When we think of adaptation, we often think of multimedia or language changes. Illustrated stories are also a form of adaptation. Today, we want to talk about graphic novels that adapt books into a visual format on the page. Graphic novels aren’t just for children, and some of the best are adaptations of classic books.
The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel by Maggie Stiefvater, adapted by Stephanie Williams, illustrated by Sas Milledge
The illustrated adaptation of the iconic YA series follows the same story as its source material’s first book, The Raven Boys. In it, we follow Blue Sargent, who is ordinary in a family of psychics. She teams up with Gansey, a student at the all-boys school, Aglionby, and three other Aglionby boys to find a long-lost dead Welsh King who is rumored to be buried under the small Virginia town. Stephanie Williams and Sas Milledge reimagine The Raven Boys, with new, stunning illustrated pages, bringing the classic story to life. It’s available for pre-order now and officially releases July 29, 2025!
The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition by Suzanne Collins, illustrated by Nico Delort
With the recent release of Sunrise on the Reaping, it’s the perfect time to rediscover The Hunger Games series now as a graphic novel! The Illustrated Edition covers the first book in the trilogy. If you don’t already know, the first book is about Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a dystopian world of Panem where each year, the Capital chooses two children from each of the twelve districts to fight to the death in a tournament-style game as punishment for past rebellion. When her sister, Primrose, is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place. In the depths of the deadly game, victory will come at a steep cost, but it may be the only way to save the districts.
Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings
The graphic novel adaptation of Butler’s Kindred is a searing look at the violent effects of slavery as a young Black woman, Dana, is settling into her new home with her husband in 1970s California. Suddenly, she is transported to the antebellum South, where she must confront her progenitor, Rufus, a white slaveholder. Kindred is a classic novel perfect for the illustrated medium. It’s filled with dynamic images that bring out another layer of Butler’s amazing story.
The Infernal Devices Manga Series by Cassandra Clare, illustrated by Hyekyung Baek
The Infernal Devices trilogy is another YA classic that has a manga adaptation, with every book in the trilogy having its own graphic counterpart. Just like the novels, the manga follows Tessa Gray, a 16-year-old who travels to Victorian London after her aunt dies, and finds herself absorbed in the dangerous supernatural underbelly of London. She is saved by a mysterious young man, Will, a half-angel, half-human warrior — also known as a shadowhunter — who is tasked with hunting demons. As she gets further involved with the Shadow world, she may find out she’s more connected to the world than she thought.
The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood, adapted and illustrated by Renée Nault
Renée Nault’s illustrated adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale brings Atwood’s story to life. In the Republic of Gilead, women like Offred are only valued for their fertility and are forbidden to read, hold a job, or have any semblance of independence and autonomy. Once a month, she must lie with the Commander in hopes he gets her pregnant, but she also remembers the days before Gilead. Her memory becomes her only source of rebellion.
Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Anne Frank, adapted by Ari Folman, illustrated by David Polonsky
This graphic novel illustrates Anne Frank’s diary with extensive quotes pulled directly from the original source. It depicts her harrowing, true tale of Anne Frank who hid in her attic in Amsterdam from Nazis for two years. An adaptation of a true story doesn’t get more faithful than this graphic novel. It’s a truly timeless piece of Holocaust literature you can’t miss.
The Metamorphosis: The Illustrated Edition by Franz Kafka, adapted and illustrated by Peter Kuper
Kuper’s illustration mixes American cartoon and German expressionism to create a vivid graphic novel of Kafka’s iconic Metamorphosis. In both books, Gregor Samsa wakes up one day with a segmented body, multiple legs, and an armor-plated back. He is now a giant beetle, but his transformation makes him a disgrace to his family and a perpetual outsider. It’s a meditation on human isolation and inadequacy. The uncanny and witty novel makes for a perfect visual page-turner.
These graphic novels are great for those who’ve read the source material or are looking for their favorite story in a new form.
Want more graphic novel recommendations? Click here!
Check out our Illustrious Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels bookshelf on Bookshop!
