Stickermule
A Public Service Announcement! ;)
Monday, April 26, 2010
In a Move that Should Surprise None..
The Los Angeles Times Book Prize for graphic novels has been awarded to Asterios Polyp, perhaps the best graphic novel of the last 5 years, maybe the best of the aughts.
YouTube Video of Stumptown Comics Fest 2010's Teaching Comics Panel
This is an interesting video, though I'm not sure why. I think it tells me two things: 1. Oregon seems to be a good place for comics studies, which is important information for me as I learn whether some of my goals at UTEP can be met. 2. There are folks thinking about comics and education at the college level, but not so much about the pedagogy as much as on the very fact that people are teaching comics-related classes at the college level. (to be fair, perhaps the direct pedagogy talk just didn't make it in this video).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Reminder: You! This Sunday! Northwestern University! Graphic Novel Presentations!
Click here for more information!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Review: _The Road to God Knows..._
Marie Levesque is a pudgy, awkward Canadian teenager in love with a pair of tag-team wrestlers, barely keeping up with her school work, and dealing with a difficult homelife with few who understand her circumstances.
Her mother is schizophrenic, depressed, and suffering from a trauma only alluded to. As her mom goes in and out of "good days" and in and out of the local mental ward, Marie tries to get a sense of her mother's current and future life while working to figure out her own place. Thank goodness she has Kelly, her one friend who tries to help her through, but even this relationship has its trade-offs, as her schoolmates tease the two for possibly being lesbians.
Part The Tale of One Bad Rat, part Ghost World, Von Allan's graphic novel The Road to God Knows... is not a masterpiece -- it often lags through exposition during mundane moments only to give too little time to poignant ones -- but it is a worthy book that takes on the subject of mental illness and how it affects those living with it and young people living around it. Even the unbalanced punctuated equilibrium I mention in critique serves the purpose of illustrating that moments of reprieve are often to be savored and moments of real happiness are often too short for kids who must navigate such uncertain terrain.
The title suggests not knowing, a gawky journey with no clear end, and Allan's overtly ungainly poses for Marie -- whether she's walking, standing, or sitting -- work to further illustrate a certain floundering that permeates the characters and themes of this text. A happy ending means the mom pulls out of her "slump;" Marie finds a niche; everybody succeed. Everybody happy.
But that's not the reality of mental illness or adolescence; certainly not the unquestioned reality of the two combined. In the end, we do get a happy moment: Marie and Kelly have worked to earn money to attend a wrestling event featuring the pair Marie has a crush on. The girls seem to woot in delight as the action starts. But this end is just a reprieve, no end at all, really, as any adolescent who reads it and is living under similar circumstances will know.
Yet, the lesson is that moments of happiness are OK. Kids need breaks from life and deserve joy just like anyone. There's no shame in enjoying one's self. It doesn't change anything about one's character or how much one loves their struggling parent.
The Road to God Knows... works well as a young adult novel. It has its slow spots in plot and stumbling points in page layout and art that keep it from genius, but it has a utility that makes it a worthy read and a facility with dealing with a tough subject to talk about for many young people that makes it a title that teachers, guidance councilors, and students should know. This graphic novel is adroit enough to offer points of contact and conversation for young readers who may be experiencing similar feelings and realities as Marie.
Her mother is schizophrenic, depressed, and suffering from a trauma only alluded to. As her mom goes in and out of "good days" and in and out of the local mental ward, Marie tries to get a sense of her mother's current and future life while working to figure out her own place. Thank goodness she has Kelly, her one friend who tries to help her through, but even this relationship has its trade-offs, as her schoolmates tease the two for possibly being lesbians.
Part The Tale of One Bad Rat, part Ghost World, Von Allan's graphic novel The Road to God Knows... is not a masterpiece -- it often lags through exposition during mundane moments only to give too little time to poignant ones -- but it is a worthy book that takes on the subject of mental illness and how it affects those living with it and young people living around it. Even the unbalanced punctuated equilibrium I mention in critique serves the purpose of illustrating that moments of reprieve are often to be savored and moments of real happiness are often too short for kids who must navigate such uncertain terrain.
