|
Graphic Novels and Comics June 2016
|
|
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.
|
|
Action Philosophers: The Tenth Anniversary Uberedition!
by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey
It's the biggest possible edition of the "award-winning, critically praised comic book series detailing the lives and thoughts of history's A-list brain trust in a hip and humorous way that proves that philosophy can be for everyone!" - from the publisher
|
|
|
The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye
by Sonny Liew
From the publisher: "Meet Charlie Chan Hock Chye. Now in his early 70s as he looks back on his career, Chan has spent a lifetime making comics in his native Singapore since he was a boy of 16, in 1954. The artist doubles here as both the narrator and the subject matter, as his life story parallels the changes in Singapore over five decades since the war. The evolution of his artwork mirrors the evolution of both his homeland and the comic book medium itself. The myriad art styles employed by Liew go beyond deft sleight-of-hand and actually inform the narrative in a thoroughly ingenious and engaging way. While all the detail about the formation of the Singapore government adheres meticulously to the facts, the reader is ultimately left wondering whether or not Charlie Chan Hock Chye himself is real or a construct. And given the subject at hand, that quandary only adds to the themes raised in this enthralling graphic novel"
|
|
|
Goodnight Punpun. 1
by Inio Asano
From the publisher: "This is Punpun Onodera’s coming-of-age story. His parents’ marriage is falling apart. His dad goes to jail, and his mom goes to the hospital. He has to live with his loser uncle. He has a crush on a girl who lives in a weird cult. Punpun tries talking with God about his problems, but God is a jerk. Punpun keeps hoping things will get better, but they really, really don’t."
|
|
|
Patience
by Daniel Clowes
Neel Mukherjee at The Guardian asks, "Would you go anywhere near a book described on its back cover as 'a cosmic timewarp deathtrip to the primordial infinite of everlasting love'? Yet, while it may have its tongue firmly in its cheek, the blurb is not an inaccurate precis of Daniel Clowes’s latest graphic novel...This is a deeply affecting book, and despite its gritty prose, colourful language and hardboiled trappings, a tender one, its sustained undertow of tenderness and melancholy giving it a surprising delicacy."
|
|
|
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."
|
|
|
Ghost World
by Daniel Clowes
A classic of independent comics, Ghost World follows two friends through the summer after graduation and "real life", with all its joys, absurdities, heartbreak and revelation.
|
|
|
Akira
by Katsuhiro Otomo
A masterful tale of science-fiction dystopia, Akira is known primarily as one of the most famous anime in history. However, it was first a well-known, landmark manga. Set in a post-apocalyptic city called Neo-Tokyo, the story follows two teenage friends, Tetsuo and Kaneda, whose lives change forever when paranormal abilities begin to waken in Tetsuo, making him a target for a shadowy agency that will stop at nothing to prevent another catastrophe like the one that leveled Tokyo during World War III. At the core of the agency’s motivation is a raw, all-consuming fear of an unthinkably monstrous power known only as Akira.
While many remember Akira for its ultra-violent action sequences and unique pacing (A few seconds of real-time action may take up a full page worth of panels in the manga), at its heart Akira is a superb character sketch involving themes such as youth alienation, rebellion against government corruption and identity transformation in adolescents.
- Guest review by Will Hanley
|
|
|
Persepolis
by Marjane Satrapi
From the publisher: "Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country."
|
|
|
Saturday, July 23, 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 COMICS THAT HAVE BEEN ADAPTED TO OTHER MEDIA! Check out some recommended titles above.
|
|
Ultimate Ladies Book ClubThursday, July 7, 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. July's pick is Neil Gaiman's Death!
|
|
|
DURHAM COMICS FEST 2016!! Wednesday, July 6 - Sunday, July 10 Southwest Regional Library Our annual celebration of comics readership and creation is back, with appearances by George O'Connor, Keith Knight, and Eric Knisley, plus a special screening of Dear Mr. Watterson, and more! Visit durhamcomicsfest.org for the full schedule.
|
|
|
Durham Comics Project: Drink & DrawWednesday, July 20, 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.
|
|
|
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, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|