 |
GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
July 29, 2011 |
|
Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
|
|
|
|
|
| The Old and the New |
|
San Diego Comic-Con is all about the old and new. It’s hard to escape that, and it was especially driven home for me this year in a couple of wonderful ways.
First, it was the first con ever attended by my 11-year-nephew. I should set the scene just a little bit: He’s been a comics fan for a few years now, and he seems to have a “Rain Man-like” memory for even the smallest details. In the days before the con, he pelted me with questions like “Is there a pyrokinetic in Utopia?” (a brief aside here: Anyone who thinks comics don’t increase kids’ vocabularies is sorely mistaken) and debated me on various comics lore and tidbits. I made the mistake of saying I thought Cyclops could defeat Iceman in a fight and was soundly met with a wealth of data and statistics I had never considered, mostly boiling down to the fact that Iceman is an alpha-level mutant and Cyclops is not. Who knew? We didn’t have “alpha-level” distinctions back in my day. (For the record, I still think I’m right on this one.)
The second “old is new” moment came on Friday, when I got a chance to spend some time looking through the dealers’ bins of comics --- always one of my absolute favorite times at any comics convention. I can spend hours (and a lot of money) there. It doesn’t hurt that I also firmly believe in the presence of those comics dealers at comics conventions and want to support them.
This time, I found something I didn’t realize I was looking for. It wasn’t a hole in my collection, per se, because I already have it. But when I came across a copy of Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #250 --- the first comic book I ever bought --- I knew I had to buy it again. Thirty-three years ago, I bought it off the magazine rack of a convenience store (technically, my mother bought it for me, but why quibble?), and it’s still here with me in my collection. It’s a little bit the worse for wear: I didn’t know how to treat comics back then, and I was folding it at the spine and read it over and over again till the pages started showing all the abuse. But it’s held together, more or less. Still, when I saw it in a dealer’s bin, bagged up and ready to be sold, it was like seeing an old friend again. How could I possibly resist? I bought it quickly, along with a few other comics from the ’70s and ’80s. It was a good day at the con.
There were many good days at the con, in fact. It’s always good to see the people there, some familiar faces and some new ones. The show seemed more crowded than ever, but whether that translates into increased enthusiasm for comics remains to be seen. But one thing is sure: The fever for show itself is not slowing down in the slightest (just ask the throngs of people who camped out overnight to ensure they got tickets to next year’s show when they went on sale).
The eternal question, of course, is whether the convention has gotten too big for its own good and moved too far away from its original comics roots. It’s hard to argue that, especially when there are panels about the death of comic books taking place at a convention allegedly devoted to them (at least in name). Perhaps that makes for a bit of a confused and confusing industry. That didn’t stop me from trying to make sense of it, and the convention itself, in a series of posts from the show. You can read all those posts here.
Also, I was on a panel (see photo above) called "Transforming Super-Powered Comic Book Readers into Super-Powered Comic Book Writers" (whew! That's a mouthful!) hosted by Dr. Katie Monnin, who frequently writes for us and is one of my favorite graphic-novel enthusiasts. There were a host of amazing names on this panel: Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Dan Santat (Sidekicks), Matt Holm (Babymouse), Dr. James Bucky Carter (Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels), and Dr. Meryl Jaffe (Teaching Content Area Graphic Novels). The wide-ranging panel was a lot of fun, and we discussed how to take a love for comics and turn it into a passion for writing, using comics effectively in the classroom, and why educators and parents are wise to work with comics and not against them.
We were also thrilled when a librarian came up to us at one event with printed pages from our feature that listed the programming for teachers and librarians at SDCC thanking us for drilling down the hundreds of panels with what we thought they wanted to focus on. As always, it was very interesting to see the focus teachers and librarians took at the convention. As so many of them are at the forefront of using comics to help reach new readers (including reluctant readers, differently abled readers, and so many others), we always try to take special care to notice what is going on in that environment and where they as a group are heading. We saw a lot of potential for new stories we're planning to bring you in the weeks ahead so we can help assist them in that goal.
On Friday night, the Eisner Awards took place (I blogged about all the award winners here. I'd like to offer a special congratulations to Raina Telgemeier, who won for her wonderful memoir Smile and who's always been great to GNR (read our interview with Raina about Smile).
