 |
GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
July 16, 2011 |
|
Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
|
|
|
|
|
The Stuff of Legends
|
 |
It started with a simple but great idea --- the $20,000+ Great Graphic Novel Giveaway at this year’s American Library Association annual conference in New Orleans. One library would receive hundreds of hand-selected graphic novels all to become a better resource for this material for patrons in their community, as well as shelving, spinner racks and furniture that included seating and tables to give them a way to display --- and enjoy --- these books. We teamed up with Brodart and Diamond Book Distributors to make it all happen. And the prize value grew and grew as more and more publishers came on board to participate until it was worth more than $25,000. All for one library.
Congratulations to the winner, LeVette Fuller, who, coincidentally enough, was somewhat local: She represented Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport. (You can see a video of the Award Ceremony here.) When she won, LeVette said something that showed that her winning library was exactly the type we had created the contest for: “We have very high circulation numbers for graphic novels, but not enough of a collection. We are continually trying to expand to meet our needs, and this prize will go a long way toward doing that.” That made me incredibly happy, because one reason behind this contest had always been to help build the recognition and appreciation for the entire graphic novel format. Through GNR, both Carol and I have seen firsthand how devoted many librarians are to graphic novels, whether as a tool to help reluctant readers, an educational device to make a good reader a better one, or just a book that a patron loves to read. In fact, the latter comment makes us smile the most. These are some of the reasons GNR was started in the first place, and it has been so rewarding to see that commitment from librarians borne out in so many ways in this industry.
There were several great things about the show. One was watching the faces of the winners. In addition to the big grand prize, we had many daily prizes generously donated by publishers. Many of those daily prizes were incredibly cool, and I had my eye on several (don’t worry; I showed remarkable restraint and did not take any for myself…as much as I wanted to).
By the way, because so many publishers were so generous with helping this good cause take off and become a huge success, I want to personally thank all of them. Please check out this list of sponsors and be sure to thank them and support them whenever you can. Their generosity has helped make a difference for the industry: Abrams Books, Ape Entertainment, Archaia, Candlewick Press, Capstone, Creative Arts Unlimited Inc., Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Fanfare/Ponent Mon, First Second Books, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, Lerner Publishing, Marvel, Oni Press, Penguin Young Readers Group, Random House, Rosen Publishing, Round Table Comics, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, Toon Books, Top Cow Productions, Top Shelf Productions, Unshelved, Viper Comics, VIZ Media, W.W. Norton and Zenescope Entertainment.
And finally, we at GNR and everyone associated with the giveaway would like to give a huge thanks to Jimmy Gownley, creator of the Amelia Rules! series. If you’re not familiar with Amelia Rules! (perfect books for every tween in your life, and also very nice reading for adults), you should check them out. Jimmy worked incredibly hard to create a logo and backdrop image for our booth at ALA, and his great designs were part of the reason for the contest’s success.
Here’s another reason I loved the show so much: The way ALA attendees interacted with the graphic novels in the booth. Everyone was respectful of the books and knew they couldn’t take any with them as they were for the prize. But throughout the day, people were constantly rifling through the shelves, excitedly telling their companions about this or that series, looking for books they had in (or wanted to add to) their collections, and sometimes just stopping to read for a while. That’s exactly why this contest was a huge success from start to finish.
And now on to San Diego! Are you going? Are you excited? Are you ready? If you are going to be there, let us know! For a list of programs, panels, and more of particular interest to librarians and educators, see our special listing here.
In the meantime, enjoy all the new content we have up right now on GNR. After ALA week and the 4th of July, it’s been incredibly busy, but we’ve got some great new content, including a new contest where you could win a copy of bestselling prose author Kim Harrison’s first graphic novel, Blood Work! Enjoy and let us know what you think!
Happy reading,
John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Getting His Sidekicks: Dan Santat |
Get ready for a charming adventure series for kids of all ages in Dan Santat’s new book Sidekicks. The picture book author describes his foray into graphic novels in this interview. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our interview with Dan Santat.
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
G Is for G-Man: Chris Giarrusso on His Kid Superhero |
G-Man, Chris Giarrusso’s awesome all-ages superhero series, is one of the most fun and exciting new properties to come down the pike in ages. Here, Chris opens up about his inspiration for the character and how he uses G-Man as a way to reach kids and why comics make you smarter. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our interview with Chris Giarrusso.
