Graphic Novels: like normal novels, only more awesome

When I was seven years old my Dad bought me my first comic book at a 7-11. He told me to pick one off of the old spinning comic rack (a rare thing these days). I went for an issue of Captain America - Issue #401 to be exact. The cover featured a bummed out Cap sitting at his desk (yes, Captain America has a desk) with the faces of a bunch of heroes and villains floating above him. Something about the heavy vibe and all of the cool character's faces appealed to me.

Flash forward eighteen years and I still love comics. I'd steered clear of them for a few years off-and-on, but I've always come back. One great thing about working in TEEN is that I get to keep up with the stories and talk to patrons about their favorite stuff. That's right - comics in the library! I'm sure this isn't exactly news to everyone, but it's still a relatively new thing. It wasn't until the late 90s that graphic novels and trade paperbacks (generally six issues of a comic compiled and bound together) really started showing up in book stores and libraries. It's about time that comics, manga, and graphic novels are accepted as the works of art they truly are.

Check out these selections from our collection of graphic novels and graphic series. (Of course, there's plenty more where these came from - be sure to ask your friendly neighborhood librarian for suggestions!) :

House by Josh Simmons: This graphic novel by first-time author Simmons is a haunting tale in which three teenage friends explore a mysterious, abandoned house with tragic results. House is completely wordless, but the art is wonderful.

Batman - The Man Who Laughs by Ed Brubaker: Experience the first ever meeting between The Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime! Batman is Gotham cities new defender, but he's never encountered any criminals quite like the chalk-faced madman known as the Joker.

Street Angel by Jim Rugg: Jesse "Street Angel" Sanchez is a homeless teen from the worst ghetto on Earth. She stays alive with her kung fu skills and skateboarding prowess, fighting Irish astronauts, ancient gods, and gangs of evil ninjas. Check out local author/artist Jim Rugg's awesome comic series!

Awkward and Definition: the high school comic chronicles of Ariel Schrag by Ariel Schrag: Ariel Schrag created these comics the summer following each year of High School. Awkward is about her freshman year and Definition is about her sophomore year. Wonderful true-to-life stories you can relate to. Impressive to think that a high school student created and published these great stories.

Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine: A wonderful falling-out-of-love story about (that most cliche of indie comic subjects) twenty-something slackers. Luckily, it is a wonderful story - sad and touching with great commentary on racial identity in America.

Corey W, Main - TEEN

Second Annual CLP Teen Awards

Last year, teens had a blast walking the purple carpet into an Awards show like no other: you pick the winners.

It's time to nominate your favorites for 2008!

The voting process for our Second Annual CLP Teen Awards has begun!

Please visit our website to vote for your top picks in catagories like manga, video games, fiction, and more. We've added a ton of new categories this year.

Once we have your nominations we'll narrow the categories down to your top picks, and then its time to choose the winners out of the top three nominees in each category.

We'll reveal the winners at a special after-hours event on Friday, December 12th. We'll have pizza, snacks, video games, and door prizes to go along with the Second Annual CLP Teen Awards.
It's a party you don't want to miss!

Good News for Hero and Perry Moore Fans!

Find Hero in the catalog!

According to Newsarama, Stan Lee made a surprise guest appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con's "LGBT Portrayals in Comics" panel to announce a budding partnership with Perry Moore, the author of Hero. What that partnership actually entails is still up for spectulation (do I smell a movie?).

Hero gained a great following for its epic portrayal of superheroics through the eyes of gay teenager Thom Creed. Thom must navigate both his budding sexuality and superpowers while under the watchful eye of his disapproving, ex-hero father--all while an unseen assailent is murdering the world's superheroes. While plots and mysteries abounded, Perry Moore managed to keep the book grounded in the characters. It was an altogether exceptional debut.

Reads for a "Dark Knight"

If you're like me, you've already seen Chris Nolan's masterful The Dark Knight. And if you're anything like me, you need more Batman. And more Batman. And even more Batman until you've stopped sleeping, started talking in a low-pitched, gravelly voice, and committed yourself to being a hero of the shadows.

Well, rest assured, teens, because the library is your place to fill your Batman needs. We have everything from classic collections to the latest trades. If you just saw The Dark Knight, you might be especially interested in the stories that most influenced the movie.

Frank Miller
Batman: Year One

Frank Miller's classic origin story set the stage for Batman's psyche and charted the course that Batman would take in years to come. It also introduced District Attorney Harvey Dent, one of Batman's closest allies in the fight against the mob, albeit one with a dark side (sound familiar?).

Alan Moore
Batman: The Killing Joke

This was one of the most sadistic renditions of the Joker when it was published in 1988. Joker's fixation on corrupting the sane through tragedy and chaos fed Christopher Nolan's storyline and Heath Ledger's performance.

If that's not enough, check out this list of everything we have to offer that could possibly do with Batman. Before you head off into the night to fight what evil lies behind the heart of the city, check out a Batman book today!

Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Free Comic Book Day

"Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores."

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From manga to horror, superhero comics to those wacky teens from Riverdale, Free Comic Book Day has what you need! What a great way to get into comics, or -- if you've fallen off the wagon -- what a great time to get back in the habit! Check out these local comic shops this Saturday to see what it's all about:

Phantom of the Attic @ 406 South Craig St. in Oakland. Open 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday.

The Copacetic Comics Company @ 1505 Asbury Pl. in Sq. Hill. Open 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday.

Eide's Entertainment @ 1121 Penn Avenue, Downtown. Open 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday.

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And remember, comics are always free at the library! We've got thousands of graphic novels, manga and zines to choose from. Stop by the teen desk and we'll recommend something great.

- Corey W.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

From Deadpool!!!

Hello blogger this is Deadpool the “merc with the mouth.” My interview with Entertainment weekly went so well they dropped the lawsuit. Today I have appeared in the D.C universe and I will battle Deathstroke in Gotham City. Before I fight him I’ll answer some questions that Jose from Mexico has sent to me. Here are some of the questions he sent me.

Question 1: How do you get a girls attention?

Be yourself, tell the truth about yourself.

Question 2: Cyclops vs you who would win?

Me because he is too nice and I got healing factor and better combat skills or wear the old marvel girl costume and make him die laughing.

Comics Come to Life @ Art Club

Last Wednesday in Art Club we made our own COMICS. Be sure to check out Art Club, every Wednesday at 3:00pm to see what creative projects we're cooking up next.