best of 2024: comics, graphic novels, and manga

 A few notes before I begin:

- This list is in random order, but I did make note of my favorite.

- Not all of these were first released in 2024, but that's when I read them.

- Some of these are continuing series, but I figure I've read enough to put them here.  I made note of ongoing series.

- Obviously the year isn't over yet, but if I read something between now and the end of the month that belongs here, I'll update accordingly.

- All of these are legally available for free on Hoopla, so if your library has an account, tuck in!

- And, as always, your mileage may vary.

1. The Deviant by James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson:  In 1972, a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus murders several young men.  Fifty years later, a writer interviews the Deviant Killer in prison, while outside the prison walls, a copycat killer takes up his mission.  Absolutely creepy and riveting; it's my favorite comic series of the year.  (Ongoing, but I believe it's set to wrap up this month)

2. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath:  In a sleepy little town populated by anthropomorphized animals, Samantha is a friendly brown bear who has a big secret: every once in a while, she drives to the big city to kill someone.  And not for food: she just really, really likes it.  Then someone starts murdering residents of her town, and she has to find them before suspicion falls on her.  Written and illustrated by the guy who wrote one of my favorite underappreciated horror movies, Entrance, it's Dexter meets Zootopia.

3. Cat + Gamer by Wataru Nadatani:  Riko Kozakura is an office worker whose greatest passion is video games.  Then one day she unexpectedly adopts a kitten, Musubi, whose mischievous antics interrupt her precious gaming time...but she learns to adapt.  As a lifelong gamer who's loved cats for only slightly longer, I found this series charming and relatable.  (Ongoing)

4. Mr. Lovenstein Presents: Feelings by J.L. Westover:  I first read this selection of comics (and the below) when very high and laughed myself into an asthma attack.  It was worth it.

5. Mr. Lovenstein Presents: Failure by J.L. Westover:  See above.