2023 Releases
Here's everything Top Shelf has planned for 2023 (subject to change) listed in order of release -- with a few highlights from 2022 as well! Do yourself a favor this year and try some things that you're not that familiar with. You won't be disappointed.
And click on the links for a quick look at the entire publishing schedule; our mature-reader perennials, and our all-ages perennials.
December 2022
Ballad for Sophie
by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia
One of the American Library Association's Top 10 Best Graphic Novels for Adults!
Nominated for four Eisner Awards!
Nominated for two Harvey Awards!
Nominated for five Ringo Awards!
Nominated for the American Cartoonists Society Reuben Award (Graphic Novel Division)!
Watch Juan Cavia's cover …
Radical: My Year with a Socialist Senator
by Sofia Warren
“What kind of politico embeds a cartoonist in her office for a year? Well, a remarkably savvy one, it turns out, and the payoff is Sofia Warren’s beautifully-rendered account of a rookie’s initiation into state politics: an exhilarating baptism of fire, and a sorely-needed love letter to the …
Loved and Lost: A Relationship Trilogy
"An extremely impressive debut, full of all the things that make a story good — doomed relationships, embarrassing personal details, and the insatiable need to put it all down on paper." — Chris Ware, author of Jimmy Corrigan and Rusty Brown
"You can open to any page and find something …
Free Pass
"Free Pass is an optimistic, clever and amusing look at where we are heading as a society. And Julian’s use of colour is gorgeous." — Chester Brown, author of Ed the Happy Clown, Paying for It, and Louis Riel
"Hanshaw has outdone himself with Free Pass. A futuristic sex fantasy that is as …
The Bend of Luck
by Peter Hoey and Maria Hoey
✭ "The Bend of Luck is both a lyrical modern-day fable and a somber crime drama that turns on a touch of magic realism and the true, intricate twists of fate and chance that connect people to one another... never dull for an instant; lyrical, somber, but immensely satisfying." — Booklist …
Doughnuts and Doom
“Sweet and sapphic in every way, Doughnuts and Doom is everything my gay, witchy, baked-good-loving heart could ever want.” — Sam Maggs, author of Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas
"This fast-paced enemies-to-lovers romance, filled with magic, music, and pastries, is an upbeat …
Order of the Night Jay (Book One): The Forest Beckons
“A fun camp adventure for those who adore talking & clothes-wearing animals!” —School Library Journal
“A detective-duo heist, a moving and cautionary tale of friendship & openness prevailing against prejudice, or a chilling campfire yarn... [Order of the Night Jay] somehow manages to be …
The Science of Surfing: A Surfside Girls Guide to the Ocean
by Kim Dwinell
Soon to be an Apple TV+ series!
“This fun book contains lots of cool marine biology and oceanography tidbits for budding surfers… and future scientists! Surfing is an amazing way to enjoy the ocean, and the more you know, the better a guest you’ll be to the wonderful creatures that live …
January 2023
Edmund White’s A Boy’s Own Story: The Graphic Novel
by Edmund White, Brian Alessandro, Michael Carroll, and Igor Karash
Edited by Ryan Runstadler
"A provocative coming-of-age story, adapted for a new generation of readers, offering further insight and emotional depth to a landmark work in the panoply of LGBTQ fiction. A true tribute to the original, and to Edmund White’s inimitable voice, on the 40th anniversary of his breakthrough …
Ashes
by Álvaro Ortiz
"The first great graphic novel of 2023." — IGN
“Álvaro Ortiz mixes The Sopranos, The Wire, The Bridges of Madison County, Paul Auster and David Lynch in a blender, and instead of mint leaves he adds a pinch of his morbid but amazing imagination, which gives the authentic flavor to the …
Super Trash Clash
"Mexican comic creator Edgar Camacho spins a fantastic story told in flashback…The effect is something like A Christmas Story, but for those elder Millennials and Gen Xers who argued in the schoolyards regarding the virtues of NES vs. Sega." —No Flying No Tights
"I highly recommend …
F.A.R.M. System
They’re super-strong, but are they powerful enough for the big leagues? If superheroes were real, they’d be a lot like pro athletes. But when supers start mysteriously dropping dead, all the agents and managers in the world may not be able to save them...
