Ryan Inzana's Epic Ichiro
Combining ancient Japanese myths with a powerful modern storyline, Ryan Inzana has created a bold new adventure. He discusses the work that went into making this captivating tale here.
Carry On: The Kevin C. Pyle Interview
Two disparate tales, set decades apart, converge in Kevin C. Pyle’s sweetly compelling and moving Take What You Can Carry. The creator of the book shared his insights into the story with us.
Color Blind: Lila Quintero Weaver on Darkroom’s Past and Present
In the early 1960s, Lila Quintero Weaver’s family moved to the very small southern town of Marion. While they were Hispanic, their skin tones were “different” enough that they saw racism rear its ugly head. We talked to the author about her deeply personal memoir.
Mother of Self-Invention: Alison Bechdel on Are You My Mother?
Alison Bechdel won an Eisner Award for Fun Home, her memoir regarding her father’s closeted homosexuality and suicide, and the personal aftermath she faced from both. The book was named as a best book of the year by several publications, and she is also best known for her long-running comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For. In her latest book, she tries to unlock the secrets of her relationship with her mother by delving into why her mother stopped hugging her at a very young age, how her mother encouraged and discouraged the work Bechdel does, and how all of it impacted her relationships with friends, lovers, and therapists throughout her life.
Good Luck: J. Torres and Jinx
She's been around since the '40s, but it's taken this long for Lil Jinx to reach high school! Now writer J. Torres is tackling the newly revamped teen series and taking on the big issues of teen life today, from love and homework to dealing with parents, bullying, sexism, and more. It's a broad-reaching series with great ambitions, and we talked to Torres about what makes Jinx such a good-luck charm.
Energy Cycles: Nadja Spiegelman Explains the Creation of Zig and Wikki's Latest Book
Nadja Spiegelman's new Zig and Wikki book takes a look at some natural energy cycles, from cows to dung beetles. It turns out the energy cycle is not only a perfect circle, but it's also a funny way to reach kids.
Taming the Wildcat: How to Wrangle a Comic Book Convention in Two Short Years
This is the story of how a few informal conversations turned into a full-blown comic book convention in the unassuming town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It took the hard work and imagination of dozens of teachers, librarians, college administrators, business people, and professionals in the comic book industry, as well as hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of meetings.
"It's for School! I Swear!"
High school senior Elizabeth Heyman explains her love for comics and shows what an educational resource they have been for her.
Graphic Journos: The State of the Graphic Journalism Art
Graphic journalism is a vast repository for some amazing nonfiction work. Some of the leaders in the field offer their insights into the hard-to-define genre.
Violently Young: Writing Skullkickers
Writer Jim Zubkavich explains the fine line he walks in creating Skullkickers, a series aimed at young adults. How do you craft a story that's just the right mix of "young" and "adult" to keep readers satisfied and parents happy? Here, he explains how he does it.
Eddie Deighton and Benjamin Shahrabani of Com.x
Eddie Deighton and Benjamin Shahrabani take us on a tour behind the operations of indie U.K. comics publisher Com.x, a little company responsible for some very big, and very good, graphic novels.
Alexander Finbow
Writer, actor, director, and producer, and now heading up Renegade Entertainment, Alexander Finbow has led a diverse and exciting career. Starting up a comic book company, along with a host of other talented creators, is his latest endeavor, and perhaps the most exciting. We talked to him about what it takes to get a new comic company off the ground these days.
Five Years of First Second
To mark its fifth anniversary, First Second’s editorial director Mark Siegel and editor Calista Brill discuss the past, present, and future of the comics company.
Andrew Dodd
Building on its publishing roots in India, comics publisher Campfire is growing a global comics base with both original works and comics adaptations of beloved classics. With an ambitious lineup of new releases planned for 2011, Campfire is making a renewed impact on the comics world. We talked with Campfire publisher Andrew Dodd to discuss the company’s roots, its publishing vision, and where it’s going in the months ahead.
