The Hottest Graphic Novels of Summer 2010: Nonfiction
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MAY
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Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Art of the Animated Series
by Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and various
Dark Horse
On sale now
Since its debut in 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender has remained one of Nickelodeon’s most talked about and highest-rated animated series to date, and it’s not too hard to see why. Not only does it offer an epic storyline, engaging characters, action, adventure, and a powerful message about the importance of hope in a world long besieged by war, all the while serving up top-notch entertainment, but it’s also beautifully executed, a stunning masterpiece of animated storytelling that harmonizes Western influences with aesthetic inspiration drawn from a diverse array of cultures, including those of China, Japan, India, and the Inuit. An unprecedented look at the concept, design, and production art behind this smash-hit series, Avatar: The Last Airbender—The Art of the Animated Series chronicles the show’s development—from the very first sketch through the series finale and beyond, along with behind-the-scenes commentary from series creators Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino.
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Undeleted Scenes
by Jeffrey Brown
Top Shelf
On sale now
Undeleted Scenes presents a decade’s worth of shorter works from indie comics legend Jeffrey Brown. This huge compendium contains stories from the previous collections Minisulk, Every Girl Is the End of the World for Me, and Feeble Attempts, as well as Brown’s work from anthologies such as Kramers Ergot and McSweeney’s, plus rare material from minicomics and elsewhere, including dozens of pages of never-before-seen material. Spanning humor, autobiography, and beyond, some of Jeffrey's most beloved comics are in here—including the fan-favorite self-parody collection Be a Man!
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How I Made It to Eighteen
by Tracy White
First Second
On sale June 8
How do you know if you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown? For 17-year-old Stacy Black, it all begins with the smashing of a window. After putting her fist through the glass, she checks into a mental hospital. Stacy hates it there but, despite herself, slowly realizes she has to face the reasons for her depression to stop from self-destructing. Based on the author’s experiences, How I Made It to Eighteen is a frank portrait of what it’s like to struggle with self-esteem, body-image issues, drug addiction, and anxiety.
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The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen
by Denis Kitchen, Neil Gaiman, and Charles Brownstein, with design by John Lind
Dark Horse
On sale June 23
A well-known personality in the comics world, Denis Kitchen has worn many hats: publisher, founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and literary and art agent. But his career as a pioneering underground comix artist has been overdue for rediscovery—until now! The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen, the long-awaited collection of Kitchen’s comics, covers, and illustrations, brings Kitchen the artist to the forefront. A comprehensive career overview, this compendium includes approximately 200 illustrations, most unseen since their original publication in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and many from regional publications not seen even by serious comix fans.
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Top Ten Deadliest Sharks
by Joe Brusha
Silver Dragon Books
On sale August 21
The first ever Discovery Channel graphic novel captures the oceans top 10 deadliest sharks with exciting illustrations and captivating storytelling. Sharks are the oceans’ oldest and most fearsome predators. Misrepresented as mindless killing machines, sharks rarely attack humans. Still, they do pose a danger to anyone who swims or works in the world’s oceans. They also play an invaluable part in keeping the oceans’ ecosystem healthy. This groundbreaking graphic novel sheds light on the true nature of the oceans’ most well known and dangerous sharks.
