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Graphic Novels & Comics October 2015
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Greetings! 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!
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The Mammoth Book of Cult Comics
by ILYA
From Broken Frontier: "Twenty-two 'lost masterpieces' make up The Mammoth Book of Cult Comics comprising a truly eclectic and often oddball selection of approaches, subject matter and styles. By its very nature a project like this can only be representative rather than comprehensive but ILYA’s choice of creators gives the reader the opportunity to dip in and out of three decades worth of experimental and often very personal comics. Along the way you will discover the work of artists who have long since bowed off the comics stage, the early strips of hugely influential practitioners like Eddie Campbell, and projects from respected names of the contemporary indie scene."
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Pogo, volume 3: Evidence to the Contrary
by Walt Kelly
From the publisher: "In addition to presenting all of 1953 and 1954's daily strips complete and in order for the first time anywhere (many of them once again scanned from original syndicate proofs, for their crispest and most detailed appearance ever), Pogo Volume 3: "Evidence to the Contrary" also contains all 104 Sunday strips from these two years, presented in lush full color for the first time since their original appearance in Sunday sections 60 years ago plus the usual in-depth "Swamp Talk" historical annotations by R.C. Harvey, spectacular samples of Kelly's work scanned from original art, and a whole lot more!"
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The Hirschfeld Century: Portrait of an Artist and his Age
by David Leopold
Kevin Howell at Shelf Awareness calls this a "a beautifully designed combination art book and biography of Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003) that not only showcases his innovative art but also illuminates his life with thoughtfully researched, fascinating text by curator and Hirschfeld authority David Leopold.
"Aside from the vibrant illustrations (fully annotated with comments by the artist), this book is also a treasure trove of juicy theater lore.... This book is like looking over nearly a century's worth of artwork with the endearing artist kibitzing in the reader's ear."
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Ann Tenna: A Novel
by Marisa Acocella Marchetto
Kirkus says: "Like Roz Chast, Marchetto is known for both her signature cartoons in the New Yorker—she's the one who does rich ladies in sunglasses—and for a deeply affecting graphic memoir (Cancer Vixen, 2006). Her new graphic novel tells the story of Ann Tenna, a shallow, mean-spirited, media-obsessed NYC gossip columnist, founder of a Gawker-like website called Eyemauler. She trash-talks live from Ann Cams embedded in her powder compact and in a baguette on her Fendi bag, and despite/because of how awful she is, she’s constantly beset by a crowd of sycophants... After a near-fatal traffic accident, Ann ascends to the astral plane, where she meets Super Ann, her eternal self and spirit guide, who gives her 'full body, mind and spiritual, mental, emotional and electromagnetical treatments designed to remove your earthly layers so you can see who you ideally are,' and visits with Coco Chanel, Gianni Versace, Jimi Hendrix, and her dead mother...You will be measurably hipper after reading it."
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Want more? Join in the discussion at Main Library's monthly Graphic Book Club! |
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Silver Surfer: Parable
by Stan Lee and Moebius
One of the Marvel Universe's most solidly sci-fi characters, the Silver Surfer is an otherworldly being who's best known for his sleek mode of intergalactic transportation. In this brief re-imagining of his role in the world, the Surfer must win the hearts and minds of a future earth in order to save them from themselves! One of the few examples of Moebius's artwork currently in print in the U.S, this volume is a beautiful work of art, with a neat re-examination of Stan Lee's great power / great responsibility philosophy. Highly recommended!
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Smoke/Ashes
by Alex De Campi, Igor Kordey, and others
Says Hannah Shannon of Bleeding Cool: "Smoke features special forces officer turned assassin Rupert Cain and newbie journalist Katie Shah as they navigate the intrigue of a near-future London rife with dark politics, the machinations of oil billionaires, and, finally, a psychotic cyborg with a penchant for explosives. Ashes picks up five years down the road, with Cain and Katie far from living the dream. Blacklisted, described as terrorists for their takedown of the former government, they both find their rock bottom in poverty and obscurity while they continue to be haunted by impact of their former team-up... [This volume sees] a split between de Campi and the original artist to a rallying band of supporting artists including RM Guerra, Colleen Doran, Igor Kordey, Dan McDaid, Richard Pace, Tomer Hanuka, Bill Sienkiewicz, and others."
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Multiple Warheads
by Brandon Graham
Nikola and Sexica are organ smugglers in a distant future-of-sorts, though it's unclear whether or not it's our future. In true Brandon Graham style, they encounter a host of weird and wonderful creatures, people, and landscapes in their (un)usual day-to-day life. Fun, strange, and unlike any other comic story around, though fans of Paul Pope's near future stories will probably enjoy this quite a bit. (Note: this book contains more than a little nudity and sexual content, if you'd rather keep away from that sort of thing.)
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The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects
by Michael Mignola
Screw-On Head, a robotic head with a vast array of specialized robot bodies and sidekicks Mr. Groin and Mr. Dog, and he's been deployed to foil the nefarious plans of the nefarious Emperor Zombie! This completely ridiculous story was obviously written off the top of Mike Mignola's ink-infused, Lovecraft-obsessed, antiquated sci-fi head, and the world is better for it. Highly recommended!
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Saturday, October 19, 2 p.m. Main Library - 300 N. Roxboro St. Questions? Call John Davis at 919-560-0125 Join our MeetUp group at meetup.com/graphic-book-club Enjoy comic books or graphic novels? Join us for the monthly meeting of Main Library's Graphic Book Club. This month's theme is Science Fiction! Check out some recommended titles above.
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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. October's title is Rat Queens vol. 1 & 2!
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Brian Selznick author/illustrator event Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh Raleigh, NC 27607-4048 Quail Ridge Books presents the award-winning author & illustrator (Caldecott Medal recipient for The Invention of Hugo Cabret)! Selznick's latest book, The Marvels is an illustrated story of family, the past, and puzzles, stretching over centuries, for ages 9+. Tickets are $5; doors open at 6 pm. More information here.
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Durham Comics Project: Drink & DrawWednesday, Oct. 21, 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.
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Ultimate Ladies Book ClubThursday, Nov. 5, 8 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. November's title:Suicide Squad Trial by Fire.
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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.
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| 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. |
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| Links to newsletters from the past year: |
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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
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