At Comic-Con, amidst all the celebrations, it’s easy to lose sight of some of the troubling aspects of today’s industry. For example, the fact that an organization like the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is not only needed, but is needed more than ever. When I heard of one of its current cases --- involving a young American man who was arrested at the Canadian border for carrying manga on his computer --- I wanted to make sure we drew attention to it in any way we could. Now online is our interview with the CBLDF’s executive director, Charles Brownstein, who explains how and why the case came about and how the CBLDF is trying to fight it. They need help, though. Please read the article to see how you can take part.
And what would a con be without photos. Thus we have two gallerys: One with photos captioned by me and one done by Carol.
There’s plenty more news this week so read on….
Happy reading,
John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Defending the Art: Charles Brownstein of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund |
Since 1986, the nonprofit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has been defending the First Amendment rights of comics and graphic novels creators, retailers, and readers. They’ve defended dozens of cases in the decades since, and they are now working on one involving a young American man stopped and charged by customs in Canada for possessing comics they found offensive on his laptop. We talked to the CBLDF’s executive director, Charles Brownstein, about that troubling case and the organization’s ongoing efforts to protect free speech. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our interview with Charles Brownstein.
|
|
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY
San Diego Comic-Con 2011 |
Missed the show? You’ll feel like you were there when you review our two extensive photo galleries of San Diego Comic-Con, including costumes, discussion panels, booths, and much more.
-Click here to view John's gallery.
-Click here to view Carol's gallery.
|
|
WINNERS of Our BLOOD WORK Contest
|
Congratulations to Kathy J. of Florence, Massachusetts, and Joan W. of St. Petersburg, Florida, the two winners of our Blood Work contest! Kathy and Joan each won a copy of author Kim Harrison’s first graphic novel, based on her bestselling prose books. The contest may be closed, but you can still get an exclusive sneak peek at a preview and read Harrison’s thoughts on creating her first graphic novel.
|
Click here to read Kim Harrison's guest blog post.
|
|
VIDEO
Amazing Spider-Man |
One of the biggest stories in comics last week wasn’t the Comic-Con…it was the release of the brand-new trailer for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man. Get a first look at it here!
|
|
BOOKS TO SCREEN
Batman: Year One
|
Batman: Year One blew readers away in comic form in 1987. Now, it gets animated in a very faithful adaptation. Get the details and a look at all the special features included with the video here!
|
|
|
|
EXCERPT
The Lives of Sacco and Vanzetti by Rick Geary |
Rick Geary tackles the most controversial case of the 20th century. Anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti were accused of robbery and murder, but so many supposedly damning pieces of evidence were questionable their guilty verdict elicited massive protests around the world. Geary presents us with all the twists and turns, appeals and dubious evidence after presenting us the human face of the two men, demonized by many, turned to martyrs by many others in his usual unflappable way. Here’s a preview excerpt from his newest graphic work.
|
Here's a preview excerpt from his newest graphic work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
FICTION REVIEWS
|
 |
Japan as Viewed by 17 Creators by Various
Japan as Viewed by 17 Creators is a high-concept book, and one that works. Nine French comics creators were invited to visit Japan, where they would write and draw short stories about (or inspired by) the cities or towns they visited. They would be joined by eight creators living in Japan (seven Japanese natives, plus editor and French expat Frédéric Boilet), who would craft tales focused on where they lived. The work was sponsored by two French and Japanese arts organizations and the book was pre-sold for editions in seven languages before a single pen stroke was put to paper. The result is one of the strongest comics anthologies in recent years. Reviewed by John R. Platt
Judge Dredd: Mega-City Masters 01 by Brian Bolland
Collecting some of the best British artistic talent from over the past 30 years in oversized editions specifically targeting the American marketplace, Judge Dredd: Mega-City Masters 01 showcases not only names U.S. audiences will immediately recognize and appreciate, but also seminal episodes in the long career of Britain's own Judge Dredd. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
Phoenix Without Ashes by Harlan Ellison, Alan Robinson, and John K. Snyder III
Phoenix Without Ashes adapts Harlan Ellison's screenplay and Edward Bryant's novel into comics form after nearly 40 years of being lost to obscurity. Reviewed by John R. Platt
|
Click here to read all our fiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
| NONFICTION REVIEWS |
Supergods by Nathan Wilson
Part history, part autobiography, Grant Morrison's SUPERGODS represents the author's first foray into the long form world of nonfiction as he tackles a subject that has come to define his career as a writer. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
Two Generals by Scott Chantler
Drawn from the diaries and letters of two Canadian officers who took part in the D-Day invasion, Two Generals depicts both the tedium and the horror of war, framed in a story of friendship and loss. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson
|
Click here to read all our nonfiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
| TEEN REVIEWS |
 |
5 Ronin by Peter Milligan, Tom Coker, Dalibor Talajic, Laurence Campbell, Goran Parlov, and Leandro Fernandez
In an alternate version of the Marvel Universe, five strangely familiar characters traverse feudal Japan seeking vengeance against a bloodthirsty daimyo who has destroyed all of their lives. As they move toward their respective fates, their lives intersect and their actions echo outward. Reviewed by Collin David
House of Five Leaves by Natsume Ono
In an offbeat read, the samurai Masa becomes involved with a gang of kidnappers because he needs the money. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
Halo: Fall of Reach—Bootcamp by Brian Reed and Felix Ruiz
Once again, Marvel Comics’ series of Halo graphic novels reaches far beyond their video game roots to tell a tale outside of the ordinary game narrative, following the development of a young boy into a powerful soldier through the use of an experimental and dangerous process—all before Halo’s signature alien invasion themes even kick in. Reviewed by Collin David
|
Click here to read our teen reviews.
