18 Canadian comics to read in summer 2021

Burning through your summer reading list? Fill it up with these 18 comic books featuring the work of Canadian writers and artists.

The Water Loverby Patrick Allaby

Patrick is about to finish university when he develops a sudden, debilitating addiction to water. The obsession takes over his life at 20 cups a day, Patrick can't focus on school, he loses weight and is constantly going to the bathroom. Patrick's love of water ultimately lands him in the intensive care unit where he experiences, first-hand, the flaws of Canadian healthcare.

Patrick Allaby is a comic creator from Sackville, N.B.He published his first graphic novel,Martin Peters,in 2019.

The Pleasure of the Text by Sami Alwani

The Pleasure of the Textis a collection of 20 comics that question individual identity and collective society, bringing together tragedy and humour to explore art, trauma, capitalism and everyday life. The comics include a talking baby, a ghost who survives quarantine thanks to CBD cookies and a cartoonist who is half-man and half-dog.

Sami Alwaniis a cartoonist and illustrator from Toronto. He is also the author of the comicsMan Bites Dog, Happy DaysandThe Dead Father.

Heaven No Hell by Michael DeForge

Heaven No Hellis a collection of comics from Michael DeForge that explores the nature of relationships, life and society in general. The included stories range from an angel touring heaven to a couple following their pregnancywith an app to a couple who make terrible choices after an experiment goes wrong.

• Michael DeForge's passion for comics and interest in utopian societies shapes his graphic novels and comic art

DeForge is a Toronto-based creator who has won awards for comics likeLeaving Richard's Valley, DressingandLose #1.Other acclaimed books includeStunt,Big Kids, Ant Colony,Sticks Angelica Folk Heroand more.

The Next Chapter15:04Michael DeForge on Familiar Face

Toronto comic creator Michael DeForge talks about his latest graphic novel, Familiar Face.

Factory Summers by Guy Delisle

InFactory Summers,Guy Delisle recalls the three summers he spent working at a pulp and paper factory in Quebec City. It recalls the 12-hour shifts andthe loud machinery. It also looks at the culture and camaraderie found within the factory, and how the pulp and paper industry changed over the years, impacting thecommunities and the workers who relied on it, including Delisle's own father.

• Guy Delisle on writing rituals, favourite words and not reading his own books

Delisleis an author and illustrator known for graphic travelogues likeBurma Chronicles,JerusalemandPyongyang.He is also the author of the comicHostage,the true story of a Mdecins SansFrontiresadministrator named Christophe Andr who was held captive for three months while on a mission in the Caucasus region.

Cyclopedia Exotica by Aminder Dhaliwal

Cyclopedia Exoticais a comic set in a parallel universe where cyclops are part of our society. They are artists and doctors and parents and students. But they regularly face discrimination and xenophobia and micro-aggressions. Through this alternate world,Aminder Dhaliwalexplores race, discrimination, marginalization, beauty and belonging with humour and heart.

• How Aminder Dhaliwal's hit web comic helped her find her voice

Dhaliwal is a comic writer and television animatororiginally from Brampton, Ont. Now based in Los Angeles, Dhaliwalis a director at Disney TV Animation. Her comic seriesWoman World, originally published on Instagram to hundreds of thousands of followers,was released as a graphic novel by Drawn & Quarterly in 2018.CBC Books namedDhaliwala writer to watch in 2019.

The Next Chapter11:59Walter Scott on Wendy, Master of Art

Walter Scott on his graphic novel, Wendy, Master of Art.

Rebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor by Pascal Girard

InRebecca and Luciein the Case of the Missing Neighbor,new mother Rebecca is on a quest to solve a local mystery. When her neighbour, and health care provider,Eduardo, goes missing, Rebecca is on the case. She juggles caring for her eight-month-old baby with detective work, including interviews and stakeouts.Rebecca and Luciein the Case of the Missing Neighboris a light-hearted look at postpartum life.

