Customer Reviews

The 101 Best Graphic Novels

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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I thought this would be a list of adult grahic novels, like those of Harvey Pekar. A few were, but many were for children or comic book collectors. I do not think some of them really qualify as graphic novels. From the term "your library" I understood my own personal library, but seems it is for public librarians serving a mixed public. Fine, but I did not see that in the editorial description.

If you're a graphic novel fan you'll want to keep up with the best using THE 101 BEST GRAPHIC NOVELS as your guide. Here's a concise, updated reference to the best which includes such extensive revision that over half the listings are new - and reflect the best in manga art, too. A diverse range of in-print graphic novel styles is represented, a new section includes books about comics, and the result is a top selection including summaries of offerings and background detail.

I received the book and it is just what I wanted....a great resource. I teach Language Arts in Junior High and I wanted a list of graphic novels to guide me in my purchases as to suitability and content. It has certainly provided direction.

As an educator trying to get a handle on graphic novels and comics in literacy education, this was an excellent starting point (along with Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art). The selections, descriptions, and rating were helpful and accurate. It's been an excellent guide.

The entries are listed alphabetical by author, and I only wish that there were alternate indexes (by ratings or subject). However, it did force me to expand my initial interests...not a stress for a brief book.

I would strongly recommend this for any reader, teacher, librarian, teacher educator, or parent with an interest in comics or graphic novels--it can introduce you to a variety of titles or expand your existing readings.

The main problem with this book is the list itself. There are far too many books aimed at children and teens, and not enough for the mature reader. The author seems to have stopped reading the latest books, and is trapped by the classic, easy insertions. How can you leave out "Road to Perdition" and "A History of Violence" ? Sure, Spiderman and Superman are fine, but both of these are more comic book and less graphic novel. The term Graphic Novel has moved beyond the superhero stage.

This book was written as an introductory guide to the the world of graphic novels because graphic novels and comics have become such an intregal part of mainstream culture in recent years. While noting the best books, I worked hard to balance the variety of types of graphic novels published for different audiences. If you do read this book, you'll probably discover some real gems as well as plenty of good graphic novels. You'll also get ideas on what to read next.

I hate the term "graphic novel," and I hate the word "comics" even more. The former is clumsy and inelegant. The latter has too many unhappy connotations to be useful or descriptive. I really wish somebody would come up with a better label.

But until that happens, it seems to me we can do a better job of analyzing what we mean when we use the terms. Otherwise, we risk conflating graphic novels, comics, and comic books. I think this is the trap that Stephen Weiner falls into in his 101 Best Graphic Novels. How in the world can the superhero comic book stuff churned out by DC and Marvel Comics fall into the same category as the artistic gems published by the likes of Fantagraphics?! This isn't to say that there's no room for comic books (although--full disclosure--they're not my cup of tea). It's just to suggest that equating a story about Batman with the stuff that a Harvey Pekar, Jason Lutes, R. Crumb, or Eileen Forney (who didn't make it into Weiner's book, by the way!) produces seems a category mistake, to say the least.

Weiner's survey is helpful, though. It introduced me to a couple of interesting titles that I didn't know, and I appreciated even his discussion of the comic book stuff. But again: what we need is a good, thoughtful analysis of this new art genre that so many of us admire, but so few of us as yet understand.