The title suggests not knowing, a gawky journey with no clear end, and Allan's overtly ungainly poses for Marie -- whether she's walking, standing, or sitting -- work to further illustrate a certain floundering that permeates the characters and themes of this text. A happy ending means the mom pulls out of her "slump;" Marie finds a niche; everybody succeed. Everybody happy.
But that's not the reality of mental illness or adolescence; certainly not the unquestioned reality of the two combined. In the end, we do get a happy moment: Marie and Kelly have worked to earn money to attend a wrestling event featuring the pair Marie has a crush on. The girls seem to woot in delight as the action starts. But this end is just a reprieve, no end at all, really, as any adolescent who reads it and is living under similar circumstances will know.
Yet, the lesson is that moments of happiness are OK. Kids need breaks from life and deserve joy just like anyone. There's no shame in enjoying one's self. It doesn't change anything about one's character or how much one loves their struggling parent.
The Road to God Knows... works well as a young adult novel. It has its slow spots in plot and stumbling points in page layout and art that keep it from genius, but it has a utility that makes it a worthy read and a facility with dealing with a tough subject to talk about for many young people that makes it a title that teachers, guidance councilors, and students should know. This graphic novel is adroit enough to offer points of contact and conversation for young readers who may be experiencing similar feelings and realities as Marie.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Hope Larson Adapting _A Wrinkle in Time_
Hope, you better get it right! That's one of my favoritist books ever, babe! From one North Carolinian to another, represent that thang, girl!
Anyway, funny how things sometimes come in bunches. The first part of the week saw me lamenting a lack of comics censorship cases for selfish reasons, only to unearth a bevvy of them. Today, it seems the theme is comics adaptations of prose work of all kind.
Anyway, funny how things sometimes come in bunches. The first part of the week saw me lamenting a lack of comics censorship cases for selfish reasons, only to unearth a bevvy of them. Today, it seems the theme is comics adaptations of prose work of all kind.
Page 100 Project
Thanks to Tom Spurgeon for giving this internet phenomenon some face time. The idea is to do a comics page adaptation of the 100th page of your favorite prose novel. Sounds very cool.
Jaime Hernandez Featured in Village Voice
How many uppity VV readers in El Paso will read the article and say, "This guy sounds pretty cool and important. Bet he'd never come to El Paso."
Sigh.....
Sigh.....
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Boy finds Boob in 23 yo Comic
Damn. When it rains, it pours. Here's a great story (thanks, Richard from UNL!) about a parent reacting to finding a comic with implied nudity in it not by calling the store where the comic was purchased, but by immediately calling a news crew.
You gotta read the story linked to in the title of this post. It even has video! From the article:
"I seen the naked lady and I got mad." Ten year old Sheldyn Conley loves comic books but knew something was wrong when he opened "The Spectre." He says, "I just turned the page and I seen the naked ladies so I handed it to a grownup and said, 'Look at this.'"
While the parent may have been right to have worried about the nature of the comic in question, which she bought for her 10 yo son and wouldn't have been able to preview without taking it out of its packaging, why not go to the store rather than the local media, right? That's what the news crew did, and the manager of the store where the comic was purchased pulled the comics and said she'd alert her bosses about the problem.
Kudos to the kid for seeing something he didn't know how to deal with and seeking out adult guidance on the issue, though.
Side note: my oldest son is 4; my youngest is 2 and hasn't been weened yet. Their response to seeing the "naked lady," who had her "naughty bits" covered by steam, would not have been anger, rest assured. But, they are their father's sons. ;)
You gotta read the story linked to in the title of this post. It even has video! From the article:
"I seen the naked lady and I got mad." Ten year old Sheldyn Conley loves comic books but knew something was wrong when he opened "The Spectre." He says, "I just turned the page and I seen the naked ladies so I handed it to a grownup and said, 'Look at this.'"
While the parent may have been right to have worried about the nature of the comic in question, which she bought for her 10 yo son and wouldn't have been able to preview without taking it out of its packaging, why not go to the store rather than the local media, right? That's what the news crew did, and the manager of the store where the comic was purchased pulled the comics and said she'd alert her bosses about the problem.
