Historically, July is the quietest month in the publishing world. Compared to previous Julys, this year has actually seen a robust array of new YA fiction hit shelves. The same isn’t true for comics and nonfiction, though. New releases for both mirror more typical Julys in publishing, meaning that this month’s roundup is pretty quiet.
Although there are fewer YA comics and YA nonfiction titles to find as we wrap up the seventh month of the year, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something here. It also presents an opportunity to do two things. First, it’s a chance to catch up on the titles that have hit shelves this year you’ve been meaning to read. Second, it’s an opportunity to assess your TBR and prepare it for what will be a busier fall publishing season.
At least, it’ll be busier for comics. Young adult literature is in a nonfiction drought that won’t be getting much different, even through the heavier release weeks of this autumn. I don’t need to talk about it again, as this theme has emerged every month this year in these roundups. Nonfiction readers–indeed, young adult literature as a whole–have so little to choose from, and that’s especially disappointing to think about as YA nonfiction has historically been the most diverse array of voices, perspectives, and stories out there.
Perhaps what we’ve been seeing in YA nonfiction is an unfortunate forerunner of what we should prepare to see (or not to see) in YA fiction over the next couple of years. We know there are fewer diverse books already. The selection is only going to continue to shrink.
That’s a longer-than-intended introduction to note that there don’t appear to be any nonfiction books for YA readers published in July. There are several comics, which you’ll explore below, but do note that they are not as diverse as usual, either. This is likely related to the slower publishing month than anything else, as this year’s array of YA comics have been among the more inclusive titles published for teen readers.
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New YA Comics for July 2026
As always, if there us only one name listed, that creator did both the writing and illustration.
Coming Out Perfect by Richard Mercado
Raymond is the cool gay kid at Kevin’s high school. So when Kevin’s parents completely ignore his attempts to come out, he thinks that trying to be like Raymond may be the answer. Raymond is perfect, and that perfection has to be the key to changing Kevin’s challenges.
But Raymond has a lot of rules Kevin needs to follow, including specific ways to dress, things he can and cannot do, and people he has to abandon in order to be cool. There’s no way Kevin can live up to those standards of perfection–and does he event want to, anyway?
Corpse de Ballet by Megan Kearney
Rosamund is ready to prove herself as a ballerina at Saint Anselmus, where she’s starting half-way through the year. The problem is something feels off at this boarding school and she can’t shake the feeling.
So when Rosamund discovers that a student disappeared without a trace just before she enrolled, she’s determined to find out what happened. The school–as well as Rosamund and her roommate–is preparing for the performance of the year, but the obsession with what happened to that student may have taken Rosamund’s attention from dance and into the mystery.
To Dance the Moon and Stars by Tasia M S and Barbara Perez Marquez
This South Asian inspired fantasy is another dance-themed comic. Myra is 18 and poised to be the next high priestess. The time is getting nearer for her ascension, but Alrun, to whom she’d become the herald, forbids dancing–the thing Myra is obsessed with.
Myra’s people need her to gather Alrun’s wisdom, as it will inform the peace treaty being developed between them and forces of darkness trying to enter their world. Myra turns to the person she knows she needs: her best friend and the crown prince.
But in order to save her people, Myra may have to not only break a few rules. She may need to rethink her future all together.
Float: Volume 2 by Kate Marchant and illustrated by CJ Joaquin
This is the second entry into the popular Webtoon-turned-comic. Readers follow Waverly as she escapes her home in Alaska and her parents’ divorce by spending the summer in Florida with her aunt. That’s where she meets and connects with a cute boy and their relationship becomes romantic quickly. What happens when summer ends and she has to return home to Alaska?
Heartstopper #6 by Alice Oseman
The final installment in the incredibly popular Heartstopper series landed this month, too. No need to give a description–if you know this, you know what to expect and if you’re new to the series, enjoy the ride.
My Tokyo Summer by Abby Denson and illustrated by Utomaru
If you’re looking for a cute comic about friendship, this looks to be one you’ll want to TBR ASAP.
American Abby loves comics and zines. Yuuko, who is Japanese, loves manga, American movies, and making art. So when Yuuko is in New York City and stumbles upon a comic Abby made, she sends Abby a letter. They become fast pen pals. So when Abby gets the chance to enroll in a summer college program in Japan, the two of them finally meet in person. Not only do the girls have a lot of fun traveling, they team up to develop a comic that they’ll sell at one of the world’s largest comic conventions.
Witch’s Inheritance by Paige Hender
Edie’s life is falling apart. She needs to escape. So when someone in her family dies and leaves a house in a small town to Edie in the will, Edie goes without a second thought.
One of Edie’s next goals is to reconnect with an estranged aunt to find out more about her family history. That’s when she discovers she’s part of a long line of witches–and she herself may be key to keeping the small town she’s in safe from darkness.
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