Attending NYC Comic Con this year, I saw how science fiction and fantasy have always been where big ideas and bold imagination collide—from cosplay, worlds full of robots, time travel, and “what ifs.” Today’s sci-fi fandom is thriving, fueled by books and graphic novels that blend emotion, humor, and the occasional existential crisis. Whether you’re exploring distant galaxies or mythic underworlds, these stories prove that fandom is alive, well, and wonderfully nerdy.
Here are some of my top picks…
Project Hail Mary
by Andy Weir
An astronaut wakes up all alone light-years from Earth with no memory and a seemingly impossible mission.
The Space Between Worlds
by Micaiah Johnson
A multiverse adventure that blends sci-fi with social commentary. Parallel Earths and plenty of mind-bending twists.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built
by Becky Chambers
A Feel good and hopeful story about a monk and a curious robot searching for purpose in a post-industrial world.
Descender
by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen
Beautiful watercolor illustrated sci-fi tale about a young robot trying to survive in a galaxy that fears artificial intelligence.
Saga
by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Epic, emotional, and beautifully illustrated graphic novel series that is part Star Wars part Romeo and Juliet—All that including magic and monsters.
Paper Girls
by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
Four 1980s paper delivery girls stumble into a time-travel war involving aliens, future tech, and alternate timelines. It’s nostalgic, chaotic, and awesome. Also a Netflix series. (read the books first)
And one of my favorite fantasy dramas told in the modern day…
Lore Olympus
by Rachel Smythe
A visually stunning graphic novel retelling of the love story between Hades and Persephone. Vibrant art with clever take on Greek mythology.
Modern sci-fi fandom isn’t just about escaping into far-off worlds—it’s about connecting with stories that challenge, comfort, and inspire us. Whether you’re into space epics, thoughtful robots, time-traveling teens, or retelling of stories with a twist, there is a story out there waiting to blow your mind.
October blog written by Carlo Mastrandrea
