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GraphicNovelReporter.com Newsletter
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October 7, 2010
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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
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The Return of New York Comic-Con
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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)
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CREATOR INTERVIEW Best of the Best: Matt Madden on The Best American Comics 2010
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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
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Click here to read our interview with Matt Madden.
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CREATOR INTERVIEW Pika Don: The Latest Book from the Stanford Graphic Novel Program
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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
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Click here to read our interview with Adam Johnson.
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SURVEY We Want To Hear From You About a Possible New Website!
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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.
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FEATURE STORY Fall 2010 Graphic Novels
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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
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Click here to read our feature on the Fall 2010 Graphic Novels.
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BEHIND THE SCENES Peter Tatara
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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.
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Click here to read our Behind the Scenes feature on Peter Tatara.
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EXCERPT Tonoharu, Part Two
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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!
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BOOKS TO MOVIES
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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!
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VIDEO
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There's a new preview out for Stan Lee's The Traveler, and you can catch it here!
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COMING SOON For October 13 and October 20
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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
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FICTION REVIEWS
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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
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Click here to check out all our fiction reviews.
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NONFICTION REVIEWS
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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
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Click here to read all our nonfiction reviews.
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TEEN REVIEWS
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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
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Click here to check out all our teen reviews.
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KIDS REVIEWS
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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
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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.
The Book Report Network 250 W. 57th Street - Suite 1228 New York, New York 10107
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