Mike Pellerito
As the president of Archie Comics, Mike Pellerito oversees a line with decades of history, nostalgia, and all-American prominence. It’s also a line that has recently seen updates that bring it firmly into the 21st century, from the marriage of Archie to the introduction of a gay character. We caught up with Mike to discuss what he sees going on in the industry and how Archie Comics can be a part of it.
David Steinberger
David Steinberger, CEO of Comixology, talks about his lifelong love for comics and what he enjoys reading (and collecting) now.
Bonnie Barber
This summer, on July 14, the public library in Carrollton, Texas, will host an innovative 39 Clues-themed tween event. They’ll also incorporate the audience’s love for graphic novels and manga into the daylong event, which is being coordinated by youth services librarian Bonnie Barber. We talked to Bonnie about her love of comics.
Michael Gianfrancesco
The New England Comic Arts in the Classroom conference is coming up on Saturday, March 26. This day of education for K-12 teachers and preservice teachers will feature keynote speakers, and several smaller workshops that will enable teachers to better incorporate comics, graphic novels, and manga into their educational programs. High-school teacher Michael Gianfrancesco, one of the codirectors of the conference, took some time to answer our questions.
Peter Tatara
Peter Tartara works for New York Comic-Con overseeing all the various panels, screenings, special events, and other goings-on at the big show. He does similar work for the New York Anime Festival, C2E2, and the Star Wars Celebration. In preparation for this week’s New York Comic-Con, we asked him our Behind the Scenese questions to get to know him a little better.
Jackie Estrada
Jackie Estrada has been a staple in the comics industry for decades now. If you’ve attended the annual Eisner Awards ceremony at San Diego Comic-Con, you’ve witnessed her running the show as its administrator (she’s also done more behind-the-scenes work for the show, such as creating the Artists’ Alley). She’s worked as an editor of several comics and books about comics, and she’s a cofounder (along with her husband, author Batton Lash) of Exhibit A Press. With such an impressive résumé, Estrada was someone we wanted to find out a little more about. So we did.
Find out what graphic novels and manga are coming up in the months ahead. Check here for a list of new titles coming soon.
Cinema turns to graphic novels for great inspiration! See what's headed to a movie theater near you, and find out what's coming on DVD.
Find out which works have gained the respect and admiration of the industry. These award-winners are the best of the best.
Best-of Lists
Every year, multiple venues (including GNR!) compile their lists of the best books of the previous year. Find them here!
The Hottest Graphic Novels of 2012 at BEA
Heading to BookExpo America this year? If so, be sure to map out some time to attend the Hottest Graphic Novels of 2012 panel, which I have the honor of moderating. Panelists for this panel will discuss the year’s best in comics, so if you love the format at all, you will not want to miss this discussion.
Powers: Anarchy
In a world that is turning on its superheroes, two homicide detectives are tasked with investigating superhero-specific murders. This gripping new volume is a hard-hitting and edgy book.
No Longer Human, Part Two
No Longer Human is a manga not to be taken lightly. This is a dark and psychological story.
The Avengers Has a Record Weekend
Over the weekend, The Avengers set a monumental sales record: $200.3 million, which was $40 million more than the previous record-holder, last year's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Did you see the movie over the weekend? If so, what did you think of it?
Free Comic Book Day Is May 5
Just a week from now, Free Comic Book Day will ensue at comic book retailers around North America. That's when anyone can stop into a comic store and get free comics (publishers put out a lot of free samples), and many stores also put on a great show (signings, giveaways, and more). To find a participating store near you, go to the Free Comic Book Day website.
Upcoming Comics Conventions
Is there a comics-related convention coming to an area near you? Check here to find out and to get all the information you need to plan ahead for tons of upcoming shows.
Are You My Mother?
In her highly anticipated follow-up to Fun Home, bestselling author Alison Bechdel searches for the meaning of motherhood in her own life, not only from her actual mother but also from therapists, lovers, writers, and more. Are You My Mother? is a poignant, compelling, and utterly fascinating journey from one of the most profound graphic creators of our era. Enter here to win one of 50 free copies of Are You My Mother?
