Summer 2026 is here folks, and in this list we’ve compiled 5 new graphic novels that we consider perfect summer reading. There’s something for sci-fi fans, fantasy fans, and even the perfect, chaotic summer romance.
If your upcoming plans involve a beach towel, a hammock, or just hiding from the heat in a heavily air-conditioned room, you’re gonna need a gripping graphic novel to cozy up to. In this list, we’ve scoured through our highest-rated graphic novels releasing this summertime. Let’s take a tour.
Worst Man
Created by Brandt&Stein
If there was a graphic novel tailor-made for reading this summer, it’s Worst Man, the debut graphic novel from creators Brandt&Stein. It’s chaotic, warm, and best of all, humorous reading.
What makes Worst Man so good? Well, in our recent interview with the creators, they themselves provided the perfect elevator pitch. “Worst Man Radcliffe Raleigh is a professional relationship ruiner who insists on only working for clients who can convince him they have good intentions. The one time he broke his rule has come back to bite him in the ass: a vindictive billionaire he failed has given him 32 hours to ruin her youngest daughter’s wedding or die trying. But the handsome Best Man soon throws a spanner in the works; can Rad find a way to save both his heart and his life?”
Worst Man lands in stores and online on August 26, 2026.
Call Me By Your Name
Created by André Aciman (adapted for comics by Sarah Maxwell-McNicol)
Described as a “sundrenched graphic novel adaptation of one of the greatest love stories of our time,” Call Me By Your Name adapts the best-selling coming-of-age novel by André Aciman. Many of you will already be familiar with the story thanks to the fan-favorite 2017 movie. The graphic novel adaptation comes from Sarah Maxwell-McNicol, whose artwork looks breathtakingly good.
The official synopsis reads: “On the Italian Riviera, Elio welcomes his father’s house guest. Oliver is the picture of arrogance – all billowing shirts and snide comments – and Elio is convinced that Oliver will be someone he’ll grow to hate. Thrown together, a friendship blossoms as the pair spend endless hours walking treelined streets, enjoying sun-soaked lunches, and beating each other at tennis. Soon, Elio finds himself longing to make Oliver laugh and relishing glimpses of his glistening skin sprawled poolside. Over the restless weeks of the summer, an undeniable connection deepens as the two become entwined in the one thing both fear they may never truly find again: total intimacy.”
Call Me By Your Name debuts August 11.
Pre-Order 'Call Me By Your Name' here.
War of the Worlds: Thunder Child
Written by Matthew Hardy and Rob Jones, illustrated by Kevin Castaniero, and coloured by Simon Gough.
Thunder Child tells a story that was never covered in the original work. It explores the crew of the Thunder Child, a Royal Navy warship that sacrifices itself destroying Martian tripods to save refugees. H.G. Wells describes the battle surrounding Thunder Child in great detail, but the more personal tales of the warships’s crew are not greatly explored, and this graphic novel does a stellar job at picking up grey areas of the original novel.
“The original idea to tell the story of the Thunder Child in comic format came from my co-writer, Rob Jones. He’s a massive fan of the Jeff Wayne musical and in particular the Thunder Child segment” co-creator Matthew Hardy told us. “He pitched the idea to me – and initially I was reluctant to delve into writing an existing property – especially one so loved and revered (plus fans of certain properties can be very…passionate about any new versions). But the more I looked into the Thunder Child – the more I realised, there was a massive untold story there, a fertile bed on which we could build our own little corner of that world. Plus it was damn fun to write all the battle scenes – carnage is catnip to writers.”
The War of the Worlds: Thunder Child graphic novel releases on June 2, 2026.
Pre-order 'War of the Worlds: Thunder Child' here.
Created by Gregory Maguire (adapted and illustrated by illustrations by Scott Hampton)
Return to Oz in Wicked: The Graphic Novel: Part 2, continuing the journeys of Elphaba and Glinda. After being adapted into a stage musical and two movies, this graphic novel adaptation from Scott Hampton sticks most closely to the source material — a fantastical story with dark edges that explores morality and ambition, love and friendship, and discovering one’s inner power.
The graphic novel offers gorgeous illustrations, providing a breathtaking foray into Oz through the comics medium.
Wicked: The Graphic Novel Part 2 releases on June 16
Pre-order 'Wicked: The Graphic Novel Part 2' here.
Little Nightmares: Descent to Nowhere
Created by Lonnie Nadler
From the award-winning game series comes a new graphic novel. Cerebral and surreal, Little Nightmares: Descent to Nowhere forever changes and expands the world of Little Nightmares. The graphic novel edition collects issues #1-#4 and comes complete with behind-the-scenes content showcasing how the story and artwork was developed.
The official synopsis reads: A timid, mute girl named Hush awakes in a freezing jail cell with a cast on her arm. Not knowing how she got here, Hush realises this is no ordinary prison, but a place ripped from nightmares. Desperate to escape, Hush befriends another prisoner, Mono, who understands this world and thus abandons the girl every chance he gets. Left to fend for herself, Hush must slink through the labyrinthine corridors where monstrosities lurk around every corner. Elsewhere, drug-addicted detective Myra Wan is exhausted from living in a city where everyone ignores the strange darkness and depravity around them. She plans to end life on her own terms– until she meets a naive officer, Marion Guy, whose blind resolve convinces her to try one last time to make a difference. But in The Counties, where sinister secrets hide in every alleyway, where do they begin? With the children, of course. The little ones who vanish year after year without a trace. Though Hush and the detective’s seem realities apart, the connection between them is more puzzling and unnerving than even the worst of dreams could conjure.
Little Nightmares: Descent to Nowhere releases on July 7.
Pre-order 'Little Nightmares: Descent to Nowhere' here.
Which new graphic novel are you most excited to read in Summer 2026? Tell us in the comments down below!
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