 |
GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
March 11, 2011
|
| |
|
Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
Reviews, Author/Illustrators, Features, Op-Ed, Roundtables, Recent Blog Posts, Podcasts/Videos, Behind the Scenes, Bestseller Lists, Books Into Movies, Coming Soon,
Can't See the Graphics? Read This Newsletter Online
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remembering Will Eisner and Looking Ahead
|
|
As I write this, it’s Will Eisner’s birthday. Or rather, it would have been his 94th birthday if he had lived this long. It is a time to reflect on how much he has given this industry, how great his legacy truly is, and how much we all owe him in terms of storytelling, art, and the overall feeling of this wonderful format…especially in the sense of long-form storytelling in the graphic format.
I was really late to the party when it comes to reading Eisner’s work. He didn’t quite fit in with my reading tastes when I first started picking comics up in the late ’70s and on throughout the ’80s. Sadly, it really wasn’t until his death in 2005 that I went back and read some of the things I had missed. It was a huge eye-opener to see what he had pioneered so long ago and how much influence he had had over so many of the comics I had loved as a kid. Somehow, I had missed all the connections, which is a shame. Now I celebrate so much of his work and what it meant, particularly the Contract with God trilogy, which always blows me away.
It seems fitting to be talking about Will Eisner when for the past few weeks I’ve been working away at revamped versions of our Core Lists. We first unveiled our Core Lists about six months ago, and they were designed to help booksellers who were new to selling graphic novels figure out what they should carry in their stores. At the same time, we hoped they would be equally useful to librarians as they unveiled new collections or built up new ones.
As I mentioned back then, updating the Core Lists is going to be a semi-annual affair for us here on GNR. Twice a year, we’ll update them so you can get the most current and relevant lists. I’ve also made them a little more user-friendly: The lists are still divided up into manga and graphic novel categories, and then further divided into ranges for kids, teens, and adults, so buyers can plan their selections accordingly.
With this update we are sharing our latest take on Manga titles for kids, teens and adults in this update. The updated graphic novel lists will be ready for our next update. I’ve added plot descriptions to give you a sense of what all the books are about, as well.
The lists, of course, work best with your feedback. If you see something you like, dislike, vehemently disagree with, or whatever else…I’m all ears! I think the list is already improved over the first rendition and a great deal of that is thanks to readers’ feedback.
There’s a lot to celebrate about the state of the graphic novel industry these days. One thing is how pervasive and prevalent comics are in our culture, how respected the format is, and how embraced it is. Interestingly, a publisher whose books I enjoy a great deal, First Second, is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. What’s funny about that is that five-year period mirrors such amazing growth in this segment of the publishing industry that First Second is itself a small case study of the industry as a whole. I bring this up because we have an interview with First Second’s editorial director, Mark Siegel, and editor, Calista Brill. Both have a lot of love for comics in general, and their passion shows through in the work they’re putting out there through First Second. (As well as in Mark’s wonderful online comic Sailor Twain, which you also should definitely check out if you haven’t already.)
Mark and Calista’s colleague, Colleen AF Venable, the art and design editor for First Second, also took some time to talk with us about her creative process. It’s one of the things that really intrigues me about comics (and book publishing in general): the evolution of an idea to an actual cover of a book. The idea behind what sells, what catches a potential reader’s eye, and how the creative process works is one I find fascinating. I hope you do too, because Colleen was nice enough to give us a bird’s-eye view into the creative process on the covers of three upcoming books. You can watch the evolution of all three in her interview and see how these great designs all came about.
Finally, I want to tell you about our really interesting interview with bestselling vampire writer Laurell K. Hamilton. Hamilton is one of the many writers who are finding crossover success in comics (did I mention we also have a sneak preview of the second volume of James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard online right now?), and I was really struck by how much thought and caring Hamilton put into her comics work. When you see what she has to say about it in this new interview, I think you’ll agree.
There’s plenty more news, opinion, and more online right now with this new update, so scroll down and check out what’s new. And please let me know what you think! I look forward to your feedback.
Happy reading,
John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)
|
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Laurell K. Hamilton Talks Graphic Novels
|
|
The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels have sold more than six million copies and made its writer, Laurell K. Hamilton, a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Recently, Anita took on graphic-novel form, giving her many fans a chance to see their tough-as-nails heroine as depicted by venerable artist Ron Lim. Hamilton gave GraphicNovelReporter some behind-the-scenes information on the graphic novel process, how she wishes she could draw, and the imaginative fun of creating giant cobras. By Danica Davidson
|
Click here to read our interview with Laurell K. Hamilton.
