11 September 2012–No Review this week, just news

 

So, I’ve been crazy busy the past couple of days, and haven’t been able to review anything properly. However, I’m not leaving you empty-handed.

First off, 11 years ago, the face of America was changed forever when the twin towers were hit by terrorists. I like to think that we’re stronger as a nation and many signs point towards that. Stay strong America!

Heads up folks! My Favorite Martian Monkey is coming down to the deadline! we have five (Count ‘Em –5!) days to go until it closes and Steve can start the hard, arduous process of actually printing everything out. He’s got a killer stretch goal (Below):

If he hits $6,000 before the kickstarter closes, he will send out this exclusive poster, illustrated by 20 other artist friends of his! The great part is, at the time of this writing, he’s only $850 away from hitting that goal! If you haven’t contributed yet, please do so, it’s an awesome book, and well worth it! (Steve, I’m really sorry about squishing the bejezus out of the image)

The Secret of the Stone Frog dropped to stores today. A Fantastical combination of Little Nemo and Alice in Wonderland, it’s a beautiful book (link to review in the title).

The Monkey King Vol. 2 Library Binding dropped yesterday. This is the second book in a 20 book series that retells The Journey to the West, one of the four classic pillars of Chinese Literature. The artwork is absolutely amazing, and you have to check it out.

Jeremy Whitley of Princeless fame is busy working on a collection of Princeless short stories. He announced artists over at his Tumblr site. Go check it out, and if you haven’t read Princeless yet, strike yourself around the head and neck viciously and then go to your local comic book dealer/book store/amazon enabled computer and buy yourself a copy. After the bruises go down, you’ll thank me.

Lot’s of books lined up for upcoming review, including My Boyfriend is a Monster #6: Wrapped Up In You, A graphic novel adaptation of The Little Prince, and a retelling of Dicken’s A Christmas Carol that not only flips the character of Scrooge on its head, but is so visually arresting, it will take your breath away.

On a side note, I am putting together presentations regarding the use of graphic novels in the classroom, as well as book talks of graphic novels for elementary, middle, high schools and colleges. If you’re interested, please contact me and we can discuss specifics.

3 September 2012–Viz-ualizing Some awesome things

 

Alright, I’ll knock it off with the bad puns one of these days. Seriously though, Got a *huge* book rundown for you this week: Giant robots, fairies, and bean dogs (to name a few). First however, the news -

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A while back, I reviewed Raina Telgemeier’s new book Drama on the GNReader. Well, gentle reader, Drama came out on Saturday, and from early feedback, it has been a huge success! I am happy to report that Raina is out promoting her new book now, and is super excited to be meeting her fans. If you would like to see if she’s going to be at a bookstore near you soon, please check out her website at http://goraina.com/.

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Don’t forget! The Re-issue of The Monkey King Vol. 1 is due out tomorrow. Also keep in mind that this is the library binding (hardcover with reinforced spine).

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Since we’ve got a lot to review this week, let’s get to it.

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Voltron Force

 

 

 

Images Courtesy Viz Media

 

Written by: Brian Smith, Illustrated by: Jacob Chabot

Viz Media, 2012

ISBN(s): 978-1-42154-153-2, 978-1-42154-154-9, 978-1-42154-155-6 (PB)

$7.99, Ages: 8+

Overview

Set approximately five to seven years after the seminal 80s cartoon (which I watched religiously as a kid!), Voltron is back, and still doing battle with the forces of evil. Bringing back the original pilots (Lance, Hunk, Keith, Pidge and Princess Allura) who are now training three new Alliance cadets to help pilot the lions. King Lotor (The ruler formerly known as Prince… Lotor) is back, and pitching Robeasts like they’re going out of style. New to this series is Haggarium, a power source of pure evil (allegedly created from the witch Haggar, creator of Robeasts in the original Voltron) that has poisoned both King Lotor and Daniel, one of the Alliance cadets. These three books focus on stories that are exclusive to the print media, being companion pieces to the television series.

Synopsis

While not really breaking any new ground in terms of originality, Voltron Force is still a blast. Too often, when series get rebooted, the original characters are relegated to a few early stories or episodes and then forgotten all together. In this series, the original crew is there, playing an integral part in the new crew’s training and growth. The villain, who played a part in the original show is back and more evil than ever, and the story feels like only a few years have passed since the original show.  The artwork is crisp and reverent to the original, while the characters all stay true to their original incarnations. It’s obvious that the folks working on the series now watched the show when they were young, and hold it in high regard.

Final Thoughts

When I originally heard that Voltron was getting a reboot of sorts, I rolled my eyes, fearing it would be a pale imitation of the original. Imagine my delight when I read these books (I don’t have cable or satellite) and discovered that they’re staying true to the original material as possible. Reading these books, I was hit with a huge wave of nostalgia, and had to turn on Netflix to watch a few episodes of the original series. Another great thing about the book series is the fact that Pidge’s high-pitched, nasal voice is silenced (The only complaint I had about the original series). This is one of those series that can really brings dads and sons together, and I highly recommend it for libraries. The storylines are nothing objectionable and will prove to be popular, especially with action oriented kids or Power Rangers fanatics. The first three books listed above have already been released, with another three scheduled to be released through February of 2013.

***

Redakai

 

Image Courtesy Viz Comics

Written by: Aubrey Sitterson & Mike Raicht, Illustrated by: Write Height Media & Dan Ciurczak

Viz Media, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-42155-336-3 (PB)

$7.99, Ages 8+

Overview

In the world of Redakai, there is an element that is integral to everything – Kairu. When used for good, it helps guide the life of the universe. If it falls into the hands of evil, it can be the most destructive force in the world. However, not everyone can harness the power of Kairu, but those that can have the potential to become Kairu warriors, possibly even a powerful Redakai. Three kids, Ky, Maya and Boomer are three Kairu warrior trainees who are trying to prevent the evil Lokar and his groups of E-Teens from gaining more Kairu.

Analysis

For something that travels across familiar ground, Redakai does a good job of making the journey feel fresh, Ky, Maya and Boomer all have relatable traits that kids can easily recognize, while the villains are mean. but not too scary. The artwork is clean and crisp, and the messages presented are well thought out and executed.

Final thoughts

Redakai is one of those books that you don’t have to worry about if your child gets ahold of it. The battles are exciting without being bloody or even overly violent, and there’s very little chance of nightmares in young readers. If you have a kid (or kids) that are into the trading card game or television show, this is definitely going to be a must have addition. Redakai Vol. 1 is due out October 2012, and volume 2 is due out February 2013.

***

Winx Club

Images Courtesy Viz Media

Created by: Iginio Straffi, Translated by: Viz Media

ISBN(s): 978-1-42154-159-4, 978-1-42154-160-0 (PB)

$7.99, Ages: 6+

Overview

Bloom is just your typical 16 year old girl. She loves to hang out with her friends, playing with her rabbit, and dreaming about getting her first scooter. However, a chance encounter with another young woman in the park reveals a whole new world of possibilities. As it turns out, Bloom is not just your typical 16 year old girl – she’s a fairy. He new friend Stella invites her to Alfea and the Fairy school so she can learn to harness her new powers. Along the way, she’ll make new friends, meet new enemies, and have the adventure of a lifetime!

