TokyoPop - Read The Tarot Cafe GN Online for Free!!

In advance of the release of Vol.7 of the Tarot Cafe series, TokyoPop have released Vol.1-6 online for free over the next week. Click on the front cover of the graphic novel to access. Don’t worry if you miss one,  ALL the issues can be read online on Tuesday 10th June!

Classical comics bring to life Shakespeare in Graphic Detail

The idea for Classical comics came to Clive Bryant on train in October 2006 while discussing The Tipping Pointby Malcolm Gladwell. To cut a long story short, it occurred to him that if they could convert enough young people to appreciate literature by using the comic format of the graphic novel and Manga, and making them as exciting as a Spiderman comic, then they could, possibly, reach those kids and adults who find the classics boring.

These graphic renditions have had endorsements, from the likes of Patrick Stuart and Barbera Romer, founder of The New Globe Theater, New York, amongst overs.

This week saw the publication of Macbeth as an unabridged graphic novel, which is mostly the work of comic book artist Jon Howard, the illustrator of Spiderman comics, who was reluctant to learn Shakespeare himself! The creators have set out to show that it not just about words, even though the language is fantastic. Its also about acting and reacting within frames, as it was intended ,on a stage.

              

Classic comics have produced three versions of each text - Original text, with all of the play poured into speech bubbles. Plain text version, where the Jacobean language is translated into contemporary English, and a Quick text version for those who prefer less of the narrative.

Read more at http://www.classicalcomics.com/index.html

Also see http://www.selfmadehero.com/ for Manga Shakespear and over classics.

Graphic Novels - Stock Review IV

Graphic Novels aren’t just for the boys sez

  

Getting sent to stay with your stuffy grandparents for the Summer as a punishment turns out to be a lot more exciting than Lottie imagined - especially as a murder mystery needs to be solved……

When family life turns upside down a girl needs to talk about it , but will Tasha’s blog Blabbermouth be the weapon she needs to get to the truth about Jed?

Moving house and changing schools is hard enough, but as the new girl making friends is the real problem. Jane finds hers at the reject table in the cafeteria. And they just all happen to be called Jane too……….

There’s a lot of new GN out there just for girls too - let us know what you want to see in the library

Graphic Novels - Stock Review III

Spiderman - The Visual Guide to Complete Movie Trilogy  

Book 1: Everybody Loves a Hero (in Spanish)

Book 2: Stung by Fate (in English)

Very clever, fold out - double book (English and Spanish!) exploring Spideys good versus evil sides over the three movies. While full of great film stills and character histories,  there’s not quite enough inside to call it a ‘complete’ guide. Both books should have been bi-lingual to satisfy everyone, but definitely still a must have for the fans.

Graphic Novels - Stock Review II

Judge Dredd - The Complete Case Files 08 (Progs 376-423; Year 2106-2107)

What more can you say? More Dredd-ful adventure. Would you like us to buy Case files 01-07 - let us know!

Astonishing X-Men Vol.1 - Gifted  / Vol.2 - Dangerous

The X-Men are back and so is the Xavier Instute for Higher Learning. But how will they cope now a ‘cure’ for their mutations has been found and can they thwart the attack from the Breakworld aliens?

 

 

 Serenity - Those Left Behind

Joss Whedon (him of the Buffy series) pre-quel chapter to the Serenity film (itself a born of the ill fated Firefly TV series). Find a crew - find a job - keep flying ………

 

 

The Matrix Comics

Not quite what you think - 12 stories set in the world created by the Matrix films. A brilliant collection, each with individual art work, narration style and conclusions drawn from the writers’ and illustartors’ exploration of the depths of the Matrix. We loved it!

 

Do YOU agree….?

 

Graphic Novels - New Stock Review I

Don’t mistake graphic novels for kids cartoons - some deal with real life situations and often make make a impact in a way that regular history books could only dream of….

Deogratias  (16+)

This book tells the story of the Genocide in Rwanda through the eyes of a young boy. The events of the time are dealt with honestly, yet sensitively, by J.P.Strassen. But has the world learned any lessons from the events described in this sometimes harrowing novel?

See another review of the book at : http://www.grovel.org.uk/reviews/deogratias-01/deogratias-01.htm

Safe Area Gorazde (16+)

In 1994, Gorazde became the only town in Eastern Bosnia not to be ethnically cleansed by the Serbs during the Bosnian War. How did the town survive when the peace-keepers pulled out? And what impact has the legacy of this war left on our ‘New Europe’.

The Guardian also reviewed this novel.