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Graphic Novels and Comics October 2017
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Hello there! My name is Patrick Holt, and I'm a librarian at Southwest Regional Library and a lifelong reader of comics and graphic novels. Check out the contents of this month's newsletter in the box to the left, and get access to past editions in the archive at the bottom of the page. I hope you find these recommendations worthwhile, and please email me at pdholt@dconc.gov if you have any thoughts or questions.
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Paper Girls 3
by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang
From the publisher: "[N]ewspaper deliverers Erin, Mac and Tiffany finally reunite with their long-lost friend KJ in an unexpected new era, where the girls must uncover the secret origins of time travel... or risk never returning home to 1988."
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To Have & To Hold
by Graham Chaffee
From the publisher: "Set in October 1962, while the world holds its collective breath awaiting the possibly apocalyptic climax of the unfolding Cuban Missile Crisis, the banality of everyday life goes on―and Lonnie and Kate Ross confront their own domestic cold war. As Kate, frustrated and disillusioned, looks outside her marriage for satisfaction, Lonnie’s justifiable suspicions of his wife’s infidelity lead him down a deadly rod of increasing paranoia and violence as he seeks to reclaim what he’s lost. Masterfully paced and drawn in Chaffee’s fluid, inky brushstrokes, To Have and To Hold captures the pulpy, nocturnal atmosphere of classic noir. " Patrick recommends!
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The Mystery Knight
by George R. R. Martin, Ben Avery, and Mike S. Miller
From the publisher: "Westeros is eerily peaceful. King Aerys I sits on the Iron Throne. A ravaging plague has abated. Yet beneath the surface, tensions linger sixteen years after a failed rebellion. In these restless times, noble hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall—Dunk, to his friends—and his precocious boy squire, Egg, travel the Seven Kingdoms performing chivalrous deeds, though Egg’s bloodline must be concealed at all costs.
"After heading north for Winterfell, Dunk and Egg are lured off the kingsroad by a wedding feast—and an unusually lucrative tournament. The champion jouster will claim a rare trophy indeed: a dragon’s egg. Dunk, always better in a melee, would be satisfied with a hot meal, a cup of wine, and a purse full of coins. But a treasonous plot is more likely to hatch before another dragon ever stretches its wings. Someone’s on to Egg. And a mystery knight with designs on an even bigger prize soon throws the entire affair into chaos."
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Batgirl vol. 3: Point Blank
by Scott Peterson et al
From the publisher: "Cassandra Cain returns to Gotham’s streets as Batgirl. Raised to be a perfect fighting machine, Cassandra has vowed to use her unrivaled combat skills to protect the citizens of Gotham. After defeating the feared assassin Lady Shiva in a harrowing battle, Cassandra must prove that she’s more than just an incredible fighter as she trains with Batman to become a detective.
"Batgirl’s detective skills are soon put to the test when she must help an amnestic secret agent recover his memory in time to stop a mysterious catastrophic event threatening Gotham City! Time is quickly running out and Cassandra must fight harder than ever before, using both her wit and strength to solve the mystery. Can Batgirl save Gotham before it’s too late?"
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We Told You So: Comics as Art
by Tom Spurgeon and Michael Dean
From the publisher (who is also the subject of the book): "Comics As Art: We Told You So tells of Fantagraphics Books' key role in helping build and shape an art movement around a discredited, ignored and fading expression of Americana the way insiders share the saga with one another other: in anecdotal form, in the words of the people who lived it and saw it happen. Comics historian and critic Tom Spurgeon and longtime Comics Journal editor Michael Dean assemble an all-star cast of industry figures, critics, cartoonists, art objects, curios, and groundbreaking publications to bring you a detailed account of Fantagraphics' first 40 years".
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The Many Lives of Catwoman: The Felonious History of a Feline Fatale
by Tim Hanley
"For more than 75 years, Catwoman has forged her own path in a clear-cut world of stalwart heroes, diabolical villains, and damsels in distress. Her relentless independence across comic books, television, and film set her apart from the rest of the superhero world. [...] For good and ill, Catwoman serves as a stark counterpart to the typical evolution of the history of women in comics, and in popular culture generally. Her adventures have charted an inimitably varied journey of empowerment and exploitation. Exploring the many incarnations of this cultural icon offers a new perspective on the superhero genre and showcases the fierce resiliency that has made Catwoman a fan favorite for decades."
