One of the great perks of this job is that Iíve gotten to meet a lot of librarians and teachers who are doing the field work on how to use graphic novels as reading and education tools. As weíve attempted to build a site that they (as well as general readers) can use as a resource for all their needs, Iíve gotten to know the people who are "working it" daily, including some of the people behind the Great Graphic Novels for Teens (GGNFT) list. This annual list is one of my favorites, because it shows the diversity in YA publishing. I have to admit, I find the entire YA genre fascinating, whether itís prose or comics; itís where so much of the action is these days, and where so much interesting and evocative work is being published. The GGNFT list comes out yearly, and it showcases a huge listing of age-appropriate works.

It was John Shableski of Diamond Distributors who first mentioned that GNR should consider doing a profile of the librarians behind the list. And we agreed it was a good idea. While the list is one of the most looked-to of its kind, it also deserves to be more widely known, so I was all too happy to go straight to the source and get the background on it. I interviewed three ladies Iíve met through this job and whose work I greatly admire (all librarians, all wonderful at what they do): Kat Kan, Michele Gorman, and Robin Brenner (who is also one of our reviewers). Iím happy to say that their interview on the history and impact of the GGNFT list is included in this update, so read on to learn more about it --- and be sure to check out their entire list here.

I was thinking about the list this past week as I was rereading some old Uncanny X-Men comics from the late í70s (the classic Claremont and Byrne era). While a great deal of superhero comics from the í70s and í80s definitely fall into the ìsillyî category, there are many that hold up really well after all this time, and the X-Men is one of those. I was particularly struck by the sheer number of words on each pageÖsometimes seeming as though the pages were more text-heavy than art-laden (and that was a good thing). Times have changed, of course, and fewer words adorn most comicsí pages, but just reading those stories again inspired me to think about the reading level of comics now versus then. Itís something Iím planning to research more and then do an article on in GNR soon, so if you have any thoughts on the matter, drop me a line and let me know. Iíd love to know what you think (and since I know several other graphic-novel readers who prefer to have todayís lower word count, feel free to weigh in on that side too).

A couple other inteviews to tell you about: First, I once again got the chance to talk with artist and writer George OíConnor. I first became a fan of Georgeís when I read Ball Peen Hammer this past fall. George is now back with a new series based on the myths of the Greek gods, and it seems perfectly suited to him. In fact, his work kind of reminds me of another George: George Perez (himself no stranger to stories about the gods).

Speaking of myths, prepare to have everything you think you know about Pinocchio shattered by Van Jensen and Dusty Higginsí new Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. The title alone made me laugh out loud, but I wasnít sure what to make of the book at first. That quickly changed after I started reading. First, itís more in line with the original story of Pinocchio than you might imagine. The original was actually pretty dark (letís put it this way: That singing cricket from the movie? In the book, Pinocchio stepped on him and crushed him before he could sing a note). So itís not too surprising to see Pinocchio taking on the undead using his nose as a stake. (Okay, itís a little surprising, but still, it fits in with the intent of the original.) Both creators are interviewed in GNR right now, and I hope you enjoy it.

Thereís plenty more to talk about, but you can see just by reading on what else weíve got for you on the site. Donít forget to vote in the new poll up now, and also let us know what you think about what weíre doing on the site. We love to hear from you!

Happy reading,

Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer
Heís the worldís best vampire slayer because heís got a wooden nose that canít be stopped! Heís Pinocchio, and heís a little different from the wooden boy you may remember.

Behind the Scenes
Boom! Studiosí Sales Director Jenny Christopher relays her passion for comics and why sheís a fan of the format.

A Good Joe
Joe Staton set to illustrate Charles Santino's graphic adapation of Ayn Rand's ANTHEM

Library Journalís Best of 2009
Check out the graphic novels that made the cut!

Can't Wait to Spring Into New Books
Itís cold outside now, but spring is on its way, and with it comes a huge selection of new titles to plan for, like Invincible, Vol. 12, Kick-Ass: From Strip to Screen, Poe, and Twilight.

Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 1: Power & Responsibility by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley
We all know the story of Spider-Man, but few creative teams have managed to capture his essence so wonderfully as Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. For those who have always wanted to get into Spider-Man but were put off by the decades of continuity --- or those just looking for some fantastic superhero literature --- Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 1: Power & Responsibility will have you cheering as Peter Parker, updated for the new millennium, is transformed into the amazing Spider-Man in this beautifully written tale of a young man who's just trying to do what's right. Reviewed by Stephen Giordano

The Art of Ditko edited by Craig Yoe
Several pieces of Steve Ditko's original art are scattered throughout this book, photographed in a loving way that shows off every bit of yellowed paper, crusty correction fluid, and stroke of the brush. Reviewed by John Hogan

The Devil's Trill by Sooyeon Won
The Devil's Trill brings us two supernatural stories. In one, a vampire tries to be with the woman who makes him happy; in the other, a jeweler makes an unfortunate deal to be young again. Reviewed by Danica Davidson

La Esperanca, Vol. 4-7 by Chigusa Kawai
In the second half of this series, Georges and Robert reveal more about their past and learn of unknown connections. Reviewed by Danica Davidson

Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer by Andy Runton
Owly is a good-natured little owl who makes new friends and rescues a friend in trouble in these wordless stories. The drawings are simple but the storytelling is surprisingly sophisticated, so these stories are accessible to young and old readers alike. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson

My First Graphic Novel Series by various
A girl who wants to play football, a boy who hates being goalie-these straightforward graphic novels feature average children rising to the challenges posed by various sports. Each slim volume features a straightforward story that introduces the basics of a sport in an easy-to-read graphic novel format. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson