Love is in the air, on the web, and on bookshelves. The biggest web-to-print graphic novels in recent years include Rachel Smythe’s Greek mythology–based romantasy Lore Olympus, Ngozi Ukazu’s hockey team romance Check, Please!, and Alice Oseman’s high school dramedy Heartstopper. Comics fans have fallen hard for romance, with a penchant in particular for queer love and romantasy subgenres—and publishers are following suit, sourcing story lines that have already proven popular online. Here is a sampling of the most heart-pounding webtoons and webcomics coming to print, including YA and adult titles.
Boyfriends
A jock, a nerd, a prep, and a goth are all friends—and boyfriends. Through short vignettes illustrated in pastel chibi art, this gentle romantic comedy follows four charming college men as they establish and navigate a queer polyamorous relationship.
Covenant
In a world where exorcists wield sacred weapons and holy tattoos to battle demons, Ezra, an exorcist in danger of losing his faith, is sent on a mission from God to protect an apparently normal human called Sunny. This dark fantasy combines action, magic, and yaoi (boys’ love) romance.
How to Love: A Guide to Feelings & Relationships for Everyone
Norris answers reader questions about love—Why does love bring pain as well as happiness? How can you tell if it’s too early to say “I love you”?—with thoughtful reflections and colorful, abstracted art. Ages 14 and up.
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999
After her boyfriend dumps her, college student Akane lets off steam through online gaming. She falls for Yamada, a pro gamer, but can’t tell if the neurodivergent-coded Yamada feels the same way. This offbeat romance manga was serialized online in Japan before being picked up for print publication.
Through the Elder Woods (Nothing Special #1)
Callie and Declan, two teenagers with not-quite-human powers, bond while on a quest to rescue Callie’s father from a magical realm. Cook’s cheerful animation-style art creates a lively fantasy backdrop for adventure and romance.
Rainbow!
Neurodivergent teenager Boo Meadows uses her overactive imagination to escape from her troubled home life. When she falls for Mimi, the tough new girl at school, she has to sort out the differences between reality and fantasy. Gloom’s candy-colored art will appeal to fans of Steven Universe and Bee and Puppycat. Ages 12 and up.
