 |
GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
September 9, 2011 |
|
Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
|
|
|
Getting a Jump on Fall
|
|
Somewhere amid all the “Is it REALLY Labor Day already” freaking out that went on in my mind last weekend (there’s a good chance the speed with which 2011 is passing has sparked a mini-midlife crisis), I started to appreciate the oncoming fall. I’ve never been one for heat; I’m pretty much overheated on even the chilliest of days…so I should be glad to see the turn of seasons. This is the break I --- and my air conditioner --- have been waiting for.
It also brings the opportunity to present our third annual Great Graphic Novels of Fall list to you as we cull through publishers’ offerings to give you a head’s up about the biggest and best and the ones you can’t afford to miss. You may already know some of the big ones, like Craig Thompson’s Habibi and Art Spiegelman’s MetaMaus. But there are many other books to look out for in the months ahead, all ensuring that 2011 will go down as a banner year for comics.
For example:Government Issue (a massive collection from Abrams ComicArts detailing government-sponsored comics from the ’40s on), Nursery Rhyme Comics (a gigantically grand anthology from the great folks at First Second), NBM’s beautiful translation of Takashi Murakami’s Stargazing Dog, Jennifer Hayden’s nonfiction collection Underwire (from Top Shelf) --- and so many more it’s impossible to name them all here. Check out our full list out online now and get ready to make your fall shopping lists.
Our fall here at GNR is shaping up to be quite busy. We’re all excited about New York Comic-Con, coming up October 13–16. I’m moderating a panel at the con, one that I think a lot of our readers will find useful and informative entitled Graphic Novels and Libraries: Beyond the Basics. It’ll take place on Thursday, October 13, in Room #1A03 from 3:45-4:45pm. Here’s a brief description: “As graphic novels continue to enjoy wider representation and circulation in libraries around the country, new challenges and issues face librarians. This panel will delve into those concerns as well as explore new opportunities for libraries. Topics covered will include digital strategies, increasing budgets for graphic novel collections, what to do when you start running out of shelf space, promoting the collection to adult patrons and nontraditional audiences (like teachers, homeschooling parents, and others), and much more.
I will have more details about participating panelists and more topics for you by the time of the next GNR newsletter, so look for it there. But in the meantime, make your plans to attend NYCC if you can…it’s going to be a great show!
Following fairly closely on the heels of NYCC will be the Miami Book Fair. The fair takes place November 13–20. This is one of the biggest literary events in the country, and it also includes a very prominent graphic novel presence. It’s wonderful to see the broad range of support that the fair shows comics publishers, and conversely, the large number of comics publishers who exhibit at the fair. This year, GNR is once again a sponsor of the School of Comics, a teacher-focused event that helps incorporate comics in the classroom. We will have details about this event in the next newsletter, as well.
Online right now are our interviews with a few very interesting (albeit quite different) creators. The Lagos Brothers (Alexander and Joseph) started an offbeat but incredibly imaginative new graphic series called The Sons of Liberty. Featuring two escaped slaves who become superheroes (and are joined by the likes of Ben Franklin), the series is a rich treasure of history and showcases perfectly how comics can be both fun and educational without seeming like dry textbooks.
Our GNR interview with legendary indie comics staple Shannon Wheeler is available now, too. If you’re familiar with Wheeler’s work, including the Eisner-nominated I Thought You’d Be Funnier and Too Much Coffee Man, you know how witty and insightful he is. His GNR interview captures him just as the 20-year omnibus of TMCM is being released. You’ll love what he has to say about it.
With back to school on many of your minds, be sure to check out two very interesting teacher-related articles. First up, Chula Vista, California, teacher Patrick Yurick discusses how he developed an interesting after-school program devoted to creating a comic book and getting it (and the program) featured at San Diego Comic-Con. This past summer, that dream became a reality. Also, Maureen Bakis profiles New Hampshire-based teacher Marek Bennett, who has created a number of tips and essentials to follow to ensure educators are getting the most out of comics in the classroom.
Scroll down to see the rest of the news and reviews we have for your reading pleasure.
Happy reading,
John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Give Us Liberty: The Lagos Brothers Discuss The Sons of Liberty
|
|
With The Sons of Liberty, brothers Alexander and Joseph Lagos have created a rich historical graphic series that turns two young escaped slaves into superheroes battling against the evils of slavery. Mentoring them along the way is Benjamin Franklin, helping to create a book that is moving, lively, touching, and compulsively readable. The Lagos Brothers talked about their groundbreaking work here. By John Hogan |
Click here to read our interview with The Lagos Brothers.
