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Graphic Novels and Comics January 2018
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Hello there! My name is Patrick Holt, and I'm a librarian at Southwest Regional Library and 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. Banner image from The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley
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Frida Kahlo: The Story of Her Life
by Vanna Vinci
From the publisher: "In this illustrated 'biography', Vanna Vinci captures the spirit of Kahlo’s world in boldly colored, minutely detailed illustrations. Blending facts and history with dreamlike and surreal sequences, Vinci creates an intimate portrayal of an artist who incorporated her life experiences into her art. Burning love and crushing loss, incredible joy and deep despair—these were all part of Kahlo’s life and part of the paintings that are some of the most celebrated art of all time. Filled with images that populated Kahlo’s work—monkeys and parrots, traditional clothing and lush gardens—Vinci imbues her text and drawings with an artist’s perception and sensitivity. The result is an evocative, fittingly passionate tribute to a legendary figure."
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The Ladies-in-Waiting
by Santiago García and Javier Olivares
From the publisher: "In 1656, Diego Velázquez, leading figure in the Spanish Golden Age of painting, created one of the most enigmatic works in the history of art: Las Meninas (The Ladies-in-Waiting). This graphic novel, written and drawn by two of Spain’s most sophisticated comics creators, examines its legacy as one of the first paintings to explore the relationship among the viewer, reality, and unreality. [...] Olivares’s art moves from clear line to expressionistic; from pen nib to brush stokes; from one color palette to another, as The Ladies-in-Waiting uses fiction to explore the ties among artists and patrons, the past and the present, institutions and audiences, creators and creativity."
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The customer is Always Wrong
by Mimi Pond
From the publisher: "The Customer is Always Wrong is the saga of a young naïve artist named Madge working in a restaurant of charming drunks, junkies, thieves, and creeps. Oakland in the late seventies is a cheap and quirky haven for eccentrics and Mimi Pond folds the tales of the fascinating sleaze-ball characters that surround young Madge into her workaday waitressing life. Outrageous and loving tributes and takedowns of her co-workers and satellites of the Imperial Cafe create a snapshot of a time in Madge’s life where she encounters who she is, and who she is not."
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Princess Jellyfish 5
by Akiko Higashimura
From the publisher: "With the help of Amars and their savvy new ally Nisha, Tsukimi’s jellyfish designs are slowly taking shape as a real clothing line. There’s no time to waste if the group wants to save Amamizukan and make a splash in the fashion world, and that means churning out new dresses—and fast! As if Tsukimi weren’t already overwhelmed, Shu makes it clear that he’s ready to make a romantic commitment to her. For a geek girl who’s never even had a boyfriend, these advances may be too much to handle. And Tsukimi isn’t the only one struggling—with his brother’s feelings out in the open, Kuranosuke must figure out how he fits into Tsukimi’s life."
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Motor Crush Vol. 1
by Fletcher, Stewart, and Tarr
From the publisher: "By day, Domino Swift competes for fame & fortune in a worldwide motorcycle racing league. By night, she cracks heads of rival gangs in brutal bike wars to gain possession of a rare, valuable contraband: an engine-boosting “machine narcotic” known as Crush. "
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Slugfest: Inside the Epic Fifty-Year Battle Between Marvel and DC
by Reed Tucker
From the publisher: "Slugfest, the first book to chronicle the history of this epic rivalry into a single, in-depth narrative, is the story of the greatest corporate rivalry never told. Complete with interviews with the major names in the industry, Slugfest reveals the arsenal of schemes the two companies have employed in their attempts to outmaneuver the competition, whether it be stealing ideas, poaching employees, planting spies, or launching price wars. The feud has never completely disappeared, and it simmers on a low boil to this day. With DC and Marvel characters becoming global icons worth billions, if anything, the stakes are higher now than ever before."
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My Friend Dahmer
by Derf
This memoir of a youth spent next to a future serial killer and cannibal, writes The Comics Journal reviewer Brandon Soderberg, gives cartoonist Derf "the chance to turn a wacky, messed up anecdote ('you know, I went to high school with Dahmer') into the definitive piece of literature on the notorious murderer... Derf’s My Friend Dahmer locates Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer of Bath, Ohio, a deeply troubled, weird, sometimes hilarious youth."
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The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil
by Stephen Collins
Dave, one of the many tidy residents of Here (all of whom have a deep-seated fear or There), is suddenly beset by a beard that won't quit, and society is left to wonder: Is this the end? This simple, absurd, and kind of disgusting premise is all it takes for Stephen Collins to deliver this lovingly-rendered, masterfully-designed addition to the list of what might be called comics poetry.
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Kaijumax season 1: Terror and Respect
by Zander Cannon
A fascinating and bonkers concept, Kaijumax follows Electrogor, a giant monster (kaiju) taken to a prison island run by Ultraman-like jailers. When he tries to engineer an escape so that he can take care of his children, Electrogor quickly learns of the island's complex and messy criminal ecosystem: corrupt guards, power hierarchies, and connections to outside syndicates. But nothing will stop him from getting out... (Note: in spite of the humorous set-up and cute aesthetic, this is definitely not a book for kids.)
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American vampire
by Snyder, Albuquerque, and King
From the publisher: "Collects two stories, each by one of the authors, in a graphic novel that includes Stephen King's western tale about a sun-powered vampire with rattlesnake fangs and Scott Snyder's story about a female vampire who is seeking revenge against the European bloodsuckers who tortured and abused her."
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Saturday, Jan. 27, 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 we're reading about VILLAINS! Check out some recommended titles above. Image by Jack Kirby .
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Ultimate Ladies Book ClubThursday, Jan. 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. This month is They're Not Like Us vol. 1 by Stephenson, Gane and Bellaire.
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Durham Comics Project: Drink & DrawWednesday, Jan. 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.
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Color of Fandom Book Club Friday, Feb. 23
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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 -- all ages of readers welcome!
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Want to keep up-to-date on new books at the library? on everything from Horror to Home & Garden!
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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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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.
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Links to newsletters from the past year: Image from Incidents in the Night by David B.
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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
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