When I was a kid, my mom used to bring me Archie comics. Though many years have passed since those days pulling for Veronica to win Archie’s heart, my love for comics/graphic novels of any kind has still remained. Whether it be superheroes saving the world, comic book adaptations of Pride and Prejudice or The Handmaid’s Tale, or something more artistic like works by Christophe Chabouté, I am ready to dive in. Here are five authors that you should check out if you love getting lost in the pages of an illustrated haven of extraordinary humans, darkness and epic stories.

Neil Gaiman

All hail the king! Gaiman is the author to read if you love comics. No matter what mood you are in, he has a book which will give you exactly what you want. Interested in urban fantasy? One-click Neverwhere. Are you into mythology? Try Norse Mythology. Looking for an adventure with a side of myths, legends, secrets and discovery? Read American Gods. Want to read about the end of the world? Pick up Good Omens. I am not joking… pick a theme, and you will have a Gaiman book to curl up with.

V. E. Schwab

Schwab is a master at creating fabulous tales that are darkly addictive. She has two must-read series. The Villains series will give you a perfectly gritty comic-book-style world. In these books, you enter a place where gaining superpowers don’t automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question. In The Shades of Magic series, the author gives us more fantasy. Though we still have a battle between good and evil, so don’t worry. Honestly, once you start, you are not going to want to stop until you finish book three.

Pierce Brown

Brown is the acclaimed author of the Red Rising series. His stories are some of the best dystopian science fiction I have read in a while. In the first three books, the reader follows Darrow on his journey as he is forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. Then in book four, we all jump 10 years. Unfortunately, the Rising didn’t do what Darrow wanted. Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Red Rising was the story of the end of one universe. Iron Gold is the story of the creation of a new one.

Marissa Meyer

Meyer is best known for her series, The Lunar Chronicles. The stories take the classic fairytales we have all come to know and offer a unique twist. However, it is The Renegades series that I think comic lovers will be drawn to. It is about humans who have extraordinary abilities and secret identities who want to save the world. I mean… am I right or am I right? Marvel and DC fans alike will no doubt find this series intriguing.

Justin Cronin

I know that The Passage series has become popular lately because of the TV show. However, Cronin created this world in 2010, and it still amazes readers to this day. This is an epic series, and the books are massive. I remember sitting down with the first book one summer and never thinking I would get through it. Flash forward… I have read all three and loved them. If you are into vampires and a post-apocalyptic story, this is a series you should definitely read.

The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy by Sam Maggs

The Fangirls’ Guide to the Galaxy is probably one of my favorite books. It is the book for women living the nerdy life. It is a fun and feminist take on the often male-dominated world of geekdom. If you are a comic-loving nerd, embrace it and read this book!