Anthologies, Art, comic books, Comics, Fred Patten, Reviews

Comics About Cartoonists: Stories About the World’s Oddest Profession

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Comics About Cartoonists: Stories About the World’s Oddest Profession
Editor:  Craig Yoe
Publisher:  IDW Publishing
Language:  English
ISBN-10:  1-613-77346-3
ISBN-13:  978-1-613-77346-8

This is indeed an odd tome.  It is a 229-page anthology of newspaper and comic book cartoonists drawing about their profession.  Not “how to draw” lessons, either.  Editor Yoe has combed the archives of old newspapers and comic books from roughly 1910 to 1960 and found “funny drawings” in which the cartoonists (sometimes working with scripts by others) have depicted stories about the cartooning profession.  The reprinted newspaper strips are usually in black-&-white as they were published; the comic-book reprints are in full, garish color.

Many of the comic-book stories are about cartoonists who draw themselves into their own stories.  These range from realistic art – the “Inky” Wells cartoonist who falls in love with his model, from a 1955 romance comic, looks just like comic-book artist Jack Kirby, whose photograph is well-known – to the fanciful – surely funny-animal cartoonist Al Stahl (1958), who draws himself falling asleep at his drawing board and falls into his world of talking rabbits and policeman lions, did not really look like something out of a carnival funhouse’s distorted mirror.  Most of the comic-book stories are six or eight pages.  Famous newspaper cartoonists Milton Caniff (“Terry and the Pirates”; “Steve Canyon”) and Chester Gould (“Dick Tracy”) are present in one-page promo autobiographies in which they have drawn themselves in the style of their heroes.  Bud Fisher (“Mutt and Jeff, 1919) draws himself getting contradictory demands from his editors for six panels (“More Republican jokes; No, more Democratic jokes; Ridicule the Bolsheviks; Lay off the Russians); in the seventh panel he commits suicide. Continue reading →

enhanced books, Gina Ruiz, History, Middle Grade Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Reviews

Scholastic Discover More: World War II

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Scholastic Discover More: World War II
Author: Sean Callery
Publisher: Scholastic Reference (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545479754
ISBN-13: 978-0545479752

I’m quickly learning to love the Scholastic Discover More series of books. The grandchildren love them and for me, they are a wealth of information.

In World War II, a visual history of the world’s darkest days, there are plenty of full color photographs, as well as some stunning black and whites and infographic type pages laid out in a way that is appealing to most children. Also provided is a free digital companion book that kids and parents can access either on Mac or PC through Scholastic’s Discover More website. Continue reading →

Fiction, Gina Ruiz, Sci-Fi, Science Fiction, YA

The Originals

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The Originals
Author: Cat Patrick
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 7, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316219436
ISBN-13: 978-0316219433

Trust Cat Patrick to write something wild and crazy, told in the most normal of voices.  I first came into contact with her work when I read Revived and was completely blown away.  When I saw The Originals, I knew I just had to read it.  I wasn’t disappointed.  The Originals tells the story of three sisters who are not triplets…they are clones.  Because their scientist/geneticist mother is on the lam and the FBI is searching for girls of their age masquerading as triplets, they are forced to live a sort of half-life; rather a third of a life.  Each girl takes a part of the day and has to be careful in how they wear their hair, clothes, etc.  One heads to school in the morning, then rushes home at lunch to switch.  The third sister takes over the evening.  Occasionally, they switch to accommodate illness or other issues.  Needless to say, it’s kind of nuts, but they take it in stride. Continue reading →

Art, Culture, History, Non-Fiction, Photography, Travel

Conflict and Costume: The Herero Tribe of Namibia

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Conflict and Costume: The Herero Tribe of Namibia
Photographer: Jim Naughten
Introduction: Lutz Marten
Publisher: Merrell Publishers (February 19, 2013)
ISBN-10: 185894600X
ISBN-13: 978-1858946009

It’s always interesting to learn about cultures and people from far away lands. That’s one of the reasons I read so much and I am well used to being swept away in time or place, but not as stunningly as with Conflict and Costume: The Herero Tribe of Nambia. I must confess, the images were so stunning – bright colors against a pale sky and desert sand; that I just had to pore over them for hours before I read the introduction or any of the text. The most striking and what keep me gazing into the photographs, were the faces. Such strength and history in the expressions. It moved me profoundly and I found myself wanting to go to Namibia and meet these people. Continue reading →

ebooks, enhanced books, Reviews, Shannon Muir, YA

Shannon Muir Reviews The Gift

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The Gift (Enhanced Ebook Edition)

