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GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
February 25, 2011
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Pleasant Surprises
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Every once in a while, a really special book crosses your desk and you’re not expecting it to be anywhere near as good as it is. It becomes one of those pleasant surprises that reaffirm your love for comics, silly as that may sound. It happens a lot with me in genres that I’m not really tuned in to anymore (or at least that I’m not attuned to in the way I used to be). For example, superhero books. Long ago, I found myself feeling pushed out of the genre, the genre that got me hooked on comics in the first place. Things seemed a little less fun, continuity seemed harder and harder to follow, and the characters didn’t feel like the old friends I grew up with anymore. It may have been my reading tastes that changed, or maybe it was them…whatever it was, things certainly didn’t feel the same.
But recently I’ve been finding more and more to love about the old superheroes. Even big marketing gimmicks like character deaths and huge crossover events have the potential to surprise. Two key examples: While I wasn’t a fan of the Death of Bruce Wayne/Batman storyline, the Return of Bruce Wayne has been fun, interesting, and more in line with what I’ve always loved about Batman. I began reading the books with some trepidation, but that quickly changed the further I got in.
The same can be said for Marvel’s Siege line of books. If you’ve been reading GNR regularly, you’ve probably noticed several of the Siege books getting reviewed over the last few weeks (and another in this week’s update). The big crossover event may seem on the outside to be an opportunity to cross-market a ton of different titles across the Marvel line, but it instead turned into a great epic about heroism and superheroism. They’ve been the kind of books that remind you why superheroes are so much fun to read in the first place.
Another pleasant surprise was Ben Hatke’s Zita the Spacegirl. Reading kids’ comics can be a hit-or-miss endeavor. While there’s so much good stuff going on in that segment of comics, there is a divide between what are really kids’ comics and what are actually all-ages comics. All-ages comics are much tougher to find, of course, and when you do, they’re gems. That’s how I felt about Zita. I thought I was going to read a kids’ book and was thrilled to learn it had a lot of all-ages appeal. Zita’s a star. Check out our interview with creator Ben Hatke in this update to learn more about the book.
Speaking of childhood favorites, everyone’s favorite girl detective, Nancy Drew, has gotten a big makeover for the graphic-novel series. Bringing Nancy fully into the 21st century (including the newest technical gadgets) and having her take on things like, well, vampires is a big break from the old mysteries most of us grew up with. The creative team behind it talked to GNR about how the updated version came about.
I wanted to give a special congratulations to all the nominees for the graphic-novel category of the Los Angeles Times book awards, to be given out at the Festival of Books. Graphic novels continue to take on a bigger and bigger presence at the festival, so it’s nice to see the works again getting recognized in their own category. The nominees include Adam Hines, Duncan the Wonder Dog: Show One (Adhouse Books); Dash Shaw, Bodyworld (Pantheon); Karl Stevens, The Lodger (KSA Publishing); C. Tyler, You’ll Never Know, Book Two: Collateral Damage (Fantagraphics); and Jim Woodring, Weathercraft (Fantagraphics). Congratulations to all, especially Carol Tyler, who has always been a good friend of GNR and whose books deserve all the accolades and attention they receive. That’s a wonderful selection of books all nominated for this prize, so best of luck to everyone nominated.
By the way, our friends over at our sister site KidsReads.com are doing a special feature on Jake Parker's Missile Mouse series, and giving away the second book, Rescue On Tankium3. We're all big fans of the series and its wild sci-fi antics. In fact, I think it's a great example of a book that talks up to its audience rather than talks down. It's really literate and quite engaging, so check it when you get a chance, and enter to win a copy.
Finally, don’t forget that there’s an upcoming conference you may be interested in if you live in or near Rhode Island. The New England Comic Arts in the Classroom Conference (NECAC), being held Saturday, March 26, at Rhode Island College in Providence, will be a great day for discussing and sharing how comics can have a major impact in education, and some of the guests will include Dr. Michael Bitz (The Comic Book Project), Dr. James "Bucky" Carter (Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels), Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Nancy Silberkleit (CEO of Archie Comics), and Tracy White
(How I Made It to 18).
There’s plenty more news, opinion, and more online right now with this new update, so scroll down and check out what’s new.
Happy reading,
John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)
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CREATOR INTERVIEW
Spacing Out: An Interview with Ben Hatke
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After a successful appearance in Kazu Kibuishi’s Flight anthology, Ben Hatke breaks out on his own with the winning Zita the Spagegirl, an action-packed romp starring a very precocious little girl lost around the stars and trying to find her way home. Zita embarks on a madcap adventure to rescue her friend Joseph, avoid the creepy aliens who want to harm her, and get back to earth. It’s a tall order, and there’s a lot of fun to be had (mostly for the reader) along the way. We talked with Hatke about the new book and how much fun it was for him to work on it. By John Hogan
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Click here to read our interview with Ben Hatke.
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BEHIND THE SCENES
Bonnie Barber
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This summer, on July 14, the public library in Carrollton, Texas, will host an innovative 39 Clues-themed tween event. They’ll also incorporate the audience’s love for graphic novels and manga into the daylong event, which is being coordinated by youth services librarian Bonnie Barber. We talked to Bonnie about her love of comics.
