As I write this newsletter, I'm a little more bleary eyed than usual. It's early morning as I type, and I'm sitting in a fast-food restaurant in Waterlook, Iowa, sipping coffee furiously in an attempt to wake up. I'm in Iowa for my niece's wedding (it took place over the weekend, and it was a beautiful celebration). All of this is delightful and happy, except for the fact that my mother has no use for a computer, let alone the Internet.

And so this morning, as I attempt to get this newsletter finished up, I'm breaking my diet for bacon, egg and cheese on a biscuit, all so I can get the benefits of free wireless. (Added bonus: An old farmer with salty language that would make a drill sergeant blush is sitting two tables away having a very loud, expletive-laden conversation with a woman who is not his wife --- so I'm enjoying a lot of scandal and drama as I put this newsletter together. I'll do my best to keep the four-letter words to a minimum here.)

Onward to this month's update! I'm sorry that to date GNR hasn't given the brilliantly good and compulsively readable Unwritten its proper due. It's a series I love, one that is full of original and scintillating ideas. Thus I'm thrilled to offer a new interview with creators Mike Carey and Peter Gross. These guys are longterm comics pros who are doing something exciting and new with the form in their series. If you haven't checked it out already, you should do so. Start at the very beginning if you can; but if you prefer, the newly released Volume 7 of the series, The Wound, is a perfect jumping-on point. Mike and Peter took time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions about the book and analyze the multitude of symbolism and literary merit the series offers.

I can still remember the day, nearly 10 years ago, that I first picked up the book The Time Traveler's Wife. I didn't know what to expect from the book, wasn't sure if it fit into sci-fi or some other category…but as soon as I started reading, I was immediately hooked and Audrey Niffenegger became a writer I was excited to follow. Since that time, she has enjoyed a wildly varied career that defies easy categorization. Her latest book, Raven Girl, is not a true graphic novel (it has beautiful illustrations throughout, however), but I think it's of great interest to graphic novel readers, and so I'm happy to feature an interview with Audrey on the site right now. (In it, she discusses her desire to create a full-length graphic novel, something I hope she does soon.)

Joe Abercrombie's prose series The First Law is a strange and addictive blend of fantasy and suspense. It makes a perfect segue into comics through the work of Chuck Dixon, Andie Tong, and Peter Pantazi. I talked to Abercrombie about the genesis and growth of the series and what the comics will add to the books.

There's plenty more on the site right now, including an exclusive preview of the graphic novel adaptation of Louis L'Amour's classic Law of the Desert Born, a recap of Free Comic Book Day earlier this month, and new reviews of Benny Breakiron, Graphic Canon Vol. 3, and many more.

The foul-mouthed farmer has left the premises, and I think that's my cue to go as well. I hope you enjoy the latest comics news and reviews!

Until next time,

John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)