Creating and Maintaining your adult Graphic Novel collectionLaverne MannMercer Cty. Library System‘Redhead Fangirl’

A format not a genre! The graphic novel is a form suited to the contemporary age. I contend that the graphic novel will continue to displace (if never completely replace) purely textual writing and that it will eventually become the most popular form of reading.-Stephen E. Tabachnick, professor, University of Memphis A comic-book world, World Literature Today, March – April 2007

UNSHELVED..still work to do promoting comics

Reality of graphic novels; breaking some mythsThe average age for a graphic novel reader is 30In other countries, graphic literature is widely accepted for all agesMany graphic novels require the reader’s ability to take both written and drawn cues in order to fully comprehend the writer’s/artist’s meaning, thus requiring a higher reading levelPawuk, Mike. Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga andMore. Greenwood Publishing, Conn. 2007

Criteria for selectionLanguageImagery – Violence, SexContent– politics, drug use.Theme – “real world”Synthesis of drawn and written cues

The publishing dirt..Graphic Novel Sales up in 2008Despite  U.S. EconomyICv2 says sales grew 5% to $395 millionSales faster in bookstores than comic shops“Kids and Tweens” GNs 134% increase in number of titles (underserved)ICv2.com insider’s guide

ICv2.com insider’s guide

Watchmen sales broke all sales records with 900,000 copies in 2008

Selling to libraries..GN sales grew in 2008, up to $35 million“hard fit for the library process, rely heavily on reviews and comic book publishers aren’t famous for soliciting reviews”- PW 7/13/09Growth in library sales continue in 200926.5% librarians said acquisitions would be up more than 10% in ’09-And 24% at least up to 10% In April 2009…Baker and Taylor sold 12, 791 paperbacks and 1274 hardback GNs to library market.

Manga sales drop in 2008Declined from $210 million to $175 millionEconomic downturn affected purchasing power of manga’s younger audience more than older comic/GN crowdLess manga related Anime series on Cartoon NetworkDoing well: Vampire Knight (Viz Media)Chibi Vampire (Tokyopop)

Comic books and readingAssist Poor ReadersConnect with visual learnersStrong language arts skillsUnmotivated and ‘dormant’ readersEducational messagesExplore other literatureEngage Adult ReadersUblib.buffalo.edu/lml/comics/pages/readling.html

Selection GuidelinesPopularityFan magazines, web sitesTie-ins to TV shows, movies, games, toysAge level, target audienceGenreSuperhero, fantasy most prevalentscifi, humor, graphic nonfictionWriting quality and artistic qualityArtistic style- manga, cartoon artWriters and artists with strong fan following (Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, Brian Michael Bendis)Ublib.buffalo.edu/lml/comics/pages/selection.html

Award winning graphic novelsEisnerFinest stories, publications and creators in the medium. Will Eisner, creator of GN format.HarveyVoted on only by industry professionals. Named after Harvey Kurtzman, co founder of MAD magazine.KirbyPresident Obama is a Spider-Man and Conan comics fan!

Review and Graphic Novel sources:*New York Times– Graphic Books Bestseller Listhttp://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/Library JournalSchool Library JournalBooklist GN issueVOYABaker and Taylor: Imagery (btol.com)Comic Store News (CSN)Teenreads.com (manga)icv2.combookshelf.diamondcomics.com - GET by EMAILcomics2film.comcomicworthreading.comgraphicnovels.brodart.comkidslovecomics.comdccomics.commarvel.comdarkhorse.com

Graphic Novels to FilmRoad to Perdition (Max Collins)A History of Violence (Vince Locke)Watchmen, V for Vendetta (Alan Moore)Sin City, 300 (Frank Miller)Ghost WorldWantedSuperheroes: X-men, Spider-Man, Superman, Daredevil, Iron Man.Coming…Thor, The Avengers, Y the Last Man…

Hot from 2008-2009Bottomless belly buttonHeavy LiquidJokerToo cool to be forgottenLife Sucks (Yalsa)Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born, The Long Road HomeIncognegroEcho: Moon LakeSkimUmbrella AcademyRunaways: Dead End KidsAsteriosPolypMarvel Pride & Prejudice

Stitches by David SmallGRAPHIC MEMOIRHis black and white watercolors portray a family in 1950's Detroit.Radiologist father uses X-rays to cure sinus problems on David-- brother escapes to his drum set-- and his unhappy and judgmental mother rules the roost.Art as redemption novelDavid always draws his own world and eventually grows into praise for his work. Release date is September 2009- will beTopGN of 2009 list.