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Click here to read our behind the scenes feature with Bonnie Barber.
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FICTION REVIEWS
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Daytripper
by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá
The life and many deaths of Brás de Oliva Domingos are chronicled in Daytripper, an exquisite narrative built around life-changing moments, both large and small, and the power of our own personal narratives. Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá have crafted a compelling work based off universal questions surrounding the meaning of life and the importance of the individual. As dramatic as life itself, it is a book that is of, and about, the human condition and the ways we are defined, both by ourselves and those around us. Reviewed by Michael Hicks
Rasetsu, Vol. 1–3 by Chika Shiomi
Rasetsu, a full-time exorcist, is doomed to meet up with a demon in two years. The only way to stop this is if she can find her true love. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
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Click here to read all our fiction reviews.
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TEEN REVIEWS
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Siege
by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel
The Marvel Universe has been in a tailspin of disaster after disaster since 2006. Most of our iconic heroes found themselves embroiled in battles against one another over politics and personal vendettas, but finally the heroes reunite and fight the evil that started it all and rediscover the meaning of heroism. Reviewed by Collin David
Kind
by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
Holly Black is well-known for writing edgy teen and kids prose books like the Spiderwick Chronicles and Tithe. When she decided to create a graphic novel series called The Good Neighbors, she pulled out all the stops, creating one of the most vivid and compulsively readable YA series around. The third and final book more than lives up to the dark, brooding promise of the first two books, giving Rue Silver’s journey a fitting conclusion. Reviewed by John Hogan
Clover Omnibus Edition
by CLAMP
Clover is an early, unfinished work by Japan’s manga supergroup CLAMP that definitely deserves more attention. Clover follows an array of characters, including Sue, a mysterious young girl needing to be delivered to a destination that even she does not know. This work is highly recommended for older teens and adults. Reviewed by Kyla Hunt
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Click here to read all our teen reviews.
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KIDS REVIEWS
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Silly Lilly in What Will I Be Today?
by Agnes Rosenstiehl
Silly Lilly is a French import published in the United States by Toon Books. Toon prides itself on creating easily accessible children’s comics that utilize basic learning blocks of language combined with vivid visual interaction to help kids learn, and What Will I Be Today? keeps that directive going strong. Reviewed by John Hogan
Bone: Quest for the Spark, Book One by Tom Sniegoski and Jeff Smith
Years after the conclusion of Jeff Smith’s riveting Bone epic, a new series set in that world begins. Inviting prose paired with Jeff Smith’s wonderful illustrations lead us on a new adventure story. Reviewed by John Hogan
Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 by David Petersen
With Mouse Guard: Winter 1152, David Petersen has assembled a crew of disarmingly cute mouse warriors for a tale of Tolkien-esque gravitas. He has taken the animal kingdom and turned it into an instantly enchanting mythical epic that fans of the fantasy genre will find familiar. Children will be captivated by the adventures of these small-statured heroes, while adults will be drawn in by a smart, well-told narrative that hits all the right notes with its fast-paced action and stirring visuals. Reviewed by Michael Hicks
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Click here to read all our kids reviews.
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COLLECTIONS REVIEWS
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X-9: Secret Agent Corrigan, Vol. One: 1967–1969
by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson
Originally created by Dashiell Hammett and Alex Raymond in 1934 as a competitor to Dick Tracy and other adventure strips of the day, X-9 had been through several writer/artist teams before Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson took over in 1967. As Mark Schultz talks about in his introduction to this volume, they brought a sense of urgency and power to the strip, harkening back to the best adventure comic strips of the 1930s while also updating the iconography to suit the day. Reviewed by John R. Platt
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NONFICTION REVIEW
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Special Exits
by Joyce Farmer
Joyce Farmer details the decline of her parents in harrowing yet loving detail. Riveting to watch unfold, filled with tenderness and honesty, Special Exits honors the final period of life with raw emotion. Reviewed by John Hogan
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Click here to check out all our nonfiction reviews.
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BOOKS TO MOVIES
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We're getting closer and closer to Thor's May 6 release date. A new trailer just released shows Thor in battle with The Destroyer, and you can see it here
. Plus, a link to a preview of the script for the new Wonder Woman television show.
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VIDEOS
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Check out a preview of Dale Mettam and Courtney Huddleston's Missing Linx from Viper Comics and 1821 Comics, plus get looks at some of the hottest upcoming comics-related movies and videogames!
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Click here to watch a preview of Missing Linx.
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EXCERPT
Skullkickers, Vol. 1: 1,000 Opas and a Dead Body
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Two nameless mercenaries are mashing monsters and making a name for themselves. Image's new hit fantasy action-comedy series is described by its creator, Jim Zubkavich, as "a teen boy-centric adventure comic, PG-rated. At its heart the series is a buddy cop movie slammed into Conan, a fantasy action-comedy with sass and banter. It's violent, but the blood is cartoonishly ridiculous. There's no real swearing, just cartoon symbol $#%-style curses. There's absolutely no sexual content. It's supposed to feel cool and fun to a young teen (or fantasy-loving adult), skirting a violent edge without tipping over into nastiness." Here's a preview of volume one, 1,000 Opas and a Dead Body.
