 |
GraphicNovelReporter.com
Newsletter |
November 4, 2011 |
|
Quick Links to Features on Graphic Novel Reporter
|
|
|
| Warm Weather Ahead |
 |
Last weekend, we experienced a freakily early major snowstorm here on the East Coast. Luckily, it didn’t affect me all that much (although I do have a wicked cold that refuses to go away, so there’s that), but Carol got really socked out in New Jersey with a power outage. She missed out on Sunday’s episode of "The Walking Dead," which she’s fairly addicted to these days…and grabbed the remote to watch it on DVR as soon as the power came back. While folks in her town were not dealing with zombies, she was interested to see how people reacted to the stresses and upset that came to their lives with fallen trees and a lack of power ---- while thinking about "The Walking Dead."
I bring this all up because, after weeks of being discussed here and on the site, the Miami Book Fair is fast approaching. With it comes the promise of some nice weather for us weather-worn New Yorkers. But even without that, I’d be excited about going. The lineup is fairly incredible, especially for the Day of Comics on Thursday, November 17th. In pulling together this lineup, Carol wanted to ensure there will be a lineup of creators who can speak to the issues affecting teachers and librarians (as well as comics in the classroom) today instead of just talking theory about why comics work. The lineup includes Jim Ottaviani (Feynman, Two-Fisted Science), Chris Wilson (The Graphic Classroom), Dr. Michael Bitz (The Comic Book Project), and Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Level Up). Best of all, the entire daylong event is free. And we’ve also arranged through some of our publishing colleagues to have some terrific door prizes that will be awarded at the end of the day’s events. You just need to register.
The entire Day of Comics program is designed to help teachers and librarians more effectively reach students with comics and use them to their ultimate advantage. So, for example, Wilson will be discussing how to merge comics and the core curriculum of math, science, social studies, etc.; and Ottaviani will address the intersection of science and graphic works. I know this is a day that will go a long way to helping modern educators and librarians in furthering the enthusiasm of comics.
The rest of the comics lineup for the rest of the weekend: I count nearly two dozen comics-related panels going on the weekend of November 19–20 (find a full listing of them all here), which is stellar as well. That’s a lot of comic content. I’m happy to be moderating two panels, both of which are on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m., I’ll be moderating Graphic Novels of 2011: Favorites and New Classics, and I’m delighted to be joined by Vera Brosgol (Anya’s Ghost), Jennifer Hayden (Underwire), Matt Phelan (Around the World), and Shannon Wheeler (Oil and Water, Too Much Coffee Man). We’ll talk about all these creators’ latest works and also the graphic novels that really blew them away this year…especially the lesser-known ones that everybody really should know about. At 3:30 p.m., I’ll be hosting True Stories: Comics and Autobiography, a subject I can’t wait to delve into with panelists Jason Shiga (Empire State), Jennifer Hayden (Underwire), and Mark Kalesniko (Freeway).
Carol is getting a kick out of the fact that snow will be following us to Miami as it will be snowing in Miami on Sunday, November 20th, beginning at 11 a.m. as Jeff Kinney comes to town to celebrate the sixth book in his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Cabin Fever. In the book, the whole Heffley family is trapped indoors by a surprise blizzard. So, with that in mind, fairgoers in Miami will be able to brave the snow, just like in the book as they are creating snow in Miami. She has told me she is NOT shoveling.
Obviously, the Miami Book Fair is one of the largest and most revered conventions for the public to celebrate reading, books, and publishing. I’m thrilled that comics and graphic novels are such a huge presence at the show as well. It’s a great sign of how far graphic novels have come in a relatively short period of time. While comics still deal with prejudice and derision, they are also celebrated and respected. This is a wonderful progression for fans of the format.
Speaking of which, Random House and Library Journal are sponsoring an important upcoming webcast this coming Tuesday, November 8, and it’s one you probably want to check out. The event is called “Graphic Novel Experts Discuss the Latest Trends and Hottest Titles.” Check out the panelists: Dallas Middaugh (director, publishing services, for Random House); Harold Buchholz (executive director, publishing and operations, for Archie Comics); John Cunningham (vice president of marketing for DC Comics); and Kelly Coyle Crivelli (library marketing manager for Random House). Slated to be discussed at the webcast are the graphic novels coming out this fall and on into next spring from these publishers. If you’re a fan, you don’t want to miss it.
One of the most interesting things that came out of New York Comic Con was the chance to delve into two very different, but very interesting, new graphic novels. Both come from the same publisher: Pop Sandbox. The first is The Next Day, an important book about suicide prevention (we gave readers a sneak preview of the book here). The second is Kenk, a graphic portrait of Igor Kenk, dubbed “the world’s most prolific bicycle thief” (trust me, he earned that title; if you’re not Canadian, you might not have heard much about him, but he stole nearly 3,000 bikes before getting caught…that’s not easy to do). That book is written by Alex Jansen, who also happens to be the publisher of Pop Sandbox. I got a chance to interview Alex about Kenk and the Pop Sandbox publishing venture. You’ll also find tons of great new reviews up on the site right now (including some very buzz-worthy new books, like Daniel Clowes’ The Death Ray, Seth’s The Great Northern Brotherhood of Canadian Cartoonists, and the manga adaptation of James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard, just to name three).
