Hey comic fans! I wanted to highlight some of my favorite underrated graphic novels that don’t get as much hype as the big superhero books but are absolute gems. As an avid reader, I’m always on the hunt for comics that fly under the radar and deserve more attention. Here are a few of my top picks:

Locked in Time – This psychological thriller from writer Marc Guggenheim has a killer premise – a police detective gets trapped in a time loop while investigating a grisly murder. The mind-bending storytelling paired with stunning artwork from legendary artist Howard Chaykin makes this a hidden gem fans of mysteries and noir will love.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night – This moody black-and-white comic by Ana Lily Amirpour follows the exploits of a vampire in a bleak Iranian ghost town. It’s like if Jim Jarmusch directed a vampire western flick. With sparse dialogue, Amirpour’s brilliantly atmospheric panels tell a darkly beautiful tale.

Sandman Mystery Theatre – A smart and sophisticated noir series from the ’90s based on Wesley Dodds, the Golden Age Sandman. Set in 1930s New York, it sees Dodds and his girlfriend Dian Belmont cracking cases and tangling with criminals. For my money, it’s one of the most underappreciated Vertigo titles.

I could go on and on about the wealth of incredible yet overlooked comics out there! From alternative history tales to slice-of-life memoirs to psychological horror, there are so many genres represented. Let me know some of your favorite under-the-radar graphic novels in the comments! I’m always looking for new, lesser-known gems to add to my pull list.

Feature Photo by Linda Eller-Shein