Fall in Love with Comics

With February in full swing, and Valentine’s Day approaching, now is the perfect time to fall in love with comics. Whether you’re a fan of this time of year or not, there are plenty of comics out there that tackle platonic and romantic love. Here are a handful of my favorites.

Snug and Little Moments of Love

Webcomics have become an excellent medium for vignette style storytelling. Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal and Our Super American Adventure by Sarah Gailey have found success both online and in stores. Similar to these delightful reads, Catana Comics has taken social media by storm with Little Moments of Love. The book is a collection of her popular strips, which follow the heart warming lives of Catana and her partner. The vignettes show the awkward, cute, hilarious, and endearing moments of their relationship. Most effectively, her comics are full of love. Along with sweet stories, Catana’s characters are precious with their stubby bodies and bug eyes. Her webcomics have been so popular, that she’s published a second book, Snug, which is just as sickeningly sweet.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me

Upfront this graphic novel is about a break up; however, it is not a tragedy. The romantic relationship at the core of this book is toxic, but Freddy has failed to realize that. This is a realistic depiction of the messy and ugly side of young love, but it is presented beautifully with Rosemary Valero O’Connell’s art. Her illustrations, accented with pink pastels, captures the innocence of first love and the femininity of the feature characters. Elevating the story beyond teenage angst is Mariko Tamaki’s writing. As usual, she writes her characters as people first, emulating adolescent voices instead of simplifying their troubles. The heart of this book is not about heartbreak as much as it is about self growth, friendship, and moving on.

Heavy Vinyl

90s nostalgia. A girl gang fueled by righteous justice. Young romance. A love for music. This comic checks off all those boxes. Anyone who is a fan of Sailor Moon, will love this, especially if you and your friends also dreamed of making your own band of vigilantes. Love comes in many forms, and this comic captures the love among friends beautifully. It also grasps the feeling of having a crush on someone and wondering if the person shares those feelings for you. It’s a fun read that throws you back to your childhood, even if you are not a 90s kid. There’s a character for everyone in this comic, whether you’re a girly girl, tom boy, goth, punk, or artist. While each protagonist seems to fit a character trope, they are developed beyond stereotypes, making them all the more relatable.

Girl Town

For fans of absurd anthologies, Girl Town by Casey Nowak is for you. This comic blends science fiction, fantasy, and realism to represent the experiences of several women as they deal with their platonic, romantic, and sexual relationships. Nowak’s art, which has been seen in Lumberjanes, is cartoonish and fun, lending itself to the humorous and bizarre tone of the book. The writing also leaves readers with a big smile. If you’re a fan of the wacky and loving humor of Adventure Time and Bob’s Burgers, this comic will provide plenty of laughs. While comedic and strange, the book still hits home, perfectly representing the innocence of childhood, the reinvention of oneself after heartbreak, and the vulnerability between old friends.