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Wicked Ways: Ronald Wimberly on Adapting Ray Bradbury |
How do you approach a legendary work like Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes and turn it into a graphic novel? Very carefully. That’s exactly what creator Ronald Wimberly (author of the critically acclaimed Sentences) did when he took, with Bradbury’s approval, the classic book and turned it into an exciting new graphic adaptation. We discussed the process with him. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our interview with Ronald Wimberly.
|
|
GUEST BLOG
Kim Harrison |
Guest blogger Kim Harrison, author of the urban paranormal series Hollows, shares how she branched out creatively by creating the full-color graphic novel Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel, along with illustrators Pedro Maia and Gemma Magno. Also enter to win a free copy of the book...see the link for details!
|
Click here to read Kim Harrison's guest blog post.
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY & VIDEO
ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans |
From June 23–28, 2011, in New Orleans, the American Library Association's Annual Conference took over the city! The world’s largest event for the library community was also home to the $20,000+ Great Graphic Novel Giveaway, cosponsored by Brodart Company, Diamond Book Distributors, and GraphicNovelReporter. See the video of the winner being chosen here and view photos from the event here!
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXCERPT
Bake Sale by Sara Varon |
Cupcake’s life is pretty good. He’s got his bakery, and his band, and his best friend, Eggplant. His days are full of cooking, socializing, and playing music. But lately, Cupcake has been struggling in the kitchen. He’s sure the solution to all his problems is out there somewhere. But maybe that solution is hiding closer to home. Sara Varon returns with an ageless tale as dreamy and evocative as her break-out hit graphic novel Robot Dreams. At once deeply metaphorical and hilariously literal, Bake Sale is a story for anyone who’s ever looked for an easy answer to life’s intractable difficulties. It’s also a cookbook: Varon includes seven delicious recipes, from classic cupcakes to sugared flower petals to marzipan.
|
Get a preview of this charming new book here!
|
|
| EVENTS & CONVENTIONS |
Everybody knows July is the month of San Diego Comic-Con International! But did you also know it’s time for comics conventions in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and more? If you can’t make it to San Diego, you may still be able to check out one of the great events here!
|
|
|
|
FICTION REVIEWS
|
 |
Pinocchio by Winshluss
For those who think Pinocchio is the impish, wooden boy of Disney films or the somewhat comical and deviant version found in the Shrektrilogy, think again. Definitely not for children, Winshluss' Pinocchio finds more in common with the traditional, original Italian narrative than any of its 20th-century cinematic counterparts. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
Celluloid by Dave McKean
Dave McKean, a frequent collaborator to Neil Gaiman and well known for his art on Sandman and Batman: Arkham Asylum, takes readers on a journey far removed from his more mainstream ventures. Celluloid is an intimate, wordless, erotic work of art that transcends the adult genre with incredible, surrealistic imagery that relies more on intellect than mere titillation. Reviewed by Michael Hicks
Butterflies, Flowers, Vol. 5 by Yuki Yoshihara
Choko’s servant, boss, and lover (all the same man) invites her to move in with him, which causes all sorts of new issues…mainly funny ones. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
People have wondered for ages who Jack the Ripper was and what motivated him. In Alan Moore’s classic tale, the truth was a chilling conspiracy theory: Queen Victoria’s own Dr. Gull became Jack the Ripper in order to silence women who were blackmailing the royal family. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
|
Click here to read all our fiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
| REFERENCE REVIEWS |
|
Bolland Strips! by Brian Bolland
Known for his iconic designs on Britain's 2000AD, his evocative and intimately detailed cover work for various DC Comics titles, and his seminal collaboration with Alan Moore on Batman: The Killing Joke, Brian Bolland shelves the superheroes here and provides readers with a highly personal and at times comedic window into his creative talents with this collection of short comic-strip art. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
Krazy Kat & The Art of George Herriman: A Celebration edited by Craig Yoe
Animated or cartoon cat-and-mouse games have delighted generations of children and adults for the better part of a century, and most audiences can point to Mickey Mouse and Pete, Tom and Jerry, or the modern day incarnations of Itchy and Scratchy as evidence. Yet Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse were the founders of the modern genre of such comedic antics rooted in semi-violent actions on the pages of the daily, newspaper strips. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
|
Click here to read all our reference reviews.
|
|
|
|
| TEEN REVIEWS |
Baltimore, Vol. 1: The Plague Ships by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, and Ben Stenbeck
Hellboy creator Mike Mignola introduces vampire hunter Lord Henry Baltimore, a WWI veteran. Stalking the vampire Haigus, Baltimore fights his way through the plague-ravaged streets and villages of Europe and a submarine graveyard filled with the undead. Reviewed by Michael Hicks
Dungeon: Monstres, Vol. 4: Night of the Ladykiller by Joann Sfar, Lewis Trondheim, et al.