Kudos to the kid for seeing something he didn't know how to deal with and seeking out adult guidance on the issue, though.
Side note: my oldest son is 4; my youngest is 2 and hasn't been weened yet. Their response to seeing the "naked lady," who had her "naughty bits" covered by steam, would not have been anger, rest assured. But, they are their father's sons. ;)
Press Release from District 196 (Bone Censorship Case)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press InquiriesTony Taschner, communications specialist
April 13, 2010
651-423-7775
tony.taschner@district196.org
Committee will hear request to remove book series from elementary libraries
ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – A District 196 Reconsideration Review Committee will meet April 27 to consider a request from a resident to remove a book series from the district’s elementary school libraries. The public is welcome to attend and observe the meeting, which will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the District Office in Rosemount.
An Apple Valley resident submitted a written request that the “Bone” series of books by Jeff Smith be removed from district elementary schools that currently have them as part of their library collections. The resident believes the books are not age appropriate due to references regarding drinking, smoking and sexual innuendo. Twelve of the district’s 18 elementary schools have at least one of the “Bone” books in their library. The books are available for students to check out but are not used for instructional purposes as part of classroom work.
District policy provides that a district resident, parent or guardian of a district student, adult student or district employee may request reconsideration of any instructional resource. If the person challenging the material requests that the resource be excluded, restricted or included for students other than his or her own children, it is reviewed by a Reconsideration Review Committee. The committee, which is assembled when needed, includes three teachers, five parents, an elementary principal, an elementary media specialist and a middle school media specialist. The committee will be facilitated by Steve Troen, director of Teaching and Learning, and Renee Ervasti, elementary curriculum coordinator.
Committee members will review the “Bone” books in advance and will discuss the series at the April 27 meeting, taking into consideration criteria used to select instructional resources for students and the quality of the material as a whole. At the meeting, the resident making the request and a district media specialist will each be given 15 minutes to present their positions on the reconsideration. After discussing alternatives, the committee will decide the acceptability of the book for elementary school students.
###
District 196 serves approximately 27,500 students in early childhood, K-12 and special education programs combined, and offers community education programs for residents of all ages. District 196 includes all or part of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Empire and Vermillion townships. For more information, visit www.district196.org.
Press InquiriesTony Taschner, communications specialist
April 13, 2010
651-423-7775
tony.taschner@district196.org
Committee will hear request to remove book series from elementary libraries
ROSEMOUNT, Minn. – A District 196 Reconsideration Review Committee will meet April 27 to consider a request from a resident to remove a book series from the district’s elementary school libraries. The public is welcome to attend and observe the meeting, which will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the District Office in Rosemount.
An Apple Valley resident submitted a written request that the “Bone” series of books by Jeff Smith be removed from district elementary schools that currently have them as part of their library collections. The resident believes the books are not age appropriate due to references regarding drinking, smoking and sexual innuendo. Twelve of the district’s 18 elementary schools have at least one of the “Bone” books in their library. The books are available for students to check out but are not used for instructional purposes as part of classroom work.
District policy provides that a district resident, parent or guardian of a district student, adult student or district employee may request reconsideration of any instructional resource. If the person challenging the material requests that the resource be excluded, restricted or included for students other than his or her own children, it is reviewed by a Reconsideration Review Committee. The committee, which is assembled when needed, includes three teachers, five parents, an elementary principal, an elementary media specialist and a middle school media specialist. The committee will be facilitated by Steve Troen, director of Teaching and Learning, and Renee Ervasti, elementary curriculum coordinator.
Committee members will review the “Bone” books in advance and will discuss the series at the April 27 meeting, taking into consideration criteria used to select instructional resources for students and the quality of the material as a whole. At the meeting, the resident making the request and a district media specialist will each be given 15 minutes to present their positions on the reconsideration. After discussing alternatives, the committee will decide the acceptability of the book for elementary school students.
###
District 196 serves approximately 27,500 students in early childhood, K-12 and special education programs combined, and offers community education programs for residents of all ages. District 196 includes all or part of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Empire and Vermillion townships. For more information, visit www.district196.org.
