The best graphic novels of 2008 in adult, young adult and children's categories. Collection development advice for librarians in New Jersey.

1. The Year’s Best Graphic Novels 2008 Karla Ivarson David Lisa Laverne Mann Tyler Rousseau

7. What it is- Lynda Barry Writer and cartoonist shows readers how she makes art and encourages us to make our own.

8. Interior- What It Is

9. Cairo- G. Willow Wilson A gripping narrative, mixing magic, politics and romance the knowledgeable view of the Islamic world and interesting visual effects.

10. Interior-- Cairo- G. Willow Wilson

11. Tonoharu- Lars Martinson Daniel Wells begins a new life as an assistant junior high school teacher in the rural Japanese village of Tonoharu.

12. Tonoharu- Interior

13. Tiny Titans (DC Comics) Kid-friendly versions of the Teen Titans and their rogues gallery star in this fun, light-hearted, all-ages romp beautifully written and illustrated by Art Baltazar and Franco .

14. Mini Marvels (Juvenile) Featuring Spidey, Wolvie, Iron Man, Hulk and more Marvel favorites – reimagined for an all-ages audience!

15. Interior- Mini Marvels (Juvenile)

16. Tales from the Starlight Drive-in Michael San Giocomo 32 stories taking place over 50 years at a Drive-In Theater -- Mirroring life and the cinema with tales of crime, romance, science fiction, musicals.

17. Rapunzel’s Revenge-Shannon, Dean & Natathan Hale (Juvenile) Transforming her shiny red locks into lightning-fast lassoes, Rapunzel rescues herself and manages to rid the kingdom of evil with Jack and his mysterious goose.

18. Interior-Rapunzel’s Revenge

19. Hellboy-Mike Mignola Raised by American GIs after he was pulled from the underworld in a thwarted Nazi occult experiment , Hellboy chooses to be a force for good, battling demons with brute strength and bullets.

20. Interior-Hellboy

21. Jamilti-Rutu Modan Set in Israel during throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, these evocative and haunting short stories range from revelations of disturbing family secrets to beauty amid political violence.

22. Interior-Jamilti

23. Nat Turner-Kyle Baker Baker illustrates the violence and brutality of the largest organized rebellion of enslaved people in the first half of the 19th century.

24. Interior-Nat Turner

25. J. Edgar Hoover: a graphic biography -Rick Geary Geary's detailed and engaging account of J. Edgar Hoover's rise within the FBI is an informative history of the agency itself.

26. Interior-J. Edgar Hoover

28. The Arrival Interior

30. Robot Dreams Interior

32. The Twelve Interior

34. Twilight Zone interior

35. The Sword by The Luna Brothers Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers show up on her family's doorstep and demand a mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

36. The Sword by The Luna Brothers Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers show up on her family's doorstep and demand a mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls). The Sword by The Luna Brothers Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers show up on her family's doorstep and demand a mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

37. The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspeil Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label. The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspeil Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label. The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspeil Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

38. The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspeil Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

39. Locke & Key by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriquez Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse. Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez. Locke & Key by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriquez Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse. Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

40. Locke & Key by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriquez Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse. Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

41. Zot! 1987-1991: The Complete Black and White Collection by Scott McCloud Scott McCloud’s comic book series Zot! was originally published from 1984 to 1990 by Eclipse Comics.The first 10 issues are in color and, unfortunately, out of print. This volume, however, collects #'s 11 - 36, all of the black and white issues, and can be read as a self-contained story. Zot! is the story of Jenny and her friendship with a superhero from another world.

42. Zot! 1987-1991: The Complete Black and White Collection by Scott McCloud Scott McCloud’s comic book series Zot! was originally published from 1984 to 1990 by Eclipse Comics.The first 10 issues are in color and, unfortunately, out of print. This volume, however, collects #'s 11 - 36, all of the black and white issues, and can be read as a self-contained story. Zot! is the story of Jenny and her friendship with a superhero from another world.

43. Local by Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly Local brings together 12 issues of a comic book series reprinted as a hardcover graphic novel. Each of the twelve chapters are individual moments of Megan McKeenan's existence as she wanders from locality to locality in the United States, searching for her life. Brian Wood is the author of the critically acclaimed comic book series DMZ.

44. Local by Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly Local brings together 12 issues of a comic book series reprinted as a hardcover graphic novel. Each of the twelve chapters are individual moments of Megan McKeenan's existence as she wanders from locality to locality in the United States, searching for her life. Brian Wood is the author of the critically acclaimed comic book series DMZ.