What it is- Lynda BarryWriter and cartoonist shows readers how she makes art and encourages us to make our own.

Cairo- G. Willow WilsonA gripping narrative, mixing magic, politics and romancethe knowledgeable view of the Islamic world and interesting visual effects.

Tonoharu- Lars Martinson Daniel Wells begins a new life as an assistant junior high school teacher in the rural Japanese village of Tonoharu.

Tonoharu- Interior

Tales from the Starlight Drive-inMichael San Giocomo32 stories taking place over 50 years at a Drive-In Theater –-Mirroring life and the cinema with tales of crime, romance, science fiction, musicals.

The Swordby The Luna BrothersDara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers show up on her family's doorstep and demand a mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

The Swordby The Luna BrothersDara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers show up on her family's doorstep and demand a mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls). Dara Brighton is a college student whose life is changed forever when three strangers show up on her family's doorstep and demand a mystical sword. This event propels her into a dangerous quest. This is Volume 1 of an ongoing comic book series by The Luna Brothers (Joshua and Jonathan Luna, authors of Ultra and Girls).

The Alcoholicby Jonathan Ames& Dean HaspeilPart quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.Part quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

The Alcoholicby Jonathan Ames& Dean HaspeilPart quasi-autobiography and part stunning noir-realism, The Alcoholic is the story of Jonathan A. and the origin of his addiction to alcohol, the consequences of alcohol and substance abuse on his life and his eventual self-realization. Written by Jonathan Ames with art by Dean Haspiel. Published by DC Comics' Vertigo label.

Locke & Keyby Joe Hill & Gabriel RodriquezJoe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse. Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.Joe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse. Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Locke & Keyby Joe Hill & Gabriel RodriquezJoe Hill is the author of the novel Heart Shaped Box and the short story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the son of Stephen and Tabitha King. Locke & Key is an ongoing comic book series from IDW Publishing and focuses on the bizarre experiences of a family in a New England mansion called Keyhouse. Stunningly original artwork by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Localby Brian Wood & Ryan KellyLocal brings together 12 issues of a comic book series reprinted as a hardcover graphic novel. Each of the twelve chapters are individual moments of Megan McKeenan's existence as she wanders from locality to locality in the United States, searching for her life. Brian Wood is the author of the critically acclaimed comic book series DMZ.

Hellboy-Mike MignolaRaised by American GIs after he was pulled from the underworld in a thwarted Nazi occult experiment, Hellboy chooses to be a force for good, battling demons with brute strength and bullets.

Jamilti-Rutu Modan Set in Israel during throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, these evocative and haunting short stories range from revelations of disturbing family secrets to beauty amid political violence.

Nat Turner-Kyle BakerBaker illustrates the violence and brutality of the largest organized rebellion of enslaved people in the first half of the 19th century. Graphic Nonfiction

J. Edgar Hoover: a graphic biography-Rick GearyGeary's detailed and engaging account of J. Edgar Hoover's rise within the FBI is an informative history of the agency itself.

The Twelve by Michael StraczynskiIn 1940, a team of twelve crime fighters get frozen during a raid on Germany.They are found 60 years later and must adjust to a new world

The Twelve Interior

The Twilight Zone Graphic AdaptationsGraphic adaptations of some of the more popular stories from the Twilight Zone

Twilight Zone interior

Thank You!Redhead Fangirl blogredlibcomic.blogspot.comTwitter: RedheadFangirlNing.com/redheadfangirlLaverne Mann (liblave@gmail.com)Thanks to David Lisa, Karla Iverson and Tyler Rousseau for use of their NJLA slides.