Eye Candy Books

School Library Journal Selects Serious Comics Titles

The month's edition of the School Library Journal names Reagan, Malcolm X, and J. Edgar Hoover among the "best graphic nonfiction for teens." Reagan gets a second nod as "best graphic nonfiction for middle schoolers." Writer Peter Gutierrez notes, "its reading level isn't high, [but] its sophistication level sure is." Luckily, there are plenty of copies still available should a buying binge ensue.

Malcolm X Goes Audio

Recorded Books has purchased the audio rights - yes, my friends - to Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography. Working in conjunction with Plugged In to Reading (http://www.pluggedintoreading.com/), they'll be providing a wraparound program to help struggling older readers hone their skills. It's a proud day for comics.

School Library Journal Loves J. Edgar

Their reviewer, clearly a person of exquisite taste, calls J. Edgar Hoover: A Graphic Biography "captivating," "excellent," and "fascinating," among other absolutely accurate things.

Young Adult Library Services Association Showers Malcolm X with Accolades

Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography was just selected as one of the Best Books for Young Adults 2008 and one of the Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2008 by the Young Adult Library Services Association. As you may know (if you're a librarian), the YALSA is the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. Now if just one of those librarians could get their hands on J. Edgar Hoover: A Graphic Biography, by Great Graphic Novelist Rick Geary . . .

The NYT Book Review Says Reagan Is "Remarkable"

Actually, it says that the author of Ronald Reagan: A Graphic Biography "crams in a remarkable amount of information." But that does include the word "remarkable."

Esquire Magazine Gives Reagan Not One But Two Reviews

The grown up assigned to the book in October's Esquire Magazine writes that Reagan is "as compelling as it is serious and objective." The seven year old writes that though he'd never heard of Reagan before picking up the book, he's pretty sure Reagan was up to no good cause he had a nasty look on his face in the last panel. Sharp reviewers, both.

Chicago Tribune Salutes Reagan's Objectivity

"Those who revere Reagan and those who don't will walk away satisfied," writes the Chicago Tribune's reviewer. True - unless you prefer your history wildly biased.

Reagan Is "Sharp Literary Cinema"

Ronald Reagan: A Graphic Biography "does what many traditional tomes couldn't do: it illuminates Reagan's achievements and foibles in sharp literary cinema," writes the Christian Science Monitor's reviewer. Love that phrase.

Kirkus Directs Readers to Reagan: A Graphic Biography

"Looking for insights into the phenomena of the Reagan presidency, its resilience in the face of imbroglio after another disaster? Turn not to Edmund White’s authorized whimsy, but rather to Andrew Helfer’s graphic biography, which wraps astute political reporting in brightly entertaining artwork," says Kirkus in its June 15 Graphic Novel Spotlight. Here's hoping no one needs insights over the summer - Ronald Reagan: A Graphic Biography, the second in the Serious Comics line, is due in bookstores this September.

Ronald Reagan: A Graphic Biography Announced for Fall 2007

Noting that "some presidents were just meant to be in pictures," the fall Farrar, Straus Giroux catalog heralds the imminent arrival of the second title in the Serious Comics line. Written by Andrew Helfer and drawn by artists Steve Buccellato and Joe Staton, the book is billed by FSG as "absolutely original, absolutely factual, and absolutely unforgettable." I'll second that.