“That’s one of the hardest things to do in comics: to create a character through which the reader can actually feel his or her own emotional memories. It’s much easier in a novel, but when you’re in a sort of half-blind state of looking at pictures on a page, you’re always being bounced back off the page. I really think that that’s Charles Schulz’ greatest achievement as a cartoonist: He really created the first sympathetic cartoon character in Charlie Brown — that was the first cartoon strip with a character that you really, really cared about deeply, so I’ll thank him for that.”
Interview with Chris Ware Part 1 of 2 « The Comics Journal. Comments Off on Interview with Chris Ware Part 1 of 2 « The Comics Journal

Best Graphic Novels

British Literature

January 6th, 2010

Themes: , , , , , ,

NPR’s Glen Weldon has a list of the year’s best graphic novels here.

I’ve only read Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli, so I guess I’m a bit behind the times. For those who have asked, the two graphic novels I’ve been using as examples are Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware, and Blankets by Craig Thompson.

I’ve already given you a list of my favorites, though I would add the Scott Pilgrim series and Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse (it is as gross as it sounds, but the artwork’s amazing), as well as The Squirrel Machine (more brilliant art—a mix between Charles Burns and Chris Ware) and a number of newer Batman titles. Gotta love the Dark Knight.

As always, use your best judgment when choosing a graphic title. Some can be quite, erm, graphic.

Have I overlooked anything? I’m always looking for new stuff, so share your knowledge in the comments.