Analysis

Originally created in Italy, and later translated into English, Winx Club has been around for a while as  toys, television shows, apparel, and video games, however the books are finally being published in English. The stories follow the original storylines and emphasize the empowerment of the female characters, their ability to triumph over obstacles and get along with others. The artwork is bright, friendly and very clean. While libraries may catch some flack from some people claiming the characters play to stereotypes, I really think they’re looking at the varnish and not the building. Winx is first and foremost a tale about the power of friends and the power to believe that one can do anything they want to – especially through hard work and dedication. While I personally would not pick the books up on a whim, I feel that the message contained within is very empowering to young ladies, and can be a good “hook” to get girls into reading graphic novels. The first two books (listed above) are already out, the third book is due out this month.

***

Well, I’ve spent all weekend working on this post, and I’m still not done. I think this is going to be one of those rare 2 part posts. I’ve still got two more book series to cover, but I’m out of steam tonight. Stay tuned for tomorrow, where we take another trip into nostalgia (perhaps not as old as one would think), and meet some creatures that are decidedly different… and cute… and oddly enough…. tasty.

27 August 2012–A Foreign Affair (plus the usual nonsense)

 

Alright folks, News first, then reviews.

One of the things I always try and look for when reviewing new books are books that are aimed at, or at least have, girls as the protagonist. Girls are a traditionally under-represented demographic in graphic novels, and I think it’s very important that girls are presented in a positive light. So, imagine my surprise and delight when I stumbled across A Mighty Girl (Thanks go out to Jeremy Whitley of Princeless fame – my review can be found here), who posted the Top Graphic Novels for Mighty Girls. They have a fantastic selection of graphic novels aimed at girls, and the few that I haven’t read personally have all been highly recommended, so please check the list out! It’s well worth the trip.

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In Bloop news, Steve is still chugging along, having hit 134% of his goal (and he still has 21 days to go!) He’s now added the coolest Bloop plush. If you’ve already sponsored Bloop, you can kick in a little extra for the plush (Full details are at Kickstarter). In turns of full disclosure, I do not have anything to do with Bloop other than being a vocal supporter – I do not and will not get any financial recompense (nor would I want it). I do this purely for the fact that I believe in this project. (Thanks again to Steve Conley for letting me borrow this image)

 

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Well, as far as I know, that covers the news in this part of the web for this week. Now, on to the reviews review. Due to technical difficulties, I’va had to cut the reviews short this week. All will be explained below.

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This first book is rather interesting, in that they’ve been in print in English, since approximately 2005. Why review it now? Jr Comics is reissuing it in a Library Binding (thick, heavy duty covers), and its just too much fun to pass up. Plus, it’s not that often I get to review Chinese manhua, so I totally jumped on this.

***

The Monkey King Vol. 1

Image Courtesy  Jr Comics

Written by Wei Dong Chen, Illustrated by Chao Peng

Jr Comics (Lerner Publishing), 2012

ISBN: 978-8-99420-869-5 (Library Binding)

$29.27, Ages: 10+

Synopsis

The Monkey King, or “The Journey to the West” as it is more commonly known, is one of the oldest and most revered Chinese tales, one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature. Combining folklore, legend, and fantasy, this tells the story of Sun Wu Kong, a.k.a. the Stone Monkey, a.k.a. the Handsome Monkey King, as he first comes into being, and then gets into mischief with the various kings and gods of Chinese myth. This is the first volume in a twenty volume set, that shows the birth of the Monkey King and his various early adventures, where he’s little more than a vain, imperious, petulant child. Over the course of the next 19 volumes, he becomes a powerful, wise and benevolent character that brings Buddhism to China.

Analysis

“The Journey to the West” is as important to China as the tales of Johnny Appleseed, Pecos Bill or Paul Bunyan. It has been the source of such works as DragonBall, American Born Chinese and My Son Goku, and influences can been seen in games (both computer and table top), movies, and television. The artwork is absolutely stunning, and the story moves at a measured, but very brisk pace.  There is very little (if any) objectionable material, mostly concerning itself with big explosions and bloodless violence.

Final Thoughts

When I started this book, I had only the vaguest idea of what the story was (having previously read American Born Chinese – which is brilliant by the way), but there is a fascinating and very illuminating explanation and overview at the beginning of the book that makes it much easier to understand, and then an analysis at the end that helps westerners parse what exactly what has happened. This would be great for a unit on Chinese or World mythology, but it’s just as fun on it’s own. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that a paperback copy of this title was released back in January, and the price is much more cost effective.

***

My Second review was going to be a retelling of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, by Wei Dong Chen, but unfortunately, I cannot find any information related to it’s purchasing information anywhere! As soon as I get a release date (and a webpage), I’ll review it, because just like The Monkey King, this is also going to be a 20 book series detailing a huge instance in Chinese history. I’m very sad that I can’t find the information about it.

***

20 August 2012 – Batula (and news updates)

As the summer winds down, and schools let back in for the season, I find myself thinking that the GNReader needs some sprucing up. I’ve been debating a couple of changes that might result in minor cosmetic changes to the page, or it could mean a whole redesign. I’m still up in the air about the entire thing. Anyways, that’s a discussion for another day.

Remember how I said last week that my friend Steve Conley was starting a kickstarter project to fund his Bloop production? Well, the day after it went live, he hit his goal. Now, the kickstarter runs for a full month and you can still kick in to help fund it. Just check out the link above and be a part of something that I personally feel is going to be momentous.

The Toon Books Contest tied into Rutu Modan’s finished a few days ago. No winners announced yet, but the contestants looked like they had a blast. Hopefully, they’ll list the winners soon. I just wanted to thank Toon Books for allowing me to be a part of the contest (however minor it might have been). It was a lot of fun to see kids showing off how messy they could be, and reminded me of how much fun my kids were at that age (and still are).

In the next couple of months, I will be creating brochures and discussion points that highlight what it is that I do, as I have been doing some public speaking. If you would like for me to come and discuss graphic novels for younger audiences, general audiences, new releases, or just about anything to do with Graphic Novels, please contact me to see about scheduling a meeting.

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Batula

Image Courtesy Image Comics

Written by Steven T. Seagle, Illustrated by Marco Cinello

Image Comics, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-60706-572-2 (HC)

$16.99; Ages: 8 +

Synopsis

Livingston is a peaceful fruit bat that lives in the Orchard, a lovely area of land outside of the Big City. Livingston is consumed with the fact that he doesn’t stand out from any of the other bats in his group, and can’t seem to draw the eye of Drina, a cute female bat that he likes. Deciding to distinguish himself from the others in the Orchard, Livingston flies into the Big City to make a name for himself. After a terrifying run-in with another bat, Livingston starts acting different. While the new Livingston is an instant hit with Drina, he seriously jeopardizes his chances with her when she catches him eating a meatball. Fleeing the Orchard, Livingston meets Wulf, who trains him to embrace the change and use it for the betterment of his brethren.  Of course, once his group is threatened by a not-so-old enemy, can Livingston prove he’s the hero Wulf thinks he is? Can he truly become…Batula?