By the way, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like our home page on Facebook! We use those social media outlets to keep our fans apprised of all our latest news and updates. It’s a great way to keep in touch.
Till next time,
John Hogan (john@bookreporter.com)
|
|
CREATOR INTERVIEW
The Bicycle Thief: Alex Jansen Discusses Kenk
|
Igor Kenk became one of Canada’s (and the world’s) most illustrious thieves when he was arrested for stealing nearly 3,000 bicycles in Toronto in 2008. It was a strange case that immediately took fire and made Kenk a celebrity and antihero of sorts. It also inspired the beautifully depicted new graphic novel Kenk, by Alex Jansen (publisher of Pop Sandbox), Jason Gilmore, and Nick Marinkovich. The wildly inventive art style combines with the oddness of Kenk’s story (and Kenk himself) to create an intense and vivid portrait of a very interesting man. Already published in Canada, Kenk was named a Best Book of 2010 by Quill & Quire, Canada’s top literary magazine, and has been a bestseller in Canada. We talked to Jansen about creating the book. By John Hogan
|
Click here to read our interview with Alex Jansen.
|
|
After NYCC: Lance Fensterman Talks About the Con
|
|
After the illustrious success of this year’s New York Comic Con, we thought we’d check in with Reed Exhibition’s Lance Fensterman, who put it all together. Has he sufficiently recovered? Let’s find out and see what he thought of how the show went this year. |
Click here to read our interview with Lance Fensterman.
|
|
Special Contest: Enter to Win One of 100 Copies of Twilight, The Graphic Novel, Vol. 2
|
The incredible Twilight series comes to life in the special graphic-novel adaptation by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim. Get special details on the book, plus take a sneak peek at it, and enter the contest for a chance to win one of 100 copies of Twilight, the Graphic Novel, Vol. 2! Carol learned at a librarian talk recently that the art in this book, as well as in Volume 1, was drawn with close direction from Stephenie herself, who wanted fans to see the characters the way that she envisioned them as she did when she was writing the book!
|
Click here to enter the contest to win a copy of Twilight, The Graphic Novel Vol. 2.
|
|
EVENTS & CONVENTIONS
|
|
The Miami Book Fair is just a week away: November 13–20! GNR will have a great presence there, beginning with the School of Comics on Thursday, November 17. The lineup for this big day includes Gene Luen Yang, Jim Ottaviani, Chris Wilson, and Dr. Michael Bitz and will give teachers rare insights into using comics in education. GNR is sponsoring this event and Carol Fitzgerald will be moderating the day's events --- and our publishing friends have contributed some truly terrific doorprizes for the attendees. Then even more comics-related content is on tap for the weekend, including two panels moderated by GNR’s John Hogan. |
Get all the details for all the comics programming for the Miami Book Fair here!
|
|
EXCERPT
Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Fool Moon, Vol. 1
|
Harry Dresden's life is a mess. His top client (and close friend), Lt. Karrin Murphy, no longer trusts him. Chicago's underworld and the cops alike think he's mobster Johnny Marcone's supernatural enforcer. And the enigmatic White Council continues to view him with suspicion. If all that weren't enough, a pack of werewolves have unleashed a wave of terror on the Windy City. But as is always the case when it comes to the creatures of the Nevernever, there's far more going on than meets the eye. Before it's all over, Harry will find himself caught between friends, enemies, and arcane forces bent on his destruction. Is it any wonder he can't find a date? Expanding on Book Two of Jim Butcher's New York Times bestselling saga, and featuring writer Mark Powers and artist Chase Conley, Fool Moon collects the first half of the eight-issue series in one volume, complete with bonus material and a cover gallery. Here's a preview.
|
Click here to read our excerpt from Fool Moon.
|
|
NEW VIDEO TRAILERS ARE HERE!
|
New graphic novel trailers are out! Look for previews of Dear Creature, Romeo and Juliet: The War, Infinite Kung-Fu, and more!
