Top Five First Second Comics to Get Cozy With

:01, or First Second Books, is a comic publisher based in New York that publishes graphic novels in all genres and for all ages. They have an impressive array of creators, including being the English-language publisher for Hayao Miyazaki’s graphic novel Shuna’s Journey.

First Second is great for publishing cozy and uplifting stories, and these five favourites I’m highlighting on the blog today are no exception:

*Five must read graphic novels from First Second Books*

Shuna’s Journey by Hayao Miyazaki

This beautiful Hayao Miyazaki graphic novel was published in Japanese in 1983 but didn’t receive an English translation until First Second picked up for publishing in 2022. If you are a fan of his works with Studio Ghibli, you’ll see a lot of themes and styles that are familiar to you.

This graphic novel is lusciously painted in watercolour and showcases Miyazaki's incredible talent. The story is told more through narration than dialogue, unusual for a comic. The afterword suggests the Japanese word emonogatari suits this beautiful book, and I agree. Emonogatari means ‘picture story’ and I think it’s a much more eloquent word than my usual ‘adult picture book’.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

While Prince Sebastian’s parents try to find him a wife, Sebastian is too busy putting on daring dresses and taking Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion! And he finds a marvellous dressmaker who sees and understands his dreams.

This adorable graphic novel, with Wang’s signature charming character illustrations, is heartwarming and affirming. It celebrates being yourself and found family and the costume design is something to behold.

Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgel

When Anya falls into a well, she stumbles across a new friend - the ghost of a girl who has been dead for a century! And as Anya goes through all sorts of teenage struggles, growing pains and adjustments, a ghost friend may be just what she needs…

This cute, young adult graphic novel is strikingly rendered in greyscale, which suits the somewhat spooky tone. It’s a great coming-of-age story and was nominated for a Goodreads Choice award for reader favourites.

Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Boxers & Saints tells two parallel stories in two volumes. The first is about Little Bao, a Chinese peasant boy whose village is abused and plundered by Westerners claiming the role of missionaries. Inspired by visions of the Chinese gods, Little Bao joins a violent uprising against the Western interlopers. Against all odds, their grass-roots rebellion is successful.

However, in the second volume, Yang lays out the opposite side of the conflict. Christian missionaries take in a girl whose village has no place for her and finds, for the first time, a home with them. As the Boxer Rebellion gains momentum, Vibiana must decide whether to abandon her Christian friends or commit herself fully to Christianity.

This historical fiction behemoth showcases Yuen’s significant storytelling skills alongside his stark, clean illustrations. You might recognize Luen as the writer of several Avatar: The Last Airbender comics and the creator of American Born Chinese, but this epic should not be missed if you want to see him at his best.

A Guest in the House by Emily Carroll

Arguably, it's the least cozy book on this list, but hear me out on this one. Carroll’s illustrations, mostly greyscale interspersed with lusciously detailed and coloured dream sequences and the vibes of this family by the lake, make you feel like you’re along with them on a dark, haunting summer holiday.

After many lonely years, Abby just got married. She met her new husband―a recently widowed dentist―when he arrived in town with his young daughter, seeking a new start. Although it’s strange living in the shadow of her predecessor, Abby does her best to be a good wife and mother. But the more she learns about her new husband’s first wife, the more things don’t add up, and Abby starts to wonder...was Sheila’s death really by natural causes?

This was one of my favourite graphic novels of 2023 (when it came out) and should NOT be missed!

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