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The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation
by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell
From the publisher: "Our leaders swear to uphold it, our military to defend it. It is the blueprint for the shape and function of government itself and what defines Americans as Americans. But how many of us truly know our Constitution?
"The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation uses the art of illustrated storytelling to breathe life into our nation's cornerstone principles. Simply put, it is the most enjoyable and groundbreaking way to read the governing document of the United States. Spirited and visually witty, it roves article by article, amendment by amendment, to get at the meaning, background, and enduring relevance of the law of the land.
"Sure to surprise, challenge, and provoke, [this graphic adaptation] is hands down the most memorable introduction to America's founding document."
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Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History of an American Founding Father
by Jonathan Hennessey and Justin Greenwood
From the publisher: "Alexander Hamilton was one of the most influential figures in United States history—he fought in the Revolutionary War, helped develop the Constitution, and as the first Secretary of the Treasury established landmark economic policy that we still use today. Cut down by a bullet from political rival Aaron Burr, Hamilton has since been immortalized alongside other Founding Fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson—his likeness even appears on the ten-dollar bill. In this fully-illustrated and impeccably researched graphic novel-style history, author Jonathan Hennessey and comic book illustrator Justin Greenwood bring Alexander Hamilton’s world to life, telling the story of this improbable hero who helped shape the United States of America."
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The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 1: From Columbus to the U.S. Constitution
by Larry Gonick
From the publisher: "The Cartoon History of the Modern World [series] is a wickedly funny take on modern history. It is essentially a complete and up–to–date course in college level Modern World History, but presented as a graphic novel. In an engaging and humorous graphic style, Larry Gonick covers the history, personalities and big topics that have shaped our universe over the past five centuries, including the Industrial Revolution, the American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the evolution of political, social, economic, and scientific thought, Communism, Fascism, Nazism, the Cold War, Globalization––and much more."
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Saturday, Oct. 21, 2 p.m. Southwest Regional Library - 3605 Shannon Rd. Questions? Call John Davis at 919-560-0125 Join our MeetUp group at meetup.com/graphic-book-club Enjoy comic books or graphic novels? Join us for the monthly meeting of Main Library's Graphic Book Club. In honor of this year's Durham Reads Together selection, this month we're reading The US Contitution! Check out some recommended titles above.
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Ultimate Ladies Book ClubThursday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. Ultimate Comics Raleigh,1301 Buck Jones Rd, RaleighThe first Thursday of each month the Ultimate Ladies Alliance meets to discuss a different comic or graphic novel. Join the Ultimate Ladies’ Alliance on Facebook for more info and to vote on your top picks for the next month’s meeting, plus suggest books for future discussion and share your favorites. This month's title is Clean Room by Gail Simone & co.
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Local Comics Creator Networking Night at Atomic Empire Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6-8 p.m. at Atomic Empire 3400 Westgate Dr. #14B in Durham Are you a professional, amateur or aspiring comics artist or writer living in the Triangle? Then come to our first ever Local Comics Creator Networking Night at Atomic Empire! Meet fellow creators, show off and trade your work (no sales please), and make our local comics scene even better. All ages, skill levels and genres welcome. This event is co-sponsored by Atomic Empire.
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Durham Comics Project: Drink & DrawWednesday, Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m.This monthly meetup is for those new to comics and seasoned vets alike. The hardest part of making comics is often making the time to draw, so let’s make that time together! We'll have an exercise or two (often collaborative), but you're welcome to just come to work on your own thing.
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Color of Fandom Book Club Friday, Oct. 20 Meets every month, alternating between comics and prose written by and/or featuring main characters who are people of color. This month's title is Letter 44 vol. 1 and 2
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For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply with a list of the next five books you should read -- all ages of readers welcome!
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Want to keep up-to-date on new books at the library? on everything from Horror to Home & Garden!
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NoveList Plus is a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. DCL cardholders can access NoveList Plus from any computer.
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Check out the library's top ten checkouts! Lists include top tens for adult fiction and nonfiction, movies, young adults fiction, picture books and kids' fiction.
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Links to newsletters from the past year:
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If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, Administration Building, 101 E. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
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