Pascal Girard is a comics creator from Montreal. He is also the author of the comicsNicolas, Bigfoot, ReunionandPetty Theft.

Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto, illustrated by Ann Xu

In the graphic novelShadow Life,76-year-oldKumikois placed in a long-term care home by her daughters. It's not what Kumiko wants and she breaks out and takes refuge in an apartment she keeps secret from her children. She finds pleasure in simple, daily life, but Death's shadow haunts her. Kumiko is ready to fight for the life she's built herself, but how long can shefight back?

• Listen:Hiromi Goto's new graphic novel Shadow Life pits a rebellious senior against death itself

Hiromi Goto is a writer and editor from British Columbia. Her novels includeChorus of Mushrooms, Half WorldandDarkest Light.Shadow Lifeis her first graphic novel.

Ann Xu is an American illustrator.

The Next Chapter5:27Katherena Vermette on her A Girl Called Echo graphic novel series

Award-winning poet and filmmaker Katherena Vermette talks about her graphic novel series A Girl Called Echo.

Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell

In the metropolis of City Enduring, violent crime is a distant memory thanks to a technology that strips its population of all feeling. The new Green Lantern, Sojourner "Jo" Mullein, is tasked with overseeing the peace that has been kept for 500 years.The job proves to be far more challenging than expected, as Jo investigates a mystery that threatens everything.

• How N.K. Jemisin creates fantasy worlds rooted in reality

N. K. Jemisin is a New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-winning author based in Brooklyn.She became the first writer to win three consecutive Hugo Awards for Best Novel for her Broken Earth Trilogy. Jemisinreceived a MacArthur Fellowship in 2020.

Jamal Campbell is a freelance artist and comic book creator from Toronto. He's drawncomics for Marvel, DC Comics and BOOM! Studios.

Marvel's Chip Zdarsky on how to be a successful comic book creator

5 years ago

Duration 4:31

The writer and illustrator of comic book characters such as Daredevil, Spider-Man on how to make it in the comic book industry.

Stone Fruit by Lee Lai

Stone Fruitis a comic about a queer couple,Bron and Ray, and the ups and downs a relationship goes through as it begins to fall apart.Stone Fruitexplores family, identity and relationships through Bron and Ray's journey.

Lee Laiis an Australian cartoonist who now lives in Montreal.Stone Fruitis her first book.

What If We Were... by Axelle Lenoir

What If We Wereis about teen girls Nathalie and Marie who have had a secret game they've played since childhood. But when a new girl comes to town and joins their game, their worlds are turned upside down. Can they make it through this round with their friendship, and their hearts, still in one piece?

Axelle Lenoiris a cartoonist from Quebec. She is also the author of the graphic novelCamp Spiritand theMertownvilleseries.

The Giftby Zoe Maeve

The Giftis a comic that reimagines the life of Russian princess Anastasia. When Anastasia is 15 years old, she receives a camera as a gift. She begins to photograph her life behind palace walls, while a revolution unfolds outside them. But the arrival of the camera means Anastasia is starting to see things beyond our world, and someone or something is stalking her.

Zoe Maeve is a comicsand visual artist who currently lives in Montreal. She is also the author of the comicJuly Underwater.

Fictional Father by Joe Ollmann

Fictional Fatheris the story of a washed-up middle-aged painternamed Caleb. Now that he's sober, he must face his untapped potential, his past and his father who made millions writing a family-oriented cartoon while neglecting his own son.Calebis determined to face his demons and be a better man than his father.Fictional Fatherexplores family, regret and what it means to make art.

• Creating comics brings joy to Joe Ollmann

Joe Ollmannis a comics artist from Hamilton, Ont. His other comics includeThe Abominable Mr. Seabrook,Happy Stories About Well-Adjusted PeopleandMid-Life.

Pizza Punks by Cole Pauls

Pizza Punksis a comic that celebrates pizza, and asks the question how far would a pizza-loving punk rocker go for a slice? All kinds of pizza are celebrated in this quirky comic, from deep dish to backpack pizza to mosh-pit pizza and more.