The Graphic Novel Institute at Northwestern University
Remember that IRA pre-conference institute on the graphic novel that I was part of that got cancelled? Well, after I had cancelled my hotel reservations and flight, the event got reorganized and will now be held on the campus of Northwestern University. While I won't be there, I hope anyone in the area will think strongly about attending the new iteration of the event.
Details below from Josh Elder of Reading with Pictures:
The Graphic Novel Institute at Northwestern University
"Teaching Reading with Graphic Novels"
10 AM-4PM
Sunday, April 25th 2010
Northwestern University
Evanston Campus
Annenberg Hall
The explosive growth of the comics medium and the graphic novel format is providing a unique opportunity to explore their use as an 'alternate route' in achieving literacy. This program is designed to provide an overview of how this has occurred, how it works and how the format can be applied and defended in the classroom environment.
Come join us for a day of insightful and invaluable conversation with the educators, media specialists, academics and authors willing to share their perspective and experience.
Details below from Josh Elder of Reading with Pictures:
Reading with Pictures
Presents:
Presents:
The Graphic Novel Institute at Northwestern University
"Teaching Reading with Graphic Novels"
10 AM-4PM
Sunday, April 25th 2010
Northwestern University
Evanston Campus
Annenberg Hall
The explosive growth of the comics medium and the graphic novel format is providing a unique opportunity to explore their use as an 'alternate route' in achieving literacy. This program is designed to provide an overview of how this has occurred, how it works and how the format can be applied and defended in the classroom environment.
Come join us for a day of insightful and invaluable conversation with the educators, media specialists, academics and authors willing to share their perspective and experience.
Academic presenters include Dr. Michael Bitz of Columbia University, Prof. David Rapp of Northwestern University and Prof. William Ayers of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Comic creators and graphic novelists in attendance include Jane Yolen (Foiled), Josh Neufeld (A.D.: New Orleans), Geoffrey Hayes (Benny and Penny), Jerry Craft (Mama's Boyz), Aaron Renier (Spiral Bound) and Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja).
Program Schedule will consist of two presentations, followed by four unique breakout sessions, and then a Meet the Authors event and catered reception. Attendees do not have to attend all the scheduled programming and can arrive or leave at any point during the day.
*Admission is free, but seating is limited. Please confirm your seat via RSVP to info@readingwithpictures.org
Comic creators and graphic novelists in attendance include Jane Yolen (Foiled), Josh Neufeld (A.D.: New Orleans), Geoffrey Hayes (Benny and Penny), Jerry Craft (Mama's Boyz), Aaron Renier (Spiral Bound) and Josh Elder (Mail Order Ninja).
Program Schedule will consist of two presentations, followed by four unique breakout sessions, and then a Meet the Authors event and catered reception. Attendees do not have to attend all the scheduled programming and can arrive or leave at any point during the day.
*Admission is free, but seating is limited. Please confirm your seat via RSVP to info@readingwithpictures.org
Another Strange Censorship Case
According to ICV2, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance wants Bluewater to withdraw their bio-comic on Ellen DeGeneres because proceeds from the book might go to the American Human Society.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Comics White Paper Reveals Stats
Milton Griepp has released his "status of the industry" white paper. According to his figures, graphic novels sales no longer account for the sole area of publishing seeing gains. In fact, sales have declined 6% for 2009.
Now, with past years' showing growth of 12 and 15% , that's not necessarily a sign that graphic novels are a "fading trend." After all, we are in a national recession. Though, GN sales did decline more than general book sales, which fell 3%. Again, though, no need to sound any alarms. Watchmen sales have dropped off since they hit a high point (even becoming Amazon's #1 seller for a while) along with the release of the movie, so the declining numbers are a bit skewed.
Further, there are signs that point to good numbers in future quarters/years, such as the Twilight graphic novel and possibilities that Kick-Ass movie-goers might spur sales of the graphic novel version of that title.
One very interesting tidbit to come from the report: "sales of of Kids and YA-related graphic novels were up over 50%....." Looks like publishers' efforts to hit that k-12 market hard now that so many of us are talking about comics and education are paying off.
