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GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
December 2, 2011 |
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Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
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What a Year It’s Been
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I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and enjoyed a lovely menu of festive food as well as nice times spent with loved ones. Carol brined a turkey for the first time and pronounced it a great concept. This year, kosher salt and water; next year, something more inventive!
As we wind down the year, my thoughts turn to things like “What were the best graphic novels of the year?” What were my favorites, and what did others think of the year in comics? That’s exactly what I asked the participants of my Graphic Novels of 2011: Favorites and New Classics panel (two weeks ago at the Miami Book Fair) to do, and it’s what I myself have done in our new Best of 2011 feature story. In Miami, panelists Vera Brosgol (Anya’s Ghost), Jennifer Hayden (Underwire), Matt Phelan (Around the World), and Shannon Wheeler (Oil and Water, Too Much Coffee Man) all picked an incredibly broad-ranging selection of books, from titles for kids to highly literary adult titles. You can see what the combined sensibilities of this panel came up with by checking here.
Speaking of the Miami Book Fair, it was a great success, from the School of Comics, which kicked things off on Thursday (and featured the redoubtable talents of Feynman’s Jim Ottaviani, The Graphic Classroom’s Chris Wilson, The Comic Book Project’s Dr. Michael Bitz and Nadja Sailesman, director of services at the PS 175-NYC Mission Society in Harlem, and award-winning creator Gene Luen Yang. The comments from the educators who attended were overwhelmingly positive, which was nice to hear. A lot of work went into making the day a huge success, so it’s wonderful to see it all paid off.
Throughout the weekend in Miami, I was pleasantly surprised by how many graphic novels were represented in panels and for sale in the sellers’ area. I was thrilled to see a booth for Tate’s Comics there (I managed to buy a ton of issues for my plane ride back), and our friends at Mitch Kaplan’s Books and Books store (which had tables full of books for sale) had an enormous range of graphic novels for sale.
I had a surreal moment in Miami as well. I was lucky enough to be featured in an interview by Mark Hayes and his Passing Notes program. During the interview, we talked comics and more comics… Mark is a fan, and he definitely knows his stuff. You can hear the interview here. My favorite moment of the interview didn’t make the final edit of the broadcast. Mark and I were chatting away when the door to the studio opened and in walked bestselling writer (and New York journalism icon) Pete Hamill. He had been the previous guest on the show, and he needed quick directions somewhere. All I could think was, “If my journalism professors in college could only see me now!”
Switching gears for a moment, I have to tell you about one of my favorite interviews since we started GraphicNovelReporter. The 1980s were the heyday of comics for me, the pinnacle of everything I consider so great about superheroes. Two guys who were right in the middle of all that were Roy Thomas and Danny Fingeroth. Roy had written the X-Men and The Invaders for Marvel, and then he did The All-Star Squadron for DC. All-Star was a comic I could not wait to get my hands on every month. I was thoroughly addicted, and even more so when Infinity Inc. came along a few years later. Danny was the editor for Spider-Man at the time and a marvelous writer, too. Danny oversaw Spider-Man during one of the character’s greatest runs.
Both Danny and Roy have just released a book chronicling Stan Lee’s impact on comics and popular culture, The Stan Lee Universe. It’s a vast collection of artifacts, interviews, notes, synopses (such as thoughts on the creation of the Fantastic Four), and more. So it’s a pivotal collection of comics history, and it comes from two people who have had a major impact on my life and my comics reading. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first called up Roy and Danny to talk about the book, but it turned out to be one of my favorite interviews. Listening to those two discuss Stan (and comics history in general) was a real treat to a comics lover like me.
On a side note, I’m not 100% sure what they thought of talking to me. I have a strange phone problem, living here in New York City: Whenever it rains, my landline picks up a radio station. I have no idea why, and the phone company hasn’t been able to fix it. So of course it rained the day I got to speak with Roy and Danny, and while I managed to get the whole interview done, it was a static-filled fight to the finish to get it all. Also when it rains, my phone rings and goes right to voicemail. Carol leaves messages that say, “I know it’s raining and you cannot talk, but I needed to tell you this.” The other night, she called me and instead of getting me, she heard two older women having a conversation about whether the one would be invited to Thanksgiving dinner with her son, or not. When my phone rings, you never know what you will hear. Soon I hope to have a “real” phone to avoid any more situations like this.