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Click here to take a peek inside Skullkickers, Vol. 1.
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COMING SOON
February 23 - March 2
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Angelus, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Archie New Look Series TPB Vol. 05 Goodbye Forever
Archie Comics
Arctic Marauder
Fantagraphics
The Art of Boom! Studios
Boom! Studios
The Astonishing X-Men, Vol. 6: Exogenetic
Marvel Comics
Battle Chasers Anthology
Image Comics
Bullet to the Head
Dynamite Entertainment
Casper & The Spectrals
Ardden Entertainment
The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 15: 1979–1980
Fantagraphics
Continuum
Arcana Studio
Cowboys and Aliens
It Books
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Vol. 4
Boom! Studios
Freeway
Fantagraphics
Ghost Projekt, Vol. 1
Oni Press
Giant Size Little Lulu, Vol. 3
Dark Horse
Harbor Moon
Arcana Studio
Hellblazer: Pandemonium
Vertigo
Hope: The Hero Initiative
Ronin Studios
Incredible Hulks: Dark Son: Enigma Force
Marvel Comics
The Incredibles, Vol. 5
Boom! Studios
John Carter of Mars: The Warlord of Mars
Dark Horse
Justice League: The Rise and Fall
DC Comics
Legend of the Scarlet Blades
Humanoids Publishing
Madman: Atomica
Image Comics
Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor, Vol. 2
Marvel Comics
Muppet Sherlock Holmes
Boom! Studios
Oh My Goddess! Vol. 17
Dark Horse
Outlaw Territory, Vol. 2
Image Comics
Scalped, Vol. 7: Rez Blues
Vertigo
Seven Soldiers of Victory, Vol. 2
DC Comics
Shadowland: Street Fighters
Marvel Comics
Shadowland: Thunderbolts
Marvel Comics
Sky Over the Louvre
NBM
Soulfire: Shadow Magic, Vol. 1
Aspen
Superpatriot: America’s Fighting Force
Image Comics
Term Life
Image Comics
The Tick: The Edlund Epic Complete Works
New England Comics
Time Bomb
Radical Publishing
Vampire Tales, Vol. 2
Marvel Comics
Vesha: Valentine Story
Slave Labor Graphics
Wandering Son, Vol. 1
Fantagraphics
X-Men: Curse of the Mutants: Mutants vs. Vampires
Marvel Comics
X-Men: First Class, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics
X-Men Forever, Vol. 2: Scream a Little Scream
Marvel Comics
March 2
Ayn Rand’s Anthem
Putnam
Batman Beyond: Hush Beyond (paperback)
DC Comics
Batman: Time and the Batman
DC Comics
Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam: Mr. Mind Over Matter (paperback)
DC Comics
The Chronicles of Kull, Volume 4: The Blood of Kings and Other Stories (paperback)
Dark Horse
The Dark Tower: Treachery (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Darkness Origins, Vol. 3 (paperback)
Image Comics
Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins, New Edition (paperback)
Vertigo
Marvel Masterworks: The Mighty Thor, Vol. 2 (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Marvelman Family’s Finest
Marvel Comics
Neptune
Sparkplug Comic Books
Popeye, Vol. 1: The Best Comic Book Stories by Bud Sagendorf
IDW Publishing
Spider-Man: Grim Hunt (paperback)
Marvel Comics
The Thanos Imperative
Marvel Comics
Thor by Walt Simonson Omnibus
Marvel Comics
Thor: First Thunder (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Thor: Tales of Asgard (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Ultimate Comics: Thor
Marvel Comics
Venom by Daniel Way Ultimate Collection (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Whirlwind Wonderland
Sparkplug Comic Books
Wildcats, Version 3.0: Year Two
DC Comics
Wolverine Goes to Hell
Marvel Comics
X-Force: Under the Gun
Marvel Comics
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Click here to see what else is Coming Soon.
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Those who are subscribed to the GraphicNovelReporter.com newsletter by February 28, 2011 are automatically entered in our Monthly Newsletter Contest. This month's selections include The Building Opposite by Vanyda; The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories by Jiro Taniguchi; A Patch of Dreams by Hideji Oda; The Quest for the Missing Girl by Jiro Taniguchi; and The Summit of the Gods, Volume 1 by Yumemakura Baku and Jiro Taniguchi.
The winner of January's contest, Sheryl from Toledo, Ohio, will be receiving Caliber: First Canon of Justice Volume 1 by Sam Sarkar and Garrie Gastonny; The Dark-Hunters, Vol. 2 by Sherrilyn Kenyon; Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye 1: Hamster and Cheese by Colleen AF Venable and Stephanie Yue; Little Things: A Memoir in Slices by Jeffrey Brown; and Your Life in Comics: 100 Things for Guys to Write and Draw by Bill Zimmerman.
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