|
Graphic Novels and Comics May 2017
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Strong Female Protagonist book one
by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Molly Ostertag
From the publisher: "With superstrength and invulnerability, Alison Green used to be one of the most powerful superheroes around. Fighting crime with other teenagers under the alter ego Mega Girl was fun until an encounter with Menace, her mind reading arch enemy. He showedher evidence of a sinister conspiracy, and suddenly battling giant robots didn't seem so important. Now Alison is going to college and trying to find ways to help the world while still getting to class on time. It's impossible to escape the past, however, and everyone has their own idea of what it means to be a hero"
|
|
|
The Lighthouse
by Paco Roca
From the publisher: "Francisco, a wounded, despairing sixteen-year-old Republican guard in the Spanish Civil War, is trying to flee to freedom by crossing the French border. In his escape, he encounters an old remote lighthouse, far from the warring factions. He is granted shelter by Telmo, the aging operator of the lighthouse. As Francisco recuperates, Telmo’s tales of epic adventurers who sailed the lost seas and discovered worlds unknown reignite the spark of life in the young soldier. By one of the most brilliant new talents in comic art in Spain, author of the world-wide bestseller Wrinkles."
|
|
|
Ghetto Brother: Warrior to Peacemaker
by Julian Voloj and Claudia Ahlering
From the publisher: "An engrossing and counter view of one of the most dangerous elements of American urban history, this graphic novel tells the true story of Benjy Melendez, a Bronx legend, son of Puerto-Rican immigrants, who founded, at the end of the 1960s, the notorious Ghetto Brothers gang. From the seemingly bombed-out ravages of his neighborhood, wracked by drugs, poverty, and violence, he managed to extract an incredibly positive energy from this riot ridden era: his multiracial gang promoted peace rather than violence. After initiating a gang truce, the Ghetto Brothers held weekly concerts on the streets or in abandoned buildings, which fostered the emergence of hip-hop."
|
|
|
The Life and Legend of Wallace Wood
by Bhob Stewart
From the publisher: "Who was Wallace Wood? The maddest artist of Mad magazine? The man behind Marvel’s Daredevil? His World is an incisive look back at the life and career of one of the greatest and most mythic figures of cartooning. Edited over the course of thirty years by former Wood assistant Bhob Stewart, His World is a biographical portrait, generously illustrated with Wood’s gorgeous art as well as little-seen personal photos and childhood ephemera. Also: remembrances by Wood’s friends, colleagues, assistants, and loved ones. This collective biographical and critical portrait explores the humorous spirit, dark detours, and psychological twists of a gifted maverick in American pop culture"
|
|
|
The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger: The 4,000-year History of the Superhero
by Jess Nevins
Kirkus Reviews calls this "A well-researched and utterly captivating book offering the complete history of the superhero and how the concept has evolved over time. . . . [T]here are hundreds of other superheroes that Nevins explores in-depth and with remarkable insight. The thrill of reading a book like The Evolution of the Costumed Avenger is that, aside from being educational and interesting in itself, it inspires readers to seek out more superhero stories."
|
|
|
DC: The New Frontier
by Darwyn Cooke
From the publisher: "World War II is over, the Cold War has begun--where are the heroes of tomorrow? Journey from the end of the Golden Age to the late 1950s, a bold new era for the super-hero. Encounter 'keepers of the flame' including Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, all of whom survived the anti-hero sentiment of the Cold War, as well newcomers like test pilot Hal Jordan and scientist Barry Allen, poised to become the next generation of crime-fighters."
|
|
|
Archie Volume 1: The New Riverdale
by Mark Waid and Fiona Staples
From the publisher: "Archie, one of the longest-running titles in comic book history, is rebooted here in this full-color collection that brings together two of the most talented creators in comics, Mark Waid and Fiona Staples. Together they create a surprising and definitive take on Archie's origin--a story that has never been told."
|
|
|
Prophet series
by Brandon Graham and others
John Prophet awakes from a years-long (hundreds? thousands?) cryosleep, already focused on pursuing the goal he was conditioned to pursue: reactivate the G.O.D. satellite and reawaken the Earth Empire. Prophet is a kind of terrestrial space opera -- it's full of alien (to us) life, high- and low-tech societies, massive objects and jarring violence, all without leaving our homeworld (more or less). It's a playground for writer Brandon Graham, where an setting leaves open infinite possibilities of storyline, creature design and world-building, and it's a joy to explore. Although the story is more setting-driven than plot- or character-driven, it's still best to start with volume 1.
|
|
|
Quantum and Woody 1 : The World's Worst Superhero Team
by James Asmus and Tom Fowler
From the publisher: "Those guys are the worst! Once upon a time, Eric and Woody Henderson were inseparable. Adopted brothers. Best friends. Brilliant minds. Years later, they are estranged siblings, petty rivals, and washed-up failures. But when their father's murder leads them into the throes of a life-altering scientific accident, Eric and Woody will find themselves with a whole new purpose — and a perfectly legitimate reason to wear costumes and fight crime! Go big or go home, folks! Quantum and Woody are coming! (And, yes, there is a goat too.)"
|
|
|
Saturday, May 22, 2 p.m. Southwest Library - 3605 Shannon Rd. 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 we're reading REBOOTS! Check out some recommended titles above.
|
|
Ultimate Ladies Book ClubThursday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Ultimate Comics Raleigh,1301 Buck Jones Rd, RaleighThe 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.
|
|
Durham Comics Project: Drink & DrawWednesday, May 17, 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.
|
|
Animazement Friday-Sunday, May 26-28 Raleigh Convention Center 500 S. Salisbury St. in Raleigh Animazement is an all-volunteer, fan-run anime convention in Raleigh, North Carolina, celebrating popular Japanese visual culture in all of its forms. Learn more at animazement.com!
|
|
Durham Comics Fest - July 2017
|
|
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!
|
|
Want to keep up-to-date on new books at the library? on everything from Horror to Home & Garden!
|
|
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.
|
|
Check out the library's top ten checkouts! Lists include top tens for adult fiction and nonfiction, movies, young adults fiction, picture books and kids' fiction.
|
|
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, Administration Building, 101 E. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|