Discover the rich visual storytelling tradition of Australian comics through graphic novels and illustrated works that explore our nation's history, culture, and contemporary life. These compelling sequential art books combine powerful artwork with uniquely Australian narratives, from Indigenous storytelling traditions to modern urban tales. Perfect for readers seeking an engaging visual approach to understanding Australia's past and present through the dynamic medium of comics.
A group of rabbits arrives on a pristine shore. They multiply. They build. They transform everything they touch. In Shaun Tan and John Marsden's haunting picture book "The Rabbits", the colonisation of Australia unfolds through the eyes of numbats and bilbies watching their world disappear beneath concrete and steel. This isn't your typical historical account – it's Australia's story told through fur and whiskers, rendered in Tan's distinctive industrial dreamscapes.
Australian comics and graphic novels have long pushed beyond superhero conventions to explore the fault lines of our national identity. This collection spans from allegory to autobiography, from the Stolen Generations to suburban surrealism, each book wielding sequential art as a tool for understanding who we are and how we got here.
"The Rabbits" sets the tone with its wordless sequences of environmental destruction and cultural erasure. Published in 1998, it remains startlingly relevant – perhaps because we're still grappling with the questions it poses about belonging, ownership, and the cost of progress. Tan returns to these themes in "The Arrival", his masterwork about immigration told entirely through sepia-toned panels. Following a man's journey to a fantastical new land, it captures the bewilderment and hope of starting over in images that need no translation.
Where "The Arrival" deals in universal experiences, Anthony Hill's "The Burnt Stick" grounds us in specific Australian trauma. Based on true events, it follows John Jagamarra, a mixed-race child torn from his Aboriginal mother under government policy. The illustrations soften the harsh edges of this history without diminishing its impact – making it accessible for younger readers while respecting the weight of the story.
Boori Pryor and Meme McDonald's "My Girragundji" offers a contemporary Indigenous voice, blending traditional spirituality with modern childhood fears. The Hairyman lurking in the protagonist's Queensland home becomes a metaphor for confronting darkness, while Steve Worland's "Paper Planes" soars in a different direction entirely – following Dylan Webber from outback Australia to the World Junior Paper Plane Championships. It's pure escapism, yes, but rooted in distinctly Australian landscapes and larrikin spirit.
Tan's "Tales from Outer Suburbia" bridges the fantastical and familiar, populating Melbourne's fringes with exchange students from other planets and impossible spaces hidden in ordinary homes. Like Darcie Little Badger's "Elatsoe" – which transplants Indigenous American magic to contemporary settings – it shows how the extraordinary persists in everyday life.
Start with "The Rabbits" if you're drawn to visual metaphor, or "The Arrival" if you prefer your storytelling wordless and immersive. For those seeking Indigenous perspectives, begin with "My Girragundji" before moving to the heavier material in "The Burnt Stick". Whatever your entry point, these books prove that Australian stories demand more than words alone – sometimes you need to see history unfold panel by panel to truly understand its weight.

John Marsden, Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan

Shaun Tan

Darcie Little Badger

Steve Worland

Anthony Hill

Meme McDonald, Boori Pryor
Experience the power of Indigenous Australian voices. These important works share stories of culture, country, and identity from First Nations perspectives, enriching our understanding of Australia.
Discover the vibrant world of Australian comic books featuring homegrown superheroes, from classic characters like Captain Atom to contemporary Indigenous heroes defending the outback. This collection celebrates Australia's unique contribution to the sequential art medium, showcasing stories that blend superhero adventure with distinctly Australian settings, humour, and cultural perspectives. Perfect for readers wanting to explore local comic book talent and see familiar landscapes through the lens of graphic storytelling.
Discover the vibrant world of Australian street art through comprehensive guides to iconic murals, graffiti culture, and urban artistic movements across Melbourne's laneways, Sydney's walls, and other Australian cities. These books showcase the stories behind famous street artists, the evolution of urban art scenes, and the cultural significance of public art in Australian communities. Perfect for art lovers, tourists exploring Australian cities, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of creativity and urban landscapes.
A vibrant collection of Australian children's books that authentically celebrate Indigenous culture, stories, and perspectives. These carefully selected titles offer young readers windows into the world's oldest continuous culture through stunning artwork, traditional tales, and contemporary narratives that honor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
Perfect for children aged 6-10 who have outgrown picture books, these engaging chapter books celebrate Australia's unique wildlife and vast landscapes. From tales of clever wombats and curious koalas to exciting adventures across the red centre, these stories combine accessible text with captivating plots that build reading confidence. Each book offers young readers a chance to explore their own country's natural wonders whilst developing essential reading skills through age-appropriate storytelling.