Analysis

Alright, this is not a *traditional* graphic novel in the sense of word balloons and panels, but I’m willing to make an exception in this case. For one, it’s written by Steven T. Segal – The guy who helped create Man of Action Labs (the Ben 10 series, Generator Rex, and the Vertigo title House of Secrets), two, it’s steeped in comic book folklore, and three, because it’s my blog and I can review what I want. The pacing is tight, yet not frantic, and even though the story may not break any new ground, it’s done in such a way that it feels completely fresh and original. Cinello’s artwork is eye-poppingly gorgeous and really captures the moods of each event. My personal favorite is the character of Wulf, who bears a passing resemblance to the old Daredevil mentor “Stick”. There is humor, action, and just enough danger to make this a great story.

Final Thoughts

This may not be a title that girls are going to flock to, but the boys will be swarming this one. Segal’s been around a while, and this book really shows off the mastery of his craft. Coupling Cinello’s artwork with Segal’s prose results in a fun, funny, and fascinating tale of what you can accomplish, especially when you realize that being different can be a huge advantage. Libraries are going to want at least one copy, and be prepared for it to be waitlisted, because it really is a lot of fun.

13 August 2012–News (and the weekly review)

 

Alright – before I get to the review (it’s a big one), I’d like to cover some news. First, the bad news: Joe Kubert (Sgt. Rock and Hawkman amongst many other characters) passed away over the weekend. He was also known for one of the most decorated and prestigious schools of sequential art – the aptly named Joe Kubert School. If you’re looking to pursue a career in sequential art, please give them a look.

Now, for some good news: Steve Conley, writer and author of the webcomic Bloop is getting ready to go live with his kickstarter program tomorrow (14 August 2012). I was allowed a sneak-peek at his kickstarter page, and it looks fantastic. I can’t say anything more until the page goes live, but trust me on this – if you decide to fund any kickstarter, it needs to be this one. I am seriously giddy about this program. I’ll link to it as soon as it goes live.

Remember the Messy Eater Contest that Toon Books was doing a few weeks ago? They’ve extended the deadline to 15 August – so if you’ve been meaning to send in your pics to win a free copy of Maya Makes a Mess, you’ve got a couple of more days. There’s already some stiff competition on their site as well, check it out!

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A Wrinkle in Time

The Graphic Novel

Image Courtesy Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Written by Madeleine L’Engle, Adapted and Illustrated by Hope Larson

Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012 (HB)

ISBN: 978-0-37438-615-3

$19.95, Ages 10+

Synopsis

Meg Murry. Charles Wallace Murry. Calvin O’Keefe. Mrs Who. Mrs Whatsit. Mrs Which. Names that have entered the timeless vernacular of YA science fiction literature. Originally published over 50 years ago, A Wrinkle in Time has never been out of print. Now, Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin are lovingly rendered in a visual aspect – from tessering to facing IT, the classic story gains a whole new dimension (please forgive the pun).

Analysis

I have been anticipating this for a long time, and it does not disappoint. It is obvious that Larson has poured a lot of work into this adaptation – this was not something that was slapped together in a matter of months. The characters are fully realized and developed (Mrs Who was a special delight, personally) and the two-tone color choices work throughout 99% of the book. The last 1% is my only beef with the book (and it’s a small one) is when Meg and company meet the Man with Red Eyes. Unfortunately, his eyes are a milky blue, causing a little disconnect with the story. Other than that, A Wrinkle in Time is a brilliantly recognized work from an outstanding artist. If this does not get at least one Eisner Award nod, then I will be supremely upset.

Final Thoughts

As a kid, I struggled to grasp L’Engle’s works (I was never good with the complex mathematical theories). Larson’s work on this book completely epitomizes the entire context of why I think graphic novels are so important. She has managed to take something that was practically undecipherable and present it in a way that is not only understandable, but engaging without talking down or resorting to condescension. This is going to be one of those books that will find its way into the classroom, not only as a literature book, but also  a style book. If you enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time, this will be a very welcome addition to your collection. If you never read it because it was too confusing, give this version a try – it has a flow to it that makes everything more understandable. This is a (if not *the*) must have book of 2012.

A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel will be available 2 October 2012. 

6 August 2012–A Blast from the Past, IDW Style

This week is kind of special for me. IDW is getting ready to re-release a bunch of old comics that they’ve collected together. Now, this is a bit of a bittersweet realization for me. I remember when these originally came out, so it’s like visiting an old friend, but by the same token, it also makes me realize just how old I’ve gotten. However, since my age is beside the point, lets get to the comics.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Vol. 1

Image Courtesy IDW

Written and Illustrated by: Various

IDW, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-61377-289-8 (TPB)

$19.99, Ages 6+

Synopsis

Collects two classic Turtles storylines from the early 90s influenced television show. In Return of the Shredder, the turtles have to face off against Shredder (newly  returned from the X-Zone). When the Shredder decides to get his revenge on the Turtles, will they be able to shake the bad press, as well as their newly returned nemesis? In the second tale, The Incredible Shrinking Turtles, the Turtles are shrank to miniscule size. How are they going to defeat the Shredder and get back to their original size?

Analysis

The Turtles of the 90s created two camps of fans. The old 80s black-and-white Turtles that were more hard bitten and gritty were a huge success on the independent market, while the much more kid friendly and family appropriate Turtles of the early 90s managed to get all the television, toy, movie, and video game deals. The artwork is obviously of the Disney-esque/Archie-esque influence – the turtles are friendly and inviting as heroes, and the villains, while visually disconcerting, are usually played off as bullies or inept, klutzy cowards. From what I can tell, these are clean reprints (possibly digitally mastered), and the colors absolutely pop off the page at times. However, if you ever watched the old shows, you know that the stories can be extremely saccharine and occasionally talks down to the intended audience.

Final Thoughts

This is one of those that kids are either going to love or hate. Younger audiences are going to enjoy the safer stories and comic elements, but older teens will probably be put off by the campiness of the entire thing. Still, be prepared to be seeing adult males in their 30s – 40s checking copies out. This would probably fit best in the children’s section, and for parents, the nostalgia factor alone should be a selling point.

***

G.I. Joe Vs. Transformers

Image Courtesy IDW

Written and Illustrated by: Various

IDW, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-61377-352-9 (TPB)

$24.99, Ages 8+

Synopsis

Two staples of 80s boys entertainment come together in this collection of old issues. These two franchises were the be all, end all of male oriented youth entertainment in the 80s, and it’s not hard to see why. This book collects the Transformers 4-issue mini-series as well as a two issue story arc where Megatron and Cobra face off against The Autobots and the JOEs.

