Oct 18 2008
The Sunday Salon - October 19, 2008 (Graphic Novel Edition)
I am availing myself of the hotel’s free wi-fi here in Portland, Oregon. We drove down on Thursday, leaving at the unholy hour of 4:30 am. I shouldn’t complain, though, since I slept for almost the first four hours of the trip. After stopping for breakfast in Pasco, Washington, we crossed over into Oregon and drove I-84, along the Columbia River Gorge. It is truly a beautiful drive - Josiah calls it the “sand mountains” because the hills across the river look soft like velvet or suede.
We stopped at the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam, and had sandwiches, then continued on to Portland, where we spent the evening with Kevin’s brother, sister-in-law and mother. Had some very interesting conversations about the upcoming election, since Kevin’s family are all McCain supporters, and even though Kevin and I are registered Republicans, we will be voting for Obama.
We spent the next day at my aunt’s house, visiting with her family and my grandmother. I haven’t seen her in about five years, and she has aged so much. It makes me sad.
Today, we spent four and a half hours at the Tae Kwon Do tournament; the kids did so well. Natalie got three 2nd places; Noah got two 1sts and a 3rd; Jonathan got a 2nd, a 3rd, and a 4th. More important than their medals was the fact that they were all good sports, respectful to their fellow competitors and happy to be there. I was very proud of them.
Needless to say, I haven’t had much time to read. I did have a little time this afternoon by the hotel pool, while the kids were swimming. Company of Liars is intriguing; I wish I had some uninterrupted time to really get into it - I’m still only around page 100.
I have been doing some other reading, though, of a genre that is fairly new to me - the graphic novel. I thought I’d dedicate this Sunday Salon to the graphic novels I’ve read - and enjoyed - recently.
The first two graphic novels I read were The Complete Maus and Persepolis, parts 1 & 2, and I was amazed. I don’t know what I expected. I never read “comic books” as a kid, other than Archie, Betty, and Veronica - not exactly great art, though a lot of fun. Maus and Persepolis are autobiographical graphic novels, and the illustrations and text make for a completely unique reading experience.
My 9-year-old, Jonathan, isn’t a voracious reader. He reads for school, and he reads at least 45 minutes of free-reading - a novel of his choice - but he doesn’t pick up books to read for pleasure outside of school time. Or he didn’t, until I bought him this:
I’ve had Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer sitting on the shelf for a couple years, but so far none of my kids have been tempted to pick it up and crack it open. I thought I’d get the graphic novel for Jonathan, and it was a complete hit. He actually took the book to bed with him! Since then, Noah and Natalie and I have all read it and also liked it. I think I will still read the novel aloud to the kids at some point, because I felt like I missed a whole bunch of the story. It was a fun read, though, and I liked the artwork very much.
When I told my friend Michelle how much Jonathan had loved Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel, she loaned us this:

Mouse Guard, Volume 1: Fall 1152 by David Petersen is a medieval adventure full of brave, resourceful, and fierce mice. Jonathan devoured it. Noah is reading it now. I haven’t read it, but I can tell you that my boys have given it the highest praise, and the artwork is beautiful. Jonathan was ecstatic to hear that the sequel is coming out in December.
Michelle also loaned me:

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert is a new take on the Marvel characters: the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, Nick Fury, Daredevil, Dr. Strange - they’re all transplanted into the world of Queen Elizabeth. Due to a quirk in time, they’re appearing almost 400 years before they were supposed to, and it’s causing the world to descend into chaos. They have to find a way to fix it, all while running from the Inquisition, the leaders of which have branded them “Witchbreed.” This was a fascinating graphic novel, and the artwork is brilliant. I’ve never read any of the original Marvel comics - though I’ve seen almost all of the films based on the characters - and so this was completely new to me. I’m a new fan of Neil Gaiman, though, and that’s what convinced me to give it a try.
I’m currently reading:

