The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf March 2008
The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers.
Image Comics: The Road To Independence
George Khoury
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh NC 27614
9781893905719, $34.95 www.twomorrows.com
In 1992 seven artists left their top-selling Marvel Comics titles to form a new company named Image Comics: a company which allowed them fewer editorial restraints and censorship. IMAGE COMICS: THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE celebrates this company, uses interviews and art from the company's founders, and includes discussions with and examples from many comic creators over the last fifteen years who have helped make the imprint a lasting, notable company. Any library strong in graphic novel or comics history needs this.
Princess Ai: Rumors from the Other Side Volume 1
Tokyopop
5900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90036
c/o Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
9781427808226, $9.99 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042
Princess Ai: Rumors from the Other Side is an anthology of twelve short manga-style stories by a diversity of international authors, each offering a different take on the characters of the popular "Princess Ai" manga series about a winged girl with a virtually magical singing voice, and the young man who falls in love with her. The art styles range from wondrously beautiful to humorously comedic, and the themes tend to be romantic with a touch of bittersweet wistfulness. Recommended for readers 13 or older due to mild gore, moderately mature language and non-sexual/nondescript nudity, Princess Ai is ultimately a heart-touching complement to an emotionally moving romantic series.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Angelic Days, Volume 6
Fumino Hayashi
Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
9781413903621, $9.99 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042
Intended for readers age thirteen to adult, the sixth and final volume of Neon Genesis Evangelion Angelic Days concludes Fumino Hayashi's alternate-universe take on the popular Japanese animated show and its characters with an array of short stories set at varying times in the characters' lives. Though the world of Angelic Days is less bleak than that of the anime, and its protagonists are less dysfunctional than their psychologically traumatized anime versions, they still have their own personal demons to confront. On-again off-again couple Misato and Kaji have to ask themselves just how they came to drift apart; Ritsuko Akagi grapples with her love for a man who can never love her in return; Hikari and Toji try to make a long-distance relationship work; and Shinji and Asuka face an uncertain future. Angelic Days eschews dramatic mecha battles or mystical confrontations for the complexities of relationships and everyday growing up, yet is all the more fitting a finale for it. Also highly recommended are Neon Genesis Evangelion Angelic Days volumes 1-5.
New Alice In Wonderland Color Manga Volume 1
Rod Espinosa
Antarctic Press
7272 Wurzbach Suite 204, San Antonio, TX 78240
9780976804383, $14.95 www.antarctic-press.com
Collecting the comic issues of "New Alice in Wonderland" #1-4, Rod Espinosa's New Alice in Wonderland is a full-color graphic novel adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic fantasy novel for all ages. Drawin in Espinosa's manga-inspired style (sometimes called "Amerimanga"), Alice's adventures are quite faithful to the source material and a true joy to experience. A delightful way to rekindle childhood memories or spark young people's interest in the classics, drawn with the natural warmth and stylistic flair to be expected from the comic author of "The Courageous Princess". Especially recommended for children's library collections.
Krazy & Ignatz 1941-1942: "A Ragout of Raspberries"
George Herriman, author
Bill Blackbeard, editor
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115
9781560978879, $19.95 www.fantagraphics.com 1-800-657-1100
Krazy and Ignatz: A Ragout of Raspberries is a full-size, full-color collection of classic Krazy and Ignatz comic strips originally published in 1941-1942, including all of the Sunday strips. At its heart a love triangle (the ostensibly gender-less Krazy Kat loves Ignatz Mouse, Ignatz would throw bricks at Krazy when not tolerating Krazy's unrequited affection, and Offisa Pup loved Krazy and would throw Ignatz in jail to protect Pup's beloved). Many of the strips presented have been out of print since their original newspaper run. Brilliant, dreamlike, surreal, yet often surprisingly astute in their moments of cultural commentary, Krazy and Ignatz is enthusiastically recommended as a beautiful resurrection of America's comic strip heritage.
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