The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl is such a fun, quick read that I’d recommend it to just about anyone in 8th grade or higher. It’s especially good for teen boys that don’t like to read much, or girls who are interested in a teenage male’s point of view. Fans of graphic novels and comics will dig it, too, as it’s full of references to popular graphic novels, comic books, and their famed creators. Having said that, it also seems that readers who are new to the world of graphic novels and comics, or even slightly curious about them, would enjoy this story and find the world of Fanboy and Goth Girl highly entertaining. Lyga, a comic lover himself, is a great writer and fills the book with short, entertaining chapters sure to hold the reader’s attention.
The main character is a cunningly smart 15 yr. old who attends a typical high school where he is often overlooked and just can’t seem to fit in anywhere. He despises the jocks, yet his best friend, Cal, is one. This particular dynamic thread proves itself to be one of the most interesting relationships in the story. Then there’s Goth Girl. Ah, Goth Girl. She’s fearless, predictably unpredictable, and in many ways just what Fanboy needed in his life. The two of them together-often hilarious, sometimes dark, essentially realistic-are quite the pair and it’s a treat to witness their adventures.
Aside from the high school bubble, Fanboy lives with his Mom (who’s preggers) and his step-dad (more commonly referred to as the step-fascist) and has been secretly pouring his heart and soul into the creation of his own graphic novel he calls Schemata. He’s a diehard fan of classic comics and graphic novels and has hatched a semi-secret plan to present his work to his favorite creator at the upcoming Comic Book Convention. He figures it’s his best shot at publication, fame, and fortune. Check it out for yourself to see what actually happens!
August 29th, 2008
I thought it would be nice to order a few titles for the YA collection that might inspire artwork for the upcoming manga contest. In browsing the selection on Amazon.com, I came across a few good titles that, to my surprise, are already part of DPL’s collection. Take a look at these selections, complete with product descriptions from Amazon. As always, feel free to place a hold on the item by clicking on the link which takes you straight to the catalog record. Happy drawing!
Making Comics by Scott McCloud–Designed as a craftsperson’s overview of the drawing and storytelling decisions and possibilities available to comics artists, covering everything from facial expressions and page layout to the choice of tools and story construction, Making Comics, like its predecessors, is also an eye-opening trip behind the scenes of art-making, fascinating for anyone reading comics as well as those making them.
Manga Mania Fantasy Worlds by Christopher Hart–Manga fantasy is the swords-and-sorcery Japanese animation style featured in the most popular video role-playing games on the market. Best-selling author Christopher Hart’s latest tutorial reveals the secrets and techniques that go into building these worlds of wonder. An increasingly fashionable style among both digital and traditional animators, manga enjoys unrivaled popularity among the game players themselves, allowing them entry into fabled worlds of startling beauty, terror, and adventure. Manga Mania Fantasy Worlds throws down the gauntlet for people interested in creating these scenes for themselves. Artists will learn how to illustrate detailed backdrops and landscapes, rugged weaponry, and, of course, fearsome creatures-aliens, faeries, ogres, and much more. In the straightforward style that is his trademark, Christopher Hart teaches the basics and the intricacies of creating manga fantasy illustrations that practically jump off the page.
50 Fantasy Vehicles to Draw & Paint: Create Awe-Inspiring Crafts for Comics, Computer Games, and Graphic Novels by Keith Thompson–The great popularity of fantasy and science fiction themes in films, books, graphic novels, and computer games has created a continuing demand for artists who can conceptualize and draw convincing space ships of tomorrow, as well as other fantasy vehicles such as cars, tanks, and sea-going vessels of the future. In this book, artist and designer Keith Thompson presents a practical course for art students. He starts with advice on finding research and reference materials, and then advises on using them as inspiration before sketching out original ideas for finished illustrations. The book’s extensive main section presents a “mechanical workshop” of fantasy designs for students to copy and adapt to their own story needs and specifications. It gives attention to the techniques of drawing, shading, and coloring. The author analyzes each of the book’s fantasy vehicles in terms of how and why artists came to their final design, how well the vehicles fit into the story being told, and how they would move, sound, and perform. Clear instruction is supplemented with more than 400 vivid, step-by-step color illustrations of sample projects.