Don’t let the anthropomorphic animals fool you: Dungeon is a surprisingly complex, character-driven exploration into Sfar and Trondheim’s elaborate, medieval mythology, filled with surrealist wizards and warriors. The Monstres spin-off series explores the lives and adventures of the series’ secondary characters, with beautiful art and absorbing storytelling. Reviewed by Collin David
|
Click here to read our teen reviews.
|
|
|
|
KIDS REVIEWS
|
The Clockwork Girl by Sean O’Reilly and Kevin Hanna
The Clockwork Girl and Huxley are both outsiders and live in opposite worlds where their fathers hate each other. In spite of this, their friendship (and possibly love) grows. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
The Little Endless Storybook by Jill Thompson
While primarily targeting fans of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, the reissuing of Jill Thompson's The Little Endless Storybookis also a welcome, innovative, and refreshing example of graphic literature's potentials beyond the traditional comics-only, adult audience. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
|
Click here to read all the kids reviews.
|
|
|
|
COMING SOON
July 13th - July 20th |
July 13
Archie Americana, Vol. 02: The ’50s
IDW Publishing
Devil’s Decade
Arsenic Lullaby Publishing
Artesia, Vol. 1
Archaia Entertainment LLC
Artesia, Vol. 2: Artesia Afield
Archaia Studios Press
Artifacts, Vol. 2
Top Cow
Atomic Robo, Vol. 5: The Deadly Art of Science
Red 5 Comics
The Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 2
Marvel Comics
Batman/Bruce Wayne: The Road Home
DC Comics
Batman: Hush Unwrapped Deluxe Edition
DC Comics
Black Panther: Man Without Fear, Vol. 1: Urban Jungle
Marvel Comics
Blackest Night
DC Comics
Blackest Night: The Green Lantern Corps
DC Comics
Bloom County to Mars: The Imagination of Berkeley Breathed
IDW Publishing
Casanova Gula
Marvel Comics
Classic G.I. Joe, Vol. 12
IDW Publishing
Classic Next Men, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
Cowboys
DC Comics
Dark Avengers
Marvel Comics
Deadpool, Vol. 6: I Rule, You Suck
Marvel Comics
The Essential X-Factor, Vol. 2
Marvel Comics
Excalibur: Visionaries: Alan Davis, Vol. 3
Marvel Comics
Hawkeye: Blindspot
Marvel Comics
The Homeland Directive
Top Shelf Productions
Incognito, Vol. 2: Bad Influences
Marvel Comics
Jack of Fables, Vol. 9: The End
Vertigo
Kull, Vol. 2: The Hate Witch
Dark Horse
Marvel Masterworks: Avengers, Vol. 11
Marvel Comics
The New Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics
New X-Men by Grant Morrison, Book 3
Marvel Comics
Night of the Living Dead, Vol. 2
Avatar Press
Penguins of Madagascar, Vol. 2: Wonder from Down Under
Ape Entertainment
Quarantined
AAM Markosia
Runaways, Vol. 7: Live Fast Digest
Marvel Comics
Sam & Twitch, The Complete Collection, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Slaughterman’s Creed
AAM Markosia
Space Race
Campfire
Spider-Man: The Death of Jean Dewolff
Marvel Comics
Spider-Man: Origin of Species
Marvel Comics
Star Wars: Knight Errant—Aflame
Dark Horse
Thor: Spiral
Marvel Comics
Twisted Savage Dragon Funnies
Image Comics
Vampirella, Vol. 1: Crown of Worms
Dynamite Entertainment
Walter Simonson’s Thor
IDW Publishing
Witchblade: Redemption, Vol. 3
Image Comics
Wolverine, The Best There Is: Contagion
Marvel Comics
X-Factor: Scar Tissue
Marvel Comics
X-Men: Lifedeath
Marvel Comics
July 20
Angel Covers, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
Blackest Night: The Black Lantern Corps, Vol. 1
DC Comics
Blackest Night: The Black Lantern Corps, Vol. 2
DC Comics
Captain America: The Art of Captain America: The First Avenger
Marvel Comics
Conan the Barbarian: The Mask of Acheron
Dark Horse
Daken and X-23: Collision
Marvel Comics
Dave Stevens’ Complete Sketchbook
IDW Publishing
Deadpool Pulp
Marvel Comics
Death Valley
IDW Publishing
Firestorm: The Nuclear Man
DC Comics
Incredible Hulks: Planet Savage
Marvel Comics
Infestation, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
Jack Kirby Omnibus, Vol. 1: Starring Green Arrow
DC Comics
Johnny Test, Vol. 1: Once & Future Johnny
Viper Comics
Kim Harrison’s Hollows, Vol. 1: Blood Work
Del Rey
Marvel Point One
Marvel Comics
New Mutants Classic, Vol. 6
Marvel Comics
One Soul
Oni Press
Onslaught Unleashed
Marvel Comics
Parker Martini Edition
IDW Publishing
Secret Avengers, Vol. 1: Mission to Mars
Marvel Comics
Showcase Presents: The Trial of the Flash
DC Comics
Spawn: New Beginnings, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Speaker for the Dead
Marvel Comics
Spider-Man: Am I an Avenger?