“Rich melds the business model of …
February 2023
Skull Cat (Book One): Skull Cat and the Curious Castle
“A delightful blend of cute, creepy, and absurd. I’ve got a lot of time for Skull Cat!” —Cam Kendell, illustrator of Fart Quest
“Finally, the big epic adventure that every little cat deserves! Norman Shurtliff has a knack for world-building that is enviable.” —Jens K Styve, creator …
March (Trilogy Slipcase Set)
by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Winner of the National Book Award
"March can help a new generation understand that the arc of the moral universe doesn't just bend toward justice; humans must struggle to bend it. To read Lewis's graphic memoir... is to be reminded that what so many have taken for granted in American life today …
March: Book One
by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Discover the phenomenal graphic novel memoir by US Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis!
Winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award — Special Recognition
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A #1 Washington Post Bestseller
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book
An ALA Notable Book
One of YALSA's …
March: Book Two
by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Don't miss the sequel to the #1 bestseller March: Book One!
New York Times Bestseller
One of YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Winner of the Will Eisner Award
Winner of the Street Literature Book Award Medal
Winner of the Denver Independent Comic & Art Expo Award
"With March, …
March: Book Three
by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell
Top Shelf is honored to present a milestone of comics history: the stunning conclusion to the award-winning and best-selling MARCH trilogy.
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
Winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Award
Winner of the …
They Called Us Enemy
by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker
A New York Times Bestseller!
An ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers!
Winner of the Will Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work!
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature!
Winner of the American Book Award!
Winner of the National Cartoonists Society …
March 2023
Glork Patrol (Book Three): Glork Patrol and the Magic Robot
"Glork Patrol and the Magic Robot is the kind of comic I would have loved as a new reader. The artwork is colorful and expressive and the story is silly yet exciting. Small wonder that Kochalka has won an Eisner Award for his children’s books! Highly recommended for any parent with children who …
April 2023
Cosmic Cadets (Book One): Contact!
by Mimi Alves and Ben Crane
"Cosmic Cadets is the perfect adventure for anyone who's dreamed of making first contact. Fun, fast-paced, and with a ton of heart." — Conor McCreery, author of The Last Witch
"Take the best of Star Trek (which I love) and mash it up with The Goonies (which I love), and you’ve got Cosmic …
June 2023
The Unpetables
"Pigmund and Lizárdo are flippin' awesome! They may be unpetable, but they're also UNSTOPPABLE! Bring on the next adventure!" — Rob Harrell, author of Wink, Batpig, Life of Zarf, and Monster on the Hill
“Take a wild ride with Dennis Messner’s The Unpetables. It’s the funniest adventure …
Cosmoknights (Book Two)
Escape was just the beginning. The sensational “gays in space” webcomic/graphic novel returns, with new faces, long-awaited reunions, higher stakes, and more thrilling action!
Pan has finally escaped her dead-end planet, piecing together a new sort of family with the rebel gladiators Bee & …
Chester 5000 (Book 1)
by Jess Fink
Winner of the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Series!
"Liquid and elegantly stylized." — Alan Moore
"Sexy and charming. This is pornography with a heart." — Noel Murray, The A.V. Club
"Fink's storytelling is as likely to pluck on your heartstrings as get you all steamed up." — Graeme …
July 2023
![The Second Fake Death of Eddie Campbell & The Fate of the Artist [FLIP HARDCOVER]](/catalog/covers/the_second_fake_death_of_eddie_campbell_cover_sm.jpg)
The Second Fake Death of Eddie Campbell & The Fate of the Artist [FLIP HARDCOVER]
Eddie Campbell is not himself. But these days, who is? It’s meta-fictional mystery and mischief as the award-winning artist of From Hell sets out to find his own imposter. Plus, on the flipside: a deluxe new presentation of The Fate of the Artist, Eddie Campbell’s classic work of graphic …
Shelley Frankenstein! (Book One): CowPiggy
Launching a new graphic novel series for young middle-grade readers! Shelley Frankenstein loves to create scary monsters, but for some reason they always turn out cute… until this time.