The Fantasy Illustrator’s Technique Book by Gary A. Lippincott–Here is a heavily illustrated, highly detailed instruction manual for art students seeking professional entry in the fantasy art field. The author guides students from conception of an art idea to publication of the finished work, emphasizing methods for creating magical, mythical, and monstrous characters who inhabit worlds of fantasy and wonder. More than 350 color illustrations.
August 8th, 2008
The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson
“Kneel Before Zod!” - General Zod (Superman II)
We are all familiar with the story of Superman. The last son of Krypton falls from the sky and is raised in Kansas only to gain super powers and become Earth’s defender of truth and justice. Superman is one of the 20th century’s most popular and traditional messiah/Christ figures.
Kevin J. Anderson’s The Last Days of Krypton takes us back before the birth of Kal-El and the destruction of Krypton. The novel focuses on the lives of a super scientist, Jor-El, and a high level government bureaucrat, Commissioner Zod during the final year or so of the planet Krypton. Both have high hopes for the future of their planet that will help their fates to cross for both the good and ill of the planet. Krypton is a self-proclaimed paradise, yet its development has stagnated due to isolationism and an entrenched distrust of change. We all know before the first page that the planet is doomed (or else there would be no Superman). What follows is a tragic political drama that is a fairly gripping read, because while we know how the story ends, we don’t know how the characters get there.
That being said, I would recommend this book for advanced readers, or those who are really into Superman and comic books. A lot of my enthusiasm for this book is based a lot upon me geeking out about Superman. So if you have ever heard of the Bottle City of Kandor, or know where Supergirl is from, then you HAVE to read this book! 
May 27th, 2008
Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil by Jeff Smith
Who hasn’t dreamt of being a superhero? I have, and to be honest I still do. Yes, I am 29 and I daydream about being a superhero. But it’s all good because it only takes up like 75% of my day. I think I sleep and eat that other 25%… and work… and family… and read… and video games. How do I fit 150% of stuff in a 100% day? 
Jeff Smith, the creator of Bone, has produced a wonderful new spin on the Captain Marvel mythos. Billy Batson is a young homeless boy who is called upon by the ancient wizard Shazam to be a force of good in the world. By saying a magic word, (Shazam!), he turns into the mighty superhero Captain Marvel. Although he has similar powers to Superman, I believe he is far superior because he has the heart and the outlook of a child. These new powers of Billy’s are put to the test when he comes up against the villains of Mr. Mind (an intelligent worm) and Dr. Sivana (a super genius that happens to be the Director of Homeland Security). He does have help along the way. He guide for this journey is the talking tiger Talky Tawny and his little sister who shares his powers Mary Marvel. He can also rely on the ghost of the wizard Shazam who resides in the Rock of Eternity (which is located before space and time!).
I really enjoyed this for a variety of reasons. First off Jeff Smith’s art is astounding. A color comic has never looked this good. I was entranced by how he drew the ideas from the book from many different religious traditions, while making everything entirely accessible to readers of any age. Another aspect of the book is how great the characters are. They all have internal struggles, that are externally expressed with great dramatic effect. Billy as Captain Marvel is at once a kid and an adult and must balance the two. Mary Marvel is a six year old girl with powers to match her brother, but she never loses her sense of fun. This book has great depth but yet is still relevant for the young or young at heart. Smith also adds in references to the our own world, our fear of terrorism and how our government has reacted. Although this could have been very preachy it really adds a new flavor to the story, and I think it works well as a representation of how a child would respond to the world we live in.
All in all, this is a fun read. If you like Bone, if you like superheroes, you’ll love this. Highly recommended for all ages.
April 22nd, 2008
Godland by Joe Casey & Joe Scioli
What a wonderful graphic novel. This comic is a new riff on the Kirby Fantastic Four. Adam Archer is an astronaut that gets evolved into a superhero by a group of aliens. His powers transform his body so that it totally looks all glow-y; like he is about to explode. Not only that but he has super strength, the ability to fly, can shoot energy projectiles, and even teleport. He has an extensive supporting cast: three sisters (the supportive one, the adventuresome one, and the who looks after him), an alien ally (a giant green dog, like 15 feet big), the US government, and a cadre of colorful villains (a floating skull, a robot, and a dude in a big castle and his daughter).
This is the most fun I have had reading a graphic novel since the first hardcover of Invincible Vol. 1. It feels like anything can happen at any moment any where. The locales range from Mars to the Arctic, to New York and Las Vegas. The villains are appropriately over the top and continually challenge Adam Archer to explore the limits of his new powers. This volume also sets the groundwork for mythology of this comic universe, literally how the universe was created and its impact on Adam Archer and Earth. It’s mind boggling delightful. 
