Midwest Book Review

October 2009

The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers.


PS ComicsPS Comics
Minty Lewis
Secret Acres
75-22 37th Avenue, #452, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
9780979960932, $11.00, www.secretacres.com

Critically acclaimed award winning comic series "PS Comics" is now available in a simple and easy to follow format. Following the adventures of anthropomorphic fruit and animals, the characters of PS Comics face the problems any other adult would face, as readers relate to the stories even if they don't share the same species or biological kingdom with said character. "PS Comics" is an endlessly entertaining read, and quite the treasure.

Manga Kamishibal HCManga Kamishibai
Eric P. Nash, author
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10011
9780810953031 $35.00 www.abramsbooks.com 1-800-759-0190

Filled with over 250 gorgeous, full-color illustrations, including some reproduced for the first time from Japanese archives, Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater is the amazing history of this nearly-extinct Japanese art form that predated modern-day Japanese comic books and manga. In the 1930's, storytellers would journey to villages during the day and set up butais (small wooden prosceniums), then use illustrated boards combined with lively narration to spin tales ranging from Westerns to period pieces, traditional folk tales, melodramas, and even nightly news reports on World War II. Skilled storytellers would apply their talents to acting out the parts of each character, with different voices and facial expressions. The text of Manga Kamishibai includes a wealth of research and interviews, revealing the history of this amazing art form. An indispensable "missing link" of manga history, highly recommended especially for college library and other shelves dedicated to the history of manga and comics.

Modern Masters Vol. 20 Kyle Baker ScModern Masters V. 20: Kyle Baker
Eric Nolen-Weatherington, Editor
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490083, $14.95 www.twomorrows.com

Cartoon artist Kyle Baker is known for his funny comic productions, but he does do serious works too - and this collection blends black and white examples of his work with detailed interviews on how he works with characters, plots and properties to produce exceptional results. Any library strong in modern cartoon artists needs this survey of the extent of his works, which will interest any enthusiast of either Baker or cartoons in general.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promoting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no funds from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, internet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested individuals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review 278 Orchard Drive Oregon, WI 53575-1129

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review