10 Best Comic Books Of 2019

4. Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me - Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

Mariko Tamaki has been having an amazing couple of years. Whether she's writing the adventures of Laura and Gabby in X-23 or presiding over a new take on Harleen Quinzel in Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, Tamaki keeps on finding ways to craft some really brilliant stories.

Tamaki's talent is arguably best represented in Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, a First Second Books work centred around a queer romance that grows toxic. Tamaki is joined by artist Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, who beautifully relays the story of Frederica Riley, the girl Laura Dean keeps breaking up with.

The story itself is remarkably heartfelt, and also full of wisdom. Within Laura Dean lies a really valuable message about love, and how everyone deserves genuine, real, authentic love. It's occasionally painful, but the best coming-of-age romances typically are - and this one has added value in that its main protagonist is a young, queer teen trying to navigate the perils of growing up.

Tamaki and Valero-O'Connell's comic stands out as a must-read this year, and exemplifies the strength of newer comics geared towards the young adult market.