20th Anniversary celebration with graphic novelists Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth and Lynda Barry

Building Stories is a 2012 graphic novel by Chris Ware, composed of fourteen printed works including cloth-bound books, newspapers, broadsheets, and flip books. The work, which took a decade to complete, focuses on the life of an unnamed female protagonist with a missing lower leg, along with other inhabitants of a three-story brownstone apartment building in Chicago. The stories can be read in any order and delve into themes of loss, relationships, and the human experience. Ware's meticulous hand-drawn compositions manipulate time and space, creating a profound emotional impact on the reader. The physical aspects of the book, such as paper quality and binding, are also carefully considered to enhance the storytelling experience.

In 'Killing and Dying', Adrian Tomine presents six new stories that are unpredictable, darkly funny, and deeply moving. The collection includes tales such as the title story about a high school girl aspiring to be a stand-up comedian despite her stutter, and 'Go Owls', which chronicles the dysfunctional relationship between two recovering addicts. Tomine's work is characterized by its social realism, vulnerability, and nuanced storytelling, often drawing comparisons to the styles of Yoshihiro Tatsumi and Chris Ware. The stories are slice-of-life vignettes that explore the struggles of middle-class and working-class America, making this book a standout in the graphic novel medium.

Watchmen is a groundbreaking graphic novel that deconstructs the superhero genre. Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, with colours by John Higgins, it explores the human failings of superheroes in an alternate timeline where historical events have unfolded differently. The story delves into themes of power, morality, and the complexities of human nature, set against the backdrop of the Cold War era. It is known for its layered storytelling, nuanced dialogue, and its impact on the comic book industry by addressing taboo themes such as abuse of power, conspiracy, and social decay.

This graphic memoir is a companion piece to Bechdel's earlier work 'Fun Home', which dealt with her relationship with her father. 'Are You My Mother? ' delves into Bechdel's relationship with her mother, an unaffectionate amateur actor trapped in a marriage to a closeted homosexual. The book interweaves memoir with psychoanalysis, drawing on the works of Donald Winnicott, Virginia Woolf, and other literary figures. It follows Bechdel's quest to understand her mother through dreams, therapy sessions, and personal reflections, ultimately concluding on a note of acceptance and appreciation for the complexities of their relationship.

Published in 2006, 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic' is a graphic memoir by Alison Bechdel that recounts her upbringing in a funeral home in rural Pennsylvania. The book focuses on Bechdel's fraught relationship with her father, Bruce, a closeted gay man and high school English teacher who also worked as a part-time mortician. The narrative is non-linear, using literary and mythological allusions to explore themes of sexual orientation, gender roles, family dysfunction, and the impact of secrets on family life. Bechdel's meticulous artwork and essayistic writing style combine to create a powerful and intimate portrayal of her childhood and her attempts to understand her father and herself.

Maus is a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman, published in two parts in 1986 and 1991. It depicts Spiegelman interviewing his father, Vladek Spiegelman, a Polish Jewish Holocaust survivor. Maus employs postmodernist techniques and represents Jews as mice, Germans as cats, and non-Jewish Poles as pigs. It explores themes of memory, trauma, and the complex relationship between father and son. The book has received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling and powerful portrayal of the Holocaust.

The Family Circus is a syndicated comic strip created by Bil Keane in 1960, and currently continued by his son Jeff Keane. The comic revolves around the daily lives of the parents and their four young children, Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, and P.J. The comic is known for its wholesome humor and nostalgic depiction of family life. A distinctive feature of the comic is its circular panel, which presents a snapshot of the family's activities and interactions.

In this graphic memoir, Roz Chast recounts her struggles with her parents, who lived into their 90s and refused to plan for their death. The book is a nuanced and emotionally honest account of her relationship with her parents, their relationship with each other, and the financial and emotional stresses of aging. Chast uses her signature wit and unique visual style to navigate the dark subject matter, often incorporating humor and poignant reflections. The memoir spans the last several years of her parents' lives, capturing the complexities and challenges of caring for aging loved ones.