Analysis

While a little harder edged than the Turtles, G.I. JOE and the Transformers always strived to show that the good guys always won. It is interesting to note that this mini-series is also the one where Bumblebee (the little yellow VW Bug) is actually “killed” accidently by the JOEs and is later brought back as ‘Gold Bug’ (A little history: Bumblebee was *the* character that kids loved the most – he was the friendliest, most gregarious and outgoing of the Autobots, and his first human friend was a kid). The artwork is clean and doesn’t suffer from the occasional off-set printing that plagued comics of the time. The storylines suffer from some soap opera treatment, and Cobra does pull off an assassination that hits close to home for the JOEs. The majority of violence happens ‘off camera’, but the after effects are shown, so it’s important to note that.

Final Thoughts

This was *hot* when it was originally released, and topical to the time. That being said, it hasn’t aged as well as other titles from the same time. The Outfits and costumes of the time may seem a little silly now, but the characters never compromised on who they were, and the sincerity helps the story along and allows the reader to look past the outdated fashions. Regardless, this title is definitely going to appeal to slightly older kids who may not be ready to hit the ‘teen’ section yet, but are finding children’s titles to be a little too easy. Again, don’t be surprised if you see dads come up to the checkout counter with this.

***

As it stands, IDW has done a stand up job with these two titles. they could have easily just thrown these issues between a couple of covers and called it good. Instead, they’ve painstakingly cleaned up the pages, and treated the materials with a reverence that often seems to be overlooked. The prices may seem a little high, but if you pre-order, you can find them much more palatable. I do get the feeling that many sales will be from the nostalgia market who either had the titles and lost them, or missed out on them the first time around.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1 is due out 21 August 2012, while G.I. JOE Vs. Transformers is due out 11 September, 2012.

30 July 2012–Hereville Vol. 2 How Mirka Met a Metorite

 

 

Image Courtesy Amulet Books

Written and Illustrated by Barry Deutsch

Amulet Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-41970-398-0 (HC)

$16.95, Ages 8+

Summary

Mirka is back! Having successfully defeated the troll and winning her sword, Mirka is now grounded and bored. Finding a way to get out of her punishment, she seeks out the troll in order to practice with her sword. However, when she angers the troll, he calls down a meteorite on the witches house that sent Mirka his way in the first place. In a mad dash effort to prevent the meteorite from destroying the witch (and everyone she knows and loves), she manages to complicate things even more when the witch changes the meteorite into a carbon copy of Mirka! Now, Mirka has to deal with this imposter who is better at everything. When Mirka shoots her mouth off, one of the two Mirkas will stay, while the other has to leave… forever!

Analysis

Deutsch has really kept up the power and intensity of his Hereville series. Mirka is instantly recognizable as an everygirl type of protagonist, and while she’s an orthodox Jew, it doesn’t make her seem strange or weird. In fact, it makes her even more sympathetic as a character. While not based off of any recognizable Jewish folklore, the stories have the feel of beloved tales passed down from generation to generation. The artwork is inviting without being overly saccharine and the story itself is involved and nuanced.

Final Thoughts

Deutsch has crafted a heroine that is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but is easy to relate to. What I thought was a great touch was that Mirka even realizes that she’s not perfect, and embraces her shortcomings in a way that is non-judgmental or denigrating. His artwork is lovingly rendered and emotive without getting too ‘cutesy’ or comical. All in all, this is a fantastic book that really speaks to that difficult age where kids are starting to figure out who they want to be. The book is not due out until November, but it is available for pre-order now (so I suggest you get your orders in!)

16 July 2012, Toon-A-Palooza

No, not this! (special thanks to flickr user Mauralyn for the pic)

Nor This (no idea of what the site really is, toon fan service maybe?)

What I’m talking about is a big review this week of not one, not two, not three, but four – count ‘em, Four! new books from the wonderful folks at Toon Books.

 

First up, we have A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse by Frank VIva.

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Frank Viva

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-919-1 (HB)

$12.95, Ages: 4 +

Summary: A young explorer and his friend Mouse, take a trip to the bottom of the world. On the way, mouse makes observations on such things as tasks that are difficult to execute while the boat is going up and down on the waves, what to wear in the cold temperatures, different types of penguins, what whales might do, and different types of creatures that live in the sea.

Analysis: As with other books in the level 1 group, this is a simple book for the youngest readers. I really hate to use the term simple, because it implies that this is not an engaging book – far from it. Viva’s artwork is simplistic, but the characters still convey emotions and actions so clear and succinctly that any child reading it can tell at a glance what the characters are feeling. Mouse is readily willing and eager to list items that fall into each category presented, and I was mildly surprised to discover that even at the bottom of the world, it is possible to swim in the ocean in certain areas.

Final Thoughts: This is a fun book. my littlest one really enjoys the different penguins, and this is currently on his list of nightly reads. The artwork is very inviting and the story, while a quick read, is one that kids will demand to read again and again.

***

Next we have the latest installment of the super popular Toon Books series, Benny and Penny.

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-920-7 (HB)

$12.95, Ages: 6 +

Summary: Benny and Penny, sibling mice, are having another grand adventure, this time, when the two are getting ready for bed, they tell each other stories, with Benny doing everything in his power to be a nuisance to his little sister, be it with a flashlight, dinosaur book, or drinks. However, when Benny realizes he forgot something important out in the play house, will he be brave enough to go get it, or will he need help from Penny?

Analysis: Benny and Penny has proven to be a huge success with kids and parents, and it’s very easy to see why. Hayes artwork is clean, yet rich and vibrant. Benny and Penny feel like living, breathing characters, and they act exactly like kids their age would act.

Final Thoughts: While their adventures may not be as harrowing as those of Jeff Smith’s Fone Bone, Benny and Penny are just as charismatic and endearing. Hayes knows how to write stories that are fun, while subtly driving home the point that even though siblings can be a royal pain, they’re usually the first ones to have your back when you need it the most.

***

Now appearing on Stage Three of Toon-A-Palooza, Maya Makes a Mess, the first children’s title by Eisner Award Winning Rutu Modan (Author and Illustrator of Exit Wounds).

Image Courtesy Toon Books

Written and Illustrated by Rutu Modan

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-917-7 (HC)

$12.95, Ages: 6+

Summary: One night, while Maya is eating dinner with her folks, she is summoned to dinner with the Queen. Not having time to change, she jumps on the plane. Being constantly being reminded to mind her manners, Maya ends up attending something similar to a state dinner. As the meal progresses, Maya introduces an interesting new way of eating a meal to the upper crust of society.

Analysis: When I first started reading this book, I was worried that it was going to be rather dull and boring. I am so glad I was dead wrong. Modan has crafted a story that builds slowly at first, reaching a crescendo of childhood impropriety that is a laugh riot. Her artwork is clean and beautiful, evoking suggestions of Art Deco and Hergé’s Tin Tin.

Final Thoughts: Out of all the books reviewed this week, this one was probably the biggest and most enjoyable surprise. Enjoyable, funny, and deeply satisfying, Maya Makes a Mess is awesomely entertaining, and a must read. I have a feeling that this is going to be on many “Best of…” lists.

***

Our final review tonight is The Secret of the Stone Frog, by David Nytra. A bit bigger than standard offerings, it is still an amazing and entertaining book.

