family, and the resilience of women.

  9. 9. Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida

    In a dark and twisted version of Tokyo, creatures known as ghouls lurk in the shadows, surviving by consuming human flesh. The story follows a young college student who, after a fateful encounter with a ghoul, becomes a half-ghoul himself. Thrust into a hidden world filled with danger and hunger, he must navigate the blurred lines between human and monster, grappling with his new reality and the moral complexities of his insatiable appetite. As he struggles to maintain his humanity, he finds himself caught in the crossfire between ghoul factions and the relentless ghoul investigators determined to eradicate their kind.

  10. 10. Infidel by Pornsak Pichetshote

    "Infidel" is a gripping graphic novel that delves into the themes of xenophobia and racism through the lens of supernatural horror. The story follows an American Muslim woman and her multiethnic neighbors who live in a building haunted by malevolent entities that feed on and are fueled by bigotry. As the hauntings become increasingly violent and bizarre, the protagonist must confront both the specters of hatred manifesting around her and the real-world prejudices that pervade her community. The narrative weaves a chilling tale that examines the insidious nature of fear and intolerance, while also delivering a compelling and terrifying ghost story.

  11. 11. Demon Slayer by Koyoharu Gotouge

    The book is a dark fantasy manga that follows the journey of a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by demons, and his younger sister is turned into one. Driven by a mix of grief and determination, he joins an organization dedicated to exterminating demons and seeks a way to revert his sister back to her human form. Throughout his perilous quest, he encounters various allies and adversaries, mastering swordsmanship and harnessing unique breathing techniques to battle the demon threat and unravel the mysteries surrounding their origin and his family's tragedy.

  12. 12. Monstress Vol. 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu

    In a war-torn world where humans and magical creatures coexist, a young girl named Maika struggles to control the monstrous power within her. Haunted by her past and driven by vengeance, she embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about her mother's death. Along the way, she allies with a talking cat and encounters a secret society of powerful witches. With stunning artwork and a gripping storyline, this dark and immersive graphic novel explores themes of identity, trauma, and the price of power.

  13. 13. Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto

    The book is a dark fantasy manga that follows the life of a young man burdened with crippling debt, who finds himself entangled in a brutal world of devil hunters after merging with a devil dog he names Pochita. This transformation grants him the ability to transform parts of his body into chainsaws, which he uses to fight malevolent devils in exchange for money. As he becomes more involved in this violent and morally ambiguous society, he navigates through complex relationships, his own desires for a better life, and the sinister machinations of those who seek to use his unique powers for their own ends.

  14. 14. Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami

    In this dark fantasy manga series, a high school student is thrust into a hidden world of sorcery and spectral horrors when he swallows a cursed object to protect his friends. This act binds him to a powerful curse, and he must join a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers to fight malevolent entities and collect the scattered pieces of the curse to prevent its malevolent power from wreaking havoc. As he undergoes rigorous training and battles, the student navigates a treacherous realm of sorcery, discovering his own latent abilities and the complex moral landscape of using curses to combat curses.

  15. 15. House Of X Powers Of X by Jonathan Hickman

    The graphic novel intertwines two interconnected stories that redefine the X-Men's place in the Marvel Universe. It explores a transformative era for mutantkind, where the X-Men, led by Charles Xavier, enact a bold new plan to protect and advance mutant interests. The narrative oscillates between the present day, where mutants establish a sovereign nation on the living island of Krakoa, and various points in a possible future, revealing the long-term ramifications of their actions. As the X-Men grapple with complex moral dilemmas, political intrigue, and existential threats, the series reimagines their mythology, introducing new concepts, characters, and a radical shift in the status quo for mutants in a world that has always feared and hated them.

  16. 16. On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

    The graphic novel is a beautifully illustrated tale that weaves together two timelines, following the journey of a young woman named Mia. In one timeline, we see her navigate the challenges of boarding school, where she falls in love with a mysterious girl named Grace. In the other, we follow her as a member of a diverse crew aboard a spaceship that restores ancient structures throughout the galaxy. As the story unfolds, Mia's past and present converge, leading her on a quest to find her lost love amidst a backdrop of space exploration, found family, and a richly imagined universe that defies the boundaries of time and space.

  17. 17. Digger, Vols.1-6 by Ursula Vernon

    "Digger" is a graphic novel series by Ursula Vernon that follows the adventures of a no-nonsense wombat named Digger as she becomes embroiled in a war between gods and mortals. Along the way, she meets an eclectic cast of characters, including a hyena, a statue, and a shadow child, all while uncovering ancient secrets and learning about the true nature of the world she inhabits. With its unique blend of humor, mythology, and fantasy, "Digger" is a must-read for fans of graphic novels and epic storytelling.

Reading Statistics

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Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download