Comics By Mood: Comics to read when you’re…happy

Rhys is nervous about his first year at college for reasons beyond the first-year jitters and academic stress; he has prosopagnosia, or face blindness, which makes navigating social situations extremely difficult. His housemate, Malcolm, though, is easy to talk to and has a smile like none other.

With a sweet romance, A Smile Like Yours is a comforting read that made me smile throughout. Its soft art, whimsical flourishes, and thoughtful exploration of anxiety, friendship, and love make it perfect for readers craving a new title after the conclusion of Heartstopper.

Megan Rupe

Author of the adorable and funny Narwhal and Jelly does it again, this time in the world of Aquaman. Marlow the manatee has always dreamed of being Aquaman's sidekick. One day he is bitten by a radioactive sea slug, hit by a mysterious space rock, and eats a powerful ring, and his dreams come true. He suddenly has superpowers, and Aquaman asks him to be his sidekick. With references to many different parts of the DC universe, grown-ups will enjoy sharing this intro to superheroes with the young readers in their lives.

Both fans of DC and Narwhal and Jelly will find something to love in this story.

Tayla Cardillo

In this collection of short comics, we meet animal friends Baloney, Peanut, Bizz, and Krabbit. These friends always seem to have a fun time together, except for Krabbit, who is always crabby. With bright, simple illustrations and the sense of humor kids can't seem to get enough of, this book will make young readers and their grown-ups smile.

Young comic fan ready to graduate from Elephant and Piggie will eat up Baloney and Friends.

Tayla Cardillo

Dan always thought it would be nice to settle down; he just didn’t expect his mother to suddenly leave him with his grandparents! The flamboyant, gregarious Dan stands out in his grandparents’ conservative Tennessee town, and his wit and entrepreneurial spirit draw people in or lead to clashes. Can he finally find a place to belong?

An ultimately hopeful story about acceptance, belonging, and family, Dan in Green Gables is a charming story, perfect for when you need a pick-me-up or need to believe people can find happiness in a difficult world.

Homophobia; assault; bullying; abuse

Megan Rupe

Fairy Cat tells the story of an adorable, tiny, long-haired cat that decides to live with Kanade, a typical high school student. Fairy Cats are mysterious creatures that cannot be kept as a pet, but sometimes choose to live with human companions. Instantly, Kanade is charmed by the tiny, cute cat he comes to call Fluffy. Each day he goes to school or falls asleep, he worries that Fluffy will leave, but instead he finds that Fluffy is making herself more at home. Kanade wants to be the best companion for Fluffy and continues to research and learn ways to make her happy. You will be delighted by each chapter as Fluffy integrates herself more into Kanade’s home.

Fairy Cat is written at a middle school level but will be appreciated by cat lovers through adults. Low on drama, this series will be a comforting and cozy pick for people looking for the simple joy of a cute animal.

Teresa Slobuski

Siblings J and K live together in Lilypad City. K is always building something in her mechano shop. When she builds a car, the only logical thing to do is to go on a road trip with the pair. As they run into trouble along the way, J wonders if it would have been better to have stayed home for a quiet afternoon in, but K uses her mechanical mind to get them out of a pinch every step of the way. With its rich colors and beautifully drawn landscapes, this book gives you the warm, contented feeling of watching a Ghibli film.

Young readers who already feel the call of the open road will love this pair's road trip adventure.

Tayla Cardillo

Mr. Villain’s Day Off takes the setting of an action manga but turns those tropes and expectations upside down. The protagonist is an alien General overseeing the Evil League, which seeks to destroy all humans and claim Earth as their own; however, most of the series focuses on his days off from this mission. Destroying civilization takes a lot of planning and hard work, but the General knows that he will only be able to keep up the pace if he takes breaks and maintains a good work-life balance. During his time off, the General finds simple joys such as trying new foods like meat buns and ice creams. After a trip to the zoo, he discovers a new passion in the form of all things panda. Although he occasionally crosses paths with one or more of humanity’s heroes, he largely maintains the separation from his work and seems to be decent enough to lend an umbrella or give helpful directions. The ultimate champion of self-care, the General is sure to remind you to enjoy the pleasures of day-to-day life.

