December 17, 2010

Saying Goodbye to 2010

This is the last time we’ll “speak” before the new year, so I wanted to take this time to thank you all for a great year. This was an amazing 12 months for the site, for me personally, and for graphic novels in general; I’m incredibly pleased and grateful that we have such loyal and discerning readers.

Several things stand out for me in 2010. The big one, of course, is being a judge on the Eisner Awards, a huge honor that was also an incredibly fun experience. Becoming friends with all my fellow judges was really a treat. The way we came together to accomplish the monumental effort of selecting this year’s nominations was daunting at times, but the comraderie we achieved along the way, as well as our satisfaction at the ultimate result, made the end result well worth it. I look forward to seeing what next year’s team of judges select from this year’s crop of comics and manga. I think they’ll have just as much fun as we did.

I spent a big part of this past year working on the GNR Core Lists for booksellers and librarians. I think in a big way, those lists comprised a major chunk of how I spent my time. There were several lists altogether (for adults, teens, and kids, and covering both graphic novels and manga), and they served a major purpose in the industry: to help those new to the format select which titles they should carry in their stores now. In many ways, that’s a much harder distinction to make than choosing a “best-of” list. Core lists are more about what’s selling now and what has the potential to be sold, and they’re tricky to say the least (they’re also contentious, because we all have opinions about what should be selling well). Going forward, I’m look forward to updating and improving upon the lists. I’ll be doing them again in the spring and in the fall in order to keep them current and relevant. As always, your feedback and input on them is welcomed and encouraged.

Speaking of best-of lists, we’ve compiled one of those as well. Now online are my picks for the best graphic novels of the year, reviewer Casey Brienza’s selections of the top manga published in 2010, and the best-of lists of several of our reviewers. That’s a well-rounded grouping of titles, and I think it does a good job of representing the breadth and depth of what was published this year.

Before I get too nostalgic just concentrating on the past, let me tell you about some of our content, fresh online right now. Our three new interviews this week sprang from October’s New York Comic-Con. Diana Gabaldon made a big splash with her graphic novel The Exile, a new work in her Outlander series. Talk built up at the show about the graphic adaptation of Paulo Coehlo’s bestselling The Alchemist. And finally, I met Daniel Burwen, cofounder of Cognito Comics, who was previewing a graphic novel built specially to be viewed in the iPad. All three of these works converge here in this update, with interviews with all the creators. I hope you’ll enjoy them.

I also hope you’ll take a look at Brigid Alverson’s Op-Ed piece, all about the vagaries and inconsistencies related to rating comics. Brigid is one of our regular writers and reviewers, and when I saw her opinion on this, I immediately asked her to write it up for all our readers to comment on. Because age-appropriateness and ratings are discussed so often with comics, I hope you’ll find this topic timely and interesting, and I encourage you to leave your own comments on it.

Enjoy the update, and most of all, enjoy the holidays! I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Happy reading,

John Hogan (John@bookreporter.com)

 

CREATOR INTERVIEW
Diana Gabaldon and Outlander: The Graphic Novel

Mixing fantasy, romance, and historical fiction effortlessly, Diana Gabaldon has created a worldwide phenomenon with her bestselling Outlander prose series. With the recent release of the Outlander graphic novel The Exile, Gabaldon has released her work to a whole new audience...and, perhaps even more notably, she has introduced a huge audience to a graphic-novel market they have never encountered before. The author took time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. By John Hogan

Writer Derek Ruiz and artist Daniel Sampere have tackled one of the most beloved and life-changing books published in the relatively recent past: The Alchemist, a book cited by many as one of the most inspirational they've ever read. We talked to Derek and Daniel about what it's like to adapt a classic and how working on it inspired them personally.

CREATOR INTERVIEW
Comics on the iPad: Operation Ajax Takes the Stage

Daniel Burwen is the founder and CEO of Cognito Comics, which began in 2008. This year, Cognito will unveil an interactive graphic novel for the iPad called Operation Ajax. Based on actual events, the story takes full advantage of all the graphic qualities the iPad has to offer and seeks to interact with readers in a new and inventive way. Here’s a look at what’s in store.

SPECIAL FEATURE
What to Give, What to Get 2010

With the holidays almost upon us, it's time to think about what to get for all the comics lovers in your life --- and for yourself! Use this helpful list for perfect ideas on what to give and what to put on your own wish list.

BEST-OF LIST
Our 2010 Favorites

As the year winds down, we pick the best graphic novels and manga of 2010. With picks for kids, teens, and adults, we’ve got the top of the line in a very good year for graphic publishing!