|
|
|
|
KIDS REVIEWS
|
The Betrayal Knows My Name by Hotaru Odagiri
Yuki is an orphan who has special psychic abilities. When his older brother finds him, Yuki learns that his whole family has psychic powers. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
Delirium’s Party: A Little Endless Storybook by Jill Thompson
A follow up to her 2004 The Little Endless Storybook, Delirium's Party brings readers and cartoonist Jill Thompson back into the Neil Gaiman-crafted realm of the seven diminutive mythic deities. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
|
Click here to read all the kids reviews.
|
|
|
|
COMING SOON
August 3rd - August 10th |
|
August 3
Acts of Vengeance Crossovers Omnibus
Marvel Comics
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus
Marvel Comics
Avengers Academy, Vol. 2: The Real World
Marvel Comics
Bomb Queen Gang Bang
Image Comics
Choker, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Darkness Compendium, Vol. 2
Image Comics
Echoes, Vol. 1
Top Cow
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven & Other Stories
IDW Publishing
Elephantmen, Vol. 2: Fatal Diseases Revised & Expanded
Image Comics
Essential Spider-Man, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics
G.I. Joe, Vol. 5
IDW Publishing
Gantz Vol. 18
Dark Horse
A History of Violence
Vertigo
Invincible Compendium, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Kidnapping Kevin Smith
Pathetic Aesthetic Comics
Malinky Robot Collected Stories & Other Bits
Image Comics
Marineman: A Matter of Life & Depth
Image Comics
Meta 4: The Complete Series
Image Comics
Mighty Avengers: Dark Reign
Marvel Comics
Oliver Twist
Campfire
Oz: The Marvelous Land of Oz
Marvel Comics
Petrograd
Oni Press
Pherone
Image Comics
Reflections: The David Mack Art Book
Marvel Comics
Rocket Raccoon: Guardian
Marvel Comics
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Animated Series, Vol. 1
Archie Comics
Spider-Man: Big Time
Marvel Comics
Steve Ditko Omnibus, Vol. 1: Starring Shade
DC Comics
Strange Girl Omnibus
Image Comics
Superman: Grounded, Vol. 1
DC Comics
X-Men: Fallen Angels
Marvel Comics
X-Men: The X-tinction Agenda
Marvel Comics
August 10
All Ghoul School
IDW Publishing
Batman: Impostors
DC Comics
Daken, Dark Wolverine: Empire
Marvel Comics
Dark Rain: A New Orleans Story
DC Comics
Don Quixote, Part II
Campfire
Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms Omnibus, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
Fables Deluxe Edition, Vol. 3
Vertigo
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors, Vol. 1
DC Comics
Hack/Slash, Vol. 9: Torture Prone
Image Comics
Hulk Visionaries: Peter David, Vol. 8
Marvel Comics
Incredible Hulks: Dark Son
Marvel Comics
Madame Xanadu, Vol. 4: Extra Sensory
Vertigo
Mnemovore
IDW Publishing
Morning Glories, Vol. 2
Image Comics
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project, Vol. 9
Dark Horse
Shadowland: Daredevil
Marvel Comics
Spider-Man: The Fantastic Spider-Man
Marvel Comics
Thor: Gods & Men
Marvel Comics
Wolverine/Hercules: Myths, Monsters and Mutants
Marvel Comics
|
|
|
