Comics and graphic novels are not a new thing. Everyone is familiar with comics in many forms and most enjoy them in their various incarnations. Be it the Sunday funnies, The New York Times political cartoons, web-comics, graphic novels and manga, and the ever present comic book each and every one of us regularly reads a comic of some sort. With the prevalence of literary award winning graphic novels, we've long since passed a point where anyone can seriously deny their validity as a form of artistic expression. In fact, it has gotten to the point where it is odd for an award NOT to have a graphic novel in the running. If a picture tells a thousand words, a series of pictures strung together in a sequence in order to relate a story must tell a million or more. When you pair words with those images you have a powerful format to draw an incredibly deep narrative. The likes of Neil Gaiman, Craig Thompson, Barbara Kesel, Harvey Pekar, Alan Moore, Faith Erin Hicks, Jessica Abel and more have all proven the astounding breadth and merit of the format. Authors such as Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, and Laurell K Hamilton have capitalized on working in comic medium and even classics like "Sense and Sensibility" and "Wizard of Oz" have seen beautiful and successful comic adaptations. From the serious to the absurd, from fantasy to non-fiction, and from romance to true-crime comics have long-since come into their own as print and digital media. Comics have moved out of the exclusive (reclusive) realm of comic book nerd (a descriptor I am happy to pin to myself) waiting with baited breath for the local comic book store to open on new comic book day and they are no longer something just for kids - though numerous studies indicate reading comics can improve literacy in children.
It is with all of the things mentioned in the previous paragraph in mind that I am constructing our initial collection of graphic novels for adults. There are boatloads of titles and a legion of creators that are worthy of being in this collection; but, only so much space and money. So, I am endeavoring to provide a good overview of what has been done and some amazing current publications. It is my hope that this "snapshot" of what is available will encourage those who eschewed the format to begin to explore on their own. Once they do, I'm sure they'll find what the rest of us have: a staggering amount of amazing comic books published every month that are astoundingly good and a great deal of graphic novels published each year that deserve a spot on any number of literary award shortlists. When the books start to come in and make their way to the shelves, I'll write a post with the titles so you know what to put yourself on hold for.
So, what have I been reading that will find their way to the shelves? Well, here are a couple:
"Epileptic" by David B.
A dark and wandering tale about the how the author's life and family changed once his brother is diagnosed with epilepsy. The diagnosis not only greatly impacts his brother, but deeply effects the family dynamic and the author's own youth and maturation process. Through vivid and sometimes nightmarish illustration we see David's fear for (and of) his brother, his hopes and dreams, and many of the darker thoughts we all harbor.
This work has been praised again and again for its visceral artwork. It has also been both praised and panned as a representation of how epilepsy affects a person and those around them. As an epileptic, myself, I can see an argument for both sides. But what David has illustrated with profound accuracy is the feeling of helplessness that pervades those who suffer from epilepsy, and those who suffer with them, when a seizure is coming on. The desire for the illusion of control in David and his family is palpable and has a profound impact on the reader, as does the struggle to live a full life under or beside the shadow of epilepsy.
All-in-all, "Epileptic" is a profound work about family, growing up, and the struggle for something more.
"East of West" by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta
A new prophecy has arisen and the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse are there to make sure it comes to pass. With super powers of the world complicit in the prophecy, there doesn't seem much to prevent the apocryphal prophecy from coming to pass. Nothing, that is, but Death and his love of one woman.
Betrayed by the other riders and world super powers, Death's wife and child have been imprisoned and tortured and the pale rider is out for revenge.
"East of West" is a fine example of some of the riveting storytelling that can be found in the ongoing comic book series that can currently be found at your local comic shop. The dark imagery and storyline is slow to build, but this series will be sure to please if given a chance. Only the first volume collecting numbers 1-5 of the comic book is currently available; but, by the time the adult graphic novel collection finds their place on the shelves, volume two will be right beside the first.
Like comics? What have you been reading? What do you think deserves to be part of our first order of comics and graphic novels for the adult collection? Let me know in comments!
One of my favorites -- and first I ever read was "Ghost World" by Daniel Clowes. I wanted to be Enid! The most recent graphic novel I read was Jane, the Fox and Me by Fanny Britt. Wow, it was such a quick and beautiful read. I'd recommend it!
ReplyDelete"Ghost World" really is a classic! It is still one of my favorites. It really is a shame that the movie adaptation didn't do the source material justice, though. Rest assured, this graphic novel will have a place in our new collection! :)
Delete"Jane, the Fox, and Me" really is a great story and the art is just amazing!