Watch the full episode. See more Need To Know.
Stickermule
A Public Service Announcement! ;)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Cancer in Comics from A Different Angle
The Beat reports that An Elegy for Amelia Johnson is a graphic novel set to debut soon that will add to the list of comics narratives dealing with illness, specifically cancer. Heidi says this Andrew Rostan-authored book will focus on two friends of a dying cancer patient rather than on the victim herself, but those friends' mission is make sure the deceased's final words get to where she wants them.
Sounds interesting! Click here for the link.
Sounds interesting! Click here for the link.
What's Going on With Manga Right Now...
Tokyo has recently banned certain types of Manga that feature young girls doing sexual things. Or, another way of looking at it is that Japan is making it more difficult for minors to get their hands on this material.
The Beat has several links up with their own links, etc. See here and here and here.
I don't know enough about Manga or Japanese culture to make any informed statements, except to say that I'm not sure this legislation parallels directly the comics censorship efforts in the US from the 1940s and '50s. Yet. In terms of sex and nudity, these types of Manga texts at the center of this exigency are much more overt and graphic than any of those images in panels with supposedly subliminal vaginas that folks griped about back in the day.
"Subliminal Vaginas" -- that'd make a great name for a band, eh?
The Beat has several links up with their own links, etc. See here and here and here.
I don't know enough about Manga or Japanese culture to make any informed statements, except to say that I'm not sure this legislation parallels directly the comics censorship efforts in the US from the 1940s and '50s. Yet. In terms of sex and nudity, these types of Manga texts at the center of this exigency are much more overt and graphic than any of those images in panels with supposedly subliminal vaginas that folks griped about back in the day.
"Subliminal Vaginas" -- that'd make a great name for a band, eh?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Joseph Bruchac and Will Davis's graphic novel Dawn Land (:01, 2010) is an adaptation from Bruchac's 1993 novel of the same name. The prose must be amazing if the sequential art narrative is any reflection of it.
In Dawn Land, Bruchac pulls from his own Native American heritage and mythos and the mythoi of other indigenous North Americans to craft an epic on par with any other age's classics: The Odyssey, The Iliad, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars (Sky Walker is a character in Bruchac's text and helps us see where Lucas' inspiration for the name may have originated), Bone -- you name it.
After the giant Stone People kill Young Hunter and Weasel Tail's parents, they embark of different paths. The older Weasel Tail, once his brother's protector and marked by one of the giants, becomes their herald and their hunter, leading them to villages where they can murder and eat the inhabitants. Young Hunter, always smaller than his peers, on the other hand, grows to embrace the noble warrior role, the champion of humanity (which includes all elements of nature in the lore of this text).
Weasel Tail, lusty, murderous, and mentally ill, and his brother meet again shortly after a cave painting has shown Young Hunter the climax of his current journey. Weasel Tail, now named Holds of the Stone, redeems himself in the final battle with the giants, sacrificing himself to save his brother, who through new technology (a bow), innovation (which he tips with stone arrow heads), and the support of his ancestors, defeats the last of the imposing man-eaters.
As such, Dawn Land appears to be a tale set in an in-between, a liminal space. Young Hunter is told as such by his mentors. It is easy to read the tale as an allegory about progress and technology and even to see the giants as imposing Europeans set on changing the customs and cultures of the land, but it should be made clear that the giants are as much a part of the landscape as every other natural element in the text. They're not the white marauders from a foreign land; they're ancient beings whose time has passed, like the other ancient ones -- giant bears and sabretoothed cats -- that Young Hunter and his trusty dog companions -- Agwedjiman, Pabetciman, and Danowa -- must vanquish to their place in history.
There are some prose pages after the comics narrative that work to inform readers about Bruchac's culture, his process as a writer, and how they intersect. There are also several resources mentioned where one can learn more about the Wabanaiak people of Ndakinna/New England.
This graphic novel is rich in heritage and mythology, and, simply-put, is a must-read and one of First Second's best graphic novels to date.
In Dawn Land, Bruchac pulls from his own Native American heritage and mythos and the mythoi of other indigenous North Americans to craft an epic on par with any other age's classics: The Odyssey, The Iliad, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars (Sky Walker is a character in Bruchac's text and helps us see where Lucas' inspiration for the name may have originated), Bone -- you name it.
After the giant Stone People kill Young Hunter and Weasel Tail's parents, they embark of different paths. The older Weasel Tail, once his brother's protector and marked by one of the giants, becomes their herald and their hunter, leading them to villages where they can murder and eat the inhabitants. Young Hunter, always smaller than his peers, on the other hand, grows to embrace the noble warrior role, the champion of humanity (which includes all elements of nature in the lore of this text).