Andrea J. Buchanan

Publisher: Open Road Media
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1453220232
ISBN-13: 978-1453220238

Kindle ASIN: B006X7ZU2C

This reviews the media-added ebook version of a tale originally released by Open Road Media last year, in which a young woman named Daisy discovers she has electrically charged powers. Managing those powers and keeping them secret has ended up getting her in trouble and shuttled from school to school. Being asked by one of her teachers to help out a fellow student named Vivi forces her hand, as Vivi claims to have a guardian angel who feeds of Daisy’s energy. Eventually Daisy’s best friend gets pulled in, as well as the teacher’s assistant Kevin, to who Daisy finds herself mysteriously attracted. What follows is a mystery of dreams, past lives, and breaking free to build one’s own future. There are really two strong plots here – Daisy, Vivi, Danielle and the past lives dreams mysteries is one, and a girl with electrical powers struggling to have a boyfriend and a normal life as the other. Daisy’s powers, while part of what it takes to get the past lives story moving, feels forced at points though overall its a fun journey. Continue reading →

Comics, Events

DARK HORSE ANNOUNCES WONDERCON ANAHEIM 2013 SCHEDULE!

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Dark Horse Comics is headed to California’s must-attend event on the comic book convention schedule – WonderCon Anaheim!

Join us for signings at booth #819! Free comics and/or prints with each signing while supplies last.

Tickets for signings at the Dark Horse booth will be distributed from the opening of WonderCon on Friday, March 29. Please note that lines may be capped or tickets issued for any signing as needed. Inquire about your favorite signings as early as possible. Some restrictions apply. All events are subject to change.

Comics, books, and collectibles will be available for purchase from Dark Horse or your favorite retailer.
DARK HORSE SIGNINGS

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:00 p.m. BEANWORLD signing with creator Larry Marder

-Free Beanworld action figures and sketch cards

2:00 p.m. CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT signing with writer Josh Williamson

-Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Felipe Massafera

3:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER signing with writer Gene Yang

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Gurihiru

TICKETED EVENT

5:00 p.m. STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI signing with inker Dan Parsons

-Free Dawn of the Jedi #1 while supplies last

6:00 p.m. USAGI YOJIMBO/47 RONIN signing with creator Stan Sakai

-Free 47 Ronin #1

Check out the Usagi Yojimbo: Way of the Ronin iOS game

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

10:00 a.m. HUSBANDS signing with cocreators Jane Espenson and Brad Bell

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Ron Chan

11:00 a.m. NUMBER 13 signing with artist/writer Robert Love and writer David Walker

-Free Number 13 comic

12:00 p.m. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER signing with writer Gene Yang

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Gurihiru

TICKETED EVENT

1:00 p.m. X signing with artist Eric Nguyen

-Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Eric Nguyen

2:00 p.m. BUFFYVERSE signing with artist Georges Jeanty, writer Andrew Chambliss (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and writer Christos Gage (Angel & Faith)

-Free Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 and Angel & Faith comics, Angel and Spike buttons, and Whedonverse wristbands

3:00 p.m. STAR WARS signing with artist Carlos D’Anda and colorist Gabe Eltaeb

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring a dramatic panel by Carlos D’Anda and Gabe Eltaeb from the upcoming Star Wars #4 issue

TICKETED EVENT

4:00 p.m. THE TRUE LIVES OF THE FABULOUS KILLJOYS signing with creator Gerard Way

-Free 5.5” x 8.5” print featuring art by Becky Cloonan

TICKETED EVENT

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

10:00 a.m. THE ART OF REMEMBER ME signing with DONTNOD art director Aleksi Briclot, DONTNOD creative director Jean-Max Moris, and Capcom producer Mat Hart

-Free 11” x 17” The Art of Remember Me print

11:00 a.m. MIND MGMT signing with creator Matt Kindt

-Free 11” x 17” MIND MGMT print

12:00 p.m. STAR WARS: DARK TIMES signing with writer Randy Stradley

-Free Star Wars: Dark Times—Fire Carrier #1

1:00 p.m. THE LAST OF US signing with Naughty Dog creative director Neil Druckmann

-Free 11” x 17” print featuring art by Julián Totino Tedesco from the upcoming comic The Last of Us: American Dreams

3:30 p.m. STAR WARS: LEGACY VOLUME II signing with writer/artist Gabriel Hardman and writer Corinna Bechko

TICKETED EVENT * Limit five comics per person

DARK HORSE PANELS

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Avatar: The Search for Zuko’s Mom, Room 208AB

