AustLit

'"Gloomwood Hollow Cemetery. A dark, forgotten place, visited once a year by its creepy caretaker, Old Joe. Now for the very first time, someone else is there, sitting in the shadows, waiting. A pale, dark-haired little girl and her two-tailed cat, hungering for the perfect scary story." A short horror story for younger readers. The prose of the story has been written in easy-to-read poetry. An illustration on each page highlights the gist of the text. The story progresses at reasonable pace for the younger readers, and the illustrations are sharp and clear. A limited colour palette simplifies the reading experience, and eventually the artwork adds to the growing horror to the story. Although aimed for all ages, this fun reading experience will be best appreciated for the mid-primary school audience and will appeal to their growing sense of the world, and all creatures on the boundaries of this world! It's a story that will stay with the reader for a good while after reading it....' (Publication summary)

'A short story of a vampire exploring their fading memories in the city of Istanbul.'

Source: Australian Comics Database.

'Dead City Lullabies is a dystopian science fiction comics universe conceived, written and illustrated by Sydney-based artist Aidan Roberts. Originally planned as a series of very short stories depicting the end of several unnamed civilizations, told from the perspective of one (possibly immortal?) character, the idea has grown [...] into plans for a full graphic novel series, music score, and conceptual universe from which to draw many new stories.'

Source: Australian Comics Database.

'In the far flung reaches of space, First Officer Daniel Gray is alone. Alone in a vast spaceship, and alone in the even vaster universe. As the last member of the human race, he follows the same routine every day, waiting for his clock to wind down and bring to an end all the possibilities that once filled mankind’s future.

'And then one day he encounters something unexplainable - something that opens the door to more possibilities than Daniel had ever imagined…' (Publication summary)

'Curses! Adventures! And drama! Oh my! Safia might not be able to see the world, but that doesn't mean she can't experience it to the fullest as she finds herself on her very first adventure! This is a contemporary fantasy middle-grade graphic novel about discovering what you are truly capable of.

'Safia thought that being blind meant she would only get to go on adventures through her audiobooks. This all changes when she goes to live with a distant and mysterious aunt, Lady Whimsy, who takes Safia on the journey of a lifetime!

'While the reclusive Lady Whimsy stops an old rival from uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, Safia experiences parts of the world she had only dreamed about. But when an unlikely group of chaotic agents comes after Whimsy, Safia is forced to confront the adventure head-on. For the first time in her life, Safia is the hero of her own story, and she must do what she can to save the day.

'And maybe find some friends along the way.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Bee and her fellow runaways are their own found family. So when a stranger named Paco saves her life, Bee invites him to join their crew, thinking he’s another lost teen. Someone else the world has overlooked. The truth is Paco’s not just a lost teen, he’s a Lost Boy from Neverland. And he needs Bee and the others to come back with him.

'When the group is then spirited away by a foul-mouthed Tinker Bell, they discover that Neverland is not some fun-filled hideaway. It's a war zone under siege by a horde of pirates with a merciless new leader who will stop at nothing to steal the land’s magic. Tink leads a fairy army that barely holds them at bay. Peter Pan is gone. And rest of the Lost Boys have been killed. Paco is all that remains . . . but he hopes that this group of teens will become the new Lost Ones. These young runaways may be Neverland’s only hope—but they’re about to learn that it’ll take a lot more than happy thoughts to win a war.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A heartfelt and hopeful early reader graphic novel series featuring adorable animals surviving in the wilderness despite the perils of climate change, from the award-winning creator of Pawcasso.

'Hi! I'm Rainbow and I'm a koala. My mum says it's time for me to go out and find a new home to call my own. But life in the bush can be scary! It's hard to find the perfect tree. A kookaburra keeps laughing at me. It's hot and I'm thirsty and ... do I smell smoke?

'From the creator of Pawcasso comes an inspiring graphic novel series for young readers, the perfect introduction to the wonders and perils of the natural world - and how we can all do our part to protect it.' (Publication summary)

'Talgard is a sellsword.

'But a sword alone isn’t enough when you’re facing off against wizards, barbarians, monstrous creatures, and even gods. If he’s to survive, Talgard will need every ounce of his cunning and guile too. Follow talgard’s journey as he travels the realms, earns some coin, fights some foes, and maybe even imparts a pearl of wisdom (or two) on his apprentice, Tydral.' (Publication summary)

'In early 2011, Safdar Ahmed visited Sydney’s Villawood Immigration Detention Centre for the first time. He brought pencils and sketchbooks into the centre and started drawing with the people detained there. Their stories are told in this book.

'Interweaving journalism, history and autobiography, Still Alive is an intensely personal indictment of Australia’s refugee detention policies and procedures. It is also a searching reflection on the redemptive power of art. And death metal.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Bron and Ray are a queer couple who enjoy their role as the fun weirdo aunties to Ray’s niece, six-year-old Nessie. Their playdates are little oases of wildness, joy, and ease in all three of their lives, which ping-pong between familial tensions and deep-seated personal stumbling blocks. As their emotional intimacy erodes, Ray and Bron isolate from each other and attempt to repair their broken family ties — Ray with her overworked, resentful single-mother sister and Bron with her religious teenage sister who doesn’t fully grasp the complexities of gender identity. Taking a leap of faith, each opens up and learns they have more in common with their siblings than they ever knew.

