Thursday, December 10, 2009

GRAPHIC NOVELS

I've been working on some graphic novel ideas. Here's a sample picture from a nonfiction graphic novel I want to do:



I've also been reading a lot of graphic novels - memoirs specifically. My favorite is called THE ALCOHOLIC. It's sad, funny, and just right. I think it's my favorite. I read a very pretentious graphic novel called FUN HOME. Even though the vocabulary was ridiculous (I swear you need a good dictionary and your brain power to get through it) I still enjoyed it. It's about a woman who comes to grip with her father's sexuality, and her own. I also just finished a rather large one called BLANKETS. It's about a first love. I really liked this one, though I found the ending a bit abrupt.

I'm thinking again about how I could make a graphic novel about my teen years. They were AWFUL. I know there's a lot of that out there but I think there's room for one more. We shall see.

If any of you know of a good graphic novel to read - adult or kids' - please let me know!

10 comments:

Jean Wogaman said...

You're probably already aware of STITCHES by David Small and STORM IN THE BARN by Matt Phelan. I'd also recommend INTO THE VOLCANO by Don Wood. RUN FAR, RUN FAST by Timothy Decker is an interesting example of historical fiction, although I think the faces of the characters could stand to be more expressive.

Dad said...

I loved Fun Home and you're spot on about the vocab. I felt like I was studying for the SAT's or something! Here are a few good ones I've read recently: American Born Chinese, Blue Pills, Laika, & The Eternal Smile.

Steve Emond said...

I recommend Tiny Giants or Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell.

Frank Dormer said...

Asterios Polyp
Persepolis
Maus
The Rabbi's Cat
The Rabbi's Cat 2
Klezmer

Hope it helps!

Frank
frankwdormer.com

Christine Tripp said...

"Mom's Cancer" by author/illustrator Brian Fies, publisher Abrams, is excellent.

http://www.momscancer.com/

Another is "The Tale of One Bad Rat" by author/illustrator Bryan Talbot. Here the lines of comic book and Graphic Novel blur.

Erik Brooks said...

I'll second the nod for Mom's Cancer. With your bent for non-fiction, you might also enjoy Laika by Nick Abadzis. It about the Soviet attempts to put a dog into space during the thick of the space race. A true story and a great medium for the telling. Robot Dreams, by Sara Varon and Spiral Bound, by Aaron Renier are also great. A little on the sweeter side, but with subtle mysteries and touching undertones of their own.

Meghan McCarthy said...

Thanks guys! I"m going to hunt them all down. If any of you have more suggestions, keep them coming.

James said...

I really like Little Things, A Memoir In Slices by Jeffrey Brown. He also has another book which I also enjoyed called Funny Misshapen Body.

Girls BooK said...

I sure you will make successful and interesting book for girls.You nice topics on graphic novel that nice scope.

jack said...
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