Last Monday brought a huge downpour here in the city, and I managed to get caught up in it. Normally I wouldn't mind, but I happened to be wearing a sport coat (which is incredibly rare for me; I'm not dressed up often), and I also happened to be running (even rarer) to an event at Powerhouse Books in Brooklyn. The event was a special presentation featuring two of the biggest graphic works out right now and their respective authors: David Small (Stitches) and Josh Neufeld (A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge). I'm a big fan of both, and I had already had the pleasure of interviewing them both for GNR, so I was very familiar with both books. Which is a good thing, because I was the moderator for the night's event.

I have to say, it was a real pleasure to do, even if public speaking is a particularly chilling prospect for me. (A brief aside: My dad was an award-winning speaker for Toastmasters. Years ago, at his behest, I joined Toastmasters in an effort to confront my fear of public speaking head on. It didn't work. I’m as nervous now as I ever was, even when I'm facing a very warm and friendly crowd, which last week's event at Powerhouse certainly had.)

Nervousness aside, once things got underway, it was a lot of fun. Both David and Josh are utterly charming and such pros at holding an audience's attention. It was particularly nice to see these two creators discuss each other's work. They both were not only familiar with the other, but also very much impressed by the other's book. These two works of nonfiction, which seemingly don't have too much in common, blended together perfectly.

I was impressed with them both and hope to do it again sometime. Even if it is a bit nerve-wracking, it's fun to step outside of this cyberspace and discuss comics in the real world with the people who love them and respond to them.

By the way, if there are signings, readings, or other events related to graphic novels going on at a bookstore near you, I hope you'll try to attend. It's one of the best ways to support the format, and it's great for bookstores big and small to have the attention. Plus, it's a nice way to meet some truly incredible creators in person. It's worth going out in the rain for.

See below for news about all the latest updates to the site. Also, a quick note: Next month, GraphicNovelReporter.com is sponsoring The School of Comics and Graphic Novels at the Miami Book Fair. These educational sessions for teachers, librarians and comics and graphic novel creators will take place on Friday, Nov. 13th from 10 AM – 5 PM. Carol Fitzgerald will be moderating the day's events, which are free to attendees, but require registration. As soon as the final details on this program are ready, along with a link to register, we’ll post them. Also, there’s going to be quite a bit of GN-related content at the Fair on Friday the 13th (no, we are not the least bit superstitious) through Sunday the 15th. We’ll also be adding that info as we have it as well. Much more on this to come!

Happy reading,

John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)

Another New York Event

A Little Bit Me and a Little Bit...Everybody Else

Two Authors, One Great Bookstore, and GNR

The Color of Heaven by Kim Dong Hwa
The final volume of Kim Dong Hwa's Colors Trilogy brings the beautiful Ewha's coming-of-age tale to its logical --- and satisfying --- close. Reviewed by Casey Brienza

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood by Tony Lee, Sam Hart and Artur Fujita
When he gets word that his father was murdered, Robin of Loxley returns to Nottingham from the Crusades, where he and his followers must become outlaws in Sherwood Forest in order to undo the corruption of the local sheriff. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith

Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos Papadimitriou
The joint ventures of logic and mathematics, as seen through the lens of Bertrand Russell's life, makes for fascinating reading...and quite a bit worth thinking about. Reviewed by John Hogan

Takeru: Opera Susanoh: Sword of the Devil, Vol. 1-2 by Kazuki Nakashima and Karakara Kemuri
Three men named Takeru take center stage in a pitched swords-and-spells struggle for the sovereignty of the island nations of Oyashima. Reviewed by Casey Brienza

Crogan's Vengeance by Chris Schweizer
Crogan's quick wit and sharp tongue put him on the wrong side of his ship's captain, but when rogue pirates take over his ship, Crogan finds that his skills are needed to save his crewmates, himself, and the pirate code of justice. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith

Road to Revolution! by Stan Mack and Susan Champlin
Nick, an orphan and pickpocket, and Penny, the daughter of a tavern owner, find themselves caught up in politics, war, and espionage when the residents of Boston decide to fight back against the British government in 1775. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith

The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan
Eleven-year-old Jack's life is as bleak as the dust fields which used to be his family's farm, but when a mysterious figure appears in an abandoned barn, Jack finds an adventure he may not be prepared for. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith