the year's best graphic novels 2008

The Year’sBest Graphic Novels 2008

Karla IvarsonDavid Lisa

Laverne MannTyler

Rousseau

What it is- Lynda BarryWriter and cartoonist shows readers how she makes art

and encourages us to make our own.

Interior- What It Is

Cairo- G. Willow WilsonA gripping narrative, mixing magic, politics and romance

the knowledgeable view of the Islamic world and interesting visual effects.

Interior-- Cairo- G. Willow Wilson

Tonoharu- Lars Martinson Daniel Wells begins a new life as an assistant junior high school teacher in the

rural Japanese village of Tonoharu.

Tonoharu- Interior

Tiny Titans (DC Comics) Kid-friendly versions of the Teen Titans and their rogues gallery star in this fun, light-hearted, all-ages romp beautifully written

and illustrated by Art Baltazar and Franco.

Mini Marvels (Juvenile) Featuring Spidey, Wolvie, Iron Man, Hulk and more Marvel

favorites – reimagined for an all-ages audience!

Interior- Mini Marvels (Juvenile)

Tales from the Starlight Drive-inMichael San Giocomo

32 stories taking place over 50 years at a Drive-In Theater --Mirroring life and the cinema with tales of crime, romance, science fiction, musicals.

Rapunzel’s Revenge-Shannon, Dean & Natathan Hale (Juvenile)

Transforming her shiny red locks into lightning-fast lassoes, Rapunzel rescues herself and manages to rid the kingdom of evil with Jack and

his mysterious goose.

Interior-Rapunzel’s Revenge

Hellboy-Mike Mignola Raised by American GIs after he was pulled from the underworld in a

thwarted Nazi occult experiment, Hellboy chooses to be a force for good, battling demons with brute strength and bullets.

Interior-Hellboy

Jamilti-Rutu Modan Set in Israel during throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, these

evocative and haunting short stories range from revelations of disturbing family secrets to beauty amid political violence.

Interior-Jamilti

Nat Turner-Kyle Baker Baker illustrates the violence and brutality of the largest organized rebellion of

enslaved people in the first half of the 19th century.

Interior-Nat Turner

J. Edgar Hoover: a graphic biography

-Rick GearyGeary's detailed and engaging

account of J. Edgar Hoover's rise within the FBI is an informative

history of the agency itself.

Interior-J. Edgar Hoover

The Arrival by Shaun TanAn immigrant leaves his family

and country in hopes of finding a better life somewhere else.

He travels to a new country where he cannot speak or read the language.

As he adjusts to his new life, he shares stories and customs with other residents.

The Arrival Interior

Robot Dreams by Sarah Varon

In need of a friend, a dog builds himself a robot.

Through events beyond their control, dog and robot grow apart but never stop thinking about each other.

Robot Dreams Interior

The Twelve by Michael Straczynski

In 1940, a team of twelve crime fighters get frozen during a raid on Germany.

They are found 60 years later and must adjust to a new world

The Twelve Interior

The Twilight Zone Graphic Adaptations

Graphic adaptations of some of the more popular stories from the Twilight Zone

Twilight Zone interior

The Swordby The Luna Brothers

Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers

show up on her family's doorstep and demand a

mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua

and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

The Swordby The Luna Brothers

Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers

show up on her family's doorstep and demand a

mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua

and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

The Swordby The Luna Brothers

Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers

show up on her family's doorstep and demand a

mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua

and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

The Alcoholicby Jonathan Ames

& Dean Haspeil

Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism,

The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the

consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life

and his eventual self-realization.  Written by

Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

The Alcoholicby Jonathan Ames

& Dean Haspeil

Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism,

The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the

consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life

and his eventual self-realization.  Written by

Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

The Alcoholicby Jonathan Ames

& Dean Haspeil

Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism,

The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the

consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life

and his eventual self-realization.  Written by

Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

The Alcoholicby Jonathan Ames

& Dean Haspeil

Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism,

The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the

consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life

and his eventual self-realization.  Written by

Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

Locke & Keyby Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriquez

Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short

story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of

Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book

series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences

of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse.

Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Locke & Keyby Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriquez

Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short

story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of

Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book

series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences

of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse.

Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Locke & Keyby Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriquez

Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short

story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of

Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book

series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences

of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse.

Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Zot!1987-1991: The Complete Black and White Collection

by Scott McCloud

Scott McCloud’s comic book series Zot! was originally published from

1984 to 1990 by Eclipse Comics.The first 10 issues are in color and, unfortunately, out of print. This volume, however,

collects #'s 11 - 36, all of the black and white issues, and can be read as a self-contained story. Zot! is

the story of Jenny and her friendship with a superhero from

another world.

Zot!1987-1991: The Complete Black and White Collection

by Scott McCloud

Scott McCloud’s comic book series Zot! was originally published from

1984 to 1990 by Eclipse Comics.The first 10 issues are in color and, unfortunately, out of print. This volume, however,

collects #'s 11 - 36, all of the black and white issues, and can be read as a self-contained story. Zot! is

the story of Jenny and her friendship with a superhero from

another world.

Localby Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly

Local brings together 12 issues of a comic book series reprinted as a hardcover graphic novel.

Each of the twelve chapters are individual moments of Megan McKeenan's existence as she

wanders from locality to locality in the United States, searching for her life. Brian Wood is the author of the critically acclaimed comic

book series DMZ.

Localby Brian Wood & Ryan Kelly

Local brings together 12 issues of a comic book series reprinted as a hardcover graphic novel.

Each of the twelve chapters are individual moments of Megan McKeenan's existence as she

wanders from locality to locality in the United States, searching for her life. Brian Wood is the author of the critically acclaimed comic

book series DMZ.

Questions?

Thank You!

• Karla Ivarson (kivarson@gmail.com)• David Lisa (davidlisa@davidlisa.com))• Laverne Mann (liblave@gmail.com)• Tyler Rousseau (tyler.rousseau@gmail.com)

Several of the graphic novels covered in this presentation can be purchased at the 2009 NJLA Annual Conference Bookstore.