When it comes to queer comics, there are so many books to choose from, whether you want superheroes, indie dramas, sci-fi epics, or sprawling fantasy stories. Even if you’re in the market for tools to help you navigate conversations with your conservative relatives this holiday season, there’s a queer comic for you. To aid in your quest, whatever it may be, we here at The Beat have put together a comprehensive queer comics gift guide for everyone on your list — at least, for the people you actually want to bless with gifts.

Below, you’ll find a selection of comics that will appeal to readers of all ages, from a wide variety of genres and publishers. In addition to new releases from 2019, we’ve also included life-changing classics, as well as books that flew under the radar when they first came out. There are self-published titles and small press books and, yes, books from the Big Two — when we said there are tons of queer comics to choose from, we meant it.

Without further ado, here are 50 queer comics* we recommend for yourself, your friends, and your loved ones.

*This is just a smattering of the queer comics content available in the world, and we encourage you to broaden your search, but hope this will get you started!

Angela: Asgard’s Assassin (2015)

Writers: Kieron Gillen & Marguerite Bennett

Artists: Stephanie Hans, Phil Jimenez, Tom Palmer, Le Beau Underwood, Scott Hanna

Colorist: Romulo Fajardo

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artist: Stephanie Hans

Publisher: Marvel

List Price: $17.99

Angela: Asgard’s Assassin is a cosmic ride through Hell with the most powerful warrior in Heven at its helm. Although this series is only six issues long, it’s made a lasting impression for its action as much as its nuanced and beautifully told romance, and its exploration of identity.

Archival Quality (2018)

Writer: Ivy Noelle Weir

Artist: Christina “Steenz” Stewart

Publisher: Oni Press

List Price: $19.99

When Cel is in need of a new job, she applies for a position at the Logan Museum. She lands the gig, but it requires her to work overnight, often by herself. Soon, Cel is hearing strange noises and discovering things that have been knocked off of shelves. What secrets might the Logan Museum be hiding? Perfect for those looking for a spooky, classic ghost story that incorporates queer representation.

Batwoman, Vol. 1: The Many Arms of Death (Rebirth) (2017)

Writers: Marguerite Bennett, James Tynion IV

Artist: Steve Epting

Colorist: Jeromy Cox

Lettering: Deron Bennett

Publisher: DC

List Price: $16.99

Kate Kane is inspired by Batman’s achievements and decides to put her money behind a campaign to protect Gotham City from the various supervillains who regularly step forward to threaten it. While Batwoman is not the first gay hero in the pages of DC comics, she is the first gay character to be associated with the Batman comics. Perfect for fans of the CW show who want to learn more about the character!

Bitch Planet, Vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine (2015)

Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick

Artist: Valentine De Landro

Colorist: Cris Peter

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Publisher: Image

List Price: $9.99

Set in a dystopian reality (but not the dystopian reality we live in), this comic explores a world where women who are deemed non-compliant are sent to an off-world prison. A response to prisoner exploitation films, this unapologetically feminist comic examines the lives of the women who are deemed “NC” (“Non-Compliant”). Ideal for those who want to escape into science fiction to avoid the real world political patriarchy.

Bloom (2019)

Writer: Kevin Panetta

Artist: Savanna Ganucheau

Publisher: First Second

List Price: $17.99

All Ari wants to do is move to the big city with his band, but his dad won’t let him leave his job at the struggling family bakery. Enter Hector, an easygoing guy who loves baking, and in spite of Ari’s desire to get out of the bakery as fast as he can, sparks fly. This summer romance exudes warmth, which makes it a perfect read for any time of year.

Bombshells, Vol. 1: Enlisted (2016)

Writer: Marguerite Bennett

Artists: Marguerite Sauvage, Laura Braga, Stephen Mooney, Ted Naifeh, Bilquis Evely, Mirka Andolfo, Ming Doyle

Colorists: Marguerite Sauvage, Wendy Broome, Doug Garbark

Letterer: Wes Abbott

Cover: Ant Lucia

Publisher: DC

List Price: $16.99

In Bombshells, readers are invited to enter a world where familiar DC Universe stories and characters are reinterpreted as WWII era heroines! Featuring the adventures of Batwoman, Wonder Woman, Stargirl, Supergirl, and Mera of Atlantis as you’ve never seen them before. Ideal for those who want a superhero story that reimagines familiar characters in a unique and engaging setting!