'At turns joyful and heartbreaking, Stone Fruit reveals through intimately naturalistic dialog and blue-hued watercolor how painful it can be to truly become vulnerable to your loved ones — and how fulfilling it is to be finally understood for who you are. Lee Lai is one of the most exciting new voices to break into the comics medium and she has created one of the truly sophisticated graphic novel debuts in recent memory.' (Publication summary)

'Patience, a kindhearted country girl, ekes out a living in Edwardian England, as tremors of social change rock the world around her. But when she begins her employment in formal service on the grounds of an opulent country manor, she has no idea that her own personal revolution is about to begin.

'Selfless, dutiful, and just a touch naive, she takes to both her place as a parlor maid and to her new roommate, the bookish and progressive lady's maid, Esther.

'In another time, the two women would have been happy to quietly keep in one another's company forever in their little attic bedroom, living out their days in the employ of a lord. But it's the dawn of a new age. The expanding empire has brought their country not only plundered wealth, but worldliness and new ideas.

'Patience and Esther come to realize the world is wider and full of more adventure and opportunity than they ever imagined . . . so long as they find the will to seize it.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Led by an unconscientiously objecting wombat registered for military service during Australia's war in Vietnam, Underground digs tunnels through a chapter of Australian history that many have attempted to bury.'

'Why would a wombat be registered for war?

'It's 1965, and an old Tattersalls barrel starts rolling marbles to randomly conscript young Australian men to fight in the war in Vietnam. Melbourne housewife Jean McLean is outraged, as are her artist friends Clif and Marlene Pugh, who live in the country with their wombat, Hooper.

'Determined to wreck the system, Jean forms the Save Our Sons movement's Victorian branch, and she and her supporters take to the streets to protest. Meanwhile, in the small country town of Katunga, Bill Cantwell joins the Australian Army, and in Saigon, young Mai Ho is writing letters to South Vietnamese soldiers from her school desk. And when Hooper's call-up papers arrive, he mysteriously goes underground...

'As these stories intersect in unexpected ways and destinies entwine, a new world gradually emerges - a world in which bridges of understanding make more sense than war. This stunning graphic novel, full of empathy, courage and resistance, is based on true events.' (Publication summary)

'The Turtlenecks are a heist-based performance art collective who specialise in stealing conceptual artworks. Not just the art objects, but the concepts that surround and protect them too. It's an art-world satire propelled by an action-packed heist performance piece.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Return to the astonishing world of talking peaches, magic tea, frightening wildlife, and threatening lizard tribes The fantasy adventure too epic for one graphic novel finally reaches its conclusion.

'Home Time: Under the River ended with a disastrous tea ceremony which left six kids lost, scared, confused, and even burnt. Now, the second half of the Home Time saga picks up from that nerve-wracking cliffhanger, as the children leave the relative safety of Peach Village in search of medicine, answers, and hopefully, a way home.

'Equipped with a living map, a flask of hallucinogenic tea, and a plan so stupid it just might work, Lily, Amanda, Ben and Nathan will have to pull together at the very time they've drifted the furthest apart.

'Award-winning graphic novelist Campbell Whyte is back, with his signature kaleidoscope of art styles, to cast a new spell wrapping up the most whimsically fantastical journey in ages.' (Publication summary)

'The inmates of an extensive underground prison struggle to build meaningful lives in a broken system, in the most ambitious graphic novel to date from rising indie star Chris Gooch (Bottled and Deep Breaths).

'Under-Earth takes place in a subterranean landfill, hollowed out to serve as a massive improvised prison. Sunken into the trash and debris of the past -- gameboys, iphones, coffee cups, old cars -- we follow two parallel stories.

'In the first, a new arrival struggles to adapt to the everyday violence, physical labour, and poverty of the prison city. Overwhelmed and alone, he finds a connection with a fellow inmate through an old, beat-up novel. While these two silent and uncommunicative men grow closer thanks to their book, the stress of their environment will test their new bond.

'Meanwhile, a pair of thieves pull off a risky job in exchange for the prisons' schematics and the promise of escape -- only to be betrayed by their employer. On the run with their hope for escape now gone, the two women set their minds to revenge. Yet as they lay their plans, their focus shifts from an obsession with the outside world to the life they have with each other.

'Equal parts sincerity and violence, Under-Earth explores humanity's inextinguishable drive to find meaning, connection, and even family -- and how fragile such constructions can be.' (Publication summary)

'The universe's most fantastic, drastic, intergalactic adventure about getting home for dinner continues!

'Action Tank: Book 2 is the second thrilling chapter in the galaxy-spanning graphic novel series about discovery, friendship, and how far one boy will go to get home for his Mum's spaghetti carbonara.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

After an unnamed environmental disaster, everyone is heading to Felter City to make their fortune in the 'grot'.

'A young girl's nature diary is a joyful journey of discovery. From the multi-award-winning creator of Rivertime and Rockhopping comes another celebration of the world around us.

