How and Why to Read Fanfiction

This is a guide for how to read fanfiction (or fanfic). But before we do that, bear with me. We’re going to start with the elephant in the room. WHY would you read fanfic? A bunch of reasons. No matter how many stories/shows/movies/books they make with your favorite character, you may want more. (For...

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Witches of Brooklyn: S’More Magic

The camp-themed S’More Magic is the latest entry in the ongoing Witches of Brooklyn graphic novel series by Sophie Escabasse. Effie is off to the woods for a summer camp for witches. There, she’ll find out whether she has a green thumb, meaning affinity with plant magic and a special connection with...

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Shirley and Jamila’s Big Fall

Lately, given my SherlockComics.com project, I tend to get asked “what’s a good Sherlockian comic for kids?” Since Muppet Sherlock Holmes is long out of print, this is my new first choice. Gillian Goerz’s previous book, Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer, introduced the intrepid detective and her...

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Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects

The catalogue for the Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects exhibit is a worthwhile read for more than just Sherlockians — it provides intriguing insight into some publishing history. The exhibit, featuring items from the collection of Glen S. Miranker and curated by him and Cathy Miranker, has appeared in...

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The Tryout

Christina, whose father came to Texas from Thailand, and her best friend Megan, Iranian-American, decide to try out for cheerleading now that they’re in seventh grade. The Tryout (written by Christina Soontornvat; art by Joanna Cacao) is based on the author’s own experience, and that’s why this reads...

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Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Part Two

The fan-favorite storyline concludes in this volume, collecting the four issues of the miniseries. The previous book ended with John coming face-to-face with Irene Adler, thought to be dead, in a mysterious, deserted power station. That’s where Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Part Two picks up. Irene...

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Batman’s Mystery Casebook

It’s such a pleasure to see Batman’s detective skills emphasized in Batman’s Mystery Casebook, a surprisingly educational graphic novel written by Sholly Fisch and drawn by Christopher Uminga. Batman explains some basic crime-solving techniques to Batgirl and Robin, including brief history lessons....

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History Comics: The Roanoke Colony: America’s First Mystery

History Comics: The Roanoke Colony: America’s First Mystery by Chris Schweizer is a fact-filled, fascinating read that uses the mystery of what happened to the Roanoke Colony to explore many political and cultural questions stemming from English settlement attempts in North America. In case you’re not...

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Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Deluxe Edition Volume 1

With patience, sometimes we get what we wish for. I first encountered Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou in a pirated, scanlated online version back in 2009. I’d only been reading manga for a handful of years at that point, diving in as an escape from superheroes and maudlin autobio — it was give up comics, or...

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The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again, Today Volume 5

In Hitsuzi Yamada’s The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again, Today volume 5, the cat Yukichi meets Saku’s parents! Which is kind of appropriate, as he’s the perfect boyfriend, except for the whole being-a-human-sized-cat thing. It’s New Year’s, and the parents have pulled out the guilt stops to get Saku...

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Show-ha Shoten! Volume 1

Fandom works. By which I mean, if someone likes something a creator does, they’re a lot more likely to seek out that creator’s next thing. That’s the reason I tried Show-ha Shoten! Volume 1. It’s illustrated by Takeshi Obata, who’s probably best known in this country for drawing Death Note, but I better...

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History Comics: The National Parks: Preserving America’s Wild Places

There is a ton of material packed into the 128 pages of History Comics: The National Parks: Preserving America’s Wild Places, with new information on almost every page. A Sasquatch introduces us to how national parks can include scenic vistas, natural wildernesses, and historic sites, answering an eagle’s...

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