Breaks, Vol. 1 (2017)

Writers: Malin Rydén, Emma Vieceli

Artist: Emma Vieceli

Publisher: Soaring Penguin Press

List Price: $25.99*

Breaks is centered on a high school romance between two boys whose ties are deep, but complicated by the rampant homophobia and queer bashing among their peers. Somehow, Ian and Cortland find each other in the chaos, and the slow-burn is well worth the payoff. Warning for mature content!

*Breaks is also available as a free-to-read webcomic if you want to check it out before buying!

Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey (2018)

Creator: Ngozi Ukazu

Publisher: First Second

List Price: $16.99*

When Eric “Bitty” Bittle heads to college, he makes the leap from figure skater to hockey player. Between his skating abilities and his baking skills, Eric soon becomes popular among his fellow players. But when he starts developing a crush on team captain Jack, he’ll have to figure out how to navigate his feelings on and off the ice. Perfect for those who want a cute sports story with a touch of queer romance!

*Check, Please! is also available as a free-to-read webcomic if you want to check it out before buying!

Chronin, Vol. 1: The Knife At Your Back (2019)

Cartoonist: Alison Wilgus

Publisher: Tor

List Price: $18.99

When Mirai Yoshida finds herself in 1864 Japan, she may have no choice but to hone her skills with a sword in order to protect herself! This time travel story follows Mirai’s adventures in the past, which are complicated because she’s aware the shogunate will soon fall thanks to her knowledge of history. Perfect for those who want an exciting time travel story!

Cosmoknights (2019)

Creator: Hannah Templer

Publisher: Top Shelf

List Price: $19.99*

Save the princess. Take down the patriarchy. Hannah Templer’s Cosmoknights follows Pan, a disillusioned mechanic whose life is changed forever when she helps her best friend escape the coming gladiator fight for her hand in marriage. When two bedraggled knights arrive on her doorstep, she goes on a journey that takes her far from home and together, the three of them tackle a system that subjugates women.



*Cosmoknights is also available as a free-to-read webcomic if you want to check it out before buying!

Drama

Cartoonist: Raina Telgemeier

Publisher: Graphix

List Price: $10.99

In this graphic novel, readers get a glimpse of life inside a middle school production of Moon over Mississippi. While Callie loves theater, her inability to sing prevents her from performing onstage. Fortunately, she’s still able to take part as a set designer for the theater department — but how is she going to navigate all the associated social drama? Perfect for those who want an interesting read with a cute love story between two boys!

Fun Home (2007)

Cartoonist: Alison Bechdel

Publisher: Mariner

List Price: $16.99

Fun Home is a graphic memoir chronicling cartoonist Alison Bechdel‘s relationship with her father, a closeted gay man who committed suicide when she was in college, not long after realizing her own sexuality. It’s a darkly funny, deeply affective story that’s been transformed into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and left an indelible impression on pop culture as a whole.

Giant Days, Vol. 1 (2015)

Writer: John Allison

Artist: Lissa Treiman

Colorist: Whitney Cogar

Letterer: Jim Campbell

Publisher: BOOM! Box

List Price: $9.99

Giant Days chronicles the college years of best friends Esther, Daisy, and Susan, as well as their friends McGraw and Ed, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of coming into adulthood. That includes falling in and out of love, dealing with bad grades, finding jobs, and maintaining friendships even when things get strained. This all-ages series is a must-read for its engaging characters, beautifully rendered romances, quippy dialogue, and expressive art.

Girl Town (2018)

Cartoonist: Casey Nowak

Publisher: Top Shelf

List Price: $19.99

In this collection of stories, the surreal collides with the grounded in unexpected, insightful, and occasionally hilarious ways. From a group of friends who were kicked out of astronaut school for being too good looking to the story of Diana’s electric tongue, these comics will stick with the reader long after the cover has been closed. Ideal for readers who want to wake up at 3:00 A.M. with a specific panel of a comic burning in their mind’s eye.

Grease Bats (2019)

Creator: Archie Bongiovanni

Publisher: BOOM! Box

List Price: $19.99

Are you more of an Andy or more of a Scout? Find out in this collection of Archie Bongiovanni’s Autostraddle comic strip, Grease Bats, which features laugh-out-loud funny, feelings-laden moments between queer friends who are just trying to keep their lives together. This collection highlights why Bongiovanni is one of the freshest voices in comics, and it would make an excellent gift, especially for people who identify with the characters.

