Outer-space adventures, the mysteries of the oceans, 20-something angst, World War II intrigue, an audacious heist, misfits of science, an anthology of gay and lesbian comics and, oh yes, superheroes. Even the finickiest of readers will find something to enjoy in this selection of graphic novels.

‘THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS VOL. 1’ (Image Comics, $14.99), written by Jonathan Hickman and illustrated by Nick Pitarra, imagines that the scientists working on the atomic bomb were up to more — like traveling to other dimensions, meeting aliens and encountering doppelgängers. These titans of science (Feynman, Einstein and Oppenheimer) take the craziness in stride. It is also worth checking out Mr. Hickman’s work for Marvel Entertainment: ‘S.H.I.E.L.D.’ and ‘FANTASTIC FOUR.’

Brian K. Vaughan returns to comics with ‘SAGA VOL. 1’ (Image Comics, $9.99), illustrated by Fiona Staples, a Romeo and Juliet story about star-crossed parents from alien races at war. This is a rich world, with relatable characters and incredible visuals. “Saga” can sit proudly alongside Mr. Vaughan’s previous series, including ‘Y: THE LAST MAN’ and ‘RUNAWAYS.’

Two of the best series to emerge from DC Comics’ decision to reintroduce its heroes feature characters that embrace what came before and move forward. In ‘AQUAMAN: THE TRENCH’ ($22.99), the writer Geoff Johns is providing the building blocks to make the undersea hero an A-lister, and the artwork by Ivan Reis is magnificent. Over in ‘BATGIRL: THE DARKEST REFLECTION’ ($22.99), Gail Simone has returned Barbara Gordon to the cowl, after a miraculous end to her paralysis at the hands of the Joker — though the post-traumatic stress lingers.