Weasel Tail, lusty, murderous, and mentally ill, and his brother meet again shortly after a cave painting has shown Young Hunter the climax of his current journey. Weasel Tail, now named Holds of the Stone, redeems himself in the final battle with the giants, sacrificing himself to save his brother, who through new technology (a bow), innovation (which he tips with stone arrow heads), and the support of his ancestors, defeats the last of the imposing man-eaters.
As such, Dawn Land appears to be a tale set in an in-between, a liminal space. Young Hunter is told as such by his mentors. It is easy to read the tale as an allegory about progress and technology and even to see the giants as imposing Europeans set on changing the customs and cultures of the land, but it should be made clear that the giants are as much a part of the landscape as every other natural element in the text. They're not the white marauders from a foreign land; they're ancient beings whose time has passed, like the other ancient ones -- giant bears and sabretoothed cats -- that Young Hunter and his trusty dog companions -- Agwedjiman, Pabetciman, and Danowa -- must vanquish to their place in history.
There are some prose pages after the comics narrative that work to inform readers about Bruchac's culture, his process as a writer, and how they intersect. There are also several resources mentioned where one can learn more about the Wabanaiak people of Ndakinna/New England.
This graphic novel is rich in heritage and mythology, and, simply-put, is a must-read and one of First Second's best graphic novels to date.
GNR Profiles Andrew Dodd/Campfire
Campfire is a relatively new imprint making a mark with quality adaptations of classics and exciting original works. They've sent me a ton of review material over the least couple of years, and I still have a stack to get to, but, overall, I've been very impressed with the talent they've assembled.The look of their books is distinctive, and they have some amazing colorists helping form that look. They also have a knack for finding writers who truly know how to handle the original material when it comes to the adaptations.
I'm glad to see Graphic Novel Reporter giving them some love, and they certainly have some from me as well.
GNR Profiles NCAC Organizer Michael Gianfrancesco
And as a reminder, NECAC (New England Comics Arts in the Classroom Conference) is March 26, 2011. I'll be there and hope to see you there too.
There will be programming from Michael Bitz, Neil Cohn, Nancy Silberkleit, Raina Telgemeir, yours truly, Tracy White, Maureen Bakis, John Shableski, Robbin Brenner, and more!
Admit it: Minus that Carter hack, that's a pretty impressive list of presenters!
There will be programming from Michael Bitz, Neil Cohn, Nancy Silberkleit, Raina Telgemeir, yours truly, Tracy White, Maureen Bakis, John Shableski, Robbin Brenner, and more!
Admit it: Minus that Carter hack, that's a pretty impressive list of presenters!
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Feb 12,19, 2011: "Black Comic Book Day"
From the Press Release:
While these inaugural events are being held during Black History month, the display racks are permanent, dedicated additions to the stock offered by the hosting bookstores.
Black Comic Book Day is the brainchild of artists/writers Turtel Onli, father of “The Black Age” comic art movement, and Jerry Craft, creator of the award-winning Mama’s Boyz comic strip, distributed by King Features Syndicate since 1995. The idea developed as the duo brainstormed ideas to promote their work along with that of the many other talented artists and writers in the African-American community.
Onli and Craft believe that these events will have many benefits, such as encouraging reading and providing heroes for young readers to emulate from the African-American community.
“The only reason I, and most of my friends, read regularly was because of comic books,” Craft said. “I still remember the excitement of running to the corner store and seeing the new issue of Spider-Man waiting for me. Reading comics helped build our vocabularies.
Saturday, February 12, bookstores in Chicago, Atlanta and Detroit will host Black Comic Book Day to celebrate and make more widely available the work of African-American comic book writers and artists. In Chicago, four racks permanently dedicated to African-American comics have been placed at venues around the city, including one in the DuSable Museum. New York holds its Black Comic Book Day on February 19, at the Hue-Man Bookstore and Café in Harlem.
While these inaugural events are being held during Black History month, the display racks are permanent, dedicated additions to the stock offered by the hosting bookstores.
Black Comic Book Day is the brainchild of artists/writers Turtel Onli, father of “The Black Age” comic art movement, and Jerry Craft, creator of the award-winning Mama’s Boyz comic strip, distributed by King Features Syndicate since 1995. The idea developed as the duo brainstormed ideas to promote their work along with that of the many other talented artists and writers in the African-American community.
Onli and Craft believe that these events will have many benefits, such as encouraging reading and providing heroes for young readers to emulate from the African-American community.
“The only reason I, and most of my friends, read regularly was because of comic books,” Craft said. “I still remember the excitement of running to the corner store and seeing the new issue of Spider-Man waiting for me. Reading comics helped build our vocabularies.
The bold is mine, but here's another testimonial to the power of comics in literacy. For more information about events, click here. There are some pretty major names involved!
All-Star Comics letterer Discusses Best Logos in Comics
Todd Klein talks about his twelve favorite logos here. I'm seeing media literacy lesson, iconography lesson, and design lesson potential all over!