Written and Illustrated by David Nytra

Toon Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-93517-918-4 (HB)

$14.95, Ages: 8 +

Summary: Siblings Alan and Leah wake up one day and discover themselves in an enchanted forest. Trying to figure out how to get home, they have to rely on their wits and the advice of a stone frog in order to get home.

Analysis: Everything about this book is a blast. From the art and the story to the rough cut edges of the pages and name plate on the inside cover, this is one of those books that may not appeal to all kids, but the ones it does, they’re going to treasure this book for life. It’s one of those that will become a family treasure, passed down from parent to child. The art seems to be heavily influenced equally by Windsor McCay and John Tenniel, with a hint of L. Frank Baum thrown in for good measure.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. The artwork has a timelessness to it that I’ve always found fascinating, and there’s just enough strangeness to really make the story imbed itself deep within your psyche. It may not be a fast mover on the library shelves, but those that take the leap will definitely appreciate it for years to come.

9 July 2012 - Non-traditional subjects

Well, the majority of Colorado is now out, and the fire bans have been lifted, so we’re going to make it another year. yay!

Right now, Folks all over the world are travelling to San Diego for the world famous San Diego Comic Con. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I suppose that’s alright, seeing as how it’s expensive to drive from Colorado to San Diego (not to mention hotels and food and all those awesome souvenirs). If you are going, be sure to swing by the Capstone booth at the con. Because of the super positive reviews they received in the aftermath of Free Comic Book Day, they’re increasing their presence at the Con. Swing by their booth, tell them Nathan sent ya.

On a side note, A while back I told you about a Bloop the web comic about a green space monkey. Here’s a link if you missed it the first time (it’s at the bottom). Apparently, Steve has been so successful with the web comic, he’s getting ready to start a kickstarter to fund a limited edition first issue. In Steve’s own words:

“The first 24-page chapter will be printed in a GIANT 10x15, full-color, hardcover, deluxe format (case-bound with foil stamp and a full-color dust jacket AND 100# satin paper interior) and be out this September. “

I’ve seen a preview of the dust jacket cover, and it is beautiful. Believe me, as it progresses, I’ll be posting updates.

Anyways, doing a two-fer review this week. Neither title is brand new, but they are both interesting and really kind of non-traditional stories.

 

Discovery Channel: Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Predators

Image Courtesy Zenoscope

Written and Illustrated by Various

Silver Dragon Books, 2011

ISBN: 978-0-98275-074-2 (TPB)

$9.99, Suggested 9+

 

Summary

Adventure back in time to see prehistoric creatures and learn about them in gruesome detail. From the powerful Triceratops to the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex. Backed by the Discovery Channel’s extensive library of information, This is an exhaustive examination of some of the most famous dinosaur species ever discovered.

Analysis

This book is not one of those that shies away from the more… natural aspects of how dinosaurs spent their days. Incredibly informative, they don’t skimp on the information. The artwork is detailed and beautifully rendered, and it’s obvious that everyone involved with this book was invested heart and soul in it’s production.

Final Thoughts

As I said previously, this is a beautiful book, and that’s where my reservations stem from. For younger (and/or sensitive) readers, this book has pure, unadulterated nightmare fuel in it. Certain scenes, especially the ends of the carnivore entries often have the dinosaur facing the reader, jaws wide open, like it’s ready to chow down on the audience. Other points of possible concern to parents are when the carnivores are eating – there’s very few strategically placed plants or rocks to hide the carnage. Regardless, this is an impressively researched and presented book. Definitely one worth checking out, but before recommending it, know your audience!

***

 

The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?

Image Courtesy Hyperion Book CH

Written and Illustrated by Mo Willems

Hyperion Book CH, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-42315-128-9 (HC)

$9.99, Ages 2+

 

Summary

If you’re familiar with the Pigeon, this book really needs no introduction. Created by Emmy Award Winner Mo Willems, the Pigeon has become a staple of early childhood literature. Originally appearing in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, the temperamental fowl has made several attempts to get his way through passive-aggressive ways. In this latest installment, the Pigeon has encountered his new ‘nemesis’ an extremely cute and polite duckling who asks for a cookie, and gets it. This of course sets the pigeon off on a book length rant about how he never gets what he wants.

Analysis

Willems has had a long and successful career – first on Sesame Street and then with his different book series. The Pigeon is one of those characters that kids can instantly identify with, and love to read of his exploits time and again. The images are simple, with solid easy to understand colors and storylines that even the youngest readers will quickly identify and enjoy. While many people classify the Pigeon books and Willem’s other series Elephant and Piggie to be children’s books (which they are), they’re also perfect introductions to graphic novels at their simplest level. Panels are rendered to one a page, word balloons show discussion as well as who is speaking, action lines show movement – these are the basics of comics and graphic novels.

Final Thoughts

Buy this book. That’s all there is to it. While you’re at it, get the rest of the Pigeon books as well. No matter how old you are, you’re going to love these books.

25 April 2012–Comic Con Update

 

Just got the news from Tsunami Media that they’ve added two new guests to the lineup at DCC this year. Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohan from the Walking Dead (Glenn and Maggie) will be at the Con along side Chandler Riggs (Carl)! How sweet it is!

Here’s the press release:

http://us2.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=56407dbf4162380b16620c2f8&id=19b9a51f73

Also, May 1, ticket prices are set to go up, so if you haven’t gotten them yet, now is the time!

23 April 2012–News and a review (In that order!)

 

 

So a couple of days ago, I told you all about the The Graphic Textbook Kickstarter program, well I took the plunge and pledged my support for the book! I’m super excited to see this program get the green light, but they need your support!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingwithpictures/the-graphic-textbook

 

In other news, the DCC clock is ticking down, we’re now under two months away from the biggest Comic Book Con in Colorado. I’m getting giddy with anticipation, and can’t wait to see all the cool kids hanging out together! I just hope they’ll let me join.

Speaking of deadlines, I will be completing my B.A. in English – Writing from CMU in just under a week and a half, and I’m putting myself back out on the market. If anyone is looking for  a writer with a magnificent command of the English language, who has published a book about books, and is wanting to pursue a masters degree in library science, please give me a holler. I work well with others, and I’m always looking for a new challenge. I need to dust off (update) my resume, but I will be posting it within the week – Barring (or baring, as a friend was so kind to point out) any last minute issues with school.

 

Anyways, enough about me: let’s get to why you’re really here – this week’s review

 

Image Courtesy :01 Second Books

Written and Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

:01 Second Books, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-59643-556-8 (TPB)

$15.99, Ages 12 +

Summary

Maggie has spent her entire life being homeschooled. Now that she’s entering high school, she takes the plunge that her brothers before her did – entering public school. At first it’s terrifying – she doesn’t know anyone, her brothers are keeping an eye on her, but ever since their mom took off, Maggie has felt lost. Soon she befriends two “outcasts”, Lucy and Alistair. Maggie begins to learn the ins and outs of high school, but she’s got one nagging problem – she’s also haunted.