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Coffee Break: Shannon Wheeler on TMCM and More
|
|
With the recent release of the Too Much Coffee Man Omnibus from Dark Horse, 20 years’ worth of Shannon Wheeler’s angst-filled antihero have been collected into one enormous volume. It’s a huge achievement; a bible of ennui and unexpected non-adventure, starring an everyman who just happens to wear an inexplicable coffee helmet. We sat down to ask Mr. Wheeler a few questions about what all of this means. By Collin David |
Click here to read our feature story on Shannon Wheeler.
|
|
FEATURE STORY
Great Graphic Novels of Fall 2011
|
|
Fall is here, and with it comes a bevy of amazing graphic novels! Some of the biggest books of the year are coming your way in the weeks ahead. Get a head start on all of them by checking out our extensive list of graphic novels and manga. |
Click here to read our feature on Great Graphic Novels of Fall 2011.
|
|
EVENTS AND CONVENTIONS:
New York Comic Con 2011 and Miami Book Fair 2011
|
| New York Comic Con is the biggest comic and pop culture convention on the East Coast, an annual tradition that continues to grow in size and prominence. It takes place October 13–16 and features a stellar lineup of comics talent. The following month, the Miami Book Fair, one of the largest and most energetic book fairs in the country, comes alive from November 13-20, including the much-respected School of Comics. Click here to get the latest info. |
Click here to read more about these events.
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY
|
LeVette Fuller of Shreve Memorial Library in Shreveport, Louisiana, was the lucky recipient of the $20,000+ Great Graphic Novel Giveaway, held this past June at the American Library Association Annual Conference in New Orleans. The contest was sponsored by Brodart Company, Diamond Distributors, and GraphicNovelReporter. The main branch of the library hosted a ribbon-cutting for their new graphic novel collection on Thursday, August 25. The comic art collective 4after5 hosted an all-ages workshop on creating comics prior to the ribbon-cutting. See pictures from the big day here!
|
Click here to see the opening event at Shreve Memorial Library.
|
|
|
|
EXCERPT:
Stargazing Dog by Takashi Murakami
|
Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this story centers on Oto-san, a man who finds himself abandoned by his family and friends with nothing in his life happening the way he had planned. He embarks on a road trip to escape it all, and he soon discovers the only one he can count on completely is his faithful, recently adopted dog, who helps him see the light at the end of the tunnel. Illustrating the valuable lessons of friendship and loyalty, this is a heartwarming tale of two endearing characters and their shared adventure into the unknown. Here's a preview.
|
Click here to read our excerpt of Stargazing Dog.
|
|
OP-ED
Creating Success within The High Tech High School Graphic Novel Project
|
|
High Tech High is a charter school in Chula Vista, California, specializing in math, science, and engineering course work for its students. It’s also the home to multimedia instructor Patrick Yurick, who three years ago founded the Graphic Novel Project. It was an afterschool venture with 15 students and a dream that, as Patrick describes it, “based on the quality of their dedication and work, we would create a comic that would be of the quality to exhibit at Comic-Con International.” This past summer, Patrick and his students’ dream was realized when they exhibited at the con and even hosted a panel there. Here, Patrick describes what made the Graphic Novel Project (GNP) so successful. |
Click here to read the op-ed.
|
|
FEATURE STORY:
Voices from the Classroom: Marek Bennett
|
|
New Hampshire’s Marek Bennett is a multitalented cartoonist, musician, and teacher who houses an impressive potpourri of comics projects on his website, www.MarekBennett.com. His work can help teachers everywhere more successfully incorporate comics into their classroom environments. By Maureen Bakis |
Click here to read our feature with Marek Bennett.
|
|
|
|
FICTION REVIEWS
|
We3 Deluxe Edition by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Three house pets, a dog, a cat, and a rabbit, are transformed by military scientists into trained cybernetic assassins. With this simple premise, a Robocop meets Old Yeller mishmash, Grant Morrison is able to run wild and create an emotionally resonant tale of violence and redemption with his frequent artistic collaborator Frank Quitely. Reviewed by Michael Hicks
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Vol. 1–5 by Philip K. Dick and Tony Parker
In an act of curious subversion of comic book traditions, Boom! Studios is publishing an ongoing series of graphic novels based on Philip K. Dick’s iconic Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Every single word of the original text is captured on these pages alongside the usual illustrations, resulting in a very interesting experiment that combines two distinct forms of storytelling into one strange amalgamation. Reviewed by Colin David
Monster, Vol. 8–10 by Naoki Urasawa
Dr. Tenma tries to take down the murderer Johan and fails. Meanwhile, a journalist named Grimmer investigates in Prague to learn more about the abusive orphanage where Johan used to live. Reviewed by Danica Davidson |
Click here to read all our fiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| TEEN REVIEWS |
Chimichanga by Eric Powell
Collecting the three-part mini-series published by Albatross Exploding Books in 2009, Dark Horse's Chimichanga is a deviously funny and deviant tale of corporate greed and manipulation, circus freaks, and childhood innocence. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
One Month to Live by Rick Remender, John Ostrander, et al.
