Madame Bovery

Wed, 02/20/2008 - 12:32am by anned

In Gemma Bovery, British cartoonist Posy Simmonds brilliantly tells a story that is only possible in graphic novel form. Gemma is a British Francophile who is always dreaming of a better life. The story is structured around Flaubert's Madame Bovary and is narrated by Gemma's neighbor. The narration appears as printed text on the same page as handwritten excerpts from Gemma's diary, juxtaposed with objective comics sequences of what actually took place on the day in question. All of these elements are occurring simultaneously, letting the reader in on different points of view. Genius! Gemma Bovery first ran as a 100-episode serial for The Guardian. Simmonds' latest book, Tamara Drewe, was released in the UK last November. If you've never read one of her children's books you're missing out. Fred is my absolute favorite. Interested in knowing every conceivable detail of Posy Simmonds life? Check out the voluminous interview in the November 2007 issue of The Comics Journal.

Meet Mat in Malaysia, in Lat's Graphic Novel, Kampung Boy

Mon, 02/18/2008 - 8:30pm by erin

Kampung Boy by one of the most beloved cartoonists of Southeast Asia, Lat tell the story of Mat, a Muslim boy growing up on a rubber plantation in rural 1950s Malaysia. The sequel, Town Boy follows Mat as he attends boarding school, moves to the city and experiences budding romance and a growing passion for art. Recently available in the US Lat's autobiographical stories will take you to a time and a place that barely exists in Malaysia anymore. The warm and expressive pen-and-ink drawings will draw you into Mat's world.

Girl Got Game

Mon, 02/18/2008 - 10:59am by joy k

Tired of sports stories being all about the guys? Check out Girl Got Game, a manga series by Shizuru Seino. It’s the story of Kyo, a girl who’s excited about attending her new high school until she learns her father has registered her as a boy so she can pursue his dream to play in the NBA. Unwilling to disappoint him, she goes along with the ploy. But as Kyo’s about to find out, masquerading as a guy isn’t going to be easy. If you enjoyed the sports action of Crimson Hero and the gender comedy Ouran High School Host Club, you won’t want to miss this one.

Saiyuki

Thu, 02/07/2008 - 5:37pm by joy k

Journey to the extreme with Sanzo, Hakkai, Gojyo, and Goku in Kazuya Minekura’s manga series Saiyuki. Sanzo, a Buddhist priest, has to travel to India to reclaim the sutras stolen from his murdered master. This retelling of the traditional Chinese novel Journey to the West (also known as Monkey) updates the epic for modern readers with lots of action, slang-filled dialogue, and cheerful anachronisms (such as a dragon that transforms into a jeep).

Vampire Knight

Tue, 01/29/2008 - 4:53pm by joy k

Looking for something to read after Twilight? Try the manga series Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino. Yuki is one of the guardians of Cross Academy, an elite private high school with a night class full of vampires and a day class that has to be shielded from them. Can Yuki protect her classmates while managing her own fascination with the darkly handsome vampire who saved her life so many years ago? And what will happen when the other school guardian begins to discover his dark side?

Congratulations to Persepolis on an Oscar nomination!

Thu, 01/24/2008 - 9:51am by anned

The three films nominated for best animated feature are an interesting mix: Ratatouille, a computer-animated Pixar film about a rat who becomes a great chef, directed and written by Oscar winner Brad Bird; Persepolis, a sparsely drawn, largely black-and-white French film based on the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi that takes an autobiographical look at growing up in revolutionary Iran; and Surf's Up, another computer-animated film about penguins. Persepolis will be playing at the Michigan Theater beginning February 15.

Stardust

Wed, 01/23/2008 - 7:22pm by Cherie Lee

Best movie of 2007 (in my opinion anyway) now available at the library! It's based on the illustrated novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman. If you haven't seen it, put it on hold or rent it from our Zoom Lends today!

I was expecting to be supremely disappointed by this movie, but watching an interview with Neil Gaiman coaxed me into seeing it. I'm glad I did. I loved this movie. This was one of the best fantasy movies I've seen in years. Period. I really shouldn't have doubted Neil. Of course, to be fair, it was actually Hollywood I was doubting which I think is entirely fair. The God of movies is often fickle and cruel, but every so often true gems fall to Earth from his devilish workshop and Stardust is one of those gems.

The Sandman

Wed, 01/02/2008 - 8:17pm by Cherie Lee

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Recently I started reading Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series of graphic novels. This is the story of the real Sandman, master of dreams, also known as Morpheus, Dream King, or simply, Dream. He is one of the Endless--immortal entities of which there are: Destiny, Death, Dream, Desire, Dispair, and Delirium (and one that fled the fold). The Sandman is closest with his sister Death who is a very lovable character in spite of (or perhaps because of?) her job.

After School Nightmare

Wed, 12/19/2007 - 1:38pm by joy k

Ichijou Mashiro is one of the top students at his elite private school. But his education takes a turn for the surreal when he’s enrolled in a special after-hours class—one that’s required for graduation. Can he find a way to pass the class without having his deepest secrets exposed? Find out in the manga series After School Nightmare, by Setona Mizushiro. The beautiful art, the spooky storyline, and ongoing mystery will have you waiting anxiously for the next volume.

After School Nightmare has been nominated for this year’s Great Graphic Novel for Teens list from the Young Adult Library Services Association; if you're a graphic novel fan, be sure to check out the full list of nominees.

Crimson Hero

Tue, 12/04/2007 - 11:19am by joy k

Crimson Hero is the story of Nobara, a talented teen volleyball player. She dreams about winning the interhigh volleyball championship, but her new high school has just disbanded the girls’ varsity team, citing a lack of interest. Can Nobara put together a team good enough to win--and avoid being distracted by the boys’ team’s star rookies? Put a hold on volume 1 to find out!