In another packed episode, Iurgi and Mia discuss some of the latest news and new titles, which include two new graphic novels by Australian creators. Campbell Whyte returning with the highly anticipated Luna Express and Georgina Chadderton making her debut with Oh Brother. Also, the first twelve issues of Melbournian C.S. Pacat’s Fence have been collected into a new paperback.

02:00 Recent Reads

Mia:

Oh brother by Georgina Chadderton

Frieren: Beyond journey’s end, vol 1 by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe

Iurgi:

Frieren vols 1 to 3 

Paul Auster’s The New York Trilogy by David Mazzuchelli, Lorenzo Mattotti, Paul Kurasik. 

Luna Express by Campbell Whyte

10:42 News

• Edutopia highlights 12 middle-grade graphic novels that use visual storytelling to destigmatize mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
• Comics Bulletin ranks the top 10 standalone Batman graphic novels
• The 2025 Aurealis Awards finalists and the winner for Best Graphic Novel/Illustrated Work.
• The Comic Arts Awards of Australia were announced at the end of January. These awards were celebrating the best Australian comics published in 2024. Bronze, Silver and Gold, they're all winners and Iurgi couldn't be happier with Chris Gooch's In Utero receiving gold.
• The American Library Association (ALA) has officially launched its Outstanding Comics Awards, marking a significant milestone in library-backed literary recognition. French publisher Morgen, backed by industry veterans, enters the global market with high-profile deals including writer Ram V.

29:31 Our favourite picks of the new titles:

Oh Brother by Georgina Chadderton (Penguin Australia) [Australian creator]

Luna Express by Campbell Whyte (Top Shelf Productions) [Australian Creator]

Damsel in D.I.S.T.R.E.S.S. by Andrew Clemson, Mau Mora, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Maverick)

Batman and Robin Year One by Chris Samnee, Mark Waid (DC Comics)

Lovely Recipe by Myra Rose Nino (Random House)

Frieren Beyond Journey’s End, Vol. 14 by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe (VIZ media)

37:51 Closing

• We have a creator chat with Georgina Chadderton coming up. Mia give us a preview. 
• Thank you to everyone who reached out volunteering to join the judging panel of the ALIA Graphic Notable Australian Graphic Novels of 2025. We’ve received lots of expressions of interest and we couldn’t get everyone in but we’ve got three great panels, for Junior, YA and Adult and they’ll start reading the comics, so we’re hoping to announce the notables in May or June. There’s lots of reading to do.

To stay up to date, for the full roundup of news, resources and new titles and our social media links visit our website: https://graphic.alia.org.au/ 

The ALIA Graphic Groove Theme 2025 courtesy of Clint Owen Ellis https://www.clintowenellis.com/ 

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