Marvel Comics
Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier
Marvel Comics
Tales of the Batman, Vol. 1: Gene Colan
DC Comics
Tezuka: Book of Human Insects
Vertical
Thor: The Black Galaxy Saga
Marvel Comics
Thunderbolts: Violent Rejection
Marvel Comics
Turf
Image Comics
Welcome to Tranquility: One Foot in the Grave
Wildstorm
Wolverine vs. the X-Men
Marvel Comics
X-Men/Steve Rogers: Escape from the Negative Zone
Marvel Comics
ZFW: Zombies of Foreign Wars, Vol. 1
Creators Edge Press
July 27
Amazing Mysteries: The Bill Everett Archives, Vol. 1
Fantagraphics
Amory Wars: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3, Vol. 3
Boom! Studios
Angel Omnibus, Vol. 2
IDW Publishing
Any Empire
Top Shelf Productions
Archie’s Mad House, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
The Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine
Marvel Comics
Avengers Academy, Vol. 1: Permanent Record
Marvel Comics
Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics
Batman: Streets of Gotham, Vol. 3: House of Hush
DC Comics
The Best of Archie Comics
Archie Comics
Black Widow: Kiss or Kill
Marvel Comics
Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns
DC Comics
Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps
DC Comics
Borderline, Vol. 4
Dynamite Entertainment
Bouncer: One-Armed Gunslinger, Vol. 1
Humanoids Publishing
Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus, Vol. 2
Dark Horse
Claw & Fang
Bluewater Productions
Crusin
Fantagraphics
Disney Four-Color Adventures, Vol. 1
Boom! Studios
Disney Treasury: Donald Duck, Vol. 2
Boom! Studios
Edge of Doom
IDW Publishing
Everything Can Be Beaten
Slave Labor Graphics
Fame: Big Time Rush
Bluewater Productions
Freakshow, Vol. 1
Ape Entertainment
Grim Fairy Tales: Myths & Legends, Vol. 1
Zenescope Entertainment
Haunt: Immortal Edition, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Hidden
Fantagraphics
Infinite Kung Fu
Top Shelf Productions
John Lord, Vol. 1
Humanoids Publishing
Justice
DC Comics
Kinky and Cosy
NBM
Kung Fu Panda, Vol. 1: Kung Fu Crew
Ape Entertainment
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 3: Century #2: 1969
Top Shelf Productions
Like a Sniper Lining Up His Shot
Fantagraphics
Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Marvel Masterworks X-Men, Vol. 3
Marvel Comics
Megamind, Vol. 2: Why So Blue
Ape Entertainment
Nuts
Fantagraphics
Penny for Your Soul, Vol. 1: War
Big Dog Ink
Pilot Season, Vol. 4: 2010
Top Cow
Randomveus, Vol. 1
Udon
Sita, Daughter of the Earth
Campfire
Smurfs, Vol. 7: The Astro Smurf
Papercutz
Spider-Man Blue
Marvel Comics
Spider-Man: The Complete Ben Reilly Epic, Book 1
Marvel Comics
Spider-Man/Fantastic Four
Marvel Comics
Spinecrawler
IDW Publishing
The Stand: No Mans Land
Marvel Comics
Star Wars: The Clone Wars—The Starcrusher Trap
Dark Horse
Subculture Webstrips, Vol. 1: Wrath of the Geek
Ape Entertainment
Terry Moore’s Echo: The Complete Edition
Abstract Studios
Time Lincoln, Vol. 1: Fate of the Union
Antarctic Press
Transformers Ongoing, Vol. 3
IDW Publishing
Vampirella Archives, Vol. 4
Dynamite Entertainment
Frazetta Classics Deluxe, Vol. 2: White Indian
Vanguard Productions
Wonderland: House of Liddle, Vol. 1
Zenescope Entertainment
X-Men: Legacy Aftermath
Marvel Comics
Zombie Tales Omnibus
Boom! Studios
|
|
|