1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Geek & Sundry Panel of Awesome, Room 300DE

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Comics Arts Conference Session: Focus on Matt Kindt, Room 210BCD

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: From Comic to Music and Back Again! Room 300AB

6:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Buffy Season 9: The Final Arc! Room 207BCD

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Spotlight on Jane Espenson with Brad Bell, Room 207

2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Star Wars Comics in 2013! Room 207 BCD

News

Random House Children’s Books to Release Robert Cormier’s Award Winning Classics as eBooks

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The Chocolate War, I Am the Cheese and others will be available as eBooks on March 19, 2013

New York, NY (March 19, 2013)— Beverly Horowitz, VP & Publisher, Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, announced today that Robert Cormier’s classic young adult novels will be released in eBook format for the first time. Horowitz believes that “for Robert Cormier there were no taboos. What mattered was the way that difficult topics were handled. These dynamic novels still speak to readers and are now more relevant and accessible than ever.” Cormier’s novels have delighted, challenged and generated discussion among readers for more than 30 years in print, and now they will be available to a new generation of readers as eBooks. The new editions will be available March 19th wherever eBooks are sold.

Random House will launch the program with twelve titles: Fade, Heroes, In the Middle of the Night, Tunes for Bears to Dance To, We All Fall Down, After the First Death, 8 Plus 1, Beyond the Chocolate War, The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, I Am the Cheese, The Chocolate War and Tenderness. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, publishes Robert Cormier’s classic novels in hardcover, and the Ember and Laurel-Leaf imprints will continue to publish his trade paperback editions.

A tireless warrior in the crusade for realistic young adult fiction, Cormier not only changed the landscape of young adult literature but also pushed the boundaries of what could be discussed in the classroom. He was ahead of his time in dealing with issues of bullying and the importance of independent thought. “I take real people and put them in extraordinary situations,” he said in an interview with School Library Journal. “I’m very interested in intimidation. And the way people manipulate other people, [as well as] the obvious abuse of authority.”

In 1974, The Chocolate War, was published to instant critical praise and secured Cormier a perennial spot in the annals of classic teen fiction. The New York Times praised its “powerful integration of the personal, political and moral.”

Robert Cormier is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring his lifetime contributions in writing for teens, for The Chocolate War, I Am the Cheese and After the First Death. He was born, and lived the entirety of his life, in Leominster, Massachusetts. As a freshman at Fitchburg State College, Cormier published his first short story, The Sign, in a national Catholic magazine. After a brief stint scripting radio commercials after college, Cormier went on to become an award-winning journalist and author. Despite his fame, he never stopped writing for his local newspaper, The Fitchburg Sentinel.

Alfred A. Knopf Books For Young Readers | March 19, 2013 | $7.99 | Ages 12 and up

Tenderness

9780385729871

The Chocolate War

9780307834294

I Am the Cheese

9780307834287

The Bumblebee

Flies Anyway

9780307834270

Beyond the

Chocolate War

9780307834263

8 Plus 1

9780307834256

After the First Death

9780307834249

We All Fall Down

9780307549075

Tunes for Bears

to Dance To

9780307548443

In the Middle

of the Night

9780307532527

Heroes

9780307530813

Fade

9780307523310

Random House Books for Young Readers is an imprint of the Random House Children’s Books division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann. Visit us on the Web at RandomHouseKids.com.

Get the latest updates and news from Random House Children’s Books!

Follow us on Twitter: @RandomHouseKids

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/randomhousekids

Art, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Gina Ruiz, Reviews

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest

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DeLint_CatsofTanglewood_HC

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest
Charles de Lint (Author), Charles Vess (Illustrator)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316053570
ISBN-13: 978-0316053570

The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is a fairytale that reads like those old epic stories that tell of someone seemingly ordinary, but who has an extraordinarily kind heart. In the old stories, that was your hero who went on a long quest, filled with adventure, mystery and danger. At the heart of this tale is Lillian, a red-headed girl who loves to run and play in the forest, seeking out fairies and daydreaming under trees. She’s close to the earth and her kindness shows. She has respect for nature, respect for magic and is a lover of tales. You immediately love her and are drawn into her world with the beautiful writing of Charles de Lint, an expert at telling tales. His words paint a vivid and marvelous world full of magic. Charles Vess’ artwork, as always is dreamy, lush and gorgeous. His colors and brushstrokes pull you farther into this world that seems so real. The story makes you feel at home and it also takes you back into your childhood, reminding you of those hours you spent curled up with an old fairytale adventure, being transported into that world. Continue reading →

News, Reviews & Interviews