Now, with past years' showing growth of 12 and 15% , that's not necessarily a sign that graphic novels are a "fading trend." After all, we are in a national recession. Though, GN sales did decline more than general book sales, which fell 3%. Again, though, no need to sound any alarms. Watchmen sales have dropped off since they hit a high point (even becoming Amazon's #1 seller for a while) along with the release of the movie, so the declining numbers are a bit skewed.
Further, there are signs that point to good numbers in future quarters/years, such as the Twilight graphic novel and possibilities that Kick-Ass movie-goers might spur sales of the graphic novel version of that title.
One very interesting tidbit to come from the report: "sales of of Kids and YA-related graphic novels were up over 50%....." Looks like publishers' efforts to hit that k-12 market hard now that so many of us are talking about comics and education are paying off.
Friday, April 16, 2010
MN Parent Complains About Bone
I hate to admit it, but due to a certain project I've got in the works, I've been waiting on a good comics censorship story. To date, 2010 has been pretty dull regarding libraries and schools and comics being questioned. But now? Now comes word that -- of all series -- Jeff Smith's Bone is being called into question.
Yes, the same Bone that me and many other educators feel is a great entry-level series for just about anyone old enough to read.
Ramona DeLay feels the graphic novel is not appropriate reading for her son, who attends Southwest Elementary and checked out the book from the school's library. DeLay wants the book withdrawn from the library because she feels the imagery, use of tobacco products, sexual tension between characters, gambling and alcohol use make the book too mature for her son.
No word on whether DeLay then went home and let her child watch the Shrek movies.
What is known is that on April 27, a review committee will meet to decide the fate of the title in this little Minnesota town. If the book can't be removed, DeLay would like to see some sort of rating system in place in her library, which mean she probably hasn't looked over the book as well as she's implied. Certainly, she doesn't seem to have checked out any of the many online and print sources that not only recommend the book but suggest audience levels as well.
To the credit of the school system, no one seems to be panicking. There are procedures in place, and no one is rushing to remove the text simply to placate the parent. Indeed, there seems to be some knowledge about Bone's reputation as an exemplar text, which is refreshing.
Tom Spurgeon has some commentary on the topic here.
I need to decide if I'm going to write a letter to the school board. I often do in cases of comics controversies in the schools. At the very least, it looks like I need to keep an eye on this and update the introduction for a certain CD-Rom project regarding censorship and graphica that should be available in the fall of 2010......
Yes, the same Bone that me and many other educators feel is a great entry-level series for just about anyone old enough to read.
Ramona DeLay feels the graphic novel is not appropriate reading for her son, who attends Southwest Elementary and checked out the book from the school's library. DeLay wants the book withdrawn from the library because she feels the imagery, use of tobacco products, sexual tension between characters, gambling and alcohol use make the book too mature for her son.
No word on whether DeLay then went home and let her child watch the Shrek movies.
What is known is that on April 27, a review committee will meet to decide the fate of the title in this little Minnesota town. If the book can't be removed, DeLay would like to see some sort of rating system in place in her library, which mean she probably hasn't looked over the book as well as she's implied. Certainly, she doesn't seem to have checked out any of the many online and print sources that not only recommend the book but suggest audience levels as well.
To the credit of the school system, no one seems to be panicking. There are procedures in place, and no one is rushing to remove the text simply to placate the parent. Indeed, there seems to be some knowledge about Bone's reputation as an exemplar text, which is refreshing.
Tom Spurgeon has some commentary on the topic here.
I need to decide if I'm going to write a letter to the school board. I often do in cases of comics controversies in the schools. At the very least, it looks like I need to keep an eye on this and update the introduction for a certain CD-Rom project regarding censorship and graphica that should be available in the fall of 2010......
Kick-Ass Movie, Well....
..kicks ass!!!!
I am less than thirty minutes removed from seeing the last credit roll, and I am pretty impressed. There are many critics out there calling this movie a satire of the super-hero genre. The joke's on them, and on anyone who buys into their misunderstandings. The awesome thing about Kick-Ass the movie is that it might appear to be satirical because it overtly tropes so many conventions of the capes and cowl films, but the references are so clear -- heroes are mentioned by name and their mythoi explained or critiqued in script -- that it really is more of an homage to the genre than a satire.