"Comics Reclaimed for Kids by Kids and Educators" Article from Huffington Post
Kate Kelly recaps the scene and reiterates some of the prevailing myths regarding the comics form while altruistically trying to report on the topic and mentioning some new, some old names on the beat.
The Captain America to my Bucky Publishes *Howard Chakin: Conversations*
One of the most satisfying aspects of being in academia is seeing your friends and colleagues do well. Brannon Costello, who edited Howard Chaykin: Conversations (UP Mississippi), is one fellow I can call both friend and colleague.I worked with Brannon in a teaching capacity when we were both students at the University of Tennessee, where he was earning his Ph.D. and I was working on a MA. I was his teaching assistant for a semester, and our love of comics was something we shared often. I soon came to see myself as the Bucky to his Captain America, especially since Steve Rogers was Brannon's favorite character.
I can remember Brannon talking about patriotic comics with and Mark Bernard, a fellow MA-er, and me back in the early aughts and mentioning his admiration for Chaykin, specifically. The three of us were even putting together an edited collection on patriot-themed comics at one time, but it never got off the ground. We did, however, take an historic road trip from Knoxville,TN, to Jacksonville, FL, to present scholarship on Captain America, and it was during those hours that we really got to know each other's deeper ideas on comics, culture, and more.
Looking back, now that all three of us have Ph.D's and are gainfully employed and publishing in our areas of passion, I see that that travel time was very productive. Good thing we stopped for breakfast so early in the morning so we had some brain food! ;)
Still, knowing these seeds exist and seeing folks follow through on them and have success in doing so is highly gratifying. As gratifying as seeing one's students do well, I think.
I don't know what I'm more excited about, though, this collection or the collection on comics and the South on which Dr. Costello is also working.
Looks like we'll just have to check out both!
Hill & Wang to publish Graphic Novel on Health Care Reform
Another nonfiction graphic novel from the folks who brought us the official graphic novel adaptation of the 9/11 report. ICv2 reports that the book will be based on a print explanation of the bill, namely MIT economics professor Jonathan Gruber.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
More Alan Moore Advocacy for Libraries
He's the one with the beard! I love that accent, love that voice, and love that message!
Lynn University English Instructor Uses Super Heroes in Class
Great post that I saw on Comic Book Literacy's facebook page regarding Elaine Deering's class, "Comic Book Superheroes" at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.
Jay Hosler's Science Comics Blog: "Drawing Flies"
Just learned about this very cool science comics blog via reading a press release from Making Curriculum Pop, a nicely-coordinated ning that you might want to google.
Anyway, comics and science don't seem to go together as seamlessly as comics and traditional literature, so finding excellent examples of science comics is like discovering a treasure trove of tantalization!
Currently, Drawing Flies author Jay Hosler is finishing up some pages about photosynthesis. But, surfing the blog's archives will give you lots of links to funny things, insights into Hosler's other projects -- like the graphic novel Evolution, which is on my review stack right now -- developed, and other sciencey-type stuff.
Definitely worth a look!
Anyway, comics and science don't seem to go together as seamlessly as comics and traditional literature, so finding excellent examples of science comics is like discovering a treasure trove of tantalization!
Currently, Drawing Flies author Jay Hosler is finishing up some pages about photosynthesis. But, surfing the blog's archives will give you lots of links to funny things, insights into Hosler's other projects -- like the graphic novel Evolution, which is on my review stack right now -- developed, and other sciencey-type stuff.
Definitely worth a look!
US Congressman John Lewis to Write Civil Rights Era Graphic Novel
The Beat reports that Georgia democrat and congressman John Lewis plans to write a graphic novel bases on his role in the 1960s civil rights movement. March will be published by Top Shelf. Click here for more information.
Of course, politics and government and civil rights all have longstanding connections to comics, going back to the days of socialist Superman! Seriously, check out the early comics.
Of course, politics and government and civil rights all have longstanding connections to comics, going back to the days of socialist Superman! Seriously, check out the early comics.
Bucky Shrugged: Rand's *Anthem* Adapted to GN Form
The Charleston Gazette (WV) reports that Ayn Rands' novel Anthem has been adapted into a graphic novel by Charles Santino and Joe Staton. The article is pretty good, actually. I'm not a Rand fan, but my interest was piqued.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Nick Bertozzi Talks about _Lewis and Clark_
I have a feeling Nick Bertozzi's fact-based graphic novel on the Lewis and Clark expedition is gonna be big! See him chat about the comic by clicking here.
Harvey Awards and Eagle Awards Seeking Nominations!
Click here for the Eagles and here for the Harveys. The Eagle Awards have a nomination for best comics-related book, if anyone wanted ot nominate a certain blogger..... ;)
Friday, February 04, 2011
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