Line up summer reading with graphic novels
If you’re out of school for the summer, or just enjoying the occasional vacation day relaxing by the lake or in your own backyard, you might want to stock up on some summer reading.
The following are a few interesting comics, graphic novels and more that I’ve come across in recent months that may be worth adding to your reading stack.
Available now
• “All Summer Long” (First Second): This coming-ofage middle-grade graphic novel about friendship and summer is created by writer/artist Hope Larson. In the graphic novel, a 13-year-old girl and her best friend must reconnect after summer camp.
• “Everyday Scenes from a Parallel World” (PIE International): These background images by 39 wellknown, mostly Japanese creators, illustrators and animators examine the worlds in which many anime and manga storylines are set. The book profiles the creators and includes messages from the creators with descriptions of their techniques in Japanese and English Text.
• “Beautiful Scenes from a Fantasy World” (PIE International): Similar to “Everyday Scenes,” “Beautiful Scenes” explores background images featuring fantasy worlds, from steampunk airships to undersea cities and more.
• “The Carboard Kingdom” (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers): This children’s graphic novel aimed at ages 9-12, follows a neighborhood of kids who craft fantastical homemade costumes to
confront conflicts both internal and external.
The graphic novel was created, organized and drawn by Chad Sell; it features writing from ten authors: Jay Fuller, David DeMeo, Katie Schenkel, Kris Moore, Molly Muldoon, Vid Alliger, Manuel Betancourt, Michael Cole, Cloud Jacobs and Barbara Perez Marquez.
• “Batman: The Rules of Engagement” (DC Comics):
When Catwoman accepted Batman’s proposal of marriage, it shook up friend and foe alike. In “Rules of Engagement,” Batman and his new fiancee go on a mission in a forbidden desert, where they run across Batman’s exgirlfriend, Talia al Ghul, who is also the daughter of one of Batman’s fiercest foes.
Writer Tom King and artist Joelle Jones are joined by guest artists Clay Mann and Lee Weeks on “Engagement.”
“Rules of Engagement” is available now; the Bat-wedding, should it go off as planned, is set to take place in “Batman” #50 on July 4 in comic shops. Joelle Jones’ “Catwoman” #1 is set to go on sale the same day.
• “Man of Steel” (DC Comics): Writer Brian Michael Bendis, long a Marvel Comics mainstay, jumped to DC Comics to revitalize Superman. His “Man of Steel” miniseries is coming out weekly this summer, with issues #1-3 on sale now.
• “The Magic Order” (Image): Netflix gets into the comic book game with “The Magic Order,” written by Mark Millar with art from Olivier Coipel (“Thor,” “The Avengers.”). This is the first comic from Millarworld since the company was acquired by Netflix; Millarworld, a subsidiary of Netflix, is an entertainment company run by Mark and Lucy Millar. Mark Millar is the creator of “Wanted” and “Kingsman.”
Issue 1 of the six-issue miniseries from Image Comics went on sale in comic shops this week. In “The Magic Order,” five families of magicians must battle an enemy who is taking them out one by one.