Heathen, Vol. 1 (2017)

Writer/Artist: Natasha Alterici

Letterer: Rachel Deering

Publisher: Vault

List Price: $15.99

This Nordic fantasy follows viking warrior Aydis, who seeks to rescue the immortal valkyrie Brynhild; her attraction to women has cast her out of her small village, but as she quickly learns, love is bigger than what humans can conceive of and heroism is more complicated than she ever could have known. This sprawling series is utterly breathtaking and will surely be enjoyed by fantasy fans, especially those who are into Nordic lore.

Iceman, Vol. 1: Thawing Out (2017)

Writer: Sina Grace

Artists: Alessandro Vitti, Edgar Salazar, Ibraim Roberson, Ed Tadeo, Robert Gill

Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer: Joe Sabino

Cover: Kevin Wada

Publisher: Marvel

List Price: $15.99

Iceman may have faced a long litany of impressive supervillains, but in this series, he faces some of his greatest challenges yet… including coming out to his parents and dealing with his ex-girlfriend! This clever, critically acclaimed take on one of Marvel’s highest profile gay characters is perfect for anyone who loves superhero comics and wants to read an excellent exploration of the mutant metaphor.

I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up (2019)

Story & Art: Kodama Naoko

Publisher: Seven Seas Entertainment

List Price: $12.99

Morimoto is sick of her parents trying to set her up with various suitors, so when her best friend Hana suggests the two get married to shut them up, Morimoto agrees. While her parents are upset she’s married another woman, Morimoto is pleased to see that her “fake” marriage has been a success. Good thing it’s a “fake” marriage, right? Unless… Perfect for fans of cute lesbian wives and heartwarming romance stories.

Jughead, Vol. 1 (2016)

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Erica Henderson

Colorists: Erica Henderson, Andre Szymanowicz

Letterer: Jack Morelli

Publisher: Archie Comics

List Price: $19.99

Jughead may be one of the most famous teenagers of all time, but he’s only got one thing on his mind: burgers! Follow the exploits of the aromantic, asexual icon as he deals with sinister plots, tantalizing video games, friendship with the girl-crazed Archie, and of course: lots and lots of burgers! Perfect for anyone looking for ace rep and/or something to read while they shovel food into their face at Pop’s Diner!

Kim Reaper, Vol. 1: Grim Beginnings (2018)

Cartoonist: Sarah Graley

Publisher: Oni Press

List Price: $14.99

Kim may be a student at university, but she also works an unusual part-time job: she’s a grim reaper, tasked with guiding those who have died to the afterlife. Soon, another student, Becka, finds herself falling for Kim… but what will happen when Becka finds out what Kim does at work? Perfect for fans of spooky love stories with well-developed characters!

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me (2019)

Writer: Mariko Tamaki

Artist: Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

Publisher: First Second

List Price: $17.99

Freddy is infatuated with the eponymous Laura Dean! But no matter how she feels, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the relationship is unhealthy – after all, Laura Dean keeps breaking up with her. Can she break the cycle, or is she doomed to keep having Laura Dean break up with her indefinitely? Ideal for anyone seeking a gorgeously illustrated story of an ill-fated queer relationship.

The Life & Times of Butch Dykes (2019)

Writer: Eloisa Aquino

Publisher: Microcosm

List Price: $15.95+ (sliding scale)

This portrait collection features women throughout history who defied social expectations of feminine behavior and appearance in order to live authentic lives. Each portrait comes with a short biography and vignette; notable figures include Audre Lorde, JD Sampson, Martina Navratilova, and more. Perfect for the person who wants to learn more about queer history and gender presentation.

Life With Kevin (2018)

Writer: Dan Parent

Artists: J. Bone, Dan Parent

Letterer: Jack Morelli

Publisher: Archie

List Price: $14.99

Kevin Keller is best known as Archie’s friend, one of the other students at Riverdale High, as well as his high-profile marriage to Clay Walker in Life with Archie. However, in Life with Kevin, readers get to find out what happens between high school and Kevin’s marriage, as the story follows his life after he moves from Riverdale to the Big Apple. Perfect for fans of Archie Comics and anyone who wants to learn more about the comic version of Kevin Keller.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy (2015)

Writers: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis

Artist: Brooke Allen

Colorist: Maarta Laiho

Letterer: Aubrey Aiese

Publisher: BOOM! Box

List Price: $14.99

There are few locations more filled with adventure than Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types! Follow the adventures of these friends as they face whatever comes their way together. In addition to the ongoing Lumberjanes series, the OGN series offers self-contained stories. Perfect for the hardcore lady type in your life!

Marceline and the Scream Queens (2015)

Writer/Artist: Meredith Gran

Colorist: Lisa Moore

Letterer: Steve Wands

Publisher: KaBOOM!