Analysis

Hicks originally produced Friends with Boys as a web comic, and was picked up by :01 Second. Hicks has done work for :01 Second before, her previous book being Brain Camp with Susan Kim and Laurence Clavan. While I liked the artwork in Brain Camp, I was just completely blown away with it in Friends with Boys. Her characters facial expressions are such that entire stories are told in one glance. Very few artists I know can do this, and Hicks makes it seem like it’s an every day occurrence. Maggie is a charming, entertaining young protagonist who you can’t help but like and root for from page one. Her brother Daniel (the eldest), has that cool, laid-back, Zen-like thespian vibe without coming off as self-important of elitist. The twins, Lloyd and Zander, have hints of another famous pair of twins from across the pond (hint, their good friend has a lightning bolt scar), but define themselves as individuals – which becomes a sub-plot in the story for the two of them. Alistair and Lucy are brilliant additions to help define Maggie – a little awkward, a little unsure of themselves, but honest and believable. The sub-plot with the ghost really drives home the idea that not everything in life is going to resolve itself nicely eventually; sometimes things are left unfinished, or unexplained, and we just have to come to terms with that fact.

Final Thoughts

I was honestly dreading this review today. Not because I don’t like the book – I love it. I think it’s one of the best books to come along since Craig Thompson’s opus Blankets back in 2005. No, the reason I was worried about this review was due to the fact that I was afraid I couldn’t do the book enough justice. Friends with Boys is, hands down, my personal pick for the Eisner award for best book of the year. It is funny without being schmaltzy, deep without being pretentious, emotional without being overwrought, and uplifting without being corny or clichéd. It’s a powerfully beautiful book that I consider an honor to have in my home. Parents, if you have kids that are getting into high school, get this book. As for librarians, you may want to get two copies, because once word gets out, it’s going to be tough keeping it on the shelves. Teachers, this one you might give a pass to, but only because it’ll prove to be too much of a distraction in class. Regardless, this one is going right next to my copy of Blankets, because great works of graphic lit need to stick together.

 

*edit* BTW: if you want a 20 page teaser, check out friendswithboys.com

18 April 2012–Kickstarter Project – The Graphic Textbook

 

Hey guys,

Normally, I don’t mention special projects or fund-raising events here (it’s not that I don’t support them, it’s just beyond the scope of what I do), but this is just too dang cool to not mention.

What you see above is a Kickstarter project  that these folks are trying to get together. I’m going to let them explain it, because I just won’t do it justice:

“

The Graphic Textbook unites the finest creative talents in the comics industry with the nation's leading experts in visual literacy to create a gamechanging[sic] educational tool for the classroom and beyond, one that’s tied to a revolutionary impact study overseen by the Learning Sciences Department of Northwestern University. 

The goal is to create an awesomeness-filled book of the highest artistic quality and literary merit that also meets all the criteria necessary to be accepted as classroom curriculum. 

Aimed at grades 3-6, The Graphic Textbook features a dozen short stories (both fiction and non-fiction) that address topics in a variety of disciplines (Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, Science) drawn from the list of Common Core Standards used in classrooms countrywide. The accompanying Teacher’s Guide will include Standards-correlated lesson plans customized to each story, research-based justifications for using comics in the classroom, a guide to establishing best classroom practices and a comprehensive listing of additional educational resources.

The Graphic Textbook will prove once and for all that comics belong in the classroom by creating a comic that every teacher will actually want to use and a textbook that every student will actually want to read!”

 

This is something that I’ve felt is a huge necessity in classrooms. Many studies that have come out have pointed to a increase in not only understanding, but retention as well when kids have studied a topic with strong visual accompaniment, and graphic novels and comics fit that bill nicely. They’re looking for $65,000 by 17 May 2012, and they’re currently at $5,358 (as of 1:50 MST 18 April 2012. for a minimum of $10, you’ll be able to get a digital copy of the book when it comes out, and if you donate more, the benefits grow – you can get a signed hardback copy of the book, you can get a limited edition series of Probamon cards (a game included in the textbook), you can get a classroom full of copies for your favorite class, or, you can even become part of the stories!

Please, give them a look, and if you can, donate to this amazing project! Your descendants will thank you for it.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/readingwithpictures/the-graphic-textbook

9 April 2012 – A review and some news (not in that order)

 

Personal News

First off, I want to apologize for not updating last two weeks. It has been a chaotic and difficult week. My wife has busting her butt getting her pottery going again. This is just a small sampling of what she’s been making, and I’m extremely proud of her.  She’s in the process of getting a website set up so she can start showcasing more of her artwork. As more information comes available, I’ll post it here.

In other news, I got a couple of nice little surprises recently: I’ve been a huge fan of Jeff Smith’s Bone series pretty much since it originally came out, and It still entertains and amazes readers of all stripes. Apparently, someone at Scholastic had seen my review of Quest for the Spark last year, because I got this in the mail.

This is a full color print of a scene from Quest for the Spark signed by Jeff Smith, and pre-framed. There was much giddiness and silly behavior on my behalf for a while after receiving this. So, to everyone at Scholastic, THANK YOU for the wonderful gift!

Also, a couple of weeks ago, I did a quick review of Steve Conley’s Bloop. Needless to say, my review truly understates his work. It is amazingly beautiful artwork, and a great story. Not only that, but Steve was kind enough to do this:

I was truly touched and humbled when I received this in my email. If you haven’t checked out Bloop yet, you’re doing yourself a HUGE disservice.

http://bloopstree.com/webcomic/

 

Industry News

Raina Telgemeier’s Smile has won the The Maine Student Book Award for 2012 last week. The most awesome part about this is that the people that vote on this award are kids in grades 4 – 8. Full information can be found here.

The Denver Comic Con’s latest guest announcement was a bit of a surprise. Chandler Riggs, who plays Carl on AMC’s The Walking Dead will be at the Convention.  It will be interesting to see what Chandler has to say about the series as well as some of the criticism that has been directed toward his character.

Speaking of the Denver Comic Con, I’ll be posting more information about the convention as it draws closer, as well as the Rocky Mountain Conference on Comic and Graphic Novels that precedes the Comic Con. So far for the RMCCGN, they have such luminaries as Dr. James Bucky Carter, Dr. Charles Hatfield, Robert Weiner, and Scott McCloud. Yours truly has been asked to present a paper on graphic novels in the elementary classroom, and I hope I can do it justice, especially in light of these guys I listed above. If you see me, please don’t say “no pressure”. Seriously.

I also snagged a copy of the latest ad for Comic Con and have been planning on plastering Grand Junction with copies of it. If you want to see a copy of it, you can view it here:

This latest poster

(from http://www.tsunamipublicity.com/) is dead sexy, and the crew at Tsunami are super nice and friendly. If you’re looking for a good place for publicity, check them out.

This previous Friday, I did my first two presentations: The first was for Dr. Robin Calland at Colorado Mesa University, for her Children’s Literature class. Dr. Calland is a former teacher of mine, and I was honored to come and speak to her class. It was a wonderful experience, and I hope to be able to do it again. My other presentation was down at the Mesa County Public Library. Trevor Adams, one of the children/teen librarians invited me to come speak with his teens at their monthly graphic novel group. While it was a small group, they were extremely  attentive, and I have never felt so welcomed. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I really hope to be invited back again. Trevor has a great group of kids, and he totally rocks as well.

