Talking Comics: Graphic Novel Discussion Questions
We begin a new series focusing on offering discussion guides for graphic novels, all specifically aimed at middle-school readers. The questions are perfect for a library or school setting, and they can even be adapted to meet the needs of different age groups.
After NYCC: Lance Fensterman Talks About the Con
It’s been a week since the illustrious success of this year’s New York Comic Con, so we thought we’d check in with Reed Exhibition’s Lance Fensterman, who put it all together. Has he sufficiently recovered in a week? Let’s find out and see what he thought of how the show went this year.
Living to Create at APE
Our correspondent covers the APE convention in San Francisco and find a ton of comics creators living to do what they love.
Voices from the Classroom: John Isaacson
From elementary schools in California to high schools in Oregon, John Isaacson has been teaching in after-school, summer camps, and artist-in-residence programs for 10 years. He is doing his part to spread the appreciation for comics as a powerful medium of storytelling.
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.
Going Native: Frank Frazetta's White Indian and the Dynamics of Playing Indian, Part 1
The publication of the Frank Frazetta collection White Indian spurs this essay on the cultural landscape of comics. Surprisingly, comics of the 1940s and 1950s had a peculiar relationship with the U.S.’s failed Native American policies due to the fact that both DC and Marvel presented modern, contemporary, 20th-century Indian story lines in several key titles. In fact, when compared to film or television of the same decades, comics were far more socially aware of the political realities facing native peoples than they would be in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Voices from the Classroom: Melissa Burke-Marquart
Teacher Melissa Burke-Marquart explains how effective comics have been in reaching out to kids in her Illinois classroom.
San Diego Comic-Con 2011 News and Updates
We're at San Diego Comic-Con! Check here for news, updates, pictures, and more from each day of the show.
Voices from the Classroom: Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson of The Graphic Classroom shares his insights on teaching with comics and how they help him reach more than 500 students every week!
Guest Blog: Kim Harrison, Author of Blood Work: An Original Hollows Graphic Novel
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.
Graphic Novels as a Link to Critical Thinking
Students need to be taught to think critically. The education culture is so focused on preparing students for the high-stakes tests that they have to take that teachers have less time to teach students how to think. As an English teacher in New Jersey, Leigh Brodsky has seen her students asked to complete reading comprehension tasks and write coherent essays in a timed writing situation, but not really asked to read those passages closely or reflect on their own thoughts. But here she illustrates how graphic novels could help change that.
Level Up Debuts with Epic Draw-Off
Level Up, the newest work from writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Thien Pham is now out, and earlier this month, the two creators set out on a promotional tour. Here's the scoop on the epic draw-off that ensued, and much more.
Voices from the Classroom: Mike Stultz
For the second installment of Voices from the Classroom, teacher Maureen Bakis corresponded with Michael Stultz, a ninth-grade world cultures and eleventh-grade American literature teacher at Mountain Lakes High School in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey.
Big Box Office Books
We’re heading into a summer of huge blockbuster movies based on comic books: Thor, Green Lantern, Captain America: The First Avenger, and X-Men: First Class among the most hotly anticipated. While their digitally enhanced cinematic presence might be awesome to behold, these guys have been around for decades, fighting their way through enemies on carefully drawn and inked comic pages. If you want a broader picture of these beloved superheroes, these are the books you want to check out.
Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries
Yesterday at Book Expo America, held at New York City's Javits Center, I moderated a panel on Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries, with an excellent panel that included New York City librarian Ryan Donovan, Columbia librarian Karen Green, New Jersey teacher Leigh Brodsky, and Forbidden Planet's Jeff Ayers. It was a lively, spirited discussion of some of our favorite (and most recommended, obviously) graphic novels for kids, teens, and adults. Here's the complete list of titles chosen by the panelists.
Comics in Classrooms: Lisa Coxson
Lisa Coxson is a ninth-grade English teacher at Bronx School of Law and Finance in Bronx, New York. We asked her to share her insights into teaching comics. Here’s what she had to say.
Voices from the Classroom, 5/18/11
Voices from the Classroom features interviews with teachers across America about ways graphic novels are used to promote literacy and learning. Teacher insight and authentic classroom experience offered here provide rationales for integrating graphic novels into all grade levels and functions as an archive of lesson ideas for other educators.
Comics in the Classroom: Leigh Brodsky
Leigh Brodsky is a teacher at Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, New Jersey. We asked her to share her insights into teaching comics. Here’s what she had to say.
Graphic Novels for Kids with Autism: One Mother's List
One mother has compiled a listing of graphic novels appropriate for her child with autism. See the list here to join in the discussion.
MoCCA's Unique Blend
There are two reasons to go to MoCCA: To get a comic before everyone else, and to get a comic that no one else will have. Here’s a first-hand account of the 2011 show.
Comics in the Classroom: Expert Advice from Teachers
Maureen Bakis is a 12th-grade English teacher at Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She’s also been using comics in her classroom for a while now, to great success. We talked to her to glean her expert advice on how to use comics to reach students.