List Price: $19.99

When Marceline goes on tour, Princess Bubblegum comes along to manage everything, which seems great on the surface — but close quarters, scenesters, and self-doubt make for a very rocky journey indeed for these two. As their carefully, quietly tended relationship begins to bloom, things get complicated fast, which may divert their romance before it can even properly begin. This series is an excellent choice for Adventure Time fans who want more Marcy and PB, as well as for readers who are interested in band stories with couples who are mutually pining away.

Meal (2018)

Artist/Writer: Blue Delliquanti

Co-Writer: Soleil Ho

Publisher: Iron Circus Comics

List Price: $15.00

Yarrow moves from California to Minnesota in order to get a job at La Casa Chictana, a soon-to-open restaurant that specializes in insect cuisine. But when she appears in person to apply for a position, the head chef and founder, Chandra, questions Yarrow’s motives. Can Yarrow demonstrate that she’s the right cook for the job? Ideal for those hungry for smart narratives about food with cute queer romance subplots!

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy (2019)

Writer: Rey Tercieco

Artist: Bre Indigo

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

List Price: $12.99

This retelling of Little Women transposes the story to the modern era. The four March sisters must help each other learn about themselves and each other as they face the challenges life throws at them. Can they successfully support each other as a family? Ideal for those who want a fresh take on Little Women that includes queer themes and modern concerns.

Midnighter (2007)

Writer: Various

Artist: Various

Publisher: DC Comics

List Price: $39.99

For fans of the DC Universe! Midnighter is a superhero who is rarely seen without his costume and mask. While Midnighter does have enhanced abilities, he and his husband are nevertheless frequently compared to the World’s Finest partnership between Batman and Superman.

Mooncakes (2019)

Writer: Suzanne Walker

Artist: Wendy Xu

Letterer: Joamette Gil

Publisher: Lion Forge

List Price: $14.99

Nova and Tam haven’t seen each other in years, but when Tam returns home because of a terrifying monster that’s been summoned through dark magic, their latent feelings quickly bubble to the surface. As the childhood friends fall in love, they have to work together to fight the giant horse demon in the woods and figure out who summoned it before it’s too late. This all-ages, queer, fantasy graphic novel is utterly wonderful from start to finish.

Moonstruck, Vol. 1: Magic to Brew (2018)

Writer: Grace Ellis

Artists: Shae Beagle, Kate Leth, Kat Fajardo

Colorist: Caitlin Quirk

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Publisher: Image

List Price: $9.99

Lesbian werewolves! A non-binary centaur with a massive crush on a centaur! Coffee shops! Trickster magic! Questions of identity and trauma! Unrequited feelings! A seer! Moonstruck takes the concept of queer-coding monsters and makes it literal in this all-ages fantasy comic, which currently has two volumes available. It’s a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a good slice-of-life story with romance peppered throughout.

Nimona (2015)

Cartoonist: Noelle Stevenson

Publisher: HarperTeen

List Price: $14.99

Nimona is a shapeshifter and a troublemaker and when she decides to become Lord Ballister Blackheart’s supervillain sidekick, both of their worlds are turned upside down — in good, bad, and ugly ways. Featuring an excellent m/m romance with a complicated history and a found family dynamic that will inspire All The Feelings, this graphic novel is an all-ages romp that will capture anyone’s heart.

Our Dreams At Dusk: Shinanami Tasogare, Vol. 1 (2019)

Story & Art: Yuhki Kamatani

Translation: Jocelyne Allen

Adaptation: Ysabet MacFarlane

Letterer: Kaitlyn Wiley

Publisher: Seven Seas

List Price: $12.99

Tasuku Kaname is the new kid in town who fears that his new classmates have outed him as gay. While he struggles with the hopelessness of grappling with his identity, he comes across a strange woman named Someone-san, and a community drop-in center that seems to be populated solely by queer folks who are all taking their exploration of identity at their own speed. A four-volume series that will be completed by December 17th, this is a great pick for anyone who wants queer fiction that acknowledges the difficult aspects of making peace with yourself, as well as the hopeful, happy catharsis of finding a place to belong.

Paper Girls, Vol. 1 (2016)

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist: Cliff Chiang

Colorist: Matt Wilson

Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher

Publisher: Image

List Price: $9.99

On the morning after Halloween 1988 in Stony Stream, Ohio, a group of newspaper delivery girls find themselves entangled in a war between time travelers. As they leave their time period behind and travel to the future, they are forced to confront the adults they will eventually become. This book contains harsh language that some readers may not find palatable, but it’s ideal for those who want a gritty time travel mystery that doesn’t pull punches.

