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October 7, 2010


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The Return of New York Comic-Con

This week, we celebrate the return of New York Comic-Con. It's been a long year and a half (seems like longer, doesn't it?) since the convention was held here. It's now officially moved to the fall to avoid conflicts with some other events, and I'm looking forward to a great weekend jam-packed with panels, old friends, new announcements, and plenty of comics.

I have the privilege of being on two panels this weekend. The first, on Friday, will be hosted by Diamond Book Distributor's John Shableski and is entitled "The Evolution of Graphic Novel Publishing: What Publishers Need to Consider in Order to Grow the Market" (that's a long title, but it covers some very important ground). That panel will be at 12:30 in room 1A14. Also on the panel will be this impressive lineup: Jill Faherty from Baker & Taylor distributors; Jim Killen, buyer for Barnes & Noble; blogger Heidi MacDonald of The Beat; Amanda Emmert of ComicsPro; and comics pro and blogger Rich Johnson.

On Saturday, I'll be hosting a panel called "Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga for Kids." We'll be discussing the state of kids' comics, what's right and wrong in the industry right now, the current and upcoming books the panelists are excited about, and much more. That panel takes place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Room 1A17 and features these distinguished panelists: GNR's Brigid Alverson (also of School Library Journal); writer Martha Cornog (Library Journal); Vicky Smith (Kirkus Reviews); Kai-Ming Cha (Publishers Weekly); and Eva Volin (from the Alameda Free Library).

I'm looking forward to both panels and am hoping they spawn some terrific conversation. There is plenty to talk about on both topics.

In this update, you'll also find several Comic-Con-related stories, including a Behind the Scenes interview with NYCC's Peter Tatara and a feature story on the panels you might want to look out for this weekend. I hope they all enrich your NYCC experience (if you're going) --- and help you get more out of this event

For those not going, don't worry; there's plenty online at GNR for you to enjoy. I'm still very excited about the huge list of fall titles we compiled recently into our fall preview list. This fall is shaping up to be the most exciting in years. Check out our big feature and plan your fall reading accordingly. And even if you're not at a comics convention this weekend, what better way to celebrate your love for the format by reading The Best American Comics 2010? Year after year, the series continues to impress, and it always shows off the diversity of the American comics field. This year, Neil Gaiman was the guest editor. I talked with regular series co-editor Matt Madden in an interview about what it was like to work with Neil and how amazing this past year's worth of comics was (and how difficult to narrow down to one book's worth of material).

I was also happy to get a chance to speak with Adam Johnson again. I met Adam a couple of years ago and it's been fun watching what he has been up to since then as I have always been impressed with him. For those who don't know, Adam runs the Stanford Graphic Novel Publishing Program, in which he watches over a talented group of students as they choose a subject and then write, draw, ink, and publish a graphic novel. The latest book out of the program, Pika Don, is now done, and Adam talks about it in this new interview.

If you're attending New York Comic Con, I hope we'll get a chance to say hello. If not, I hope you'll enjoy all the content we have for you with this update!

 

Happy reading,

John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)

CREATOR INTERVIEW
Best of the Best: Matt Madden on The Best American Comics 2010

For the past three years, the Best American Comics series, edited by Jessica Abel and Matt Madden, has profiled a diverse and eclectic group of comics work and honored it for its achievements. Also each year, Abel and Madden work with a guest editor to make selections. This year's edition featured guest editor Neil Gaiman. We talked to Madden about the experience. By John Hogan

Click here to read our interview with Matt Madden.



CREATOR INTERVIEW
Pika Don: The Latest Book from the Stanford Graphic Novel Program
Adam Johnson runs the prestigious Stanford Graphic Novel Publishing Program, a class wherein students work together for an entire semester to create a graphic novel. Every aspect of the book --- writing, drawing, inking, publishing --- is done by the students, and the results can be impressive. This year's book, Pika Don, was just recently published, so we talked to Johnson about the work that went into it. By John Hogan
Click here to read our interview with Adam Johnson.


