February 2024 MBR The Graphic Novel Shelf

The Graphic Novel Shelf

Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir
Ai Weiwei, author
Gianluca Costantini, illustrator
Ten Speed Graphic
c/o Ten Speed Press
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
9781984862990, $28.99, HC, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Zodiac-Graphic-Memoir-Ai-Weiwei/dp/1984862995

Synopsis: As a child living in exile during China's Cultural Revolution, Ai=
 Weiwei often found himself with nothing to read but government-approved co=
mic books. Although they were restricted by the confines of political propa=
ganda, Ai Weiwei was struck by the artists' ability to express their though=
ts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling. Now, decades later, Ai=
 Weiwei and Italian comic artist Gianluca Costantini present Zodiac, Ai Wei=
wei's first graphic memoir.

Inspired by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated hum=
an characteristics, Ai Weiwei masterfully interweaves ancient Chinese folkl=
ore with stories of his life, family, and career. The narrative shifts back=
 and forth through the years (at once in the past, present, and future) mir=
roring memory and our relationship to time. As readers delve deeper into th=
e beautifully illustrated pages of Zodiac, they will find not only a person=
al history of Ai Weiwei and an examination of the sociopolitical climate in=
 which he makes his art, but a philosophical exploration of what it means t=
o find oneself through art and freedom of expression.

Contemplative and political, Zodiac will inspire readers to return again an=
d again to Ai Weiwei's musings on the relationship between art, time, and o=
ur shared humanity.

Critique: Published in a B/W graphic novel style by Ten Speed Graphic, "Zod=
iac: A Graphic Memoir" by Ai Weiwei is a compelling, thoughtful, thought pr=
ovoking and unique memoir/biography presented through the illustrations of =
Gianluca Costantini. A fascinating personal history and a compelling read f=
rom start to finish, "Zodiac: A Graphic Memoir" is especially and unreserve=
dly recommended for community and college/university library Biography/Memo=
ir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Zodiac:=
 A Graphic Memoir" is also readily available in a paperback edition (978198=
4863003, $22.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) as well.

Editorial Note #1: Ai Weiwei leads a diverse and prolific practice that enc=
ompasses sculptural installation, filmmaking, photography, ceramics, painti=
ng, writing, and social media. Born in Beijing, China, in 1957, he is a con=
ceptual artist who fuses traditional craftsmanship and his Chinese heritage=
, moving freely between a variety of formal languages to reflect on contemp=
orary geopolitical and sociopolitical conditions. Ai Weiwei's work and life=
 regularly interact and inform one another, often extending to his activism=
 and advocacy for international human rights.

Editorial Note #2: Gianluca Costantini is an Italian cartoonist, comic jour=
nalist, and activist. He has contributed to numerous publications and is th=
e author of several graphic novels. He is well known for his drawing relate=
d to human rights campaigns all over the world. He collaborates with organi=
zations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, ActionAid, and SOS Me=
diterranee. In 2019, he received the Art and Human Rights Award from Amnest=
y International.

Nina Simone in Comics!
Sophie Adriansen
NBM Publishing
www.nbmpub.com
9781681123264, $27.99, HC, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/Nina-Simone-Comics-NBM-Biographies/dp/1681123266

Synopsis: "Nina Simone in Comics!" by Sophie Adriansen is the personal stor=
y of the emancipation of a young black and poor woman living in an America =
marked by segregation.

This is the graphic novel style but true story of a fierce battle, that of =
a musician involved in the civil rights movement. This is also the story of=
 the long career of a pianist and singer who was talented as she was determ=
ined.

This is the story of Nina Simone, a unique artist, role model, and inspirat=
ion for generations to come. Genius pianist, fabulous singer and committed =
artist, Nina Simone remains an inspiration for generations.

Critique: Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 - April 21, 2003) born Eunice Kath=
leen Waymon, was an African American singer, songwriter, pianist, composer,=
 arranger and civil rights activist whose music spanned styles including cl=
assical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop. Published by NBM Publishi=
ng in a graphic novel story style, "Nina Simone in Comics!" by Sophia Adria=
nsen is an impressively informative and compelling biography that is a simp=
ly fascinating read from start to finish. Of special interest to her legion=
s of fans, "Nina Simone in Comics! is especially recommended for community =
and college/university library Composer/Musician Biography/Memoir collectio=
ns. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Nina Simone in Comi=
cs!" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note: Sophie Adriansen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Adri=
ansen) is a French writer, a member of the Socie te des gens de lettres and=
 of the "Charte des auteurs et des illustrateurs jeunesse". She has written=
 over 56 works, from novels to graphic novels to non-fiction and biographie=
s including a non-comics biography of Nina Simone.