|
Click here to watch the videos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FICTION REVIEWS
|
The Death Ray by Daniel Clowes
A lazy teen in 1970s Chicago develops serious superpowers and must deal with the moral questions that come along with it in Daniel Clowes' story of angst and ennui in middle America. Reviewed by John Hogan
The Great Northern Brotherhood of Canadian Cartoonists by Seth
In a mixture of true and invented histories of great Canadian cartoonists, Seth delivers a beautifully envisioned and warmly inviting tour of a fictionalized club for artists. Reviewed by John Hogan
Tharg’s Terror Tales by Gordon Rennie, Frazer Irving, John Smith
Tharg's Terror Tales is a fascinating look at the formative years of illustrator Frazer Irving, an artist recognized for his mastery of the horror genre, as well as the non-spandex, non-Judge Dredd fare that fills the pages of Britain's weekly, 2000AD. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson |
Click here to read all our fiction reviews.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| TEEN REVIEWS |
Mnemovore by Mike Huddleston and Hans Rodionoff
Originally published as a miniseries by Vertigo in 2005, Mnemovore is now finally available in a premier, deluxe hardcover format. Reviewed by Nathan Wilson
Monster, Vol. 11–13 by Naoki Urasawa
After eluding the police, Dr. Tenma is captured and makes a false confession in order to save the life of his ex-fiancée. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
The Story of Saiunkoku by Yukino Sai and Yura Kairi
Shurei works to get a job as a civil servant, despite sexist laws that don’t allow women to have government jobs. Reviewed by Danica Davidson
|
Click here to read our teen reviews.
|
|
|
|
KIDS REVIEWS
|
Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking by Philippe Coudray
Benjamin Bear and his various animal friends have adventures and learn lessons in the fun, charming Fuzzy Thinking. Reviewed by John Hogan
Witch & Wizard, Vol. 1 by James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet, and Svetlana Chmakova
Wisty and Whit are accused of witchcraft and sentenced to hang by the new government in this graphic novel adaptation of James Patterson’s bestseller. Reviewed by Danica Davidson |
Click here to read all the kids reviews.
|
|
|
|
| COMING SOON: November 2nd and November 9th |
|
Here’s what is out this week...and next!
November 2
Absolute Sandman, Vol. 5
Vertigo
Baja
IDW Publishing
Batman: Streets of Gotham, Vol. 2: Leviathan
DC Comics
The Best of Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Archie Comics
Bizarro Heroes
Last Gasp, Inc.
Black Widow: Itsy-Bitsy Spider
Marvel Comics
Captain America: Forever Allies
Marvel Comics
Darkwing Duck: Campai Carnage
Boom! Studios
Dragon Puncher, Vol. 2: Dragon Puncher Island
Top Shelf Productions
EC Archives: Haunt of Fear, Vol. 1
GC Press
EC Archives Vault of Horror, Vol. 2
GC Press
Fantastic Four by John Byrne Omnibus, Vol. 1
Marvel Comics
50 Girls 50, Vol. 1: Shakedown
Image Comics
Government Issue Comics for the People 1940-2000s
Abrams
Japan Needs Heroes
Red Giant Entertainment
Jesus Hates Zombies: Jurassic Kinda Life, Vol. 2
215 Ink
Joe the Barbarian
DC Comics
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Omnibus
DC Comics
Marvel Masterworks: Fantastic Four, Vol. 13
Marvel Comics
Powers, Vol. 3: Little Deaths
Marvel Comics
Rocketeer Adventures, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
Rotten, Vol. 2: Revival of the Fittest
Moonstone
Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get a Life
Round Table Comics
Spider-Man: Torment
Marvel Comics
Superman: The Return of Doomsday
DC Comics
Teen Titans: Team Building
DC Comics
30 Days of Night: Night Again
IDW Publishing
Thor/Iron Man: God Complex
Marvel Comics
Transformers, Vol. 5: Chaos Theory
IDW Publishing
Who Is Jake Ellis, Vol. 1
Image Comics
Wrath of the Titans: Revenge of Medusa
Bluewater Productions
X-Force: Assault on Graymalkin
Marvel Comics
X-Statix Omnibus
Marvel Comics
Zatanna, Vol. 2: Shades of the Past
DC Comics
November 9
The Adventures of Herge
Drawn and Quarterly
Archie: The Best of Samm Schwartz, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
Bob Powell: Terror
IDW Publishing
DCU Online Legends, Vol. 1
DC Comics
Felix the Cat: Greatest Comic Book Tails
IDW Publishing
Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths
IDW Publishing
Hellboy: House of the Living Dead
Dark Horse
Incredible Hulks: Heart of a Monster
Marvel Comics
Little Green Men: Small Package, Big Fun
Ape Entertainment
Mission
Image Comics
Monstrous Collection: Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson
IDW Publishing
New X-Men by Grant Morrison, Book 7
Marvel Comics
Next Men, Vol. 2
IDW Publishing
Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Marvel Comics
Power Man and Iron Fist: Comedy of Death
Marvel Comics
Reed Gunther, Vol. 1
Image Comics
The Return to Perdition
Vertigo
The Road to Perdition: On the Road
Vertigo
Savage Dragon: The Kids Are Alright
Image Comics
Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death
Marvel Comics
Spy vs. Spy by Prohias Omnibus
DC Comics
Superman: The Last Stand of New Krypton, Vol. 1
DC Comics
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1
IDW Publishing
|
Click here to see what's coming soon!
|
|
|
|