On that note, I’ll let you get to our extensive new content now online --- luckily there are no connection problems here --- including plenty of new reviews and a gift-giving guide just in time for the holidays. I hope you enjoy it all!
John Hogan (john@bookreporter.com)
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CREATOR INTERVIEW
Danny Fingeroth and Roy Thomas: The Story Behind The Stan Lee Universe
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The Stan Lee Universe collects decades’ worth of Lee’s greatest archives, from his notes on the creation of the Fantastic Four to radio interview transcripts to his interactions with luminaries of film, music, and pop culture. It’s a mind-bending trip through comics history, a treat for all true believers. In this interview, Danny and Roy discuss the book, a compulsively readable document for any comics fan. By John Hogan
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Click here to read our interview with Danny Fingeroth and Roy Thomas.
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What a Kick: The Kagan McLeod Interview
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Kagan McLeod has been redefining cool for a while now with Infinite Kung Fu, a hip, fun, totally addictive series that was originally brought to life as a self-published comic and is now being published by Top Shelf. Mixing genres and styles effortlessly, McLeod creates a blend that transpires most kung-fu tropes to be startlingly original. And did we mention how fun it is? Check it out, but first check out this interview with Kagan. By John Hogan
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Click here to read our interview with Kagan McLeod.
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Holiday 2011 Gift Guide
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Whether you're shopping for a friend, significant other, family member, or even yourself, we've got more than a hundred great graphic novel suggestions, for all ages and all prices (not to mention all genres). Get creative by giving something creative this year! |
Click here to see this year's holiday gift guide.
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The Best of 2011
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The best graphic novels of 2011 are here! See what made the list and what our favorite comics of the year were. |
Click here for the Best of 2011.
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EXCERPT
Archie All-Stars: Cyber Adventures
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In Archie All-Stars: Cyber Adventures, when Dilton Doiley's newest invention goes awry, Archie's pals 'n' gals get thrown into a dangerous new cyber-world. Packed with nods to iconic video games and knowing pop-culture references, this is where classic Archie meets the world of tomorrow. Joe Staton provides fun illustrations of everyone's favorite American teenager dealing with all the pixelated peril, while Stephen Oswald's witty yet charming writing will keep both existing fans happy and introduce a whole new generation to the madcap Archie-verse. Here's a sneak preview.
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Click here to read our excerpt from Archie All-Stars: Cyber Adventures.
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VIDEO
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New graphic novel trailers are out! Look for previews of The Sorcerer’s Children, Shame (featuring watercolor art from the legendary John Bolton!) and many more!
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Click here to watch the videos.
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FICTION REVIEWS
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Echo: The Complete Edition by Terry Moore
Quantum physics and nuclear technology combine in a terrifying and absolutely riveting sci-fi (yet distinctly and rarely human) tale from indie creator Terry Moore. Reviewed by John Hogan
Creepy Archives, Vol. 11 by various
From the depths of the early 1970s comes the eleventh volume of Creepy, collecting issues 51 through 54. Contained herein are some of the most amazing virtuosos of scary art and storytelling that the genre has ever produced, and every page is a lesson in art…and terror. Reviewed by Collin David
Bleedout by Mike Kennedy and various
Bleedout is a story that asks one very important question: What do we do when we run out of oil? In a complex series of tales penned by Mike Kennedy, the effects of this event are explored on the microcosmic scale of one city and the underbelly by which it has been overtaken. Reviewed by Collin David
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Click here to read all our fiction reviews.
