Up to 11: Music in Graphic Novels

By Kat La Mantia | September 30 2022 | Graphic Novels

Comics and music go hand in hand, both the realm of artists on the fringe. From the DIY zine scene, so integral to indie bands and comics alike, to a slickly printed graphic biographical adaptation, both artforms can often be found orbiting around each other. For music-lovers, reading a graphic novel centered on music can often be a uniquely synesthetic experience, adding another element to the imagination it already takes for your brain to bridge the gaps between panels.

Feel free to browse through our top selections of books that marry the visual and the sonic arts.

Nowhere Girl
978-1-913123-19-2
The story of a young Parisian girl lost in the gulf between childhood and adulthood, navigating depression... and discovering the Beatles.
$19.99 US
Sep 13, 2022
FOC Aug 08, 2022
Paperback
128 Pages
Nobrow
Age 16 and up

Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band
978-1-68405-714-6
Experience the riveting, powerful story of the Native American civil rights movement and the resulting struggle for identity told through the high-flying career of West Coast rock 'n' roll pioneers Redbone.
$19.99 US
Oct 27, 2020
Paperback
160 Pages
IDW Publishing

Suncatcher
(A Graphic Novel)
978-0-593-12482-6
Filled with music, passion, supernatural secrets, and family, Jose Pimienta's Suncatcher brings to life a contemporary story of a girl growng up in Mexicali, with a supernatural twist and a lot of music.
$24.99 US
May 19, 2020
Hardcover
224 Pages
Random House Graphic
Age 12 and up

The Phantom of the Opera - Official Graphic Novel
978-1-78773-190-5
From the original libretto of Andrew Lloyd Webber's world-famous, multi-award-winning musical that has been playing continuously around the world for over 33 years comes this fully authorized graphic novel adaptation.
$29.99 US
Jan 11, 2022
Hardcover
112 Pages
Titan Comics

The Montague Twins #2: The Devil's Music
(A Graphic Novel)
978-0-525-64680-8
The Hardy Boys meets Paper Girls in the second volume of this mystery series featuring teen detectives, witches, and now a mystery rock 'n' roll song capable of a sinister, Pied Piper-like hypnosis.
$25.99 US
Feb 22, 2022
FOC Nov 08, 2021
Hardcover
320 Pages
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Age 12 and up

Ballad for Sophie
978-1-60309-498-6
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)!A young journalist prompts a reclusive piano superstar to open up, resulting in this stunning graphic sonata exploring a lifetime of rivalry, regret, and redemption.
$24.99 US
Nov 02, 2021
Paperback
320 Pages
Top Shelf Productions

Bill and Ted Are Doomed
978-1-5067-2252-8
This new series is a direct sequel to Bogus Journey and prequel to Face the Music and part of the Bill and Ted canon bringing in screenwriter and creator Ed Solomon to the table along with bringing back legendary Bill and Ted comics writer Evan Dorkin and acclaimed artist Roger Langridge!After defeating the evil dictator De Nomolos in Bogus Journey in 1995, things aren't looking as excellent as they should for either Bill and Ted or Wyld Stallyns.
$19.99 US
Apr 13, 2021
Paperback
104 Pages
Dark Horse Books

Emily and the Strangers Volume 2: Breaking the Record
978-1-61655-598-6
Emily the Strange is an international fashion brand and publishing phenomenon. Emily the Strange creator Rob Reger reteams with cowriter Mariah Huehner (True Blood, Angel) and artist Cat Farris (Angry Birds) for a brand-new, full-color Emily the Strange story full of evil record companies, stray cat struts, science, and music!
$12.99 US
Mar 17, 2015
Hardcover
88 Pages
Dark Horse Books
Age 10-17 years

Emily and the Strangers Volume 3: Road to Nowhere Tour
978-1-5067-0058-8
Emily the Strange is an international fashion brand and publishing phenomenon. Emily creator Rob Reger reteams with co-writer Mariah Huehner (True Blood, Angel) and artist Cat Farris (Angry Birds) for this full-color Emily the Strange story full of evil record companies, stray cat struts, science, and music!
$12.99 US
Apr 11, 2017
Hardcover
88 Pages
Dark Horse Books

Tomorrow
978-1-5067-1803-3
A shocking new story for 2020 by critically acclaimed and legendary writer Peter Milligan, breakout artist Jesús Hervas, and dynamic colorist James Devlin.
$19.99 US
Nov 10, 2020
Paperback
128 Pages
Berger Books

The Umbrella Academy Volume 1: Apocalypse Suite
978-1-59307-978-9
The New York Times bestselling comics series that was the inspiration for The Umbrella Academy on Netflix, now on Season 3!In an inexplicable worldwide event, forty-three extraordinary children were spontaneously born to women who'd previously shown no signs of pregnancy. Millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves adopted seven of the children; when asked why, his only explanation was, "To save the world."These seven children form the Umbrella Academy, a dysfunctional family of superheroes with bizarre powers. Their first adventure at the age of ten pits them against an erratic and deadly Eiffel Tower, piloted by the fearsome zombie-robot Gustave Eiffel. Nearly a decade later, the team disbands, but when Hargreeves unexpectedly dies, these disgruntled siblings reunite just in time to save the world once again.• This volume collects the first six-issue series, as well as out-of-print short stories and an expanded sketchbook section featuring work by Gabriel Bá, James Jean, and Gerard Way.• "Flawless…stylish, imaginative."—Newsarama• Listed as one of the Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens by the Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA).• Amazon.com's #1 Graphic Novel of 2008!• A New York Times bestseller!
$17.99 US
Jul 22, 2008
Paperback
184 Pages
Dark Horse Books