'Miri's been on the move and now she's finding her feet, her freedom, her community and her home, treading lightly all the way.

'A story about spreading your wings and putting down roots in an ancient land.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

''Why Black Lives Matter Resonates With Black People All Over The World (An Open Letter to Australians)' is a comic created by Claudia Chinyere Akole, originally published digitally on Going Down Swinging in August 2020.

'The comic is an exploration of global Black Solidarity that compares ongoing Bla(c)k Civil Rights movements in the USA and Australia.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A bumper book of fun and adventure in full colour, introducing lovable Anders and his band of intrepid friends.

Anders, Bernie and Eden are best friends and are always on the lookout for new adventures. In these three exciting stories, discover an unknown comet, explore an extinct volcano and find your way through a castle maze.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'An autobio comic about education, the geographical lottery, and the meaning of a name.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

An autobiographical day-in-the-life comic of the artist and his partner, who deals with myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome).

'In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Those that are strong enough are conscripted by the Witch Guard, who enforce the law in peacetime and protect the land during war. However, those with hair judged too long are pronounced enemies of the kingdom, and annihilated. This is called a witch burning.

'Witchy is a comic about the young witch Nyneve, who is haunted by the death of her father and the threat the Witch Guard poses to her own life. When conscription rolls around, Nyneve has a choice to make; join the institution complicit in her father''s death, or stand up for her ideals?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Good Boy is a (surprisingly joyful!) imagining of the canine afterlife, and begins at the end: with euthanasia.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Harriet Flores struggles with boredom and an unrequited crush while learning to manage her chronic illness through a long, hot, 1990s summer in Chicago. She uses her imagination to cope, which sometimes gets her into trouble, as she makes up fantastical fibs and wonders if there are ghosts upstairs. One neighbor, Pearl, encourages Harriet to read and write, leading Harriet to have a breakthrough and discover the power of storytelling.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'At its core, Silver Fox is a story about two men coming to that awkward part in their relationship when they’re no longer blind to each other’s faults and it gets harder and harder to hide their undesirable pasts, traits and even families.

'Throw in assassins, the supernatural, and a whole lot of resistance, and you’ll know what you’re in for. Recommended for mature audiences, Silver Fox has themes of violence, sex, and bad language (sorry, Cap).'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A young optimistic boy living in a remote house meets a friendly visitor from the nearby woods.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Volume 4 of Burger Force is a real killer. As Mercury and the gang look into a spate of mysterious deaths, they soon realise they’ve got a serial murderer on their hands. Whoever it is sure has a twisted sense of humour, and they’re determined to deliver the ultimate punchline. Can the agents catch their culprit before the joke’s on them?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A space bounty hunter tracks down a frog princess, a woman finds a condom where it shouldn’t be, and a spoiled art student works his first freelance job. Deep Breaths is a collection of short comics about tension, violence, monsters, and moments… including the award-winning story Mooreland Mates and nine other tales, rarely or never before seen.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'More than 60 female comics creators share their personal experiences with sexual violence and harassment through new and original comics.

'Inspired by the global #MeToo Movement, Drawing Power: Women's Stories of Sexual Violence, Harassment, and Survival is a collection of original, nonfiction comics drawn by more than 60 female cartoonists from around the world.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The feline overlord King Mog has set his loyal subject Tom an impossible task. Luckily, today is the day Tom’s owner insists on joining him.

'After shrinking to the size of a mouse, Mel's familiar neighbourhood becomes the epic setting of danger and adventure, kindness and cruelty, courage and camaraderie.

'Can Mel help Tom beat the King's favourite, Sir Ronald, and gain the approval of the Court?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A young police officer is promoted to detective status when a horrific incident leads her department to believe she shares a connection with a notorious serial killer. Working together with a new partner, the search for the killer leads them to her old hometown, 2 hours north of Sydney. In the infamous Bontown, NSW, the once-abandoned small town punk rock drama is the least of their troubles, as our heroes stumble upon something much bigger.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When chaos besieges the kingdom of Arcadia, warrior Amala Citlali uncovers a shocking truth—she’s a non-player character in an advanced video game.

'With her very existence at stake, Amala embarks on a journey across worlds—to escape her prison, find her creator, and demand answers to the fundamental questions of her existence.

'In his debut editorial role, comics veteran KYLE HIGGINS guides this intimate story of self-discovery that takes readers to lands of high fantasy, futuristic science fiction… and beyond.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Neither Here Nor Hair is heartfelt comics anthology by 14 Australian creators about their relationships with hair (of all kinds). From hilarious to gut-punching, exploring our cultural norms and sometimes rejecting them, 14 creators come together for this sincere, insightful collection of comics drawn from the creator's own lives.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jenny catches up with a former flame at the local pool. The sun is bright and casts dark shadows in the water. There is violence even in this mundane place - a whirlpool through which Jenny swims, even as it pulls her under.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A Week In Warrigilla is an online graphic novel about Hazel and Willie, two ace/aro [asexual / aromantic] girls who get trapped in a supernatural region while road-tripping through rural Queensland.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'My Big Life is somebody’s memoir. It includes thoughts on time, relationships, stealing, instagram, books, assholes and self-mythologizing.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.