One Book, One Conference at TLA: The Discussion
Attendees of the recent Texas Library Association (TLA) annual conference—which took place April 12–15 in Austin—were greeted with a nice graphic-novel welcome this year: The book selected for the One Book, One Conference reading group was Audrey Niffenegger’s The Night Librarian. The graphic novel, which tells the story of a woman who one night discovers a supernatural library that houses every single thing she’s ever read and who subsequently spends the rest of her life looking for it again, is a beautifully illustrated and haunting story. It’s also a book that contains its fair share of controversy and discussion points, as evidenced by the healthy, invigorating discussion that took place when TLA attendees got together to talk about the book. Here, Texas Tech University associate humanities librarian Rob Weiner, who moderated the One Book, One Conference panel at the show, gives us the scoop on the book and the discussion around it.
WonderCon 2011 in Review
Reporter Deb Aoki shares her experiences of the weekend at WonderCon's 25th anniversary.
Comics in Classrooms: Expert Advice from Teachers
In order to help teachers better serve their students through the use of comics in the classroom, we begin this new series of in-depth interviews with teachers who vast experience in this arena. First up, we talk to John C. Weaver, an English teacher at Williamsport Area High School in Pennsylvania. Weaver has written for GNR about his experiences teaching comics in the past, and so we knew he'd be a great teacher to help us kick off this series.
Why Comics Make Reading Fun
Parents, teachers, librarians, and more are all discovering something that kids have long known: Comics are an excellent way to learn how to read (and to learn to love to read). This in-depth article explores how comics can develop integral reading skills, even for reluctant readers.
Happy Birthday, Wonder-Con: A Review of the Show
WonderCon, held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center April 1-3, 2011, celebrated its 25th birthday with 40,000 of its closest friends. Before blowing out the candles, attendees snaked through lines of animated comic, sci-fi, and pop culture fans as flash bulbs blinded even the most intrepid. Costumed superheroes posed with mere mortals creating postcards of Captain America, Wolverine, and the Bay Area Ghostbusters, or pinup calendars of Poison Ivy, Elektra, and Batgirl. Here's the scoop on what took place.
New England Comic Arts in the Classroom Conference: A Teacher's Perspective
The New England Comics Arts in the Classroom (NECAC) conference answered educators’ desire to learn more about comics for their classrooms and took one very large and important step toward the future presence of comics in education. Here’s how one teacher enjoyed learning a lot during the conference.
C2E2 Report: 2011
Last weekend’s C2E2 conference was a huge success. Our intrepid reporter brings you the highlights, especially as they relate to libraries, and shares the news of what you can look forward to coming out of the show.
Success in India! Comic Con India 2011
With its long tradition of publishing beginning in India, Campfire publishing is perfectly poised to monitor the success of the first-ever comic con in India, which took place last week. Campfire's publisher Andrew Dodd shares his experiences at the convention and explains how the annual event is going to help further popularize graphic novels and comics in India.
Beetle for a New Generation
To commemorate 60 years of the Beetle Bailey comic strip, Mort Walker partnered with Darren Romanelli to bring the strip to life in fashion for a new generation. We talked to Darren about the work behind the initiatives and how they're helping bring the classic to life for a whole new audience.
The Green Hornet in Print
For nearly 80 years, the world has been thrilling to the adventures of the Green Hornet. First as a radio serial, then as a serial film star, then as a TV show and a comic book character. For a variety of reasons, the character—newspaperman Britt Reid, who dons a mask to fight crime along with sidekick Kato—endures to this day. Now, in a brand-new movie starring Seth Rogen, he’s been updated for a new generation of fans. But comics readers have never lost touch with the Green Hornet. Here’s a sampling of the many books available for modern readers.
A Sunny Story: Reflections on Miami Book Fair International 2010
Miami Book Fair International once again hosted the Day of Education for Teachers and Librarians at the School of Comics, and it was a huge success for those who attended and for the comics format in general. Check out what went on in this first-person account.
Dead on It: The Walking Dead Invades the Classroom
Few people are happy when zombies come to town, but for anthropology professor Christina Blanch, it's a teaching opportunity. With the TV show of The Walking Dead debuting, we talked to her about what we can all learn from zombies and the living people who deal with them.
New York Comic-Con Panels of Note
Here's what you may want to be on the lookout for if you're attending New York Comic-Con this weekend. Click here for info on panels of interest.
Fun in the Sun: Graphic Novels at the Miami Book Fair
The Miami Book Fair continues to draw record crowds every year. For a third year they will be devoting programming to comics and graphic novels.Here’s an overview of what you can expect.
Carol's Comic-Con 2010 Report
Carol presents her take on the wild and informative week that was San Diego Comic-Con 2010, including interesting news from various panels, meetups with various pros and friends, and insights into what was learned.
2010 Comic-Con Roundup
What were the big stories and announcements from this year's con? Find out, plus learn what wisdom was imparted at various panels, and much more!
