|
GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter
|
March 5, 2010
|
|
|
Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
Reviews, Author/Illustrators, Features, Op-Ed, Roundtables, Recent Blog Posts, Podcasts/Videos, Behind the Scenes, Bestseller Lists, Books Into Movies, Coming Soon,
Can't See the Graphics? Read This Newsletter Online
|
|
|
|
A New Favorite
|
|
Welcome to the newest “issue” of GraphicNovelReporter.com. (Since I came up professionally in the world of magazines, I still tend to think of every update to the site as an “issue”—it’s a tough habit to break; for that matter, I still call all my CDs “albums”). Anyway, whatever we choose to call it, I’m happy to welcome you to it, because I have to say…this update has been one of my favorites since the site began. It incorporates such a wide-reaching scope of articles, I think, and they’re all in some way important to my love of this format. I’ll explain.
I’ll start with one of the most important discussions we’ve presented on the site. Several weeks ago, I started planning a Roundtable discussion on black issues and comics. Predictably, I wanted to tie it into Black History Month, but circumstances didn’t quite align to make it happen. Instead, the piece evolved into a few different things along the way, until it developed into what it is now: a discussion between two creators whose work I truly admire, one a longtime veteran of the industry and one a relative newcomer. The former is Trevor Von Eeden, whose artwork was one of my favorites when I was growing up. He drew the definitive Black Lightning, and he was also one of the main reasons I lined up every month to buy World’s Finest Comics (his version of Green Arrow was always my favorite too). Obviously, I haven’t been following Jeremy Love’s work that long. I first read—and was immediately blown away by—Bayou on a plane last summer. It was so good that I was both happy to have it as company on my plane ride but also exasperated, because I wanted to talk about it with somebody, anybody…and I couldn’t 30,000 feet up in the sky. Having these two talents engage in a discussion here is amazing to me, and I’m grateful to them both for taking the time to answer the questions. I hope you all enjoy reading it and find it interesting as well.
This issue deals with the work of another one of my favorite artists from childhood: Gene Colan. If you’ve been reading comics for a long time, you’ll no doubt remember his atmospheric work on Tomb of Dracula and Batman, to name just two (Gene drew almost everyone and anyone in his long career, but I always enjoyed his dark and moody work the best—it seemed to bring out the best in his pencils). Gene’s life in comics has been covered in detail in the new book by Cliff Meth, The Invincible Gene Colan. Cliff himself is a guy with a lot of history in the industry and a lot of stories to tell, so it was fun to interview him about this new book, which honors one of the format’s greatest.
From there, we get an early start on awards season with a peek into the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. Why them? Because they’re the first prize of their kind to add a graphic-novel category. It’s a first this year, so I interviewed the books editor there to find out how the award came about and why they’re doing it now. To me, it seems like one more validation (in a long and sometimes difficult string of validations) for this format that we all love so much.
It’s through steps like this that broader acceptance of the format comes about…but at the same time, it’s important to recognize how steps like this were made possible by the years of work done by teachers and librarians. (We have a first-person essay by high-school teacher Lisa Coxson demonstrating how she uses graphic novels to delve into real-world topics in her classroom; it’s instances like this when I see how connected all these efforts are and how important they all are to discuss.)
Finally, this update reflects another favorite thing of mine recently: just how much graphic novels have permeated pop culture. That’s included movies and TV for years now, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more. Check out our Books into Movies section for a little information on some more projects coming soon.
So there you have it: a brief, whirlwind tour of what’s new this “issue.” I hope you enjoy it. Let me know by sending me an email or by leaving your comments on the site.
Happy reading,
John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)
|
Join the GraphicNovelReporter.com Facebook page!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roundtable: Race and Diversity in Comics
|
|
Comics and Color
Two top comics creators—longtime illustrator and writer Trevor von Eeden and Jeremy Love, creator of Bayou—discuss how black issues, characters, and creators are treated in comics. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our Roundtable feature.
|
|
|
Feature Story: Graphic Novels Shine in L.A.
|
|
More Awards for Graphic Novels
For the first time, a graphic novel category has been added to the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes. What’s even more surprising: It’s the first time a major book prize has added graphic novels. Here’s the story behind the award and what it means for fans. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our Feature Story.
|
|
|
Op-Ed: Teaching Graphic Novel Reflections
|
|
Life Lessons Through Comics
How do the lessons of comics apply to everyday living? Teacher Lisa Coxson explores the deeper issue, showing how comics can be used to delve into matters of personal freedom, civil liberties, and government responsibility, all based on the Marvel Comics: Civil War series and the 2008 film The Dark Knight.
