The Top 15 Core Collection

Well, I finally got done with my fifteen titles to include in a core collection of suggested titles for libraries.

My criteria from the beginning was to pick titles that were all contained in one book. This left out my personal faves Goon, Hellboy, and Fables. I also tried to steer away from stories that focused on superheroes. So no Green Lantern, Green Arrow, or Batman (well, one batman). And I tried to pick titles that I felt that a librarian could show to a patron and get them to check out the book. Most of these are based on personal favorites and titles that I have had success with getting people to check out.

The List (not in any particular order):

1. Ghost World

2. Sin City: The Hard Goodbye

3. 300

4. The Dark Knight Returns

5. Wonderful Wizard of Oz

6. Watchmen

7. American Born Chinese

8. Asterios Polyp

9. Blankets

10. Fun Home

11. Laika

12. Maus

13. Deogratias

14. Our Cancer Year

15.  Pride of Baghdad and We3 (Both shorter animal focused stories that I chose to give equal billing.)

Now that the hard part of picking the titles has been completed I can get to scanning books and including the artwork that made me fall in love with these stories in the first place.

SLIM Summer Institute

Here is a copy of the presentation given at the SLIM Summer Institute 2010 conference.

Summer Institute Presentation

If you have any questions please let me know.

Harlem Street with Church

Harlem Street with Church, originally uploaded by Smithsonian Institution.

There is some really nice artwork on the Smithsonian website. This one is awesome. I want a graphic novel done in this style.

The Watchmen

Watchmen cover, originally uploaded by Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake.

The more time passes, the less I like it. But for awhile it was a fave. Good story and nice artwork. I just don’t feel the colors are standing the test of time. Just my opinion.

Hellboy

Hellboy, originally uploaded by nectarinemango.

Hellboy is as close as I think I get to understanding why people horde multiple copies of the same comic. When I read them I have to start in the beginning and read straight through. Perfect artwork and odd, quirky well-written dialog. It also represents the first time I was disappointed in how a comic was portrayed in a movie. The animated movies are just not very well drawn. The live action Hellboy movies are fun.

Asterios Polyp

Asterios Polyp cover, originally uploaded by charleswhatfield.

This is the best graphic novel of the past year. I remember reading it and thinking that I had not read something as original in a long time. Great artwork. Wonderful, touching story. In the right setting, tearjerker. Unless of course you are a soul-less creature with no shot at any type of redemption.

Knife to the eye =|===> (o)

The Goon # 6: iLagarto Hombre, originally uploaded by djbakon of Comix 365.

I find it hard not to think of any other comic being as awesome as the Goon. It has everything I need to be happy when I read a comic book. Beautiful lines and coloring. Funny, quirky, and hysterical story-lines and running jokes. Knifes to eyes.

One of my favorite comics right now.

Comic Book Fury Fables, originally uploaded by comicbookfury.

A great blend of real-life and fantasy. Epic storylines and wonderful artwork.

Soft cell

Soft cell, originally uploaded by royce kitts.

ONe of my favorite records…spinning on my turntable.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.