Thumbs up for Heathen, Volume 1 by Natasha Alterici. Graphic novel.
Walking through Emerald City Comic Con, I spotted some art that made me stop on a dime and walk backward. The author/artist handed me the first volume saying something like, “it’s about lesbian Vikings who go on a quest to kill Odin.” I said, “Sold.” I read it that night and went back to Alterici’s booth the next day to get an art commission.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Vixen: Return of the Lion by G. Willow Wilson, illustrated by Cafu. Fantasy graphic novel.
The shapeshifter “Vixen” goes home to Africa to avenge her mother’s death. The always-reliable G. Willow Wilson once again pleases reliably.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen. Fantasy graphic novel.
The setting owes, well, everything to Brian Jacques. The story is nothing to write home about. But the art! My God, I love the art.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Spill Zone, Volume 1 by Scott Westerfeld, illustrated by Alex Puvilland. Young adult sci-fi/horror graphic novel.
A young woman supports herself and her little sister by sneaking into the Spill Zone to take photographs. No one knows exactly what the Spill Zone is, but some bad, bad things live there. Nicely creepy, but not disgusting. Intriguing story but I can’t say I cared much for the art.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for LumberJanes, Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson. Fantasy/graphic novel/young adult.
Very cute.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli. Graphic novel.
Visually brilliant, clever, and darkly funny. Recommended for graphic novel fans.
Save… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Saga Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples. Science fiction/fantasy graphic novel.
Still fun. Though I wish the irony of the homosexual reporters hunting down a multiracial couple was a little more, you know, subtle.… >> Read more
Thumbs up for Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. Memoir, biography, graphic novel.
Any memoir that can keep me obsessively turning pages has got to be pretty amazing. The rumors are true: Alison Bechdel’s half-memoir, half-biography about how her father’s repressed homosexuality and her own more open lesbianism inform each other over the course of a lifetime is beautifully structured, wonderfully illustrated, and pleasingly literary.… >> Read more