|
Click here to check out our Op-Ed feature with Lisa Coxson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiction Reviews
|
|
Insomnia Café by M.K. Perker
A seemingly harmless loser gets entangled in a bizarre mystery involving a book thief, a beautiful barrista, and an archive of every book currently being written in this dark tale of violence and magical realism. Reviewed by John Hogan
Deadpool, Vol 2: Dark Reign by Daniel Way and Paco Medina
Deadpool, Marvel's mirthful mercenary, is on the run for his life in Deadpool: Dark Reign. Someone should've told him that making enemies with the most powerful man in the world probably wasn't the best of ideas. Reviewed by Stephen Giordano
Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell
As if high school wasn't enough to deal with, teenage siblings Ruth and Perry must contend with their own private demons: They see things no one else sees. This sharp but sympathetic book presents a nuanced view of schizophrenia from the inside out. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson
|
Click here to check out all our fiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
Nonfiction Reviews
|
|
Alec: "The Years Have Pants" by Eddie Campbell
Eddie Campbell has spent decades documenting his life both in and out of comics. This massive omnibus collects them all. Reviewed by John Hogan
Pedro & Me by Judd Winick
Pedro Zamora was the young, gay, HIV-positive man who touched a generation's lives when he appeared on MTV's The Real World. Here, his fellow castmate pays loving tribute to Pedro's inspiration. Reviewed by John Hogan
|
Click here to check out all our nonfiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
Teen Reviews
|
|
Hero Tales, Vol. 1 by Huang Jin-Zhou and Hiromu Arakawa
When he is presented with a mysterious sword-and it is immediately stolen-Taitou learns of his destiny as one of the seven hero stars of the Big Dipper. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith
Itazura Na Kiss, Vol. 1 by Kaoru Tada
Kotoko finally gets up the courage to give a love letter to her crush, Naoki, but he brutally rejects her. So how are they supposed to get along when their families move in together? Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith
Ultimo, Vol. 1 by Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei
Together, Stan Lee and Hiroyuki Takei show a world where the ultimate evil and the ultimate good are made into mechanical boys. In a fight to the death, will good or evil be the winner? Reviewed by Danica Davidson
|
Click here to check out all our teen reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
Kids Reviews
|
|
Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist, Vol. 1 by Shin Yong-Gwan
Megumi is in South Korea when unhuman beings begin to chase her. From the writer of Vampire Hunter D, Taimashin: The Red Spider Exorcist is another tale of horror. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
One Fine Day by Sirial
A cat finds a new home with a human, dog, and mouse. Soon, the four of them are a comfortable family in this cute children's graphic novel. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean by Sarah Stewart Taylor and Ben Towle
Amelia Earhart discusses her background and her dreams with a young girl as she waits to embark on her first transatlantic journey in this quiet story. The backgrounds and scenery evoke the world that was passing away rather than the future Earhart was rushing toward. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson
|
Click here to check out our kids reviews.
|
|
|
Vote in Our Poll!: What Comics-related Movie(s) Are You Looking Forward To?
|
|
2010 Comics Movies
Which comics-related movie(s) are you most looking forward to seeing this year?
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Goon
Iron Man 2
Jonah Hex
Kick Ass
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Other
I don't know
|
Click here to vote in our poll.
|
|
A few housekeeping notes: If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online or change your preferences below.
Those of you who wish to send mail to GraphicNovelReporter.com, please write John@bookreporter.com. Writing any of the respond buttons below will not get to us.
For advertising and promotion opportunities, please see our media kit here.
Those who are subscribed to the GraphicNovelReporter.com newsletter by March 31, 2010 are automatically entered in our Monthly Newsletter Contest. This month's selections include Cat Burglar Black by Richard Sala, Godchild 1 by Kaori Yuki, Invincible: Who's the Boss? by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker, Malice by Chris Wooding, and Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor.
The winner of February's contest, Don from Middleton, NY, will be receiving Copper by Kazu Kibuishi, Godchild 1 by Kaori Yuki, Joe and Azat by Jesse Lonergan, Me and the Devil Blues: The Unreal Life of Robert Johnson by Akira Hiramoto, Yotsuba & !, Book 3 by Kiyohiko Azuma.
The Book Report Network
250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228
New York, New York 10107
|
|
