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Graphic Novels & Comic Books Book Reviews Available Now (page 4)

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Cover art for AN ANTHOLOGY OF GRAPHIC FICTION, CARTOONS, AND TRUE STORIES
FICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2008
Kirkus Star AN ANTHOLOGY OF GRAPHIC FICTION, CARTOONS, AND TRUE STORIES: VOLUME TWO
edited by Ivan Brunetti
"The anthology suggests that, thankfully, this extended family isn't close to exhausting its creative potential."
Don't be fooled by the prosaic title or the whiff of pedagogy in the introduction; this is the world of comics--or at least the North American, English-speaking part of that world--at its liveliest. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LOST COLONY: BOOK 3
FICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2008
THE LOST COLONY: BOOK 3: LAST RIGHTS
by Grady Klein
"Visually engaging, but otherwise an utter mess."
An absurdly whimsical graphic novel devised with more style than substance. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ALCOHOLIC
FICTION
Released: Sept. 17, 2008
Kirkus Star THE ALCOHOLIC
by Jonathan Ames, illustrated by Dean Haspiel
"Could be the most compelling and provocative work from either collaborator."
Rarely does a collaboration produce a graphic novel of such literary and artistic merit. Read full book review >
Cover art for GENTLEMAN JIM
FICTION
Released: July 1, 2008
GENTLEMAN JIM
by Raymond Briggs
"A short, sweet and meaningful volume."
This slim volume, a reissue of a 1980 work, has seminal significance in the development of the graphic novel. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE RABBI’S CAT 2
FICTION
Released: April 1, 2008
Kirkus Star THE RABBI’S CAT 2
by Joann Sfar
"Ranks up there with the most provocative graphic narratives for adults."
The sequel to Sfar's graphic novel about a talking cat. Read full book review >
Cover art for TURPENTINE
FICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2007
TURPENTINE
by Spring Warren
"The journey eventually becomes tedious as Ned fails to establish an identity that satisfies both himself and the reader."
An effete easterner in western guise rambles across the 19th-century American landscape. Read full book review >
Cover art for TURPENTINE
FICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2007
TURPENTINE
by Spring Warren
"The journey eventually becomes tedious as Ned fails to establish an identity that satisfies both himself and the reader."
An effete easterner in western guise rambles across the 19th-century American landscape. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BLACK DIAMOND DETECTIVE AGENCY
FICTION
Released: June 1, 2007
THE BLACK DIAMOND DETECTIVE AGENCY
by Eddie Campbell, illustrated by Eddie Campbell
"The veteran artist rises to a new challenge."
A visually stunning graphic narrative with all sorts of complicated plot twists. Read full book review >
Cover art for SPENT
FICTION
Released: May 1, 2007
SPENT
by Joe Matt, illustrated by Joe Matt
"Not for kids, though adult readers should take some pleasure knowing that they're better off than Matt, at least as depicted here."
The cartoonist tests the limits of pathetic self-absorption in a volume that should appeal to his cult following but is unlikely to expand it. Read full book review >
Cover art for AYA
FICTION
Released: March 20, 2007
AYA
by Marguerite Abouet, illustrated by Clément Oubrerie
"A smart and sweetly comic glimpse of a time and place in Africa that get little attention in the West."
A young woman navigates shallow men, self-destructive friends and the newly erected class ladder in the prosperous city of Abidjan. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2006
FICTION
Released: Oct. 11, 2006
Kirkus Star THE BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2006
edited by Harvey Pekar
"A worthy launch for what appears destined to become a valuable annual anthology."
The latest addition to the publisher's venerable "Best American" series not only provides an expansive survey of the contemporary graphic landscape, but serves as an effective introduction to an art long consigned to the cultural underground. Read full book review >
Cover art for CHICKEN WITH PLUMS
FICTION
Released: Oct. 3, 2006
CHICKEN WITH PLUMS
by Marjane Satrapi
"A thin sliver of illustrated memoir that barely hits its stride before fading away."
Satrapi (Embroideries, 2005, etc.) recalls the tragic final days of her great-uncle, an Iranian musician who died of a broken heart after his wife destroyed his favorite instrument. Read full book review >