• Watch Cole Pauls onThe Exhibitionists

Cole Pauls is a Tahltan comic artist. He created his first comic,Dakwkda Warriors,as a language-revival initiative. In 2017, it won Broken Pencil magazine's Best Comic and Best Zine of the Year Award.

Youth by Curt Pires, illustrated by Alex Diotto

Youthis a comic about two teenagers who run away from their small town and attempt to make it in California. Before they get there, their car breaks down and they join a band of misfits on the road. But that's just where the adventure begins in this new series from Curt Pires and Alex Diotto.

Youthdebuted online in 2020 as part of the comiXology Originals line. Thispaperback includes issues #1-#4. in 2021. A second season is also in the works.

Youthis currently in development to be adapted into a TV series by Pires for Amazon Studios.

Piresis a writer and producer from Calgary. He has worked on the Olympia and WYRD comic series. He co-created the Olympia series with his father, Tony Pires.

Diotto is an illustrator who has worked on theOlympia series.

Wendy, Master of Art by Walter Scott

InWendy, Master of Art,Wendy is a serious art student at the University of Hell in a small Ontario town. As she works towardher degree, Wendy confronts her ever-ballooninginsecurities, fears and doubts with therapy, excessive drinking and partying.

• Walter Scott's Wendy comics depict the hilarious and tender misadventures of an aspiring artist

Walter Scott is aKahnaw:ke-born artist who lives in Toronto. He's published two other Wendy books,includingWendy's Revenge,and has appeared in The New Yorker and the Best American Comics anthology.

Road Allowance Era by Katherena Vermette, illustrated by Scott B. Henderson

Road Allowance Eraconcludes Katherena Vermette's graphic novel series A Girl Called Echo. InRoad Allowance Era,the promise of land for theMtishas gone unfulfilled andMtisleader Louis Riel has been executed. Echo's family is reeling from the fallout of these events, and she must channel thehope and resilience of her people in order to build a brighter future.

• How Katherena Vermette combined Mtis history with sci-fi to write her first graphic novel

Vermette is a Governor General's Literary Award-winning poet and bestselling novelist based in Winnipeg. Her books includeNorth End Love Songs,The Breakandriver woman.

Artists Scott B.Henderson and Donovan Yaciukare contributors tothe graphic novel series.

Stillwater, Vol. 1by Chip Zdarsky andRamn K Prez

Recently fired, Daniel is summonedto a mysterious, unheard-of town called Stillwater afterreceiving a letter of inheritance from his great-grand-aunt's estate. He discovers that the town is a place where no one can die a quirk with surprising consequences for its residents.

• Chip Zdarsky on the life of a comic book writer and why everyone loves Spider-Man

Chip Zdarsky is a comic book writer and illustrator born in Edmonton and based in Toronto. The creator has worked on books such as the award-winningSex Criminals,Kaptara, Jughead, Howard the Duck,Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man,AfterliftandDaredevil. He's a best writer nominee at the 2021 Eisner Awards.

Ramn K. Prezhas won multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards for his work as a cartoonist and illustrator. His artwork can be seen in comics likeJane,a modern retelling ofJane Eyre,The Amazing Spider-Man: Learning to Crawl and The All-New Hawkeye.

Championess by Kelly Zekas andTarun Shanker, illustrated byAmanda Perez Puentes

Inspired by a true story, Championess follows bare-knuckle boxer Elizabeth Wilkinson through 18th century London. Wilkinson fights in-between odd jobs in order to make a living for her and her sister Tess, who is in severe debt.The character is based on a real pioneering figure in women's boxing.

Kelly Zekaslives in New York City and her writing partner Tarun Shanker is from Boston. Their previous collaboration is the trilogy These Vicious Masks.

Amanda Perez Puentes is a Venezuelan illustrator who now lives in Toronto.