BOOKS INTO MOVIES

A new trailer for the upcoming Thor movie has been released. Check it out here! Plus, Daniel Clowes’ new movie deal and a look at the Green Lantern film.

OP-ED
The Pitfalls of Age Ratings

Comics ratings: So useful in theory, so complicated in real life. It certainly is handy that the publishers put that age rating on the back, but what does it mean? Who decides what a 13-year-old can see that a 12-year-old can't? And which 13-year-olds are they talking about, anyway? By Brigid Alverson

FICTION REVIEWS

The Last Days of American Crime by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini

There are only 14 days left until the US government unveils the American Peace Initiative, a broadcast signal that promises to stop crime by interrupting the brain's synapses and inhibiting human behavior. For aging con Graham Bricke, that means there are only 14 days left to pull off the perfect score and retire with limitless wealth…if he can keep one step ahead of the Mexican gang that wants him dead. Time is ticking, counting down to The Last Days of American Crime. Reviewed by Michael Hicks

Not Love But Delicious Foods Make Me So Happy by Fumi Yoshinaga

Y-naga is a mangaka who is obsessed with food. In a series of delightful vignettes, we see characters gather at real-world restaurants to eat different kinds of meals. Reviewed by Danica Davidson

Chew: The Omnivore Edition, Vol. 1 by John Layman and Rob Guillory

When Detective Tony Chu stumbles across a string of serial murders, his unorthodox methods of investigation lead to his expulsion from the Philly Police Department. Chu isn't quite like any other detective, though --- he's a cibopath, a rare breed of psychic whose visions come through the food he eats. After an outbreak of avian bird flu that's killed millions and led the U.S. government to ban chicken, Chu is recruited by the FDA and thrust into a global conspiracy of murderers, kidnappers, and illegal poultry farmers. Reviewed by Michael Hicks

TEEN REVIEWS

I Am Here, Vol. 1 by Ema Toyama

Hikage, an outcast at school, goes to the internet for friends. When a boy shows interest in her, Hikage’s life quickly changes.Reviewed by Danica Davidson

X-Force, Vol. 1–3 by Craig Kyle, Chris Yost, Mike Choi, Sonia Oback, and Clayton Crain

Facing extinction, the mutant race is being hunted down and murdered by a group of radical extremists called the Purifiers. The X-Men live in a world that hates and fears them; with their numbers dwindling, it's time to take a stand. Assembled by Scott Summers and led by Wolverine, the black-ops team known as X-Force is going to take the fight to their enemies and kill every last one of them.Reviewed by Michael Hicks

The Incredible Hercules: Assault on New Olympus by Greg Pak, Fred van Lente, and Rodney Buchemi

Marvel Comics pulls a solid handful of their story lines from ancient mythologies, and Hercules is no exception. While Assault on New Olympus is slightly mired in its own continuity, it’s a worthy addition to the enjoyable Hercules series and the Marvel Universe. Reviewed by Colin David

KIDS REVIEWS

Rip M.D. by Mitch Schauer, Mike Vosburg, Michael Lessa, and Justin Yamaguchi

Rip is a weird kid who’s obsessed with the dark side of life (and death). Luckily for him, he lives next to a cemetery, so he has plenty of opportunities to feed his bizarre interest. He stalks the grounds every night (careful to be in by curfew, because when his parents get mad, then he’s really scared), looking for otherworldly figures. Reviewed by John Hogan

Chi’s Sweet Home, Vol. 1 by Kanata Konami

Chi’s Sweet Home follows the adventures of the kitten Chi. This first volume of the series is perfect for elementary-aged children and for cat lovers of all ages. Fun, colorful, and touching, this is one sweet manga. Reviewed by Kyla Hunt

NONFICTION REVIEWS

You’ll Never Know, Book Two: Collateral Damage by C. Tyler
Carol Tyler continues the story of her father's experiences in World War II, and their effects on her whole family, in the second volume of this artfully constructed memoir. Reviewed by Brigid Alverson

COLLECTIONS REVIEWS

Good Girl Art by Ron Goulart
Artwork of pretty girls might not be for everyone, but its role in the history of comics is undeniable. Whether pretty girls have served as a bonus within the pages of adventure comics, as a leading character in romance comics, or even as terrible villains, “good girl” art has always played a significant role --- especially in a medium that has been perpetuated by the id of young men. Reviewed by Collin David

We share news, updates, tips, personal observations, and more. Keep up-to-date by checking our blog entries.


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