SURVEY
We Want To Hear From You About a Possible New Website!

The Book Report Network is considering creating a website targeted to college and twenty-something readers. Before we do that, though, we wanted to get some feedback from readers ages 17-30, since we are planning this site for a very targeted audience. This is so new that for the moment we are using the code name "CO-20" for this project. We estimate that it will take about 10 minutes to complete the survey. Respondents who complete the survey are eligible to enter a drawing to win a $25 gift card to the bookstore of their choice. 100 winners will be selected at random. One quick note: Given customs and mailing restrictions, the prize offerings are only available to residents of the United States and Canada. To our international readers, we welcome your participation and regret that we cannot send prizes overseas. You must be between the ages of 17 and 30 to participate in this survey. Click here to answer the survey.

 


FEATURE STORY
Fall 2010 Graphic Novels

Fall is here, and with it comes a slew of new graphic novels worth reading. From the best in adult fiction and nonfiction to top selections for kids, teens, and tweens, we've sorted through the complete list to present you with the top graphic novels and manga for autumn. By John Hogan

Click here to read our feature on the Fall 2010 Graphic Novels.

BEHIND THE SCENES
Peter Tatara

Peter Tatara works for New York Comic-Con overseeing all the various panels, screenings, special events, and other goings-on at the big show. He does similar work for the New York Anime Festival, C2E2, and the Star Wars Celebration. In preparation for this week's New York Comic-Con, we asked him our Behind the Scenes questions to get to know him a little better. By John Hogan.

Click here to read our Behind the Scenes feature on Peter Tatara.

EXCERPT
Tonoharu, Part Two

One of our picks for the biggest books of fall 2010, Tonoharu: Part Two won't be published until this December. But you can get a sneak preview of it here!

RECENT BLOG POSTS
Chris Claremont and Paul Levitz Team Up, Danny Elfman and Tim Burton Stay Teamed Up, Stan Lee Announces His New Teaming, and More

We share news, updates, tips, personal observations, and more. Keep up-to-date by checking our blog entries.

MoCCA Classes Begin This Month

Mark Waid Takes the Initiative

Claremont and Levitz: Together Again for the First Time

Stan Lee at New York Comic Con

Danny Elfman and Tim Burton: 25 Years of Scores

Click here to read more from our blog.

BOOKS TO MOVIES

Wonder Woman might be making a return to TV, and The Walking Dead and The Avengers definitely are. Check out them all here, as well as get news on Red, the new movie based on the Warren Ellis graphic novel!

VIDEO

There's a new preview out for Stan Lee's The Traveler, and you can catch it here!

COMING SOON
For October 13 and October 20

Here's everything coming out in the weeks ahead. Get your graphic-novel shopping list ready! Click here to see a full list for the months ahead.

October 13

Akira, Vol. 4
Kodansha

Archie Marries: 70 Years in the Making
Archie Comics

Batman: Life After Death
DC Comics

Captain America and Black Panther: Flags of Our Fathers
Marvel Comics

Celadore, Vol. 1 (paperback)
Vertigo

Deadpool Corps, Vol. 1: Poolocalypse Now
Marvel Comics

Deadpool, Vol. 5: What Happened in Vegas
Marvel Comics

Dracula
Marvel Comics

Executive Assistant: Iris, Vol. 1 (paperback)
Aspen Mlt Inc.

