Graphic Novels Challenge

January 16, 2008 /


Dewey, from The Hidden Side of a Leaf, has decided to host a Graphic Novels Challenge. I’m here to confess that I’ve never read a graphic novel, and haven’t had much interest in them. But there’s a film out right now, Persepolis, which the review in our newspaper said is so much like the graphic novel, you get pretty much the same experience by reading the book that you do watching the film. I’m not sure if we can get to Berkeley before it goes away (which may be soon), and it’s not playing out here in the sticks, so I’m thinking I’ll go for the graphic novel instead, and watch the film when it comes out on DVD. Unless we make it into Berkeley soon, or the film comes out to the sticks…

Anyway, I was thinking about that when I came across Dewey’s post about the challenge, and decided that I’m game. I’ll try to see what this genre is about, and if I can get into it, and I’ll read 6 graphic novels in 2008. Here are my choices, not particularly in any order:

I Killed Adolf Hitler, by Jason
A contract killer goes back in time to kill Hitler…and fails spectacularly. Recommended by Dewey herself.

Jimmy Corrigan: Or, the Smartest Kid on Earth, by Chris Ware
Ware’s book is a semi-autobiographical account of his first contact with the father who abandoned his family. I get the feeling it didn’t go very well.

Beowulf, by Gareth Hinds
I read Beowulf in High School, and talk about your epic tales! This is not like the recent movie version, I hope, but I’ll let you know after I finish.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, by Marjane Satrapi
This is the story that sucked me into this challenge, so you know I’m looking forward to reading this one. 🙂

Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, by Marjane Satrapi
This is the continuation of Persepolis. The two stories together are about a young Iranian girl, whose family decides to stay in Iran after the revolution, but as she is not the kind of quiet, unassuming girl that can assimilate easily into society under the new regime, they decide to send her away to Europe for her own safety. The Story of a Return, I can only assume, is about her experiences when she is grown, and returns to Iran.

The Tale of One Bad Rat, by Bryan Talbot
This one is another that I found on Dewey’s site, and it looks really interesting. It’s the story of a girl, Helen, who is a runaway, and I think the victim of sexual abuse. The drawings are in the tradition of Beatrix Potter, and the character is named Helen Potter. I don’t want to read more about it until I actually read it, so you’ll have to wait and see what I have to say.

7 Comments

  • jefito

    January 16, 2008 at 5:57 am

    “Jimmy Corrigan” is one of the saddest, most beautiful books I’ve ever read. It’s the kind of thing you can literally get lost in.

    You know, we could use a book critic at Popdose…would you be interested?

  • Py Korry

    January 16, 2008 at 7:10 am

    Well, I’m glad you like the story. I think Jefito either sent over or recommended a graphic novel a couple of years ago, and I just couldn’t get into it. I have issues.

  • J

    January 16, 2008 at 7:54 am

    Jefito, you’re too flattering with the popdose thing…

    Here’s my question…could I write about whatever books I wanted, on my own timetable, or would it need to be new releases? Because I have a lot of books piled up that I want to read this year, and I like to write reviews, but I don’t want it to feel like a ‘job’, you know? And I would want to post my reviews here as well…so yeah, probably not what you’re looking for. You could post some of my old book reviews if you want, though. 🙂

  • jeri

    January 16, 2008 at 7:20 pm

    aahhh….I got the complete “Persepolis” as a gift over the holidays and am looking forward to a sunday when I can settle in and read it at great length. It will be a new experience for me.

  • Gina

    January 17, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    My sister and I (waaaaaay back when) used to read a sci/fi fantasy graphic novel called “Elfquest.” It was actually really cool.