Teens and adults will enjoy and resonate with the stress-relieving message of Mr. Villain’s Day Off. Hints of the more sinister and violent activities of the General are minimal, but provide an interesting backdrop that is further developed in each volume.

Regular references to death and destruction but little on page violence

Teresa Slobuski

Follow the ups and downs of daily life with cats Ton-chan and Shino-san, two very opposite in personality, and how they show their appreciation (or lack thereof) for their humans. As the series goes on, we see the two as they get a little older and slightly calmer, alongside both new and old cats, like memories of Tamako's childhood cats and new foster cats.

This series is an absolutely perfect choice for any cat owner. There are so many relatable moments for those of us who have chosen to have one of these silly little guys in our homes. Even for non-cat owners, though, the stories of My Cat Is Such A Weirdo are sweet and funny, guaranteed to lift any reader's mood.

Shannan Prukop

Megumi, a divorced mom in her 40s with a teen daughter, struggles with how open her daughter is about her nerdier interests and how accepted it is by her friends. Frequently, something her daughter says or does sends Megumi back in time, reminding her of her own youth, when being such an otaku was significantly less accepted by her peers. The story primarily unfolds through these memories and Megumi's experiences with love, friendship, and surviving high school.

This series is a lot of fun and can be a little painful for readers who remember being into anime and manga in the 1990s and 2000s (but in a fun way), and can be a little of a history lesson for younger fans who want to know what it was like in the past. Other than the otaku theming, this is a great pick for anyone who likes a romantic comedy series that has plenty of pining, yearning, and a love triangle that's not even a triangle at first. Read to find out what that means!

Shannan Prukop

Shibanban is the epitome of the cute, silly joyfulness of Shiba Inu dogs. The cast of kawaii pups was originally designed for stickers, and the comic offers a series of vignettes that any dog lover will find relatable. Most are standalone stories in the classic four-panel style. Each page shows off the charming nature of Shiba Inus in funny and sometimes surreal situations. Some comics have the everyday fun of dogs excited about food or meeting a friend on a walk, while others are silly interludes like a dog born of the fur pile after a brushing or dogs holding a press release. The fast read is filled with uplifting and fun stories that will make anyone happy.

Written at a middle-grade level, Shibanban is an easy read for 10 and up and may appeal to readers of all ages who love cute dogs. Some of the stories have minimal text and feature no violence or heavier themes, so even younger readers will be able to enjoy most of them independently.

Teresa Slobuski

Tasty answers questions about some of the most popular foods, like where they came from, really, and how they ended up being what they are now, while engaging the reader to be a part of the discussion with the return of the friendly food sprites. They walk readers through how various experiments led to foods such as ice cream and pickles, including the people behind these creations, and provide easy recipes to make at home.

While this is a nonfiction graphic novel, there are quite a few fictional elements, and the story-centered format means readers who want to learn more about food history but don't find most nonfiction appealing might enjoy Tasty. It's a great choice for younger readers who want approachable recipes to make with friends and family, too.

Shannan Prukop

Philonoe's birthmark is one curse she bears; the other is the family curse that has already led her sisters to betray their husbands. Nevertheless, Philonoe is determined to fulfill her duties and be a good wife to her betrothed; she visits Aphrodite and asks her to lift her curse. Aphrodite sends her on a quest. Philonoe sets out, followed by Artemis, who is determined to talk her out of it.

The Lost Daughter of Sparta is an engrossing story about learning to accept oneself and resisting worldly pressures. The Lost Daughter of Sparta will appeal to readers who love spins on classical myth or need a story about the importance of self-acceptance to happiness.

attempted sexual violence; manipulation; bullying/abuse--everything is very brief or discussed

Megan Rupe