Cage of Eden, Vol. 2
Cage of Eden may look like your everyday manga upon the first impression, but underneath, readers will find a world of little hope that they cannot help but enjoy.
Genetiks
In a bleak future world, one man belongs body and soul to a genetic-engineering company. But what does that mean for the future…his future and the world’s?
Omamori Himari, Vol. 6
Yuuto has more problems on his hands than ever, and a big one is coming from within his inner circle.
Are You My Mother?
Alison Bechdel's Are You My Mother? borrows some of its style and structure from the award-winning Fun Home, but her latest work creatively and cleverly avoids treading over any of the same ground. The result is an epic and bold memoir that haunts the readers long after finishing the book.
The Cartoon Introduction to Economics, Vol. Two: Macroeconomics
All your questions about the nature of our world’s economy (and many questions you never even thought to ask) get answered in this entertaining and remarkably informative book!
Darkroom
Lila Quintero Weaver’s understated and elegant memoir of growing up in the south during the upheaval and fast-moving changes of the Civil Rights era, told in Darkroom, is stunning, not only for its beautifully rendered imagery but also for its heartfelt story.
Evolution: The Story of Life on Earth
Life is endlessly fascinating, and so is how it all evolved. This graphic explanation makes it easy to understand for all readers.
Fantastic Four: Season One
A new reimagining of the classic tale that changed the history of comics and created the world’s greatest superhero team.
Sumomomo Momomo, Vol. 11
Treachery is afoot in this latest volume of Sumomomo Momomo. The plot to kill the Dragon and the Dog is in its final stages of preparation, and the young heroes are scrambling to undermine the nefarious plot of the nine rebellious clans.
X-Men: Season One
A New York Times bestselling hardcover for the week of April 8, X-Men: Season One reimagines the original mutant superhero team for the 21st century.
Ichiro
When Ichiro’s mother must make a business trip to Japan, she decides to bring Ichiro along so that he can get to know his maternal grandfather. But Ichiro is soon pulled into a strange, mythical world of Japanese gods, where he is placed in the center of an epic battle.
Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes
Lunch Lady thinks there’s something off about the mathletes competing against her school and decides to get to the bottom of it.
Beep and Bah
After Bah the goat finds a single sock, Beep the robot insists they find its match. This leads to a humorous adventure.
On the Case with Holmes and Watson
Kids are introduced to Sherlock Holmes and his faithful assistant, Watson, in this fun series of light mysteries.
Jinx
Jinx is starting high school, and things are never going to be the same again. Archie Comics begins a new series with this book.
Courtney Crumrin, Vol. 1: The Night Things Special Edition
No kid likes to move to a new town. Courtney Crumrin likes it even less. With self-absorbed parents who are more interested in their social calendars than their only daughter, Courtney begins exploring her enigmatic uncle’s house for lack of anything better to do. She eventually comes across everything from an encyclopedia of demons and monsters to multiple spell books filled with sordid arcane secrets.
Girls Just Want to Have Comics
Does the graphic format, and those who publish it, do enough to attract new young female readers? And do those girls stay interested in comics when they grow up? We talked to several women to get multiple points of view.
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.
How the Great Graphic Novels for Teens List Comes About
The librarians behind the GGNFT list explain how it all comes together.
Comics in the Age of Digital Piracy
We hear about it all the time: digital piracy. The scourge of the entertainment industry, digital piracy has been taken on by music companies, movie studios, and major publishers. But what of comic piracy? Does it affect the industry as a whole? We talked to three people in graphic publishing to see what the state of matters is and how they are combating illegal downloading.
How Graphic Novels Thrive in High-School Libraries: A Discussion
Our tour through the library programs of schools (in relation to graphic novels) finishes here, with a discussion involving some high-school librarians talking about the problems they face, the solutions they’ve uncovered, and the issues they’ve successfully dealt with.