April 11th, 2008
This graphic novel takes you inside to a REAL high school wiccan teenager who experiences a weird kind of love for the first time. If you are into weird, gothic, or both you should check this out.
April 5th, 2008
Spider-man: One More Day
Writers: J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada
Artist: Joe Quesada
Issues: Amazing Spider-man #544-545, Sensational Spider-man #41, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #24
Here it is, one of the most controversial comic arcs in the past year. I had complained at great length about this story without having read it myself. Shame on me. Coverage of this story was so widespread, I knew everything that happened. I went in with my preconceived notions of what was going to happen, and how much I was going to rant and rave about for many months to come. I felt most sorry for my coworkers, who would invariable have to endure more of my complaining about Spider-man.
Now that I’ve read the story, and am a couple months away from the hype and all the opinions on the Internet, I’ve formulated a new opinion. For those that don’t know, Aunt May is in mortal peril yet again, having been shot during an assassination attempt on Peter. Peter is all kinds of depressed, and searches the Marvel Universe for some kind of cure, knowing that he would give anything to have just one more day with her. This is emotional tripe at its finest. Aunt May seems to be always at death’s door, so I cared little for the situation. Peter’s reaction was what could be expected, he felt very guilty because the bullet was meant for him. But help finally comes to Peter’s aid.
In the past, I’ve attempted to remain spoiler-free in these posts, but I cannot do so here. If you have not read One More Day or have any intention of doing so without spoilers, stop reading. The Devil comes to Peter. That’s right…the Devil. Peter meets some alternate forms of himself, one a software engineer and another a corporate bigwig, both displaying how his life could have been different. Then the Devil appears, stating that these are potential forms of Peter Parker, and there is another where Aunt May is safe. To make that potential Peter Parker the real one, he and Mary Jane have to give up their marriage and unborn child. I will not get on my soap box about this, but I really do not believe that anyone would choose their unborn child over their mother figure who has lived a good life. Personally, my mother would kick my ass if I gave up a child to save her life.
As a story, this is alright. It is very well written. One of my favorite moments was when Dr. Strange was telling Peter to quit looking for a cure and just spend the last moments he’s going to have with May at her side. If only they had actually gone that way… It’s an interesting concept, being offered this faustian deal and visiting with alternate versions of yourself. This inclusion of alternate Peter Parkers makes me think that this is how the whole story should have gone. Why do this to the mainstream Spider-man? Why not do it to an alternate Peter Parker? I know that’s a cop-out, and that if you’re going to do something to a character, do it to the real one and not a fake one. I say this only because I found myself liking the story. The dialogue itself was well written. The art was great. I liked what happened, but not the long-term ramifications of it. If this were only a potential story, a What If, I would have liked it even more.
Essentially, Marvel wanted to turn back time and make Peter Parker young again, take back that he had publicly demasked, that he had organic webshooters; they wanted to make him a nerd again. That’s what the Ultimate Universe is for. And if that has become to cumbersome with backstory, start up another alternate universe where it’s a girl that got bit by the spider, or Peter is gay. There are so many directions they could have gone to invigorate the character, instead they throw away decades of character build up and situations in a single issue. Honestly, Peter being a teacher was one of the best things they did with him. They put him back in school, and he was dealing with all the crap that comes with that. He had great interactions with his students, becoming a father figure to many of them. Throwing away the chance to become an actual father does not fit with Peter’s previous actions. Keeping the child and having it become the next Spider-man (or girl) would have been preferable to Quesada turning back the clock, making how many years of stories and how many creator’s efforts completely null and void.
When they set out on One More Day, I’m sure they were hoping to just turn back the clock to take back Peter Parker to the good ol’ days, not realizing how good Spider-man had been in the past few years under Straczynski’s watch. If they stirred up some controversy, well no press is bad press right? One More Day certainly got people talking, and with good reason. This was a major continuity shifting event, the results of which have yet to be fully disclosed. There was clearly a group of people stuck in a room with absolutely no outside input that came up with this idea and thought it was great, continuity and fans be damned. However, the story itself is not without its merits. Had it not been so far-reaching in its conclusion, One More Day would not have become the bane of Spider-man fans the world over. Until next time, folks.
March 31st, 2008
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