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
Judging a Book by its Cover |
|
Colleen AF Venable has the distinction of being the art and design editor for First Second Books (or, as she points out, since she’s the only designer on staff, she’s actually the entire design department). We wanted to talk with her so we could see all of the work and thought that goes into the design of a graphic novel…everything from how the cover catches the reader’s eye to how the packaging suits the needs of the story. Here’s what she had to say. And as a bonus, she gave us a tour through her creative process on three upcoming First Second books! By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our interview with Colleen AF Venable.
|
|
|
FEATURE STORY
The Core List for Spring 2011: Manga
|
|
Our semi-annual list of core graphic novels and manga for booksellers and librarians presents a dynamic list of titles readers are looking for. With hundreds of books all conveniently sorted into age-appropriate groups, this is the essential list of graphic titles to carry right now. First up is our list of core manga.
|
Click here to see our Core List for Spring 2011: Manga.
|
|
|
|
|
FEATURE STORY
Success in India! Comic Con India 2011
|
|
With its long tradition of publishing beginning in India, Campfire publishing is perfectly poised to monitor the success of the first-ever comic con in India, which took place last week. Campfire's publisher Andrew Dodd shares his experiences at the convention and explains how the annual event is going to help further popularize graphic novels and comics in India.
|
Click here to read our feature story on Comic Con India 2011.
|
|
|
OP-ED
What Graphic Novels Do for My World
|
|
"I think graphic novels and manga have made a huge difference in the lives of many of our readers and in my life as well," says Decatur, Texas, librarian Denice Herrera. For the past three years, she's been in charge of her library's graphic novel and manga section, and here she shares her story of how she made it a success.
|
Click here to read our op-ed piece with Denice Herrera.
|
|
|
|
|
FICTION REVIEWS
|
 |
Grimm’s Fairy Tales by The Brothers Grimm and Kevin Colden
Many of us associate fairy tales with fuzzy, feel-good stories where lessons are learned and morals are taught through enchanting characters like children, princesses, valiant, heroic men, and cuddly creatures. In fairy tales, everyone gets their happy ending --- or at least learns a beneficial life lesson. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, on the other hand, are dark, vindictive, and full of hard-to-swallow life lessons that very rarely include happy endings. Essentially, these aren’t the kinds of stories that should be read to children before they go to bed. Reviewed by Tina Vasquez
Moon Lake by Dan Fogler
Spinning off of a movie that Dan Fogler directed called Hysterical Psycho, the stories here all take place on a haunted (to say the least) lake between the United States and Canada where a jealous moon sent a piece of itself down to earth to destroy its prettier and more popular sibling. Reviewed by John R. Platt
Cat Eyed Boy, Vol. 1 by Kazuo Umezu
The mysterious Cat Eyed Boy journeys from one place to another, sensing where horror and tragedy will strike next. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
|
Click here to read our fiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
TEEN REVIEWS
|
 |
The Secret Notes of Lady Kanoko, Vol. 1 by Ririko Tsujita
The first volume of The Secret Notes of Lady Kanoko by Airiko Tsujita follows Kanoko Naedoko as she moves from school to school, making observations on teenage life. This volume is recommended for middle and high school students; Kanoko’s observations of teenage life are insightful and accurate, and the comedy of the work is sure to resonate with teens. Reviewed by Kyla Hunt
Crimson Cross by Sakae Maeda and Kyoko Negishi
Karl is a vampire as well as a vampire hunter. With a last name like Van Helsing, you can guess how long his family has been in the vampire-hunting business. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
Grand Guignol Orchestra, Vol. 2 by Kaori Yuki
The Grand Guignol Orchestra continues its fight against zombies, and two characters are sent to investigate a convent. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
Black Butler, Vol. 3 by Yana Toboso
The delicious Gothic horror and Victorian England setting of Black Butler knows no borders…and neither does the handsome but sinister black butler Sebastian himself. Reviewed by Casey Brienza
|
Click here to check out all our teen reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
KIDS REVIEWS
|
|
The Call of the Wild by Jack London, Lloyd S. Wagner and Sachin Nagar
Campfire has managed to carve a wonderful little niche for itself by adapting some of the world’s most beloved classics to the comics format. The Call of the Wild is one of the true standouts in that lineup. Reviewed by John Hogan
Missile Mouse: Rescue on Tankium 3 by Jake Parker
Missile Mouse is an action-packed graphic novel adventure. With its emphasis on agents, robots, and alien worlds, this is a title that will be particularly appealing to older elementary-age boys. Reviewed by Kyla Hunt
Francis Sharp in the Grip of the Uncanny! Chapter 1 by Brittney Sabo and Anna Bratton
In the first chapter of what will hopefully become a long series, we’re introduced to Francis Sharp, a young, lazy, and stubborn boy living in rural 1930s New Jersey. Francis disobeys his parents, doesn’t help around the farm, and often lies. He’s also about to be swept off into a very strange and foreign realm. Reviewed by Tina Vasquez
|
Click here to read all our kids reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
NONFICTION REVIEWS
|
|
Special Exits by Joyce Farmer
Joyce Farmer details the decline of her parents in harrowing yet loving detail. Riveting to watch unfold, filled with tenderness and honesty, Special Exits honors the final period of life with raw emotion. Reviewed by John Hogan
To Timbuktu by Casey Scieszka and Steven Weinberg
After meeting in Morocco, these two twenty-somethings decide to go one step further and explore the world together while getting used to each other. Not inclined to cut things short or delay their relationship for years, they endeavor to see the world before deciding what to do with their careers and their hearts. Reviewed by Melanie Smith
|
Click here to read all our nonfiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
VIDEOS
|
|
If you couldn't make it to last week's signing of the True Blood comic in L.A., don't worry; you can watch some footage of it here. Plus, writer and artists Shaun Tan (The Arrival) won an Academy Award for the film The Lost Thing, based on his book by the same name. Check out a trailer for the movie here.