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| TEEN REVIEWS |
I Will Bite You! And Other Stories by Joseph Lambert
Joseph Lambert is, in many ways, a surrealist. He excels at characters and situations that flow and shift and defy expectations. His artwork is both sketchy and precise at the same time. He also knows enough about the conventions of the comics genre to play with form and structure in a way that few older artists even try to attempt. Reviewed by John R. Platt
Valve Presents: The Sacrifice and Other Steam-Powered Stories by various
Valve Presents is a crossover between two popular forms of media that have always had a hard time seeing eye-to-eye. And though this collection would be great fun for people who’ve never played the three video games from which each story takes its elements, experienced gamers who’ve spent lots of time in these comics’ digital worlds are in for a treat: comics that not only accurately capture the fun of these games, but also add to the experience of the games themselves. Reviewed by Brian Rubin
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Click here to read our teen reviews.
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KIDS REVIEWS
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Space Family Robinson Archives, Vol. 2 by Gaylord Dubois and Dan Spiegle
The Family Robinson is back for another seven classic comic issues, collected in Space Family Robinson: Volume 2. They’re still lost in space, and they’re encountering the best and weirdest space aliens that the mid-1960s had to offer. As they slowly try to find their way back to Earth, more alien allies and menaces await. Reviewed by Collin David
Uncle Scrooge: Like a Hurricane by various
Most, if not all, of the stories originally appeared in Europe, so they have been translated into English for this, their first English publication. The translators do a great job, keeping both the characterizations alive and the dialogue brimming with puns and wordplay. Reviewed by John R. Platt
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Click here to read all our kids reviews.
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| COMING SOON: November 30th |
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Here’s what you can look forward to this week!
November 30
Absolute Batman: Hush
DC Comics
Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives, Vol. 1
Fantagraphics
Angel: The End
IDW Publishing
Astonishing X-Men: Monstrous
Marvel Comics
Athos in America
Fantagraphics
Batman Incorporated Deluxe, Vol. 1
DC Comics
Burke & Hare
Transfuzion Publishing
Captain America: Man Out of Time
Marvel Comics
Chuck Jones: The Dream That Never Was
IDW Publishing
Creepsville
Arcana Studio
Darkness Compendium, Vol. 2
Top Cow
Darkwing Duck: Ducktales Dangerous Currency
Boom! Studios
Deadpool Corps, Vol. 2: You Say Revolution
Marvel Comics
Deadpool Max: Balls Out
Marvel Comics
Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc Sec, Vol. 2
Fantagraphics
Farscape, Vol. 6: Compulsions
Boom! Studios
Flash Gordon: Invasion of the Red Sword
Ardden Entertainment
The Goon, Vol. 5: Wicked Inclinations
Dark Horse
Guarding the Globe, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Gumby’s Spring Specials Collection
Gumby Comics
Halo: Fall of Reach: Covenant
Marvel Comics
Infamous
DC Comics
Insurrection V3.6
Boom! Studios
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus, Vol. 1
DC Comics
Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal, Vol. 1: Creation Myths
Archaia Entertainment
Jonah Hex: Bury Me in Hell
DC Comics
Last Days of an Immortal
Archaia Entertainment
Lily Renee Escape Artist
Lerner Publishing Group
Morning Glories, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Ninjago, Vol. 1: Challenge of Samukai
Papercutz
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z, Vol. 2
Marvel Comics
Romeo & Juliet: The War
1821 Comics
Shaman’s Tears
IDW Publishing
Siegfried, Vol. 1
Archaia Entertainment
Sigh
Archaia Entertainment
Smurfs, Vol. 9: Gargamel and Smurfs
Papercutz
Spider-Man: Marvel Team Up by Claremont and Byrne
Marvel Comics
Stan Lee’s Starborn, Vol. 2
Boom! Studios
Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command
Dark Horse
Strawberry Shortcake: Pineapple & Other
Ape Entertainment
Supreme Power: Gods and Soldiers
Marvel Comics
Tank Girl: Bad Wind Rising
Titan Publishing
Thor by Kieron Gillen Ultimate Collection
Marvel Comics
28 Days Later, Vol. 6: Homecoming
Boom! Studios
Witchblade: Redemption, Vol. 4
Top Cow
Wonder Woman Chronicles, Vol. 2
DC Comics
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Click here to see what's coming soon!
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