Shelley Frankenstein is the great-great-great-granddaughter of a pretty famous mad scientist. She loves to …
August 2023
Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz
by Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi
Discover the man behind Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang in this imaginative and tender-hearted tribute told in comic-strip format!
Charles M. Schulz was arguably the most influential and popular cartoonist of the 20th century, and he poured many of his own emotions and experiences …
But You Have Friends
When a dear friend dies by suicide, Emilia is left with only memories. Full of humor and poignancy, this graphic memoir is a meditation on the meaning of friendship and a love letter to an irreplaceable friend.
Emilia first met Charlotte in their school locker room in the late '90s. They quickly …
September 2023
Lisa Cheese and Ghost Guitar (Book 1): Attack of the Snack
by Kevin Alvir
Lisa is a sweet unicorn girl with a cyborg arm… and anger issues… who’s late for her first day of work. And if this occult fast food chain’s minions don’t stop attacking, she’ll never achieve her dream of making it as a musician!
Lisa Cheese moved to Earth City hoping to make a name …
October 2023
Transitions: A Mother's Journey
When Anne learns that her 19-year-old is a transgender man, she struggles to understand her son’s new identity. A new landmark in nonfiction comics, Transitions is a sympathetic, informative, and moving story of a family’s journey to acceptance.
“I thought I was open-minded… The news of …
What If We Were… (Book 2)
Teen girls rewrite the universe every day… but now they’re going even further! Reunite with Nathalie and Marie — and their new friend/crush Jane Doe — for their wildest, most hilarious games of imagination yet, including an extended fantasy epic!
Marie and Nathalie are the queens of …
November 2023
Rose Wolves (Book 1)
This wordless two-color graphic novel is an enthralling fable about disability, companionship, and transformation, set in the haunting beauty of the wild.
One day, a little girl picks an unusual flower from an unusual bush in the forest. Overnight, the flower blooms and turns into a magical …
December 2023
You Wish (Book 1)
by Jeff Victor
“A whimsical new twist on the genie legend! This book is gorgeous!” —Jeff Smith, creator of Bone
What if you found a genie’s magic lamp, and rubbed it only to discover that YOU were the genie?
Avery McLean is just your normal ten-year-old tomboy, helping her dad run a tiny, run-down …
Johnny Boo (Book 14): Johnny Boo is Bored! Bored! Bored!
Even “the best little ghost in the world” gets bored sometimes! But in the award-winning Johnny Boo series, fun is never far away. For instance, check out this magic hammer…
Johnny Boo lets Squiggle borrow his magic hammer so Squiggle can work on a mysterious project, but that leaves …
January 2024
In Utero
by Chris Gooch
Akira meets Aliens, and Annihilation means Evangelion, in this coming-of-age monster tale from award-winning graphic novelist Chris Gooch.
Twelve-year-old geek Hailey is dumped unceremoniously by her mum at a holiday camp in a dilapidated shopping mall. Alienated from the other kids, she …
February 2024
Mary Tyler MooreHawk
by Dave Baker
“Mary Tyler MooreHawk is a uniquely immersive psychedelic odyssey, etched in energetic and detailed linework and bursting with surreal invention and mind-boggling concepts. Strap yourself in and take a deep breath.” —Bryan Talbot, creator of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright
“America …
March 2024
Surfside Girls (Book 4): The Clue in the Reef
by Kim Dwinell
Splash into a new adventure with Sam & Jade in the graphic novel series that inspired the Apple TV+ show! Past and present collide with land and sea as the girls leave the mainland and strive to save the animals!
How did girls do anything dressed like this? Sam is cranky -- the Surfside Days …
ISBN 978-1-60309-529-7
April 2024
In Perpetuity
by Maria Hoey and Peter Hoey
It’s a surreal smuggling operation across the boundaries of life and death in the latest moody mystery from award-winning graphic novelists Peter & Maria Hoey.
In perpetuity, the Afterlife is just as the ancient Greeks imagined: an endless twilight where time stands still and shades have …
May 2024
Korgi: The Complete Tale
The beloved wordless fantasy graphic novel is now collected in a single epic volume! Fall in love with the wondrous world of Korgi Hollow, packed with thrills, laughs, and exquisitely illustrated animal magic.
One of the most adorable comics of our time now arrives in a bookshelf edition for all …