Forgetless (paperback)
Image Comics

G-Man, Vol. 2: Caped Crisis (paperback)
Image Comics

G.I. Joe: Special Missions, Vol. 2 (paperback)
IDW Publishing

God Complex: The Complete Collection (paperback)
Image Comics

The Goon, Vol. 2: My Murderous Childhood (and Other Grievous Yarns) (paperback)
Dark Horse

The Harvey Comics Treasury, Vol. 2 (paperback)
Dark Horse

Hellboy: Masks and Monsters (paperback)
Dark Horse

Incredible Hulk, Vol. 2: Fall of the Hulks (paperback)
Marvel Comics

James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard, Vol. 1: Battle Shadowland (paperback)
IDW Publishing

Locke & Key, Vol. 2: Head Games (paperback)
IDW

North 40 (paperback)
Wildstorm

Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Vol. 1: Lightning Thief
Hyperion

Predators (paperback)
Dark Horse

Red Mass for Mars, Vol. 1 (paperback)
Image Comics

The Saga of Rex (paperback)
Image Comics

Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes (paperback, new edition)
Vertigo

Sandman, Vol. 2: The Doll’s House (paperback, new edition)
Vertigo

Sandman, Vol. 3: Dream Country (paperback, new edition)
Vertigo

Scary Godmother
Dark Horse

A Sickness in the Family
Vertigo

Solomon Kane, Vol. 2: Death’s Black Riders (paperback)
Dark Horse

Spawn: Origins, Vol. 2
Image Comics

Thunderbolts: Cage
Marvel Comics

Ultimate Comics: Avengers: Next Generation (paperback)
Marvel Comics

Vampire Boy
Dark Horse

Walking Dead, Vol. 6
Image Comics

War Machine Classic, Vol. 1 (paperback)
Marvel Comics

The Wednesday Conspiracy
Dark Horse

Wolverine: Weapon X, Vol. 3: Tomorrow Dies Today
Marvel Comics

Wonder Woman: Contagion (paperback)
DC Comics

X-Babies Classic, Vol. 1 (paperback)
Marvel Comics

X-Men: Second Coming: Revelations
Marvel Comics

October 20

Absolute All Star Superman
DC Comics

Archie & Friends, Vol. 6: Archie’s Christmas Stocking (paperback)
Archie Comics

Archie: Seven Decades of America’s Favorite Teenagers
IDW Publishing

Astro City: The Dark Age, Book 2: Brothers in Arms
Wildstorm

Bloom County: The Complete Library, Vol. 3
IDW Publishing

Captain Excelsior (paperback)
IDW Publishing

X’d Out
Pantheon Books

Classic Jurassic Park, Vol. 1 (paperback)
IDW Publishing

Dark Ivory (paperback)
Image Comics

Eerie Archives, Vol. 4
Marvel

Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds (paperback)
DC Comics

Hellblazer: India (paperback)
Vertigo

Hulk, Vol. 5: Fall of the Hulks
Marvel Comics

Hulk, Vol. 6: World War Hulks
Marvel Comics

Jonah Hex: Counting Corpses (paperback)
DC Comics

Justice League of America: When Worlds Collide (paperback)
DC Comics

Little Prince
First Second

Luthor
DC Comics

Marvel Zombies 5
Marvel Comics

Picture This
Drawn and Quarterly

Savage Dragon: Dragon War (paperback)
Image Comics

Showcase Presents Superman, Vol. 1 (paperback)
DC Comics

Sky Pirates of Neo Terra (paperback)
Image Comics

Spider-Man: Gauntlet, Vol. 3: Vulture & Morbius (paperback)
Marvel Comics

Spider-Man: Grim Hunt
Marvel Comics

Tezuka Ayako
Vertical

Thor vs. Hercules (paperback)
Marvel Comics

Ultimate Comics: Avengers: Crime & Punishment
Marvel Comics

X-Factor, Vol. 9: The Invisible Woman Has Vanished (paperback)
Marvel Comics

X-Men Forever, Vol. 5: Once More into the Breach (paperback)
Marvel Comics

Y, The Last Man, Vol. 4 Deluxe Edition
Vertigo

FICTION REVIEWS

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger
Audrey Niffenegger's stunning fantasy of books and how they define us is a fascinating read. Reviewed by Tina Vasquez

X'ed Out by Charles Burns
Charles Burns, creator of Black Hole, returns with the first volume in a vividly imaginative, creepily foreboding new series. Reviewed by John Hogan