Anyone who looks at teen super-heroes, cracked-out villains, predictable origin stories that set up a sequel, and bloody violence in this film and suggests it all pokes fun of the genre is missing the point that the movie is still a stellar exemplar of the genre.
Sure, the film takes on the question of "what if people tried to be super-heroes in real life?" but don't be fooled: you're still entering a fantasy world. That's the big trick of Kick-Ass: it tricks the tricksters, pulls the wool over the eyes of the folks who want to make us all feel they're the smart ones keeping our eyes sheep-hair free. It's a straight up bad-ass super-hero movie, make no broken bones about, and it lives up to its name.
** This commentary relates to the film only, as I've still not read the GN. :(
**** I still think the guy who plays Kick-Ass looks like senior-year-of-high-school-Bucky-Carter. ;)
I am less than thirty minutes removed from seeing the last credit roll, and I am pretty impressed. There are many critics out there calling this movie a satire of the super-hero genre. The joke's on them, and on anyone who buys into their misunderstandings. The awesome thing about Kick-Ass the movie is that it might appear to be satirical because it overtly tropes so many conventions of the capes and cowl films, but the references are so clear -- heroes are mentioned by name and their mythoi explained or critiqued in script -- that it really is more of an homage to the genre than a satire.
Anyone who looks at teen super-heroes, cracked-out villains, predictable origin stories that set up a sequel, and bloody violence in this film and suggests it all pokes fun of the genre is missing the point that the movie is still a stellar exemplar of the genre.
Sure, the film takes on the question of "what if people tried to be super-heroes in real life?" but don't be fooled: you're still entering a fantasy world. That's the big trick of Kick-Ass: it tricks the tricksters, pulls the wool over the eyes of the folks who want to make us all feel they're the smart ones keeping our eyes sheep-hair free. It's a straight up bad-ass super-hero movie, make no broken bones about, and it lives up to its name.
** This commentary relates to the film only, as I've still not read the GN. :(
**** I still think the guy who plays Kick-Ass looks like senior-year-of-high-school-Bucky-Carter. ;)
Graphic Novel Reporter Updates
Graphic Novel Reporter has some great entries in its latest update. Comics-friendly English and Drama teacher John Weaver talks about how he used comic book elements in conjunction with a production of Faustus at his Pennsylvania high school. There's a feature on the new non-profit outfit Reading With Pictures (of which I am somewhat associated), and former "El Paso in the Comics" keynote speaker Jaime Hernandez is interviewed by Peter Gutierrez about the new book The Art of Jaine Hernandez, which reminds me that I need to follow up on some things....
Minority Representations in Comics
This video is a good resource about how minstrel figures, picanninies, yellow-skinned demons and other non-white characters have been represented in comics.
Once I teach another comic course, I'll probably use this video. I often ask students to visit the Grand Comic Book Database and look at minority representations in old covers of Captain America, Luke Cage, Tarzan, etc. It's an eye-opening experience.
Once I teach another comic course, I'll probably use this video. I often ask students to visit the Grand Comic Book Database and look at minority representations in old covers of Captain America, Luke Cage, Tarzan, etc. It's an eye-opening experience.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Kick-Ass Reaches 100K Mark, EP Bookstores Still Suck
The Beat has this article on how the Kick-Ass graphic novel has sold over 100,000 copies. The argument: those that say comics aren't anything but story boards for films might be right. That's a little silly and over-stating things, of course.
Me? I've been scouring my local Barnes and Noble for the last few months waiting for this title to be available. Either they're selling out faster than I can get to them, or this is another piece of evidence that my local chain ain't all that great. Of course, with no Borders or Books-A-Million around for competition, why strive for excellence? Sigh......
Me? I've been scouring my local Barnes and Noble for the last few months waiting for this title to be available. Either they're selling out faster than I can get to them, or this is another piece of evidence that my local chain ain't all that great. Of course, with no Borders or Books-A-Million around for competition, why strive for excellence? Sigh......
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