MBR: The Graphic Novel Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.barronseduc.com
Mike Chinn and Chris McLoughlin's CREATE YOUR OWN GRAPHIC NOVEL USING
DIGITAL TECHNIQUES (0764134655, $23.99) teaches would-be graphic
novelists how to create using digital resources which save on the
usual pen/ink approach. Here are tips from pros on finding
inspiration, networking, and sketching art - with an emphasis on using
digital techniques each step of the way. The presentation - in graphic
novel format - is especially inviting to those working in the field.
Steve Marchant's THE COMPUTER CARTOON KIT: ALL YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR
OWN COMIC STRIPS (0764179403, $22.99) comes with a cd of over 100
cartoon images of people, places and objects and provides even those
who can't draw with a means for creating their own comic strip. But
you needn't be a comic strip artist to want this: any who want to use
comic art in business or personal pursuits, whether it be to enhance a
report or for personal fun, will find THE COMPUTER CARTOON KIT holds
everything needed to succeed.
Popeye: "I Yam What I Yam!"
E.C. Segar
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
1560977795 $29.95 www.fantagraphics.com
Popeye was created by E.C. Segar for his 'Thimble Theatre' and was
actually an accident, never meant to be a hit. But his Popeye
character took off and today is a standard well-known icon around the
world. Here to celebrate his evolution is Popeye: "I Yam What I Yam!":
an oversized, eye-catching catalog of strips in full color, the first
of six projected volumes, showing his evolution from a background prop
to a main character. A biographical article by historian Bill
Blackbeard and a foreword by cartoonist Jules Feiffer completes an
outstanding evolutionary survey recommended both for art libraries and
general-interest public holdings - the latter may find the oversized
volume a shelving challenge but no matter - it lends particularly well
to display.
Wally's World
Steve Starger & J. David Spurlock
Vanguard Productions
390 Campus Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873
188759180X $24.95 www.vanguardproductions.net
Wally's World: The Brilliant Life and Death of Wally Wood, the World's
2nd-Best Comic Book Artist is a pick for any interested in cartooning
history. His life reads like drama - and he was shot in 1981 on
Halloween night in a rough neighborhood, ending his life and career -
but in his time he was a rebel genius whose works and approach
inspired a generation of underground comic artists such as Robert
Crumb and Art Spiegelman. Pack color cartoon examples throughout a
biography which covers his politics, cartooning skills and influences
and you have an essential pick no collection strong in graphic novel
history should be without.
Dark Horse Books
10956 S.E. Main Street, Milwaukee, OR 97222
www.darkhorse.com
Steve Kiwus and Eightball Studios' BABES, BEASTS AND BRAWN: SCULPTURE
OF THE FANTASTIC (1593070136, $19.95) considers the history of toy
action figures in movies - and the works of toy sculptor Steve Kiwus
of Eightball Studios, a key player in this genre development. He's
created some of the most memorable limited-edition toys of comics and
fantasy figures available, and his BABES, BEASTS AND BRAWN is packed
with full-page color pictures, an in-depth 'how to' section on making
these figures, and insights into the toy and comic collector worlds
alike. No comic artist or definitive comic collection should be
without this expose of the artist, his works, and the genre of toy
comic representation. LONELY HEART: THE ART OF TARA MCPHERSON
(159852103, $19.95) surveys paintings and posters by an artist who
used her childhood and adult life experiences to explore relationships
in comic form. You'll readily recognize her works displayed here, from
rock band gig posters to ads - but this represents the first printed
collection of the entirety of her works, and as such is a 'must' for
any authoritative contemporary comic art holding.
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Midwest Book Review
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