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50 Favorite Historical Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are a powerful way to explore the past. The books in this list combine illustrations and story to create unforgettable historical experiences, with a visual flair that grabs even reluctant readers.

The People of the Indus

Beautiful graphic novel introduction to the Indus Valley civilization

The Adventures of Hercules

Graphic novel adaptation of the Theseus myth

Yu the Great: Conquering the Flood

Graphic novel adaptation of a Shang Dynasty legend

The Iliad

Graphic novel retelling of the Iliad

The Odyssey

Graphic novel retelling of the Odyssey

Orpheus in the Underworld

Graphic novel retelling of the Orpheus myth

The Miracle Seed

Inspiring graphic novel about archeologists who revived the lost Judean date palm

The Aeneid: A Graphic Novel

Graphic novel adaptation of the Aeneid

The Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde

Graphic novel of an archaeologist having an adventure in Mesa Verde

A Viking Adventure

Time-travel graphic novel about a Viking voyage

The Bayeux Tapestry: The Comic Strip

Graphic novel version of the Bayeux Tapestry

Barbarians and the Birth of Chinese Identity

Song Chinese history in a graphic novel format

Crusades

Graphic novel retelling of battles during the first three Crusades

The Merchant of Venice

Graphic novel retelling of Shakespeare’s tale set in medieval Venice

The Smoking Mountain: The Story of Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl

Graphic novel based on an Aztec legend

Agincourt 1415

Graphic novel retelling of the Battle of Agincourt

The Black Death

Three plague stories told in graphic novel form

Johann Gutenberg and the Printing Press

Graphic novel about an important invention

Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada

Graphic novel about Elizabeth I’s leadership during the Spanish Armada

Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas

Joyful graphic novel based on a real female pirate

William Penn: Founder of Pennsylvania

Graphic novel biography of colony founder William Penn

Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin

Graphic novel introduction to Eli Whitney and his most famous invention

The Underground Abductor

Thrilling graphic novel about Harriet Tubman

Nat Turner’s Slave Rebellion

Graphic novel telling of the slave revolt lead by Nat Turner

Blades of Freedom: A Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase

Excellent graphic novel introduction to the Haitian Revolution and its ties to the Louisiana Purchase

Black Heroes of the Wild West

Graphic novel with three extraordinary true stories about Old West figures

Alamo All-Stars: A Texas Tale

Excellent graphic novel about the fight over Texas

King Shaka: Zulu Legend

Exciting graphic novel about Zulu ruler, King Shaka

Boxers

Exciting graphic novel about a boy who joins the Boxer Rebellion

Big Bad Ironclad! A Civil War Tale

Thrilling graphic novel about two ironclad Civil War ships and their roles in the conflict

Donner Dinner Party

Engrossing graphic novel about the Donner party

Major Impossible

Exciting graphic novel about John Wesley Powell’s expedition in the Grand Canyon

Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood

Excellent graphic novel overview of WWI

Line Of Fire: Diary Of An Unknown Soldier

Graphic novel adaptation of a real WWI soldier’s diary

Blood Upon the Rose: Easter 1916

Graphic novel about Ireland's Easter Rising

Between Shades of Gray: The Graphic Novel

Moving graphic novel about a girl exiled to Siberia with her family

The Great American Dust Bowl

Powerful graphic novel that brings the Dust Bowl to life

Raid of No Return

Exciting graphic novel about WWII's Doolittle Raid

Normandy: A Graphic History of D-Day

Gripping graphic novel about WWII's D-Day

The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel

Graphic novel telling the true story of a girl safeguarding books in Auschwitz

They Called Us Enemy

Stunning graphic novel memoir of the actor’s childhood internment in a camp

Stealing Home

Graphic novel about a boy using baseball to cope with internment, plus history of the policy

My Nest of Silence

Graphic novel about a Japanese-American girl whose family is interred and brother is fighting in the Army

Catherine’s War

Graphic novel about a Jewish French girl hiding during WWII under a fake name

Barefoot Gen, Vol. 1

First in a graphic novel series about Hiroshima and its aftermath

Little White Duck

Graphic novel about two sisters whose world changes when Mao dies

Red Scare: A Graphic Novel

Exciting sci-fi graphic novel set in Cold War America

Cold War Correspondent

Excellent graphic novel telling the true story of a Korean War journalist

The Delano Grape Strike

Graphic novel about the grape strike that helped farm workers gain rights

All Rise

Outstanding graphic novel telling six true stories of resistance against Apartheid in South Africa

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