Archive for the ‘Graphic Novels’ Category
New Books Highlight: Manga & Graphic Novels
This week I thought I’d post about the new manga and graphic novel titles we’ve got going on. I’m excited about a couple of new series, and the return of some old faves. I know you will be, too!
New Series:
Tiger & Bunny V.1 by Mizuki Sakakibara
This is a brand new manga series based on the hit anime TV show by the same name! You can watch it on vizanime.com. In the world of Tiger & Bunny, superpowered humans appeared half a century ago, seemingly out of nowhere. People adore these celeb heroes, and devotedly watch them on their TV show, HERO TV. But not all the heroes use their powers for good. Tiger is a hero whose ratings have been slipping, so his corporate sponsors stick him with a new, but very mismatched, sidekick. Together, they are Tiger & Bunny. Hilarity & action ensue!
Demon Love Spell V.1 and V.2 by Mayu Shinjo
This new Shojo Beat title is swoon-worthy anime infused with supernatural romance. Miko, our heroine, is a shrine maiden who’s never been too great at her job. When she meets a demon whose powers let him break hearts all over the place, she decides to make her move by casting a spell to seal his powers and stop him from hurting her friends. The spell works…sort of! Volume 3 will be here in June.
Dawn of the Arcana V. 4-9 by Rei Toma
Another great Shojo Beat title! This is a pretty new series, but unfortunately we haven’t been collecting it until now. We’re starting with the most recent titles, but will add the rest of the collection to make it complete by June. This is an epic tale of war and love, with a little supernatural power thrown in. Like the manga version of Game of Thrones.
Strobe Edge V. 1 by Io Sakisaka
A classic Shojo Beat love story! Ninako finds herself in a love triangle, torn between an old friend – whom she finds newly attractive – and the most popular boy in school who seems to find her newly attractive. Love!
New Volumes in Old Series:
New Graphic Novels:
Who is AC? by Hope Larson, illustrations by Tintin Pantoja
Lin is a pretty average girl, a loner after moving to a new place, focused on her own concerns like writing about an old superhero named Rhea Ironheart. Until she witnesses a crime, returns a mysterious phone call she received months earlier, and is transformed. Pantoja’s illustrations are fluid and cool, with lots of close-ups and a great use of color once Lin transforms. This is dystopian, magical realist, superhero-comic-book-style awesomeness.
New Books Highlight: Graphic Novels
Friday is the day for new books! What’s shiny and unread on the Shorewood Library shelves this week? Graphic novels!
Cardboard written and illustrated by Doug TenNapel
In this stand-alone graphic novel, Doug TenNapel (author of other great graphics including Bad Island and Ghostopolis) tells us the story of Cam and his hard-up and out-of-work dad who tries to create a little magic for Cam on his birthday. Cam’s dad builds a cardboard creature that comes to life, with somewhat disastrous consequences for the entire town once bad-boy neighbor Marcus gets his wily hands on it. If you like stories involving a little adventure, a little fantasy, and a little world-saving, and stories of off-kilter villains and humble heroes, you’ll love this one.
Broxo written and illustrated by Zack Giallongo
Fantasy meets zombie invasion meets graphic novel in this unique adventure story. If you are a fan of fantasy and/or zombie fic, but not yet on board with graphic novels, start with Broxo. The title character, Broxo, is the last surviving member of a band of barbarians who spends his time avoiding the walking dead that periodically try to share his deserted mountaintop with him. When a princess comes along, she and Broxo team-up to defeat the zombie-like creatures and try to unravel the mystery of Broxo’s lost band of warriors. A fun read!
Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson
Hope Larson re-imagines A Wrinkle in Time visually, creating the world of Meg Murry we have all only seen in our imaginations. If you haven’t read A Wrinkle in Time in a while, pick this up for a really great reminder, and to discover new things about the story, too. (That said, if you’ve never read A Wrinkle in Time start with the non-graphic novel version…)
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick is two captivating stories. One is told in words (Ben’s) and one in pictures (Rose’s). Ben’s mother has recently died and he’s living with his cousins at Gunflint Lake, Minnesota. He has never known his father and wonders about him because his mother never talked about him. Ben is deaf in one ear but uses it to his advantage.One night, caught in a storm while visiting his old house, Ben discovers a book and a bookmark that will send him on an exciting and unpredictable journey to discover himself and his father.
Told completely in pictures, Rose’s story is a dramatic one. She runs around New York by herself, even though she looks only around 10-years-old. Selznick portrays so much in just one image. His detailed drawings left me wonderstruck as I turned each page.
As Ben and Rose’s stories come together Wonderstruck gave me a new way to look at the world. I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Sabine, Teen Advisory Board member
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
Wonderstruck is a novel told in words and illustrations that follows the story of Ben in 1977 Minnesota and Rose in 1927 New York City. Ben’s story is told in text, like a “regular” book, while Rose’s story is told completely with beautiful pencil drawings.
Ben has recently lost his mother to a car accident and knows nothing about his father. A chance discovery of a note in a book leads him to runaway in search of his father.
Rose, born deaf, leads a secluded life in New Jersey, where her family hopes to keep her safe. When she runs away to New York City she embarks on an adventure at the American Museum of Natural History.
An enchanting and awe-inspiring story, Wonderstruck is revolutionary. And if you haven’t read Brian Selznick’s other novel in words and pictures, the Caldecott Medal Winner, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, I highly recommend that as well. And watch for the Hugo Cabret movie coming this Thanksgiving.
For more info about Wonderstruck watch this fun book trailer.
New Books Newsletter
Want to hear about the latest and greatest teen books? We’ve got an awesome newsletter that highlights some of the new teen stuff added to the library. See the covers, read some reviews, and find the book at the library. Here’s the complete newsletter and if you’d like to subscribe to find out about new stuff every month, go here.
a sample of the newsletter
Free Comic Book Day – May 1st!
Started in 2002, Free Comic Book Day is a day when participating comic book stores across the U.S. and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their store. This year’s Free Comic Book Day is Saturday, May 1st.
Some of this year’s free comics include Iron Man, G.I. Joe, War of the Supermen, Shrek, Green Hornet #1, Toy Story, and Owly and Friends.
Hugh Jackman, star of X-Men Origins: Wolverine talks about Free Comic Book Day, and the importance of comics in fighting illiteracy.
For a list of participating comic book stores around you as well as the complete list of comics, visit the Free Comic Book Day website.