Blondie: Against the Odds
Jimmy Palmiotti, et al.
Z2 Comics
https://z2comics.com
9781940878768, $24.99, PB, 120pp

https://www.amazon.com/Blondie-Jimmy-Palmiotti/dp/1940878764

Synopsis: Combining an imaginative take on an oral history of the band, int=
erspersed with artistic interpretations of 10 songs from their catalog, "Bl=
ondie Against The Odds", in a graphic novel format, fully captures the fric=
tion of New York City as the band fought their way to prominence, as well a=
s the power and energy contained within the songs that fueled their rise to=
 legendary status.

Critique: Blondie was an American rock band founded in 1974 in New York Cit=
y by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer =
in the American new wave scene of the mid-1970s in New York City and was di=
sbanded in 1982. Absolutely essential reading for the remaining legions of =
Blondie fans, "Blondie: Against the Odds" is an inherently fascinating and =
expertly produced and illustrated, graphic novel based on the band and its =
members -- and is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as w=
ell as community and college/university library Graphic Novel collections.

Quentin Tarantino: A Graphic Biography
Michele Botton, author
Benardo Santiago Acosta, illustrator
Frances Lincoln
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780711290761, $19.99, HC, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Quentin-Tarantino-Graphic-Biography-BioGraphics/dp/0=
711290768

Synopsis: From the set of 1993's Pulp Fiction, to a bar room meeting with R=
obert Rodriguez and an inspirational lunch with Leonardo di Caprio, "Quenti=
n Tarantino: A Graphic Biography" is a unique graphic novel style biography=
 that takes us across a series of Hollywood-inspired vignettes covering the=
 movie-obsessed life and career of one of modern cinema's greatest filmmake=
rs -- Quentin Tarantino.

Join the conversation as Tarantino talks John Travolta into starring in Pul=
p Fiction, find out about the inspiration for his earliest screenplays and =
learn about Tarantino's obsessive childhood growing up in California.

Critique: For those looking for insights into Tarantino's influences, inspi=
rations and the development of his signature style as a filmmaker, "Quentin=
 Tarantino: A Graphic Life" is fascinating, informative, and essential read=
ing for his legions of fans. While also available for personal reading list=
s in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), "Quentin Tarantino: A Graphic L=
ife" is a solid and recommended pick for community and college/university l=
ibrary American Biography collections.

Andy Warhol: A Graphic Biography
Michele Botton, author
Marco Maraggi, illustrator
Frances Lincoln
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780711290785, $19.99, HC, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Andy-Warhol-Graphic-Biography-BioGraphics/dp/0711290=
784

Synopsis: In 1962, Andy Warhol displayed 32 canvases of Campbell's soup can=
s in a New York art gallery. The art world (and what we consider to be art)=
 would never be the same again.

In this graphic novel format, "Andy Warhol: A Graphic Biography " by author=
/biographer Michele Botton and artist/illustrator Marco Maraggi follows the=
 life of Warhol through his upbringing in Pittsburgh, moving to New York Ci=
ty, finding inspiration and conquering the creative world, in this unique g=
raphic biography.

Readers will discover what made Warhol tick in terms of his delights, his d=
rives and his frustrations. Revealed is his fascinating lifestyle within th=
e New York scene and the incredible way that he continually evolved as an a=
rtist.

For those looking for an entertaining introduction to this giant of modern =
art, or for existing fans after a fresh visual take, this graphic biography=
 approach reveals the real Andy Warhol!

Critique: A fun and informative read from start to finish, "Andy Warhol: A =
Graphic Biography" is a solid and unreservedly recommended pick for communi=
ty and college/university library American Biography collections. It should=
 be noted for personal reading lists that "Andy Warhol: A Graphic Biography=
" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo=
ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
 reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte=
rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi=
duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo=
rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat=
ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
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 (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal=
muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review