Johns, Geoff. Superman Secret Origin.

Johns, Geoff.      Superman Secret Origin.  

DC Comics see Random    2010  unp   29.99  978-1-4012-2697-8

hs/adult                E-BN  

Details Clark Kent’s journey from a Smallville farm to Metropolis’ urban center.            

Geoff Johns and Gary Frank reunite (previous collaborations include “Superman: Legion of

Super-Heroes”) to present a new perspective on the origin of the Man of Steel.

The graphic novel chronicles Clark Kent’s journey from the idyllic farm outside

Smallville to the bustling city of Metropolis.  Along the way, readers are

introduced to Lex Luthor, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy

Olsen, the Parasite, and others.  

 Johns emphasizes the human qualities that underscore the common ground Superman

shares with the reader rather than his Kryptonian super powers. The story line

places an emphasis on characterization, fleshing out Clark Kent’s personality.

The author also pulls together elements of the movies, Smallville television

show, the Birthright arc, the comic history, and provides tantalizing hints

regarding the future.  Fans will not be disappointed by this story, nor by

Frank’s artwork, which conveys emotions and body language superbly (although

Superman does bear a remarkable likeness to actor Christopher Reeves. 

            Welliver, Hilary

Lockpez, Inverna Cuba: My Revolution

Lockpez, Inverna Cuba: My Revolution
DC Comics see Random-Vertigo 2010 unp 24.99
9781401222178 hs/adult Cuba - Revolution - life E-BN


Sonya was 17 living Cuba and it was December 31,1958. She was getting ready to bring in the new year and celebrate. She was also watchful, Fidel Castro was fighting the corrupt government and at this point was hiding in the mountains waiting to overthrow the government. To Sonya this meant her country would be free of TYRANNY!!!! But she never expected what happened next!!
Sonya was still a teenager when Fidel Castro overthrew the government and took control of Cuba. At first the people of Cuba celebrated this coup and Sonya joined the military wanting to do her duty. Her parents saw things differently and warned her repeatedly that she should watch her steps. Eventually her mother was able to leave the island with her husband and small child but Sonya refused to leave. Her father a doctor old and in ill health chose to stay behind. Sonya gave up her dreams of becoming an artist and did what every patriot should do. However, during the incident of the “Bay Of Pigs” many things came to a head. For one thing Sonya discovered that her boyfriend who had left Cuba when the government fell was pack but he was wearing the “American army uniform”. She could not understand this. During this time she was also a paramedic and found herself helping her countrymen as well as the “other” army.
Something went wrong that day and she was suspected of being an agent. What happened next in Sonya‘s life are things of nightmare.

Sonya’s young life and views changed gradually and drastically as she observed, suffered and finally realize that to live, she had to leave her country if she could.

This incredible graphic novel will take you on a journey that will leave you hoping Sonya was able to regain her life and start anew.
The graphic novel is done in black and white with the color red. Very clear and very graphic. The storytelling is excellent and the drawing very defined. You will embrace Sonya and hope she was able to succeed rebuilding her life.
Graphic novel Diaz, Magna

Glidden, Sarah. How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less

Glidden, Sarah How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less
DC Comics see Random 2010 206p 28.99
978-1-4012-2233-8 hs Israel VG-BN


Sarah Glidden, a secular American Jew, took a Birthright trip to Israel. Well-written and moving, this graphic novel will keep the reader hooked from beginning to end. Glidden’s watercolor illustrations are accurate to the places described and add much flavor to this travelogue of self-identification and discovery.
Sarah Glidden, a secular American Jew, took a Birthright trip to Israel. These free trips are designed to show young Jews from around the world what modern Israel is like. Glidden, skeptical of the Israeli government policies towards the Palestinians, begins her trip around the country determined to find fault with the “propaganda” she is sure she is going to hear. As the trip progresses, she begins to discover that there are no black-and-white answers to her questions, no single truth that will change anything and everything. Her graphic memoir moves around the country from Tel Aviv to the Golan Heights to Jerusalem, Masada, and the Negev. Everywhere she goes with her tour, complete with an armed soldier, offers her a dichotomy of viewpoints. How can she reconcile the history of the Jewish people with that of the Arabs? Her painful attempts at balancing all the information and pulling out the truths she is sure she will find reflect, to a great extent, the views of many Israelis as well. Well-written and moving, this graphic novel will keep the reader hooked from beginning to end. Glidden’s watercolor illustrations are accurate to the places described and add much flavor to this travelogue of self-identification and discovery. While its primary focus is on a Jewish girl traveling through Israel, its appeal should be much more widespread. Graphic novel Ogintz, Susan