What would you do if the weird event that gave you your superpowers was also killing you? Average guy Dennis Sykes has been given one month to live, along with the ability to manipulate matter and energy at will. One Month to Live is a philosophical, and action-packed, look at nothing less than the meaning of life. Reviewed by Colin David
Antique Bakery, Vol. 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga
Despite his dislike for sweets, Tachibana opens a bakery and strikes up interesting relationships with the other workers. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
|
Click here to read our teen reviews.
|
|
|
|
KIDS REVIEWS
|
|
Avengers & the Infinity Gauntlet by Brian Clevinger, Lee Black, and Brian Churillo
This all-ages graphic novel (part of the kid-friendly Marvel Adventures line) tells the tale of a ragtag group of extra Avengers as they cross the galaxy, trying to figure out why half of the living creatures in the universe have suddenly disappeared. Reviewed by John R. Platt
Astronaut Academy by Dave Roman
What's it like to go to elementary school in outer space with robots and zero-gravity classes and explosions and space monkeys and a teacher who's a panda? Reviewed by John R. Platt
Choco Mimi, Vol. 1-2 by Konami Sonoda
Best friends Choco and Mimi are interested in fashion and boys in this lighthearted manga for all ages. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
|
Click here to read all the kids reviews.
|
|
|
|
COMING SOON: September 7th and 14th
|
|
Here’s what is out this week...and next!
September 7
Americus
First Second
Anita Blake: Circus of the Damned: Ingenue, Book 2
Marvel Comics
Archie Archives, Vol. 2
Dark Horse
Archie: The Best of Samm Schwartz, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
Balzer + Bray
Astro City: Life in the Big City
DC Comics
Avengers: Assault on Olympus
Marvel Comics
Brightest Day, Vol. 3
DC Comics
Chimichanga
Dark Horse
The Complete Major Bummer Super Slacktacular!
Dark Horse
Creepy Presents Bernie Wrightson
Dark Horse
Crossed, Vol. 2: Family Values
Avatar Press
Cuba: My Revolution (paperback)
Vertigo
Dark Tower Omnibus Slipcase Set
Marvel Comics
Deadworld: The Last Siesta
IDW Publishing
Doctor Who Classics, Vol. 7
IDW Publishing
Eerie Archives, Vol. 8
Dark Horse
Ender’s Game: Formic Wars: Burning Earth
Marvel Comics
Fantastic Four: The World’s Greatest Comics Magazine
Marvel Comics
G.I. Joe Origins, Vol. 5
IDW Publishing
Giant Size Little Lulu, Vol. 4
Dark Horse
A God Somewhere (paperback)
Vertigo
Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Vol. 2
IDW Publishing
I Zombie, Vol. 2: Uvampire
Vertigo
The Last Dragon
Dark Horse
The Legion of Super Heroes, Vol. 2: Consequences
DC Comics
Mega Man, Vol. 1
Archie Comics
New Avengers, Vol. 7
Marvel Comics
The New Teen Titans: Games
DC Comics
The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor Archives, Vol. 3
Dark Horse
Oh My Goddess!, Vol. 39
Dark Horse
Oz: Ozma of Oz
Marvel Comics
Pilot Season: Declassified 2011
Image Comics
Powers, Vol. 2: Roleplay
Marvel Comics
The Savage Sword of Conan, Vol. 10
Dark Horse
Sonic Universe, Vol. 1
Archie Comics
Spawn Origins, Vol. 4
Image Comics
The Stand, Vol. 1: Captain Trips
Marvel Comics
Star Wars Omnibus: Episodes I-VI: The Complete Saga
Dark Horse
Thor for Asgard
Marvel Comics
Wolverine Goes To Hell
Marvel Comics
Zomnibus, Vol. 2
IDW Publishing
|
Click here to see what's coming soon!
|
|
|
