I love to read and I love art, so I wonder: what better way is there to enjoy the two than by reading a graphic novel?

Graphic novels combine dialogue and images (often gorgeously illustrated) to create compelling stories. In the past, I have enjoyed reading graphic novels, but recently I have really come to appreciate everything the medium has to offer. Everyone knows about superhero comics. In fact, some people only know of superheroes and not much else. It was not until I started delving deeper that I realized the wealth of genres and topics graphic novels cover and how much I had been missing out. Just like novels, graphic novels are not limited to any specific genre–the variety of topics are limitless. They range from nonfiction memoirs and quiet slice-of-life stories to science fiction dystopias and gritty thrillers. For me, one of my favorite genres is fun adventure stories. They can be exciting and fast-paced but also deep and thought provoking. They can take you on a journey across the land on a quest, solving riddles and defeating monsters. Or you can find yourself exploring a city’s maze-like streets while you evade the enemy within.

I love adventure graphic novels because they can transport you to another world for just an afternoon. It’s a great way to escape the confines of reality when you do not have a lot of time. But what’s even better is that most graphic novels are series, so the story doesn’t end with just the first volume. You can enjoy a lazy day, binging the volumes together, or savor the experience and read them over a longer period. However you choose to consume your graphic novels, these series that I’ve included will no doubt keep you entertained for afternoons to come. Best of all, you do not need to be a kid to enjoy a good adventure story.