Recommended Reads: A Family Secret

Good Reads: "Calamity Jack" and "Rapunzel's Revenge"

"Calamity Jack," the original over-sized graphic

novel from  Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and Nathan Hale, is

actually the follow-up to "Rapunzel's Revenge"

(same creative team, also recommended.)

It's nice to see the graphic novel format

being used so well, and with stories that

don't talk down to younger readers.

Hopefully, this will foster interest in

 traditional comic books, too.

These books are all-ages desirable,

not merely 'appropriate.'

The books give a unique take on

updating old tales, with a lot of fun

takes and twists on some classic characters.

It's not merely a culturally diverse spin,

but a rich and textured back-story.

Good Reads: THE ARRIVAL by Shaun Tan

As is often the case, I found a true

gem while cruising the 'Juvenile' section of the

library (minds out of the gutter, pervs!)

searching for mislabeled and hidden graphic novels

that are all-ages accessible.

Shaun Tan's masterpiece "The Arrival"

is a brilliant work, a groundbreaking piece

of art and story that took 4 years to research

and produce the richly detailed and shaded art.

The best way to approach this work, I believe,

is to know NOTHING about it!

Don't read previews, don't read the synopsis,

don't read the reviews on the back cover.

Just pick this phenomenal book up raw,

and delve into it like the beautiful and

poignant adventure that it is.

This is a life story told with 'nothing' but pictures,

and it's more fluid and involved than most

text-heavy tales could ever hope.

Interpreting, determining, dissecting the imagery

and experiencing the detail for one's self is

a big part of what makes it work. Afterwords,

you can read the inspiration for the work, and then

re-read it with a new level of appreciation.

Like a fine wine, it's best savored and enjoyed

over time.

***

Good Reads: BATMAN & ROBIN: DARK KNIGHT Vs. WHITE KNIGHT

I find I like slightly divergent takes on Batman rather than the 'same

old,' and Paul Cornell has a take that I enjoy immensely.

This Trade also has the introduction of some very unique and

memorable new Bat-foes (when was the last time you heard that?)

in the form of 'The Absence' and 'the White Knight,' and a Jason

Todd story that actually made me care about the character.

(collects issue #s 17-25 of the first Batman & Robin series.)

***

Good Reads: OUTLAW:The Legend of Robin Hood

A lengthy and engaging graphic novel

with perfectly evocative, atmospheric

art (think Phil Hester, Luke McDonnell)

and moody color effects that transport!

A great read combining disparate

elements of all past elements of

the Robin Hood legend.

Free Preview

***

HOT PICKS: Jim Henson's "Tale of Sand"

To put it mildly, this book defies explanation.

Evidently, Jim Henson and Jerry Juhl had an unproduced
screenplay from years back, and of course it was unmade
prior to Henson's death. But the project was so near and
dear, so phenomenally interesting, the family and studio
thankfully couldn't let go.

Thus, the over sized, full color, stupendously rule-breaking and
gorgeous hardcover project interpreted artistically by
Ramon Perez and colorist Jordie Bellaire.

It's beyond 'inspired.' Trashes 'original.'  It is an otherworldly
reexamination and reinterpretation of the relationship between
art and the printed page.

Ramon Perez's website

It's a shining sample--one of the best examples--of proper
sequential art I've seen in 40 years of comics consumption.

I would rather this be a book than a movie, because I can
rewind and flip to and fro and explore the rhythm and layouts
as my own director.

It's whelming and extraordinary and beautifully fluid and just
one of the most incredible things I've ever seen on the printed page.
Surreal, nutty, wild, bigger than life; everything the comics were
intended to be, and all-too-rarely ever becomes.

Get yourself a copy today!
Check it out on Amazon
******************************************************

Recommended Reading: "The Odyssey" by Gareth Hinds

A beautiful and thoughtful monster of a graphic novel

well worth checking out.

For more incredible adaptations and

interpretations from creator Gareth Hinds,

check out:

Gareth Hinds' website

***

Good Reads: The Big Lie

"Truth Be Told" Comics

***

Recommended Reading: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief GN

Percy Jackson and the Olympians; The Lightning Thief GN info

***

Secret Science Alliance

A recent great find was the graphic novel by Eleanor Davis,

"The Secret Science Alliance (and the Copycat Crook.)"

Aimed at older 'kids,' it is the highly entertaining and fun

fight for the under-dog science kids..with a twist! While the

story starts out as a POV of Julian (who, perhaps not

coincidentally, looks reminiscent of Dexter of Dexter's

 Laboratory?) as the incoming science geek at a new school.

His introduction to the new digs, his dealings with

family, and his attempts at assimilating as a popular kid

are heroically and tragically relateable, yet hilarious in the way

they are depicted.

Soon enough, he meets some fellow science geeks in

unusual packaging. I loved how the very believable

takes on Greta and Ben as 'non-traditional' science geeks

both introduces some much-needed kid characters of

different race/ethnicity, but also turns the nerd/geek

dynamic on its ear. (Similar to Percy Jackson, any

ADHD/ADD kid, alternate learning, dyslexic, etc. can

relate to the Ben character in particular!)

(The adults also get fair treatment, unlike so many 'kids'

books!)

The very tight and crisp art is a joy; lots of awesome

cutaway views, large dioramas, blueprints and other

intricate cool stuff. (Comic geeks will perhaps note

their appreciation if they are fans of Ty Templeton,

Kano, Chris Ware, and other fabulously talented

craftspeople.)

This is definitely an all-ages accessible book, an

engaging and light read, but filled with your usual

outsider-fights-back inspiration. Great for all the

bullied/ignored/misunderstood kid...of any age!

(Bloomsbury publisher.)