The Unwritten: Tommy Taylor & The Bogus Identity

Carey, Mike & Peter Gross. The Unwritten: Tommy Taylor & The Bogus Identity
DC Comics 2010 unp 9.99
978-1-4012-2565-0 hs/adult Graphic novel E
Tom, the son of a fantasy writer, is a media celebrity since his father disappeared. Tom wonders if he is really his father’s son. And, who is the villain capturing the minds and pens of famous writers? What a teaser to the rest of the series! Rated R for language.
Outstanding art work mirrors the questions raised in this first book of five episodes about Tommy Taylor, a fictional character in a fantasy novel. The fictional character is said to be based on Tom Wilson, the son of the author who has disappeared. Tom’s real life celebrity status is starting to wane and he is concerned for the future. A villain appears at a writer’s conference housed in the mansion where Shelley received inspiration and where Tom’s father kept a secret room. This villain appears to control the minds and pens of famous writers as far back as Milton, Kipling,and Shelley. Could Tom be the one to resolve his father’s suspicions about stories written around the world having a connection? Fiction and reality collide and interweave elements of fantasy (unicorns and a winged cat who is a familiar to Tom) and literary allusions. The details in the drawings offer insight beyond mere words. Sometimes there is quirky humor attached as in the news ticker that runs at the bottom of the DNN headline news. Also included are web pages, newspaper stories, maps, blogs, and other visuals that make the reader turn into a sleuth finding clues in words as well as pictures. Outstanding visuals and writing will make the reader clamor for more. A caution for school libraries - pervasive crude language. For grades 10+.
Recommended for public libraries as this book contains a mystery story coupled with literary references and philosophical statements. A thinking person’s first choice for a graphic novel. Outstanding art work that goes beyond the written word. Grades 10+. McNicol(3),Lois
Mystery

Batman & Robin (The Deluxe Edition)

Morrison, Grant, Frank Quitely and Philip Tan Batman & Robin (The Deluxe Edition)
DC Comics see Random 2010 168p 24.99
978-1-4012-2566-7 hs/adult Graphic novel VG
Batman and Robin are reborn. The story opens with the new Batman, who was originally Robin and the new Robin, Batman’s son. Together they begin to form a duo to fight evil. However, Robin, now Batman still feels uncomfortable in his new role and his counterpart small Robin is still a spoiled smart alec. Together Batman and Robin must learn how to get along and depend on each other for survival. They will have to learn to like each other, respect and discuss their strategy as one or their own survival will be at stake and the end of their partnership will have failed before they even get it off the ground.
In this chapter the duo experience doubts as to their partnership and because of this it almost cost them both their life. The enemy is powerful and clever. It also knows that this duo is just getting acclimated and they use this to their advantage.
The story is a bit gruesome and scary. This is not book for kids. Some of the scene are nightmarish and it does take little time before you feel comfortable with the new characters. The evil characters are definitely evil and blood scenes are all over.

Not for young kids.
Includes: author and illustrator information and a few choice illustrations.
Diaz, Magna

Johns, Geoff and Ethan Van Sciver. Flash Rebirth

Johns, Geoff and Ethan Van Sciver. Flash Rebirth
DC Comics see Random 2010 unp 19.99
978-1-4012-2568-1 ms/hs Graphic novel E-BN
Beautifully illustrated graphic novel about the Flash’s rebirth. After having gone missing for so many years Flash returns but with his return there seems to be something wrong. All the Flash heroes are experiencing unnatural accelerations that in fact kills a few of them. How to stop this phenomena? When Flash returns his friends are glad to see him but they find unchanged and no older than the day he left even though it was years since they last saw him. The reason he had left still holds him prisoner but at his return many of the heroes in the league including the children who have the Flash skill are dying or are in mortal danger. the only one who can stop this is the original flash but he can not do it alone. He will need the help of all the heroes with the flash skill to gather together and join hands in eliminating the threat to their league and their loved ones.
The color of the graphic novel is very bright and although there is a lot going on in the picture it is still easy to follow the action. Kids will love this book and will wait impatiently for the next episode.
Includes: extra information on the writers and illustrators and includes sketches. Diaz(1), Magna
DC Comics - Graphic Novels - Flash - superheroes

Kieth, Sam. Arkham Asylum Madness

Kieth, Sam. Arkham Asylum Madness
DC Comics see Random 2010 unp 19.99
978-1-4012-2337-3 hs/adult Graphic novel E-BN
Wow - what a Hitchcockian tour de force! The Arkham Asylum is where Batman’s evil doers have been jailed. The Joker is wrecking havoc on those who staff the asylum. Outstanding grim graphics with flashes of color add punch. The eyes say it all! Gr. 8+.
Kieth is known for his drawing and with Michelle Madsen and Dave Stewart, they have created a Alfred Hitchcock style psychological thriller whose story line does not depend on past knowledge of the Joker in the Batman series. This is a stand alone volume that grips the reader from the foreboding artwork on the cover and the one sentence on the jacket flap. The eyes of the characters show the madness in the asylum. A young nurse, Sabine, works at the asylum only for the money it provides. The sweetness of the interaction between the family as Sabine is dropped off to start work at the asylum is in stark contrast to the rundown building and dismal mindset of the staff. Past deaths in the asylum, a bleeding clock and insane inmates, including the Joker who messes with everyone’s mind, are all exposed in increasingly foreboding images that do not actually show extreme violence. What is left unsaid is more horrifying than what is shown as the reader fills in the blanks in his own mind. The Joker shows Sabine a photo of her son and obliquely threatens her son . Without giving away the ending, Sabine must decide whether to continue her work at the asylum or resign. Only a brief reference to a possibly lesbian relationship keeps this from being middle school material. Get it for students who love a psychological horror story. Grades 8+. Strongly recommended as a good psychological horror story encased in a story of Batman’s Joker who is now in an asylum for the criminally insane. The eyes of the characters reflect the lack of sanity inside the asylum. For grades 8 and up. McNicol,Lois
Batman’s Joker