Queer: A Graphic History (2016)

Creators: Meg-John Barker & Julia Scheele

Publisher: Icon Books

List Price: $18.95

This nonfiction book includes a ton of information about gender, sexuality, and the history of our understanding of both! Featuring art on every page and details about philosophers and trailblazers, this graphic resource can help anyone better understand what it means to be queer. Perfect for those who prefer nonfiction and that one aunt who keeps telling you she “thought queer was a slur.”

A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities (2019)

Creators: Mady G. & J.R. Zuckerberg

Publisher: Limerence Press

List Price: $9.99

This all-ages guide breaks down queer and trans identities and terms in a way that anyone can understand. As a bonus, the art is super sweet and really fun!

A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns (2018)

Creators: Archie Bongiovanni & Tristan Jimerson

Publisher: Limerence Press

List Price: $7.99

A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns is just what it says on the tin. This short comic debunks grammar myths and drives home the importance of respecting people’s pronouns, which for some reason seems hard to grasp.

Runaways, Vol. 1: Pride and Joy (2004)

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan

Artists: Adrian Alphona, Craig Yeung

Colorist: Christina Strain

Letterer: Randy Gentile

Publisher: Marvel

List Price: $9.99

What do you do when you find out your parents are supervillains? Steal their tech and become a team of runaways, of course! This teenage superhero team have a lot to deal with – not the least of which is the eventual romances that develop among the team members. Ideal for fans of the Hulu series any anyone who thinks a psychically-linked Deinonychus sounds cool.

Slam!, Vol. 1 (2017)

Writer: Pamela Ribon

Artist: Veronica Fish

Colorists: Brittany Peer, Laura Langston

Letterer: Jim Campbell

Publisher: BOOM! Box

List Price: $14.99

Jennifer and Maise may have been best friends for life, but when they’re put on different roller derby teams, they’ll have to choose between their personal loyalties and their teammates. Can be paired with the sequel, Slam!: The Next Jam, for a perfect double feature! If roller derby interests you, this comic’s for you!

Spinning (2017)

Cartoonist: Tillie Walden

Publisher: First Second

List Price: $17.99

This memoir follows the cartoonist through her experiences as a young figure skater after her family moves to Texas when she is 10. The story follows Tillie’s coming of age, her coming out as gay, and readers should be advised that the graphic memoir includes scenes that recount her sexual assault. Perfect for those who find professional figure skating fascinating and those looking for a nonfiction coming out story!

Stage Dreams (2019)

Cartoonist: Melanie Gillman

Publisher: Graphic Universe

List Price: $10.99

Do you want a queer western? Grace and Flor are a runaway trans woman and a Latinx outlaw who team up in order to overthrow a Confederate plot in the old west. The pair meets when Flor robs the stagecoach Grace is using to escape Georgia, but when Grace learns that Flor is planning to cause trouble at a Confederate gala, she convinces the outlaw to let her take part in the plan.

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 1: Aphra (2017)

Writer: Kieron Gillen

Artists: Kev Walker, Marc Deering

Colorist: Antonio Fabela

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artist: Kamome Shirahama

Publisher: Marvel

List Price: $17.99

Doctor Chelli Aphra is a rogue archeologist who specializes in weaponry. After first appearing in the pages of Star Wars: Darth Vader, Aphra cuts out on a solo adventure that will have her up to her goggles in misadventure. The murder droids 0-0-0 and BT-3 may be along for the ride, but when Aphra’s ex-girlfriend arrives on the scene, the bloodthirsty droids may just be the least of her problems. Ideal for those seeking Star Wars adventure with a queer woman of color (who may lack a moral compass).

Stumptown, Vol. 1: The Case of the Girl Who Took Her Shampoo (2017)

Writer: Greg Rucka

Artist: Justin Greenwood

Colorist: Ryan Hill

Letterer: Crank!

Publisher: Oni Press

List Price: $10.00

Dex Parios is a bisexual woman who is a private investigator in Portland. Thanks to Dex’s gambling debts, she’s conscripted into a mystery involving the local tribe, who runs the casino. Like any private investigator worth their salt, Dex has a shady past that unfolds over the course of the story. Perfect for those who are fans of the ABC show starring Colbie Smulders and anyone who likes a good detective story.