The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born
by Peter David, Robin Furth, Jae Lee, and Richard Isanove
Shunsuke has been in love with Atsushi since middle school but put that love aside when Atsushi left to study abroad. But now that Atsushi has returned home, can the two young men fight their growing feelings for one another? Reviewed by Collin David

Just Around the Corner by Toko Kawai
Luckless Yuuya and prickly Kiriya start a relationship that turns dangerous when Kiriya finds out that Yuuya is one of his students. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith

Kurashina Sensei’s Passion, Vol. 1-2 by Natsuho Shiro
Reiji Kurashina has returned to his high school alma mater to teach, but he soon ends up having to chair the chaotic Events Organization Committee --- a job that leads to possible (and unexpected) love. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith

Merry Family Plan by Sumitomo Morozumi
Shibutami has no luck with girls, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to deal with his feelings for his male classmate Yoshizumi. Reviewed by Snow Wildsmith

 

Click here to check out all our fiction reviews.

NONFICTION REVIEWS

Diario de Oaxaca by Peter Kuper
Diario de Oaxaca is an unusual book: part graphic novel, part political treatise, part travelogue, and part art book-slash-sketchbook. It could very well be Peter Kuper's most accomplished work as an artist. Reviewed by John R. Platt

Cats Are Weird by Jeffrey Brown
Cats Are Weird follows the antics of two cats, gray-and-white Buddy and tiger Kitty. If you have ever owned cats, you can't help but nod and laugh in understanding. Reviewed by John R. Platt

Click here to read all our nonfiction reviews.

TEEN REVIEWS

Animal Crackers by Gene Luen Yang
Minuscule data robots, angry pastries, Jesus, love and nasal invasions all figure into Gene Yang's decidedly strange exploration of teenage life in Animal Crackers, a collection of comics which all occur in the same strange, surrealist world. Reviewed by Collin David

Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost by Ian Edginton, Patrick Reilly, and Stjepan Sejic
A strapping young hero, an attractive princess, an evil guy with a beard, and a powerful djinn-it's all fairly standard stuff from the Aladdin tales, but Radical Books' Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost is a transcendentally solid, classic adventure. Reviewed by Collin David

The Clique by Lisi Harrison and Yishan Li
Based on the novel by Lisi Harrison, The Clique takes on graphic novel form. In it, Claire struggles to overcome the bullying brought down on her from the cool crowd. Reviewed by Danica Davidson

Click here to check out all our teen reviews.

KIDS REVIEWS

Campfire Classics by various
The Campfire Classics series explores a wide variety of classic literature in an abridged, graphic format, including titles that range from Treasure Island and Moby Dick to Alice in Wonderland and The Invisible Man, making these stories accessible to an audience that may not have been able to enjoy them before. Reviewed by Collin David

Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer: Vol. 1 and 2 by Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins
When it comes to slaying vampires, Pinocchio has a built-in advantage --- every time he tells a lie, he grows his own wooden stake. On the other hand, there are disadvantages to having a lie detector right in the middle of your face, especially when you are faced with a roomful of vampires --- or just one pretty girl. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson

Click here to check out all our kids reviews.


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Those who are subscribed to the GraphicNovelReporter.com newsletter by October 31, 2010 are automatically entered in our Monthly Newsletter Contest. This month's selections include Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost (Volume 1) by Ian Edginton, Stjepan Sejic, and Patrick Reilly; Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon; The Incredibles: Revenge from Below by Mark Waid, Landry Walker, and Marcio Takara; The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds; and RIP, M.D., by Mitch Schauer and Mike Vosburg.

The winner of September's contest, Jo from York, Pennsylvania, will be receiving Lenore: Wedgies by Roman Dirge; Stitches: A Memoir by David Small; Thor, Vol. 1 by Michael Straczynsky and Marko Djurdevic; The Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Renier; and The Witch of Artemis by Yui Hara.


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