MBR: The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Midwest Book Review
The Batcave Companion
Michael Eury & Michael Kronenberg
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
1893905780, $26.95 www.twomorrows.com
On the brink of cancellation in 1963, Batman was rescued by a comic
book artist who gave the caped crusader a new look and multimedia
stardom. The stories behind Batman's rise, fall, and resurrection are
told in THE BATCAVE COMPANION, with essays, issue-by-issue indexes,
and commentary by two artists responsible for Batman's fame and
fortunes making for an outstanding survey for any graphic novel or
cartoon history collection. Black and white illustrations throughout
bring the Batman history to life.
My Bad
Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
Andrews McMeel
300 W. 57th St., New York NY 10019
0740780905, $16.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com
Black and white and color panels from the Zits cartoon strip offer a
few new gathering of strips and images in book format, charting the
ongoing and dubious interactions between Jeremy and his family and
friends. From a Father's Day admonition to 'live like a teenager' to
funny friends, MY BAD is a compelling and fine gathering for any
general library with Zits cartoon fans.
Modern Masters Volume 19: Mike Ploog
Roger Ash & Eric Nolen-Weathington
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614
1605490075, $14.95 www.twomorrows.com
In the 1970s horror comics were big and Mike Ploog drew them better
than anyone else. His artwork continues to adorn comics and this
collection pairs a coverage of his life and achievements with a
running interview and black and white cartoon examples and strips
throughout. Any fan of fantasy art will readily recognize Ploog's name
and will welcome this insightful coverage.
Collected Jack Kirby Collector, volume seven
Jack Kirby
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490120, $29.95 www.twomorrows.com
Any fan of comic book art knows about Jack Kirby - and this amazing
seventh volume in the series offers a powerful set of black and white
cartoon images from Kirby's vast works to supplement even more
interviews and insights. Serious, all-encompassing comic libraries
need this addition to an astoundingly complex series of achievements
that are Jack Kirby's legacy.
Andrews McMeel
300 W. 57th St., New York NY 10019
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
Scott Adam's FREEDOM'S JUST ANOTHER WORD FOR PEOPLE FINDING OUT YOU'RE
USELESS (0740778153, $12.99) provides another fine collection of
Dilbert strips that cover business angst from red tape to new
technologies. Dilbert appears in over 2,000 newspapers around the
world: this collection is in color throughout and is a fine gathering
of Dilbert's best new columns. Sandy Gingras' LESSONS OF A TURTLE (THE
LITTLE BOOK OF LIFE) (0740778757, $9.99) provides a small book of cute
little turtle drawings paired with 'life lessons', making for a fun
gift. Where other affirmation books are serious, the whimsical little
cartoon turtles invite rather than dictate, making this an excellent
gift.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
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All are available for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www
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Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them
to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to
Frugalmuse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title,
author, publisher, publisher address, publisher website/phone number,
13-digit ISBN number, and list price).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review