Little Nemo:
Return in Slumberland
Written by:
Eric Shanower
Illustrated
by: Gabriel Rodriguez
Call Number:
JGN SHA
Fans of
Winsor McCay’s Little Nemo are sure
to appreciate Eric Shanower’s additions to this classic tale. King Morpheus is
on the hunt for a new playmate for his daughter, the princess of Slumberland.
Traveling into the world of the living, they find a new Nemo, though he’s not
very happy about being transported night after night to a crazy, colorful dream
land. Shanower, known for adapting the Wizard
of Oz series and the Trojan War into comics, is an expert writer, adding to
the already established world of Little Nemo, making him feel like a contemporary
child. Artist Gabriel Rodriguez, whose work includes Locke & Key and adaptations of Clive Baker’s novels, has a very
unique style. The saturated colors, intricate scenery, and thoughtful character
design truly transports the reader to a dream world. For more imaginative
dreams and a sense of nostalgia, Little
Nemo is an excellent read.
Bandette
Written by:
Paul Tobin
Illustrated
by: Coleen Coover
Call Number:
YA GRAPHIC TOBIN
Originally
published as a digital comic book, Bandette
follows the thieving career of an acrobatic burglar known as Bandette! Described as a cross between The Adventures of Tintin and Nancy Drew, Bandette is a Euro-style comic featuring more narrative stories and
fluid art than standard American comics. Set in picturesque Paris, Bandette relies on her Urchins and ally
police inspector Belgique as she faces other thieves and villains like the
Monsieur, Absinthe, Matadori and Il Tredici. While Bandette would never hurt
anyone nor steal anything unjustly, from time to time, she does keep a token
for herself. Paul Tobin’s writing is sharp and on point, exploring the whimsy
of our teenaged protagonist while also creating complex stories. Art by Coleen
Coover transports the reader to Paris; you can smell the pâtisseries and
boulangeries, see the acrobatic skill of Bandette as she jumps from rooftop to
rooftop, and feel the breeze off the Seine River. Bandette’s exciting capers
are sure to be enjoyed by young and old alike.
Silver Surfer
Written by:
Dan Slott
Illustrated
by: Michael and Laura Allred
Call Number: YA GRAPHIC SILVER
If you’re a
fan of the television show Doctor Who,
Dan Slott and Michael and Laura Allred’s run on Silver Surfer is the right comic for you. In the Silver Surfer’s
latest adventure, Norrin Rad, former herald of Galactus, eater of worlds,
discovers an Earthling has been taken to a distant planet and held hostage. After
Silver Surfer defeats the planet’s ultimate foe and rescues Dawn Greenwood, they
travel across the spaceways before returning to Earth. Much like the Doctor and
his companion, the Silver Surfer and Dawn create a unique bond as they face
cosmic challenges like the Never Queen and Galactus himself. Dan Slott is an
expert of subtle comedy, and each issue of the Silver Surfer and Dawn
Greenwood’s adventure teaches you about the worlds they both come from and how
they reconcile their differences. Married art team Michael and Laura Allred transports
the Silver Surfer to a galaxy filled with psychedelic colors, playful character
designs and immersive planetary experiences.
Girl in Dior
Written and
Illustrated by: Annie Goetzinger
Call Number:
GRAPHIC GOETZIN
French
author/artist Annie Goetzinger’s latest graphic novel tells of the rise of
famed fashion designer Christian Dior. A docudrama, Girl in Doir follows the life of Clara, a fictional fashion
reporter, as she attends Dior’s debut fashion show. Her life is turned upside
down as Dior takes her on as a model, and she learns the true value of fashion.
There is no doubt that Dior forever changed the way women dressed. His
revolutionary, progressive designs were inspired by World War II military
designs and the floral fields of rural France. Another example of Euro-style
comics, Girl in Dior creates sweeping
illustrations with water color strokes and is rarely hindered by the 3 x 3 grid
traditional to comic books. One of the added values of this book is the back
matter; Goetzinger includes a timeline of Dior’s life, the name and duties of
each of his over 1,000 workers, explanations of the fabrics he used, and the
names of all his collections.
Nimona
Written and
Illustrated by: Noelle Stevenson
Call Number:
YA GRAPHIC STEVENS
Nimona is a wonderful coming of age story
set in a futuristic fantasy world. Arriving at Lord Ballister Blackheart’s
secret lair, Nimona is seeking a villain in need of an apprentice. A shape
shifter, Nimona is eager to take vengeance to the next level against all the
people who’ve tormented her for the sake of science. However, while she looks
for the quick solution (death), Lord Blackheart teaches her the value of
patience and the fine finesse of destruction. From author/illustrator Noelle
Stevenson, author of the critically acclaimed series The Lumberjanes, Nimona
explores taking responsibility for your actions within this fantasy world. The
subtle mix of fanciful elements, like dragons, shape shifters and witches,
along with technologies like video conferencing, refrigerators, and
interdimensional orbs, makes this an engaging read. ‘Nemeses! Dragons! Science!
Symbolism!’ is the motto of this book, and it lives up to that motto.
--Tracy Boehm, Technical Services Librarian
