shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 28, 2017 11:29:59 GMT -5
Shaxper's Graphic Novel Quest 2017
My personal definition of a graphic novel: A work with a clear beginning, middle, and end, as well as a unifying plot and/or theme running throughout.
What I look for in a graphic novel: Depth, meaning, something more gutsy than the kind of comics I generally read that will challenge my expectations and leave a lasting impression.
Re-reading Goals:
- Re-read works that have expanded my understanding of and appreciation for the potential of graphic storytelling, including Pratt's Corto Maltese: Ballad of the Salt Sea, Ward's God's Man, and maybe Eisner's Contract with God and Name of the Game, Lee and Kirby's Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience, Kelly's I Kill Giants, or Moore's V for Vendetta.
New Reading Goals:
- Hit up Half Price Books and the library to pick up at least three graphic novels I've never read before that look like they'll take me out of my reading comfort zone, likely including Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp
- Accept at least two graphic novel recommendations from fellow members.
Sharing Goals:
- Put a graphic novel in the hands of at least five people I know.
- Offer recommendations to other members participating in this event based upon what they are reading and looking for.
I think I can easily accomplish all of this in a month. I look forward to documenting my progress here, as well as following the progress of other members in their own threads!
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Feb 28, 2017 20:46:01 GMT -5
Already deployed!
I've loaned out Usagi Yojimbo: Samurai to a friend of mine who complains that he loves the concept of comics but is sick of superheroes. He's big on fantasy and Eastern philosophy, so I think he'll enjoy himself.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 1, 2017 12:47:15 GMT -5
Rockin' Corto Maltese: Ballad of the Salt Sea at work today. Already have a non-comic reading colleague who wants to borrow it when I'm done rereading  |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 2, 2017 9:13:55 GMT -5
Loving sitting back and reading Corto Maltese: Ballad of the Salt Sea in my work breakroom. For anyone interested, I did brief reviews of the first few Corto Maltese volumes here for last year's Graphic Novel event. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 4, 2017 0:08:20 GMT -5
Gave God's Man (Lynd Ward) to a colleague today who seemed fascinated. Should make for a quick and addictive read for him!
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 6, 2017 9:43:38 GMT -5
I'd intended to bring Eisner's A Contract with God to work today in order to pass off to someone, but apparently I'm already loaning it out and can't remember who I gave it to (I do this far too much). So I went in empty-handed today except for my trusty copy of Corto Maltese: Ballad of the Salt Sea which I am re-reading during downtime in the break room.
Anyway, I was called in to sub for another class today where they were doing independent reading. One of the students in the room was a serious trouble-maker I'd dealt with in the hallway on several occasions. Of course, he had nothing to read. I asked him what interested him, and he half-jokingly said "violence and inappropriate stuff." I said, "Great -- I've got a book with me where someone gets shot and killed and a butt gets groped all in the first five pages. Interested?" He took it and actually read for the entire time, flipping through the rest of the book to get a sense of where it was going. I don't think he understood much of it, and I don't think I just hooked him on graphic novels for life, but I think the next time he's exposed to one, he'll be all the more likely to give it a chance.
Anyway, an unexpected success.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 9, 2017 8:34:22 GMT -5
Thoughts as I read through Corto Maltese: Ballad of the Salt Sea for the fourth time. I've aways noted that the book begins as an adequate adventure serial and doesn't find its depth and meaning until partway through. What I didn't realize until now is that this happens exactly halfway through and in response to events that, while not seeming incredibly important to the reader, are pivotally important to Corto Maltese himself. Once he realizes both that he cares about something and that he doesn't have the power to control it, we suddenly have those gulls taking flight and those longing looks at the sea. Symbolism takes flight and depth is found.
Just really fascinating.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 9, 2017 11:17:28 GMT -5
My colleague loved God's Man and has now asked if he can pass it along to two more people (a student and his brother) before returning it to me. Ripple effect!
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 10, 2017 7:30:49 GMT -5
Bringing in Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes for a student of mine today. I have a strong feeling that she will fall in love with Death based upon a comment she made yesterday.
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Mar 10, 2017 19:09:09 GMT -5
Bringing in Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes for a student of mine today. I have a strong feeling that she will fall in love with Death based upon a comment she made yesterday. How old is the student? |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 10, 2017 21:29:25 GMT -5
Bringing in Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes for a student of mine today. I have a strong feeling that she will fall in love with Death based upon a comment she made yesterday. How old is the student? Fifteen. She adored it and now wants to cosplay as Death. |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Mar 10, 2017 21:34:58 GMT -5
Fifteen. She adored it and now wants to cosplay as Death. Cool she likes it. I probably would have been worried about issue #6 "24 Hours Diner." Not that I don't think a 15 year old can handle it, but that a parent would object. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Mar 10, 2017 21:37:27 GMT -5
Fifteen. She adored it and now wants to cosplay as Death. Cool she likes it. I probably would have been worried about issue #6 "24 Hours Diner." Not that I don't think a 15 year old can handle it, but that a parent would object. I was concerned that 24 Hours would be inappropriate for her as well, so I specifically put The Sound of Her Wings in front of her. I doubt 24 Hours is anything she hasn't seen before, but I worried about the idea of such content coming from her teacher. If she decides to read the entire Sandman, I'll throw out a word of caution. |
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Post by Icctrombone on Mar 10, 2017 21:44:19 GMT -5
Bringing in Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes for a student of mine today. I have a strong feeling that she will fall in love with Death based upon a comment she made yesterday. Fall in love with death ? Is she related to Thanos? |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Mar 10, 2017 22:27:17 GMT -5
Bringing in Gaiman's Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes for a student of mine today. I have a strong feeling that she will fall in love with Death based upon a comment she made yesterday. Fall in love with death ? Is she related to Thanos? I know the model for the Death she fell in love with. Everyone loved her. |
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