Top 10 books about the Roman empire
From Edward Gibbon to Asterix the Gaul, the astonishing endurance of the largest state Europe has ever known continues to inspire a compelling literature
Best comics and graphic novels of 2021
Alison Bechdel on her exercise obsession and a spectacular cold war epic from Marvel veteran Barry Windsor-Smith are among this year’s finest
The best graphic novels of 2021
There were sublime tales of fitness and bad but gifted fathers – but the story of a young girl’s everyday existence was this year’s standout title, wooing readers of all ages
Is Superman Circumcised? wins oddest book title of the year award
Study of the superhero’s Jewish influences beats off stiff competition to come first in this year’s Diagram prize
Unmasked: the Penguin saves world from Covid in Danny DeVito’s Batman story
The actor, who played him in Batman Returns, has written a storyline for an 80th anniversary edition of the DC comic which sees him vaccinate the planet
No straight lines: Alison Bechdel and the unstoppable rise of queer comics
The artist discusses her role in an eye-opening new documentary that trails the history of LGBTQ+ comic books and the people behind them
The Waiting by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim review – heartbreaking Korean war tale
The author of Grass works another miracle with this semi-autobiographical tale of a family separated by conflict
Playlist review – relatable, quirky Parisian quarter-life drama
Graphic novelist Sophie is disillusioned with adulthood in Nine Antico’s black and white, Paris-set drama of twentysomething life
How our art critic ended up in the Beano: The Art of Breaking the Rules – review
From Viz to the fourth plinth to David Bowie, the perennially upstart comic’s influence rampages on – and even our own Adrian Searle can’t get off scot-free
DC Comics swaps Superman motto ‘the American way’ with ‘a Better Tomorrow’
Announcement comes after revelations that new version of Superman is bisexual
Tunnels by Rutu Modan review – Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Hergé
This thrilling graphic novel about the hunt for a sacred relic in the divided lands of Israel and Palestine will be read for decades to come
DC Comics reveals latest Superman as bisexual in new issue
The Man of Steel will be in a same-sex relationship while combatting the climate crisis and protesting against the deportation of refugees
The Jonathan Cape/Observer/Comica graphic short story prize 2021 – enter now!
The annual award for aspiring cartoonists offers the chance to be published in the Observer and win a cheque for £1,000, with past winners going on to land film and book deals
Origin story of Dennis the Menace’s jumper to be revealed
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Beano’s longest-running character, comic strip The Epic Yarn of Awesomeness will tell the garment’s backstory
Marvel sues to retain control of Avengers characters
The comics giant has issued lawsuits in a bid to hold on to the copyright of heroes including Spider-Man and Iron Man