 

Here’s links to my presentations if you would like to see samples of my work.

Graphic Novels for Younger Readers

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TZXgdjflom6F2KrcF3JF-SwFIyRfUrMg1IMIQ9AK6KQ/edit

Teen Picks

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CLmE3u5ouCLm5X-2u226faCtIn-YZxh-kHD2LdpdFoQ/edit

 

Review

 

Image Courtesy Graphic Universe

Written and Illustrated by: Julien Neel

Graphic Universe, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-76138-869-2 (Paperback)

$8.95 Ages: 13 +

Summary

The second book in the (originally French) Lou! series finds Lou and her mom both mooning over men. Their summer is not shaping up to be very fun – Lou’s boyfriend moved away with little warning, and Mom’s boyfriend has to help supervise a summer camp for two months. What’s even worse is that the ladies have a mandatory visit to Lou’s grandmother who lives in the country, is constantly surly, and only serves brussels sprouts for every meal. To make things worse, Gram wants to hook Mom up with a local doctor who was a real sleaze ball in high school, and Lou meets a new boy. With the two of them find new loves, much less survive the summer?

Analysis

This is a fun series that comes from French artist Julien Neel. His artwork is playful without getting cutesy, and the story’s fluidity is stunning. Lou’s Mom is a perennial slacker, nerd grrrl who is forever trying to write her book about a scantily clad space heroine (like Barbarella, with a few more clothes). The relationships between the characters feel extremely true – there is not a disingenuous moment between characters at all, even the cat comes into it’s own as a supporting cast member. I feel the need to point out that this was originally a French publication, and as such, comes from a completely different social ideology than America. Because of this ideology, there is a bit more cheek in this book than one would probably find in a similar title written by an American.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. The characters all feel well rounded and developed, the artwork is beautiful, the story itself is well paced and entertaining, and you feel good about the book at the end. I do feel compelled to point out that this is an excellent book for any teen collection, but librarians need to be aware that some parents may be upset and offended by the cheekiness. If it wasn’t for the “sexiness” of the sub-story, I would recommend this for probably 10 – 11 and up.

19 March 2012–News and a Review

Image Courtesy :01 Second Books

Written by: Jorge Aguirre, Illustrated by Rafael Rosado.

:01 Second 2012

ISBN: 978-1-59643-582-7 (paperback)

$14.99 Ages 7 & Up

Summary

All Claudette wants to do is battle giants. Unfortunately, everyone is dead-set against her leaving the town, much less battling mythical creatures. Taking matters into her own hands, Claudette tricks and aspiring pastry chef (her little brother, Gaston) and her friend and aspiring princess Marie into sneaking out of town under the pretext of training for princesses and pastry chefs. Now, with these three “heroes” on the adventure of a lifetime, the entire town hot on their heels in an effort to rescue them, and a giant discovery in store, Claudette may have gotten herself into a problem she can’t get out of.

Analysis

Aguirre and Rosado are veterans of children’s entertainment, and their latest offering is no different. The characters are all well defined and unique, not only through the artwork, but through their personalities. Claudette is hell-bent for leather on making a name for herself, while Gaston has absolute faith in his cooking, and Marie is princess in everything but title. Even the mass of villagers have their own unique foibles, adding color to a potentially boring mass of extras. Rosado’s artwork is cartoony, but instead of detracting from the story, it accentuates the frenetic and fun pace of Aguirre’s storytelling.

Final Thoughts

Aguirre and Rosado are professionals, and it shows. I had such a difficult time getting through this book – not because it’s a bad book, or difficult to navigate, but because I was laughing so much. I had to stop every couple of minutes to compose myself, and explain to my family what was causing my mirth. This is a brilliantly executed, beautifully illustrated, and thoughtfully written story that needs to be in everyone’s library. It’s one of those rare stories that needs to be placed in the canon of children’s graphic novels and be celebrated for generations to come.

***

 

In industry news, it appears that Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane have finally settled their dispute over ownership rights regarding several characters created back in the 1990s. A comprehensive timeline cane be located here. Special thanks to Pádraig Ó Méalóid, who slaved over many, many documents (physical and digital) to bring some semblance of order to the whole shebang.

***

Jimmy Gownley has sold the rights to an as-of-yet unnamed graphic novel series. He’s keeping a tight lid on the specifics, but if it’s a tenth of what he’s done previously, it’s going to be great stuff.

***

Dan McGuiness, author and illustrator of the popular graphic novel series Pilot & Huxley (which was my very first review I ever did, and then lost – I’m still kicking myself over that one Dan!) has just signed a deal to bring an animated version of his series to American Audiences. Scholastic is behind this move, so be expecting something concrete within the next year (this is complete conjecture! Do not quote as fact!). McGuiness is also working on a new series. He’s only graced us with one image so far, but knowing McGuiness, it’s going to be interesting. Latest news from McGuiness cane be found here.

***

Finally, I don’t usually talk about web comics, but this one is just too good to pass up. Steve Conley has started a new web comic based off of his character “Bloop” an adorable green space monkey. Bloop started out as comic relief in Conley’s Astounding Space Thrills comics, and has been nagging Conley ever since. This is definitely a series to keep an eye on, and promises to be a huge delight to readers. Check out Bloop’s page here.

23 February 2012 - Comics in the News

So I was reading our local paper today (The Daily Sentinel)and on the front page was a story about how this guy in Texas got his late, great-uncle's comic book collection. Yesterday individual comics were sold act auction for a combined total of close to3.5 MILLION dollars. Stand outs included Detective Comics #27, where Batman debuted. It sold for $523,000, while Action Comics #1 sold for approximately $299,000. Not bad for the debut of Superman. Batman's self-titled first issue went for around $275,000, and Captain America #2, With Adolph Hitler on the cover fetched nearly $114,000. All told, 227 individual comics were auctioned off for a total amount of $3,466,264.

That's a lot of money.

Now, I don't want anyone running out at starting a huge collection of comic books just so you can sit on it for 60 years and then get rich. Doesn't work that way - not any more. Instead, you should go out and support the writers and illustrators of today's (and tomorrow's) works. Drop them a line if you can, go to conventions, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK STORE. Talk to your local librarian, as comics and graphic novels are exploding onto shelves as we speak. Don't let these people's hard work and effort go to waste.

If you're really feeling up to it, make your own.

Then, if you do, send me a copy (imagine me with a big happy grin on my face).

22 February 2012–Random Musings

 

Morning Surprise

So, I woke up this morning, and while checking my email, I came across an ad for Zig and Wikki *in* the Cow, which I had reviewed the other day. As I was scrolling through the email, I came across this:

It took me a minute to realize that I was reading my own words. Then it hit me… I’m being used in promotional materials! I was so excited, I did a happy dance right then and there. Seriously though, Toon Books is on to something great in general. I’ve long thought that emergent readers can benefit the most from graphic novels, and the folks at Toon are keyed into that as well.