Hatter M: The Looking Glass Wars, Volume 1 by Frank Beddor, Liz Cavalier, and Ben Templesmith. I loved the novel The Looking Glass Wars, and this graphic novel is a companion, telling the story of Hatter M as he searches for Alyss, who has been lost in the real world, and needs to go back to Wonderland to take her rightful place as the new queen. This graphic novel is more - well, graphic. I would recommend the novel to most kids age 10 and up, but the violence in the first volume of the Hatter M graphic novels is much more adult. I’m not very far into it, so I’ll have to let you know what I think of it when I’m done. I’m not as thrilled with the artwork in this one.
So far, the graphic novels that I’ve enjoyed the most have been the ones that were designed to be graphic novels - not adaptations of a previous book. Maus and Persepolis and 1602 all stand alone and complete. As I read Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel, I found myself wanting more. I’m pretty sure my experience with Hatter M will be similar.
So, have you read any great graphic novels? Any I need to put on my ever-growing wish list?
Don’t forget to read my review of Capote in Kansas, as well as an in-depth interview with the author, Kim Powers.
























Karen- Mouse Guard is perfect for boys. I saw the Redwall graphic novel on Amazon, and thought I’d pick that one up for them when I have some extra book $.
unfinished person - I just added Rex Libris to my wishlist. You should give Maus and Persepolis another try - they are both very much worth the time.
Dani - good idea! I’m sure she’ll enjoy it - even more since she’ll have read the book.
Girl Detective - My best friend just bought Sandman, so I’ll be borrowing it as soon as she’s done. I am a Gaiman fan, so I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for the recommendation of Fun Home - I’ll have to look it up!
Thanks again!
thx!. This one is great!!!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Beautiful site!
Great site. Good info.
Great site. Good info.
Perfect site, i like it!
Perfect site, i like it!
I want to say - thank you for this!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Great site. Good info.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.,
Great site. Keep doing.
Incredible site!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Great site. Good info.
I want to say - thank you for this!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Great site. Keep doing.
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great site. Good info.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Perfect site, i like it!
Perfect site, i like it!
Beautiful site!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Great site. Keep doing.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Perfect site, i like it!
Perfect work!
Great site. Good info.
I want to say - thank you for this!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Incredible site!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Great site. Good info.
Great site. Keep doing.
Great site. Good info.
Incredible site!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Perfect site, i like it!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Beautiful site!
Incredible site!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Beautiful site!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Perfect site, i like it!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Great site. Good info.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Perfect site, i like it!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Great site. Keep doing.
I want to say - thank you for this!
Perfect site, i like it!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I want to say - thank you for this!
I want to say - thank you for this!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Beautiful site!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Perfect site, i like it!
Great site. Good info.
Perfect site, i like it!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Great site. Keep doing.
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Incredible site!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Perfect site, i like it!
Beautiful site!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Perfect work!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
skxhugqjeazwdp tennisihcujr girls toads rebuttals consultants stairs arrows matrons goblins performers weapons choughs trout servants troops students goths women keys professors irish prose gods tigers wolves hoodlums painters guinness preachers sticks martens monks grapes trekkies curs brush tests documents circuits beans cormorants misers harpers builders mountains lorries hares sailors managers experts money boys knights pearls jugglers jewels monitors
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Incredible site!
Perfect site, i like it!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Perfect work!
Great site. Keep doing.
Perfect site, i like it!
water web 2009 melts circulation rate
clouds extinction during variability gun area earth risk
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Great site. Good info.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Great. Now i can say thank you!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
Perfect site, i like it!
Perfect work!
Incredible site!
Great site. Good info.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
Incredible site!
Beautiful site!
I want to say - thank you for this!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Great site. Keep doing.
I want to say - thank you for this!
Beautiful site!
Incredible site!
Great site. Keep doing.
grace site yaor two.
I want to say - thank you for this!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
grace site yaor two.
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
hi. I review you site
I want to say - thank you for this!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Beautiful site!
Perfect work!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Beautiful site!
hi. I review you site
Great site. Good info.
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
Great work, webmaster, nice design!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
leading fourth paleoclimatology carbon states exert
mitigating carbon thermal causes scenarios majority climatic estimate
I want to say - thank you for this!
Great site. Keep doing.
Great. Now i can say thank you!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Beautiful site!
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
Beautiful site!
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
It is the coolest site, keep so!
I want to say - thank you for this!
Perfect site, i like it!
Perfect site, i like it!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
Great site. Keep doing.
Perfect site, i like it!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Great site. Good info.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
Incredible site!
It is the coolest site, keep so!