Library and School Content at Comic-Con
If you're interested in the library- and school-related content coming up at next week's San Diego Comic-Con, look no further! We've compiled a helpful list for you.
Comics Content at the ALA Summer 2010 Conference
The American Library Association’s Annual Summer Conference kicks off this weekend in Washington, D.C., and attendees will be able to choose from a wealth of graphic-novel-related content. Here’s a preview of all the events comics lovers will want to know about this weekend.
BEA Report: Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries
The Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries panel was held at last week's BEA event in New York. If you couldn't make it, check here for the full list of titles selected.
Graphic Novels: A Core List for Booksellers (Adult Fiction and Nonfiction)
What are the key graphic-novel titles to explore? We've compiled the core list of essential books for booksellers.
Comics and Reading: A Natural Fit at IRA's 2010 Annual Convention
Are graphic novels now a truly accepted part of reading instruction? Well, based upon the recent gathering of thousands of leading literacy professionals in Chicago, the answer is…maybe.
A Report from the Inaugural C2E2
The inaugural C2E2 at McCormick Place in Chicago saw small publishers dishing out the announcements, and a large expo hall providing some well-needed breathing room. The event provides the common mix of retail, publishers, and panels, but with better guests than Chicago is usually accustomed to.
Growing Graphic Novels in Texas
The Texas Library Association will hold its annual meeting April 14–17 in San Antonio. This year, the TLA also announced its first-ever Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List for grades 6–12. Here’s the story behind it.
Graphic Novels Shine in L.A.
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.
Unlikely Superheroes
Teachers are the unsung superheroes in most schools. One of the many powers they have at their disposal? The ability to reach out to students and teach them at levels they can relate to and in ways that will continue to serve the kids for a lifetime. Teacher Frances Jagielski explores the ways in which graphic novels can elevate kids' educations and provides books, websites, and other materials that teachers can start using now.
New Jersey Awards a Library Grant for Graphic Novels
A special grant is assisting New Jersey libraries in developing their graphic-novel collections. Here’s how this great program works!
NYAF: Does This Look Familiar?
New York Anime Festival took place recently, and on top of all the anime discussion came tons of news about new manga and comics properties. Here’s a look at what was announced over the weekend.
Banned Books Week: A Comics Perspective
Banned Books Week is coming September 26. It's an issue that affects readers, libraries, teachers, parents, and others all over the country, and every year, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. Here's a look at how comics and manga are affected and how you can get involved.
Comics as a Project
Dr. Michael Bitz had a dream to use comics to help kids learn to read. Several years ago, he made it a reality with comicbookproject.org, which helps kids create their own comic—and learn in the process.
The Best Movies Based on Comics
From little-known to blockbuster flicks, these are our picks for the best movies ever made based on comic books.
Comic-Con Report
What's going on at San Diego Comic-Con this year? We do our best to keep up with the buzz and hype.
A Report from Anime Expo 2009
Each year, Southern California’s Anime Expo draws tens of thousands of people ready to celebrate the joys of the medium. Here’s an inside report on what happened this year, including some upcoming manga news.
Stumptown Comics Fest and Zine Library Group Unite
The Zine Library Group participated in Portland, Oregon's popular Stumptown Comics Fest this year. Take a look inside what went on and what made everything so successful with this behind-the-scenes report.
That’s in Print?!: Key Graphic Classics Now Available
Without the current renaissance in graphics publishing, older and odder gems would wallow in obscurity. Fortunately, in this new market, numerous publishers are exploring some of the more obscure texts from the history of comics. These reprints are from rare materials that previously have been largely inaccessible to most comics devotees. These new editions save these masterworks from obscurity and allow new generations to have access to them.
Art of the City: Behind the Creation of the Art for City of Dust
With an amazing collection of fully painted artwork, City of Dust achieves a stunning look that matches the heavy sci-fi and horror theme of its storyline. Artists Zid and Brandon Ching, along with the people who helped in the art direction of the story, open up their creative process and explained how they managed to create this book's defining look.
Watchmen: What GNR Readers Are Saying
The contest ran throughout March, and now you can see what your fellow GNR readers have been saying about the Watchmen movie. It's a diverse collection of thoughts for a very diverse, intense movie.
The Black Freighter Sails
Beyond the groundbreaking film, a new Watchmen-related DVD and Blu-Ray disc has just been released, shedding more light and background on the dark world in which these characters live. First is the story of the Black Freighter and its evil allegory for the story, and next is the documentary styles of Under the Hood. Director Eric Matthies discusses how Under the Hood came together and how this essential subtext for the storyline fits in with the movie.
Hey, Kids! Comics Awards!
Chris Duffy, senior editor for Nick Magazine, discusses the upcoming Nick Magazine Comics Awards and how comics are gaining respect from teachers and librarians as literature for young readers.
The New Green Initiative
In brightest day, in blackest night... It's time to go green in a big way with actor Chris Meloni, who tells us about the upcoming animated feature Green Lantern: First Flight.