Submerged (2018)

Writer: Vita Ayala

Artist: Lisa Sterle

Colorist: Amy Stelladia

Letterer: Rachel Deering

Issue Covers: Jen Bartel & Tríona Tree Farrell

Publisher: Vault Comics

List Price: $14.99

Ellie flees into the flooding subways of New York City in an attempt to protect her wayward brother, but when she gets underground, she finds herself entrapped in a world where myth and reality become indistinguishable. Will her journey to the subterranean depths of the flooded subway tunnels lead to deliverance, or will she be subsumed by what lies beneath the surface? Ideal for those looking for a singular take on classical mythology and/or a queer origin story for the ages.

Sugar Town (2017)

Creator: Hazel Newlevant

List Price: $10.00

While Hazel is in a happy relationship, things get complicated when they meet Argent, a dominatrix, at a party. While Hazel and their boyfriend have discussed polyamory, this is Hazel’s first actual experience. This story is perfect for those who want to see a sweet and thoughtful portrayal of a polyamorous relationship in action!

Theater of Terror!: Revenge of the Queers (2019)

Editors: Justin Hall, William O. Tyler

Publisher: Northwest Press

List Price: $29.99 (paperback)

This collection of short horror comics will give daring readers a glimpse into the incredible variety of perspectives that is encompassed by the queer community! From a transgender ghost hunter to a nightmare in a rest stop glory hole, these horror homages and spooky comics are all excellent (but not always for the faint of heart)! Perfect for the connoisseur of queer horror in your life.

Trans Girls Hit the Town (2019)

Creator: Emma Jayne

Publisher: Diskette Press

List Price: $7.00

This comic tells the story of two trans girls having a night out! After getting glammed up, Cleo meets up with her friend Winnie for dinner and drinks. An earnest and accurate account of being a trans girl on a night out, this story honestly depicts both the highs and lows of being trans in public. This comic is perfect for those who want a realistic glimpse into the trans experience.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power (2015)

Writer: Ryan North

Artist: Erica Henderson

Colorist: Rico Renzi

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Publisher: Marvel

List Price: $15.99

The irresistible Unbeatable Squirrel Girl series has a whole lot to love, and one of the things to love is Ken Shiga, A.K.A. the Unsinkable Koi Boi, the trans man superhero who can often be found assisting Doreen and Tippy Toe. Along with the Chipmunk Hunk, this unstoppable team will stop at nothing to keep the streets of New York City safe. Ideal for those who want some smart but lighthearted superhero antics and/or fans of Lego Marvel Superheroes 2, which features Koi Boi as a playable character!

The Wilds (2018)

Writer: Vita Ayala

Artist: Emily Pearson

Colorist: Marissa Louise

Letterer: Jim Campbell

Publisher: Black Mask

List Price: $16.99

When the apocalypse comes, it’s more beautiful and more terrifying than any of us could have predicted. For Daisy Walker, a Runner for the Compound, venturing beyond the walls of the settlement is paramount for survival, and she isn’t phased by the dangers her job presents. Then her lover, Heather, goes missing on a job, and everything changes. This eerie take on life after the end of the world is an excellent choice for fans of the macabre and readers who want a new take on zombies.

The Witch Boy (2017)

Creator: Molly Knox Ostertag

Publisher: Graphix

List Price: $12.99

In the world of The Witch Boy, supernatural powers are strictly gendered: while the boys learn the art of shapeshifting, the girls are expected to study magic. But deep down, Aster knows that his destiny is not to shapeshift but to become a witch! Will he be able to overcome the expectations of his family and become the witch he is meant to be? Perfect for fantasy fans looking for a magical story with a queer perspective.

You can also check out The Hidden Witch (2018) and The Midwinter Witch (2019), which complete the trilogy.

Young Avengers, Vol. 1: Style > Substance (2013)

Writer: Kieron Gillen

Artists: Jamie McKelvie, Mike Norton

Colorist: Matt Wilson

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Publisher: Marvel

List Price: $15.99

What do you do when you’re trying to become the next Avengers team, but Captain America and Iron Man won’t train you without parental permission because you’re “too young”? You become the next Avengers team anyway, that’s what! The roster of this Avengers team is hard to beat: Billy Kaplan, Teddy Altman (A.K.A. Hulkling), Hawkeye (the good one), and America Chavez. A perfect read for fans of Marvel superheroes who also want canon queer rep.

Happy shopping! For more gift guides and “best of” lists, be sure to stay tuned to our coverage right here at The Beat.

Disclosure: The Beat is owned by Polarity, which also owns Lion Forge Comics and Oni Press.