shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 23, 2017 20:32:19 GMT -5
Advance Warning: Graphic Novel Quest 2017 In past years, March has been a recognition of Read A Graphic Novel Week, but this year I thought we'd try to take things to the next level. Instead of just writing about graphic novels you may or not pick up in the month of March, I thought we'd celebrate the spirit of Will Eisner and of comics in general by undertaking our own individual quests with two goals in mind: 1. Check out some (not just one) graphic novels you've heard good things about, especially those "game changers" that take you out of your comfort zone and introduce you to a new way of looking at comics, and 2. Share the love! Make a goal of sharing graphic novels with non-comic book readers in your life, as well as people here who may not have read what you've read. Thus, we expand our own understanding of, and appreciation for, comics as an art form while sharing the love with others as well. In practical application, this means starting your own thread in the Graphic Novel Quest 2017 section and chronicling both your reading and your sharing there. Every participant is on a full-blown quest, not just a casual discussion of graphic novels we might or might not read. So who's ready to take their appreciation of the comic book format to the next level this March? Reply or "like" this post to let me know that you're in! A few links worth checking out:
What constitutes a "graphic novel" according to the CCF communityGraphic Novels Everyone Should ReadRead A Graphic Novel Week 2016Read A Graphic Novel Week 2015 |
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Post by MDG on Feb 24, 2017 11:40:17 GMT -5
To clarify: Is this "classic" only, or can it include new things? I've been looking for an excuse to buy My Favorite Thing is Monsters.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 24, 2017 11:52:30 GMT -5
To clarify: Is this "classic" only, or can it include new things? I've been looking for an excuse to buy My Favorite Thing is Monsters. I'd say treat it like The Classic Comics Reading Club: current material is welcome but probably shouldn't dominate. That being said, if you've already read all the great classics and are recommending them to others, that's a solid counterbalance to reading all new material. Does that help? |
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 24, 2017 11:55:37 GMT -5
I presume we are talking about original material released in a graphic novel format rather than a collection of previously published material?
This then would exclude material that was first published in serial, floppy format for purely economic reasons?
Is there a minimum page requirement to bestow the "novel" designation?
I know there was a thread but I don't feel like slogging through the whole thing and I doubt we came to an unanimous decision. But since Shax came up with this idea, I'll abide upon his answers (shudder).
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Feb 24, 2017 11:58:37 GMT -5
Is there a minimum page requirement to bestow the "novel" designation? Do they actually have to be novel? What if they're derivative? Yes...I'm being a pain in the arse today. |
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 24, 2017 12:09:31 GMT -5
Is there a minimum page requirement to bestow the "novel" designation? Do they actually have to be novel? What if they're derivative? Yes...I'm being a pain in the arse today. You must have had a plate of pickled peckers |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Feb 24, 2017 12:16:30 GMT -5
Is there a minimum page requirement to bestow the "novel" designation? Do they actually have to be novel? What if they're derivative? As we've learned in past years, everyone's definition of a "graphic novel" is different. I'd recommend going with what feels right, understanding that the spirit of the event is to step outside of your familiarity/comfort zone. A tpb collecting your favorite Spidey stories really wouldn't fit the intention, but a five page collection of woodcarvings depicting Dante's plight in the underworld absolutely would. Oh, you can do better than that  |
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Feb 24, 2017 12:26:42 GMT -5
I presume we are talking about original material released in a graphic novel format rather than a collection of previously published material? This then would exclude material that was first published in serial, floppy format for purely economic reasons? Nope. Go with what fits your personal definition of a graphic novel. For me, it's a work with a clear beginning, middle, end, and overarching plot or theme. Watchmen wasn't published as a single work, but it reads like one all the same. As I said above to Slam (replying to this post. Sorry, I saw his first) it's more about the spirit of stepping out of your comic book comfort zone to experience a meaningful comic work than anything else. And nothing is forbidden. No Graphic Novel Quest police will come knocking down your door if you choose to write about Essential She-Hulk volume 1, but a collected edition that only meets a loose definition of being a "graphic novel" because it's x number of pages is discouraged. |
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 24, 2017 12:34:31 GMT -5
I presume we are talking about original material released in a graphic novel format rather than a collection of previously published material? This then would exclude material that was first published in serial, floppy format for purely economic reasons? Nope. Go with what fits your personal definition of a graphic novel. For me, it's a work with a clear beginning, middle, end, and overarching plot or theme. Watchmen wasn't published as a single work, but it reads like one all the same. By that definition, you can then include the entire Sandman by Neil Gaiman or Y The Last Man as graphic novels among others. So be it |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 24, 2017 13:00:46 GMT -5
Nope. Go with what fits your personal definition of a graphic novel. For me, it's a work with a clear beginning, middle, end, and overarching plot or theme. Watchmen wasn't published as a single work, but it reads like one all the same. By that definition, you can then include the entire Sandman by Neil Gaiman or Y The Last Man as graphic novels among others. So be it I was actually seriously considering viewing all of Sandman as one Graphic Novel for this event. That being said, many (but not all) of the individual volumes would fit my personal definition of being graphic novels as well. |
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Post by wildfire2099 on Feb 24, 2017 20:05:51 GMT -5
Besides, it's not like there aren't series of novels out there.. especially in sci-fi and fantasy.
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Post by thwhtguardian on Mar 2, 2017 10:28:07 GMT -5
For people looking for something new I'd suggest Neil Gaiman and Alice Cooper's(Yes, that Alice Cooper) Last Temptation
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Post by Rob Allen on Mar 7, 2017 15:41:22 GMT -5
There was a vendor at Emerald City Con with half-a-dozen boxes of graphic novels for $5 each. I picked up Nexus Book One, which I've read already thanks to Cei-U! but didn't own, and True Story Swear to God and Why I Hate Saturn, which I've never read but have seen good reviews of. Separately, I bought Finder Library Volume 1 directly from Carla Speed McNeil, who was delightful. I also got Matt Fraction to autograph my hardcover of Sex Criminals Volume One, which I hadn't even opened yet. I took off the shrinkwrap when I got to his table and asked him to deflower the book, which gave him a chuckle.
I'll have plenty of reading material for my week in Cincinnati.
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shaxper
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Posts: 22,865
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Post by shaxper on Mar 7, 2017 20:21:04 GMT -5
Why I Hate Saturn, which I've never read but have seen good reviews of. It even made the Top 100 Comic Book Sagas list back in 2014. Glad Emerald City treated you well, Rob!! |
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Post by hondobrode on Mar 9, 2017 22:13:15 GMT -5
I will be participating as well.
Great idea Shax.
I'm surprised there isn't more talk on these boards of graphic novels.
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