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.


Modern Masters V. 10: Kevin Maguire
George Khoury & Eric Nolan-Weatherington
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781893905665, $14.95 www.twomorrows.com

Image from Amazon
Modern Masters Volume 10: Kevin Maguire
by George Khoury, Eric Nolen-Weathington, Kevin Maguire

In 1987 comic artist Kevin Maguire issued a 'new' Justice League comic set with a new style to attract new audiences. His ability to capture high drama using comic expressions would gain him a following for an old series, and here his approaches, insights and techniques are revealed in a series of interviews paired with black and white reproductions of his comics. Any who would understand Maguire's progress and insights, and any library strong in contemporary comic artists, needs Modern Masters V. 10: Kevin Maguire.

Gothic Classics
Ann Radcliffe, et al.
Eureka Productions
8778 Oak Grove Road, Mount Horeb, WI 53572
9780978791902, $11.95 www.graphicclassics.com

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Gothic Classics: Graphic Classics Volume 14
by Ann Radcliffe, Jane Austen, Edgar Allan Poe, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, Myla Jo Closser, Trina Robbins, Rod Lott, Antonella Caputo, Anne Timmons, Shary Flenniken

The newest addition to the fourteen volume 'Graphic Classics' series from Eureka Productions, "Gothic Classics" is the third multi-author anthology and wonderfully showcases the short story in graphic novel format. Comprising this outstanding compilation is Ann Radcliffe's archetypal gothic novel 'The Mysteries of Udopho' adapted by the collaborative work of Antonella Caputo and Carlo Vegara; the adaption of Jane Austen's gothic parody 'Northanger Abbey' by Trina Robbins and Anne Timmons; Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Oval Portrait' as illustrated by Malaysian illustrator Leon Wan Kok; Myla Jo Closser's canine ghost story 'At the Gate' which is illustrated by Shary Flenniken; and J. Sheridan Le Fanu's famous vampire tale 'Carmilla' as presented by the team of Rod Lott and Lisa K. Weber. "Gothic Classics" is very strongly recommended to illustrated graphic novel enthusiasts, as well as fans of Radcliffe, Austen, Poe, Closser, and Le Fanu. Readers, community librarians, and graphic novel collectors should visit the Eureka Productions website for a complete listing of all the titles in their continuing and highly accomplished 'Graphic Classics' series.

Our Gang
Walt Kelly
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115
9781560978503, $12.95 www.fantagraphics.com 1-800-657-1100

Image from Amazon
Our Gang Vol. 2
by Walt Kelly

The late cartoonist and political satirist Walt Kelly was best known and remembered for his 'Pogo' newspaper comic strip. What is not so well known is that from beginning in October of 1942 he wrote and drew another comic strip called 'Our Gang' which is now in the process of being rescued from an undeserved obscurity by Fantagraphics Books. The second and latest volume (which includes a new and informative introduction by Steve Thompson) is a compilation of the strip as it appeared in 1994 and 1945. The kids once again find themselves on a movie set as invited guests, but events transpire to launch them into another series of colorful adventures -- this time aboard a sailing ship, a Japanese held island, and a submarine. After this thrilling adventure comes another one closer to home for the kids where they must deal with saboteurs and spies. Reflecting a war-time America, this superb, full-color reproduction is impressively meticulous and a 'must read' for all Walt Kelly fans. Visit the Fantagraphics Books website to see all the currently available volumes of this outstanding and highly recommended series, as well as the many other professionally reproduced 'yesteryear' comics and graphic novels they have available for readers and collectors.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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