Popular European Comic Books
Find comic books written by authors from Europe for the next part of the Read Around The World Challenge. (54)
1.
A House Without Windows by Marc Ellison EN
ScotlandDescription:
By the delicate hand of Didier Kassaï (Storm Over Bangui) comes a comic book documentary about the street children of Bangui, told in a style that mixes photos and illustrations. In the Central African Republic, children grow up in a state of insecurity, poverty, and malnutrition. The 2013 conflict only exacerbated this situation. The Central African Republic has become what many call "a house without windows." Through illustrations, photos and videos (activated via QR codes), this comic takes you into the heart of this "forgotten crisis." With Central African artist Didier Kassai and British ... continue
2.
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka EN
GermanyDescription:
When their recently widowed father announces he plans to remarry, sisters Vera and Nadezhda realise they must put aside a lifetime of feuding in order to save him. His new love is a voluptuous gold-digger from the Ukraine half his age, with a proclivity for green satin underwear and boil-in-the-bag cuisine, who stops at nothing in her single minded pursuit of the luxury Western lifestyle she dreams of. But the old man, too, is pursuing his eccentric dreams - and writing a history of tractors in Ukrainian. A wise, tender and deeply funny novel about families, the healing of old wounds, the tria... continue
3.
Algeria Is Beautiful like America by Olivia Burton EN
FranceDescription:
Algeria the Beautiful explores the rich heritage and tumultuous modern history of Algeria and its connections to Europe and colonialism. Olivia had always heard stories about Algeria from her maternal grandmother, a Black Foot (a “Pied-Noir,” the French term for Christian and Jewish settlers of French Algeria who emigrated to France after the Algerian War of Independence). After her grandmother’s death, Olivia found some of her grandmother’s journals and letters describing her homeland. Now, ten years later, she resolves to travel to Algeria and experience the country for herself; she arrives ... continue
4.
Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova EN
RussiaDescription:
Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids. Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them. On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the "nerder girlfriend." How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away! Falling back on rule two and surrounding herself with new friends in the art club, Peppi still can't he... continue
5.
Beautiful Darkness by Fabien Vehlmann, Kerascoët EN
Description:
BEST OF THE YEAR NODS FROM AMAZON.COM AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY! "Kerascoët... render Aurora and her friends in the huge-eyed style of classic children's book illustrations, but cuteness is just another Darwinian survival strategy here. Even on her clover-high scale, as Aurora discovers, romance is decided by social pecking order and murderous deceit."--Douglas Wolk, New York Times Kerascoët's and Fabien Vehlmann's unsettling and gorgeous anti-fairy tale is a searing condemnation of our vast capacity for evil writ tiny. Join princess Aurora and her friends as they journey to civilization's heart o... continue
6.
Between Two Sounds : Arvo Pärt's Journey to His Musical Language by Joonas Sildre EN
EstoniaDescription:
A graphic novel follows the celebrated Estonian composer through the cultural, political, personal, and spiritual upheavals that led to the distinctive style that has made him the most performed living composer in the world.
7.
Blacksad by Juan Díaz Canales EN
SpainDescription:
Private investigator John Blacksad is up to his feline ears in mystery, digging into the backstories behind murders, child abductions, and nuclear secrets. Guarnido's sumptuously painted pages and rich cinematic style bring the world of 1950s America to vibrant life, with Canales weaving in fascinating tales of conspiracy, racial tension, and the "red scare" Communist witch hunts of the time. Guarnido reinvents anthropomorphism in these pages, and industry colleagues no less than Will Eisner, Jim Steranko, and Tim Sale are fans! Whether John Blacksad is falling for dangerous women or getting b... continue
8.
Blue Pills : A Positive Love Story by Frederik Peeters EN
Country: Europe / 
Switzerland
Switzerland
Description:
From one of Europe’s most celebrated young comics artists, a deeply personal story that will resonate with all of us who have chosen to love in the face of great challenges One summer night at a house party, Fred met Cati. Though they barely spoke, he vividly remembered her gracefulness and abandon. They meet again years later, and this time their connection is instantaneous. But when things become serious, a nervous Cati tells him that she and her three-year-old son are both HIV positive. With great beauty and economy, Peeters traces the development of their intimacy and their revelatory rela... continue
Croatia10.
De twee levens van Penelope by Judith Vanistendael NL
BelgiumDescription:
Grafische novelle over de problemen van een moderne vrouw die moeder en echtgenote in België is, maar tevens chirurg in een veldhospitaal in Aleppo.