I’m also on Goodreads and Facebook (shameless self plug)

 

Jimmy Gownley announces new Tumblr page

It was with a bit of shock that I discovered that Jimmy Gownley was ending his Amelia Rules series recently, but he did announce that he’s working on other projects. In fact, he just opened a new Tumblr page to showcase some of the things he did (and plans to do). Regardless of what he comes up with next, it’s going to be awesome.

Check out his Tumblr page here.

 

Denver Comic Con

Don’t forget! If you live in or around the Rocky Mountains (Or you’re headed that way this summer), The First Annual Denver Comic Con is happening this summer! June 15 – 17 in beautiful Downtown Denver, and NO it is not going to be in some cramped hotel ballroom, They’ve got the Convention Center. I’ve been there, it’s huge. It’s shaping up to be an awesome run-up to SDCC and Dragon*Con. For more information, hit their link here, and tell ‘em Nathan at the Graphic Novel Reader sent ya.

 

(This is an update of an earlier post, added some more pics, and the Denver Comic Con article)

7 February 2012–updates and apologies

Hey all! No, contrary to popular opinion and wishful thinking, I’m not dead. I’ve been detained by school, and as such, I haven’t been able to talk about the Denver Comic Con coming up this summer, Jimmy Gownley ending the perennial kid’s favorite Amelia Rules, Capstone and DC teaming up for more Super Hero goodness, or new releases from Kids Can Press, :01 Second, Toon Books, or Scholastic (or the many other great publishing companies out there).

All I’m asking is that you bear with me folks. I’m still plugging away, and I’m still working on reviews, but it’s going to be a little scattershot for the next couple of months. With that said, I have a feeling that we’re going to be seeing some amazing stuff this year, and I can’t wait to share it with you all out there.

This Was Just Too Good To Not Pass On

 

Posting note: I “borrowed” this from http://www.io9.com, who in turn copied it from Michele’s web site. I was going to get it directly from her site, but she’s been getting overtaxed with hits today.

I know folks out there are saying “Well, there’s two different versions of Starfire out there, a kid friendly version, and an adult version. I don’t agree with this – an adult version of Starfire would have her in explicit situations. This “new” version is strictly for the oh-so-popular “15 – 30 year old male horndog” demographic.

[Originally posted verbatim at http://io9.com/5844355/a-7+year+old-girl-responds-to-dc-comics-sexed+up-reboot-of-starfire]

Fantasy author Michele Lee has the most eloquent response so far to DC Comics' "sexed up" version of Starfire, the voluptuous alien member of the Teen Titans. Instead of ranting about the changes herself, Lee asked her seven-year-old daughter what she thought. The results are thought-provoking.

[Originally posted verbatim on Michele Lee’s blog at http://michelelee.net/2011/09/24/dear-dc-comics/]

I'm not going to rant like Comics Alliance (though you need to read it), or this one by Andrew Wheeler (also an excellent read), Ms. Snarky says it really well too (Go, read, DC editors. Take notes.)

Instead I'm going to hand over my forum and let someone else speak for me. Pay attention, DC. This is my seven-year-old daughter.

And for good measure this is my seven-year-old daughter, as she falls asleep most nights, reading:

They're both your books, DC. And furthermore she bought them both with HER money. Her allowance, her birthday and Christmas money. She gets at least one graphic novel and one book for major holidays. She buys superhero movies (we've managed to see all the major releases this year except Green Lantern and she's loved them all.) She has a full-sized cardboard cut out of Spiderman guarding her bookshelf.

Most importantly? Starfire is her favorite hero.

So today I showed her your rebooted Catwoman and Starfire. She is not happy with you DC.

"Why do you like Starfire?"

"She's like me. She's an alien new to the planet and maybe she doesn't always say the right thing, or know the right thing to do. But she's a good friend, and she helps people. She's strong enough to fight the bad guys, even when they hurt her. Even her sister tried to kill her, but Starfire still fights for the good side. And she helps the other heroes, like Superboy and Robin and Raven.

"She's smart too. And sometimes she gets mad, but that's okay because it's okay to get mad when people are being mean. And she's pretty."

"What do you think about her costume?" (Referring to the outfit on the left)

"Well, she's a grown up in that picture, not like in the Teen Titans cartoon, so if you're a grown up and you want to wear something like that you can. It's okay."

"Tell me about that Starfire."

"That's where she's starting the Teen Titans again. She's helping the kids learn how to use their power and not be as sad because their friends died. She even protects them from grownups who want to tell them what to do."

"Does that outfit make her pretty?"

"Well, no. It shows lots of her boobs though."

"What does make her pretty?"

"Her long, pretty hair."

Full size

"What about this Starfire? What do you think about her?" (Referring to image on the left from DC's reboot Red Hood and the Outsiders)

"I can see almost all of her boobs."

"And?"

"Well she is on the beach in her bikini. But…"

"But?"

"But, she's not relaxing or swimming. She's just posing a lot." *my daughter appears uncomfortable*

"Anything else?"

"Well, she's not fighting anyone. And not talking to anyone really. She's just almost naked and posing."

Full size

"Do you think this Starfire is a good hero?"

"Not really."

"Do you think the Starfire from the Teen Titans cartoon is a good role model?"

*immediately* "Oh yes. She's a great role model. She tells people they can be good friends and super powerful and fight for good."

"Do you think the Starfire in the Teen Titans comic book is a good role model?"

"Yes, too. She's still a good guy. Pretty, but she's helping others all the time and saving people."

"What about this new Starfire?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Because she's not doing anything."

Full size

"Is this new Starfire someone you'd want to be when you grow up?"

*she gets uncomfortable again*"Not really. I mean, grown ups can wear what they want, but…she's not doing anything but wearing a tiny bikini to get attention."

"So, you know I'm going to put this on my blog right? (she nods) Is there anything else you want to say?"

"I want her to be a hero, fighting things and be strong and helping people."

"Why's that?"

"Because she's what inspires me to be good."

See, it's not about what they're wearing, though that can influence things. What makes a hero is WHO they are, the choices they make and the things they do. If my 7 year old can tell what you've done from looking at the pictures (there is no way I'm going to let her in on the whole emotionless random, amnesiac sex plot line) why can't you see the problem here?

If this is your attempt at being edgy and reaching out the huge female comic audience out here then I look forward to when this crap collapses around you so someone who gets it can take your place. We're looking for good stories and great heroes. This just isn't it.

Cartoon at the bottom via Shortpacked!.

This post by Wolf Heart author Michele Lee originally appeared at her blog.

 

IMHO, I think that young Miss Lee really hit the nail on the head. For generations, comics have been getting lambasted for stuff just like this. Companies have worked hard to throw off the prejudice that women are simply one dimensional object of lust – hell, when DC was doing the animated Teen Titans, they were working to quell that prejudice as well.

In closing, I would like to take a moment to send out a huge “Thank You!” to both Michele and her daughter for speaking up and speaking out about this latest idiocy DC has perpetrated.