|
Graphic Novels & Comics December 2015
|
|
Hello there! My name is Patrick Holt, and I'm a librarian at Southwest Regional Library. I'm also a lifelong reader of comics and graphic novels. Check out the contents of this month's newsletter in the box to the left, and get access to past editions in the archive at the bottom of the page. I hope you find these recommendations worthwhile, and please email me at pdholt@dconc.gov if you have any thoughts or questions.
Thanks and enjoy!
|
|
Jupiter's Legacy
by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely
In his well-thought-out review of this late-period Millar/Quitely work, Matt Seneca of The Comics Journal comments that Jupiter's Legacy is "derivative of Millar’s past work (particularly The Authority and The Ultimates), almost completely devoid of rhetorical subtlety or nuanced characters, and generally redolent of superhero comics clichés". Nevertheless, "if it took him three passes at the same epic superheroes-remaking-the-world story to get to a solid expression of why we should all care (because our children are our world’s inheritors — an obvious idea, but one that the ageless, childless corporate superheroes will nonetheless never be able to touch), I’m glad he finally got here, and I’m glad this one has the prettiest artwork of them all." Worth a look!
|
|
|
Aama vol. 1: The Smell of Warm Dust
by Frederik Peeters
With guidance from a gorilla-shaped AI, amnesiac Verloc Nim learns the reason why his miserable, drug-riddled life has landed him on a remote planet populated only by a group of rogue scientists. By turns absurd and touching, Aama is beautiful work of science fiction and proof that Frederik Peeters is the inheritor to the throne of the late Belgian master, Moebius. Highly recommended!
|
|
|
Thor: The Goddess of Thunder
by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman
When Thor is found to be unworthy of Mjolnir, an unknown woman takes on the mantle of Thor to combat the Frost Giants who have invaded Earth.
|
|
|
Batman: Year 100 and Other Tales
by Paul Pope
Paul Pope brings his unique (and uniquely inky) vision of the near future to the world of Batman, with a story that situates the question of secret identity in a surveillance-riddled Gotham that's all-too-familiar. Loads of fun for Batman and Paul Pope fans alike!
|
|
|
Blue is the Warmest Color
by Julie Maroh
From Ian Dawe's VERY SPOILERY review for Sequart: "Through her use of art, color and thematic boldness, Blue is the Warmest Color announces a major voice in comics. If Maroh can follow this book up with another that demonstrates her complete command of the unique and powerful vocabulary of comic books, she’ll be one of this century’s most important creators. To take universal themes and express them in an emotionalism that has just the right amount of intensity, and yet feels utterly artistically free, is a significant achievement."
|
|
|
The Adventures of Hergé
by Bocquet, Fromental and Stanislas
A biography of the Franco-Belgian creator of Tintin by a masterful team of Franco-Belgian cartoonists, in the Franco-Belgian "clear line" style -- what could be more Franco-Belgian? The Adventures of Tintin recounts dozens of episodes from Hergé's life with charm and style and doesn't shy away from placing his personal failings alongside his many successes. Highly recommended!
|
|
|
Vampire Loves
by Joann Sfar
Dante A. Ciampaglia at PopMatters reports that "Joann Sfar’s Vampire Loves is as noteworthy for its good-natured enjoyment as it is for its ability to take ideas and plot elements which have been fodder for graphic novels for years and construct them into a wholly original tale. Sfar’s Ferdinand, a Lithuanian vampire, experiences the pitfalls of love and life in a world that seemingly doesn’t understand... But Ferdinand inVampire Loves is no Lestat, and he’s certainly not Angel. He’s not even a threat to the people of his village. He bites necks with one tooth to give the impression that they were bitten by a mosquito—plus he never kills anyone, just quench his hunger—and he’s chummy with many humans including two on the police force... Few graphic novelists are able to incorporate the fantastical and aching reality as well as Sfar does in Vampire Loves. "
|
|
|
Blue Pills: A Positive Love Story
by Frederik Peeters
In many ways, Blue Pills is the opposite of Aama (above): a realistic memoir (talking mammoth notwithstanding) about Peeters' relationship with an HIV-positive woman and her child. The story is beautiful, moving, scary, and full of hope in spite the inevitability of disease. Ultimately, the two stories work in concert to demonstrate the impressive range and depth of this cartoonist. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
On Break! But we'll be back in January to talk about Manga!
|
|
|
Ultimate Ladies Book ClubThursday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. Ultimate Comics, 6120-A Farrington Rd., DurhamThe first Thursday of each month the Ultimate Ladies Alliance meets to discuss a different comic or graphic novel. Join the Ultimate Ladies’ Alliance on Facebook for more info and to vote on your top picks for the next month’s meeting, plus suggest books for future discussion and share your favorites. December's pick is the excellent This One Summer by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki, and January's will be X-Men: Magik Storm & Ilyana.
|
|
|
Color of Fandom Book Club Meets every month, alternating between comics and prose written by and/or featuring main characters who are people of color. December's title is The Sixth Gun vol. 1-3!
|
|
|
Durham Comics Project: Drink & DrawWednesday, Dec. 16, 7-9 p.m.This monthly meetup is for those new to comics and seasoned vets alike. The hardest part of making comics is often making the time to draw, so let’s make that time together! We'll have an exercise or two (often collaborative), but you're welcome to just come to work on your own thing.
|
|
|
For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply with a list of the next five books you should read.
|
|
|
NoveList Plus is a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. DCL cardholders can access NoveList Plus from any computer.
|
|
|
Links to newsletters from the past year:
|
|
|
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|