Monstress (2015), Volume 5: Warchild

Set in a fantasy realm where humans battle rival animal-hybrids (Monstress) and in a space opera populated with many conflicting alien species (Saga), these dramatic, world-building graphic novels feature well-realized female protagonists, large casts of characters, and inter-species relationships. -- Mike Nilsson

While Monstress' illustrations are more muted than those in Sandman, both contain detailed, lavish art that brings to life dramatic, moody, sometimes scary but always well-crafted fantasy worlds. -- Yaika Sabat

Through descriptive prose (Moon) or lavish illustrations (Monstress), these atmospheric and haunting series depict a group of humans struggling to survive post-apocalyptic horrors. -- CJ Connor

Though Mistborn is written in prose and Monstress is a comic, readers looking for a cinematic, steampunk-inflected dark fantasy experience filled with intriguing magic and treacherous adventure should check out both series. -- Stephen Ashley

Starring female warriors surviving in a postapocalyptic world, these culturally diverse fantasies are dramatic, violent, and feature deadly conflict between sharply divided antagonists. Monstress is a graphic novel series, while Asiana is told in prose; both reflect an Asian influence. -- Mike Nilsson

Though Monstress is a graphic novel and Dark Tower is written in prose, both of these violent dark fantasy series feature elaborate world-building and complex protagonists who fight a variety of terrifying foes. -- Stephen Ashley

These Asian-influenced epic fantasies feature large casts of characters and cultural diversity. The violent Monstress takes place in a post-apocalyptic world and the atmospheric Dandelion Dynasty is set in a place resembling China's Han dynasty; both offer adventure and sweeping narratives. -- Mike Nilsson

These series have the appeal factors violent and world-building, and they have the themes "chosen one" and "large cast of characters"; the genre "epic fantasy"; the subjects "imaginary wars and battles," "half-human hybrids," and "shapeshifters"; and characters that are "complex characters."

These series have the appeal factors haunting, stylistically complex, and intricately plotted, and they have the subjects "imaginary wars and battles," "gods and goddesses," and "survival"; and characters that are "complex characters."

Samantha Shannon and Marjorie M. Liu are masters of intricately plotted fantasy fiction. Combining magic, the supernatural, psychic phenomena, and plenty of action, their atmospheric tales star strong female protagonists and elaborately constructed alternate worlds. Liu often incorporates elements of romantic suspense into her work. -- Mike Nilsson

These authors' works have the subjects "demonic possession," "demons," and "interplanetary relations."

These authors' works have the genres "urban fantasy" and "dark fantasy"; and the subjects "shapeshifters," "paranormal phenomena," and "demonic possession."

These authors' works have the genre "paranormal romances"; and the subjects "shapeshifters," "paranormal phenomena," and "interplanetary relations."

These authors' works have the genre "urban fantasy"; and the subjects "paranormal phenomena," "demonic possession," and "demons."

These authors' works have the genre "superhero comics"; and the subjects "paranormal phenomena," "mutants," and "x-men (fictitious characters)."

These authors' works have the appeal factors violent, and they have the genres "paranormal romances" and "urban fantasy"; and the subjects "paranormal phenomena," "demons," and "supernatural."

These authors' works have the subjects "demonic possession," "demons," and "interplanetary relations."

These authors' works have the genre "fantasy comics"; the subjects "imaginary wars and battles," "monsters," and "mythical creatures"; illustrations that are "detailed illustrations," "lavish illustrations," and "muted illustrations"; and include the identity "asian."

These authors' works have the genres "paranormal romances" and "urban fantasy"; and the subjects "shapeshifters," "paranormal phenomena," and "demons."

These authors' works have the genre "fantasy comics"; and the subjects "women superheroes," "superheroes," and "monsters."

These authors' works have the appeal factors stylistically complex, and they have the genre "urban fantasy"; and the subjects "interplanetary relations," "imaginary wars and battles," and "space warfare."