|
Click here to watch some footage of the L.A. book signing for True Blood.
|
|
|
EXCERPT
Witch & Wizard, Vol. 2: Operation Zero
|
|
Whit and Wisty get the shock of their lives when a member of the New Order's inner circle, The One Who Bans Books, contacts them with a clandestine proposal: He wants their help in removing The One Who Is The One from power! He confesses to having grown disgusted with the N.O. and reveals that he's aware of an ancient book of the occult that holds a spell for stripping an individual of all their magic. Unfortunately, the book is in a heavily-guarded N.O. bunker that's shielded against magic portals from Shadowland. But more important, can the Allgood siblings even trust this man who is willing to commit treason, or is his offer just an elaborate trap? The graphic novel based on James Patterson's bestselling series continues.
|
Click here to take a peek inside Witch & Wizard, Vol. 2: Operation Zero.
|
|
|
|
|
COMING SOON
March 9 - March 16
|
| March 9
Boris Karloff: Tales of Mystery Archives, Volume 5
Dark Horse
The Comics: An Illustrated History of Comic Strip Art
Dark Horse
Deadpool, Vol. 5: What Happened in Vegas
Marvel Comics
Deadpool, Vol. 6: I Rule, You Suck
Marvel Comics
Girl Comics (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Gotham Central, Vol. 4: Corrigan
DC Comics
Hulk, Vol. 6: World War Hulks (paperback)
Marvel Comics
James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard, Vol. 2: Operation Zero (paperback)
IDW
The Last Zombie (paperback)
Antarctic Press
Marvel Adventures: Thor: Bringers of Storm Digest (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 13
Marvel Comics
Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project, Volume 8 (paperback)
Dark Horse
The New Mutants: Fall of the New Mutants
Marvel Comics
Power Pack Classic, Vol. 3 (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Shadowland: Moon Knight
Marvel Comics
Star Wars Omnibus: At War with the Empire, Volume 1 (paperback)
Dark Horse
Supersized: Strange Tales from a Fast-Food Culture (paperback)
Dark Horse
Thor: Mighty Avenger, Vol. 2 (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Ultimate Comics: New Ultimates: Thor Reborn
Marvel Comics
Wolverine: Weapon X, Vol. 3: Tomorrow Dies Today (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Zatanna: Mistress of Magic (paperback)
DC Comics
March 16
Age of Heroes (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Archie Americana Series, Vol. 12: Best of the ’90s, Book 2 (paperback)
Archie Comics
The Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis
Marvel Comics
Deadpool: Pulp
Marvel Comics
Eightball: David Boring (paperback)
Pantheon Books
The Finder Library, Vol. 1
Dark Horse
Gantz, Vol. 16 (paperback)
Dark Horse
God of War (paperback)
DC Comics
Halo: The Fall of Reach—Boot Camp
Marvel Comics
I Zombie, Vol. 1: Dead to the World (paperback)
Vertigo
Invincible Ultimate Collection, Vol. 6
Image Comics
Justice League of America: Dark Things
DC Comics
Oh My Goddess! Vol. 17 (paperback)
Dark Horse
Possessions, Vol. 2: Ghost Table
Oni Press
The Savage Dragon: Emperor Dragon (paperback)
Image Comics
The Spirit: Angel Smerti (paperback)
DC Comics
Stumptown, Vol. 1
Oni Press
Super Hero Squad: Super Hero Safari (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Superman: New Krypton, Vol. 3 (paperback)
DC Comics
Thor: Lost Gods (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Thunderbolts: Cage (paperback)
Marvel Comics
Witchblade: Redemption, Vol. 2 (paperback)
Image Comics
X-Men Origins II
Marvel Comics
Your Highness
Dark Horse
|
Click here to see what else is Coming Soon.
|
|
A few housekeeping notes: If you are seeing this newsletter in a text version, and would prefer to see the graphics, you can either read it online or change your preferences below.
Those of you who wish to send mail to GraphicNovelReporter.com, please write John@bookreporter.com. Writing any of the respond buttons below will not get to us.
For advertising and promotion opportunities, please see our media kit here.
Those who are subscribed to the GraphicNovelReporter.com newsletter by March 31, 2011 are automatically entered in our Monthly Newsletter Contest. This month's selections include American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang; Feynman by Jim Ottaviani and Leland Myrick; Lewis & Clark by Nick Bertozzi; The Lost Colony, Book 1: The Snodgrass Conspiracy by Grady Klein; and Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke.
The winner of February's contest, Carolyn from Conroe, Texas, will be receiving The Building Opposite by Vanyda; The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories by Jiro Taniguchi; A Patch of Dreams by Hideji Oda; The Quest for the Missing Girl by Jiro Taniguchi; and The Summit of the Gods, Volume 1 by Yumemakura Baku and Jiro Taniguchi.
The Book Report Network
250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228
New York, New York 10107
|
|
