Graphic novelist Kristen Radtke narrates her study and considerations of the differences between aloneness, loneliness, and social deprivation at a pace that allows listeners to follow her combination of research and reflection. In spite of this, and in spite of the compelling content, the production suffers from the mistake of ignoring the content that her masterful sequential art provided in the original, flattening the affect of her presentation. This reviewer wonders if this production can be termed "unabridged," given the loss of vital information and mood setting the original text acquires from its format. Because Radtke, an excellent cartoonist, researcher, and thinker, is not a professional narrator, there seems to be little gained by this audiobook edition of her work.
Pub Date: July 13, 2021
Duration: 2 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593460832
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Darrin Bell narrates this audio adaptation of his graphic memoir with assists from his son (portraying himself) and two professional actors. Between them, Brittany Bradford and William DeMerrit realize dozens of fully individuated characters: Bell's younger self, along with his parents (an interracial couple), childhood friends, teachers, college classmates, professional colleagues, and even cops and schoolyard bullies. Complemented by thoughtful sound design, they deliver tour-de-force performances that bring to life Bell's dialogue and reveal the critical interactions that formed his identity as a biracial Black man in America. Sadly, Bell's own voice--a little nasal, largely without affect, and untrained in vocal arts--makes for a thin accompaniment. Nonetheless, the power of his story will carry listeners along.
Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2024
Duration: 3 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250381248
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Marvel Comics fans will love this behind-the-scenes look at the creation of many of the company's lesser-known characters, such as Killraven, Man-Thing, Omega the Unknown, and others. Todd Menesses delivers a punchy, well-paced work with welcome enthusiasm about the subject matter. Clearly, he gets it. There is a slight problem with his pronunciation of some words like "genre," "analogous," and a few names, but it's a minor distraction. This is an audiobook for the true comics fan, not for the casual reader. The insights into creators like Steve Englehart, Steve Gerber and Don McGregor are worth the price of admission. For those who remember the era, this audiobook is a treasure trove of memories.
Pub Date: May 15, 2023
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798350804546
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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