At ALIA Graphic, we are always excited to share comic-related news, especially when it comes to Australian creators.
This month, we caught up with Australian author Bruce Mutard ahead of the Perth Comic Arts Festival and Comic Arts Awards of Australia for our monthly podcast, and also have news and details of the the Comic Arts Awards shortlist. You can listen to our episode with Bruce through Apple Podcasts here. To put it simply, we can't wait for awards announcements in August!
We have also compiled a bunch of interviews with prolific creators such as Mariko Tamaki and Tillie Walden, as well as up-and-coming creators, such as the duo behind new young adult graphic novel, Slip by writer Marika McCoola and artist Aatmaja Pandy. If that wasn't enough, No Flying No Tights' comics librarians have you covered with what to say if and when you are ever faced with the 'graphic novels aren't real books' argument. While this article is primarily focused on school libraries, it shares interesting resources, collection development tips and tricks, and insightful discussion to counter the old hesitation around graphic novels. Whether you are reading for pleasure, to appreciate art, or to gain deeper understanding into a topic, we believe graphic novels and comics can be a big part of anyone's learning and development.
News
The Comic Arts Awards of Australia announced their shortlisted titles a few weeks ago. This is an outstanding collection of comics by Australian creators worth checking out. We look forward to the awards ceremony on the first weekend of August.
No Flying No Tights is a website we’ve recommended many times, a website by librarians for librarians, dedicated to comics, graphic novels and Manga. They’ve recently published a three way discussion about Persuading Skeptics to read comics as part of their Ask the Comics Librarian series. A really interesting discussion worth reading.
Publishers Weekly has published a great article by Heidi McDonald with an update on the challenges libraries and librarians are facing in the US, including defending collections, what the Graphic Novels and Comic Roundtable is up to, supply chain problems with Manga and live, in-person events coming back.
Tillie Walden’s eagerly awaited Clementine is the first volume in a trilogy, with volume 2 coming out next year. The Beat interviewed Tillie Walden about what it’s like entering the world of The Walking Dead to create her story.
Kentaro Miura passed away but Berserk will be completed by his dear friend Kouji Mori who listened to Miura for years talk about the stories he was going to tell and the team who worked with Miura. They intend to complete his vision, more on this on Popverse from Chris Arrant.
Popverse has also published a great interview with the ever awesome Mariko Tamaki.
Marvel announces a new trans superhero, Escapade. Also from Marvel, the The Beat reports the long awaited return of Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham to finish Miracleman is finally happening! Extraordinary news for all those fans who have been waiting since 1989.
Upcoming series “Public Domain” goes “behind the scenes” to critique the comic industry’s creation process and advocate for creators’ rights.
How is Harley Quinn already 30 digital years old? DC Comics is celebrating her thirtieth birthday with a special 96 pages issue, with alternate covers and a homage to her first comic book appearance.
It may not be summer here in Australia, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy this creator chat with the team behind middle grade graphic novel Slip.
Collections
In celebration of Pride Month we put together a list of some of our favourite graphic novels, and some new ones for good measure, with LGBTQIA+ themes and creators. Check it out and let us know what your favourites are.
Are you wondering what big comics and graphic novels are coming out during the northern hemisphere’s summer blockbuster season? Wonder no more. Popverse has you covered with a roundup of all the big titles.
Webinars/Podcasts
The Perth Comic Arts Festival and Comic Arts Awards of Australia are coming up in August so we had a talk with Bruce Mutard, who’s involved in the committee for both. He gives us the lowdown on this recent podcast episode.
Library Pass hosted a great webinar about facing book challenges and bans that focuses on comics and graphic novels. Follow this link for a great thread where they share a lot of resources that came up in the discussion.
The Manga in Libraries series continues, this month they discussed ‘Teaching With Manga’. The full webinar discussion is available on their YouTube page. You can check all they’re doing on their website here.
New Releases
Junior & YA
Batter Royale by Leisl Adams (Abrams)
Clementine: Book One by Tillie Walden (Image Comics)
Curse of the Chosen Vol 1 of 2 by Alexis Deacon (Nobrow)
Fangirl Volume 2 by Rainbow Rowell, Sam Maggs, Gabi Nam (Viz Media)
Ghost Reaper Girl volume 1 by Akissa Saiké (Viz Media)
Ima Koi (Now I’m in Love) Volume 2 by Ayuko Hatta (Viz Media)
The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor (Kokila)
Shuri and T’Challa: Into the Heartlands by Roseanne Brown, Dika Araujo (Scholastic)
Slip by Marika McCoola, Aatmaja Pandya (Algonquin Books)
Star Wars Edge of Balance Vol 2 by Shima Shynia, Justina Ireland, Mizuki Sakakibara (Viz Media)
To Strip the Flesh by Oto Toda (Viz Media)
Summer Fires by Giulia Sagramola (Dark Horse)
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon volume 1 by Takashi Shiina, Main Character Design by Rumiko Takahashi, Script Cooperation by Katsuyuki Sumisawa (Viz media)
Adult
Dune: House of Atreides Vol 3 by Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, Dev Pramanik (Boom! Studios)
The Golden Boy: Beethoven’s Youth by Mikael Ross (Fantagraphics)
Liebestrasse by Gregory Lockard, Tim Fish (Dark Horse)
Once & Future Vol 4 by Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain (Boom! Studios)
Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame (Alfred A. Knopf)
The Pass by Espé (Graphic Mundi)
The Treasure of the Black Swan by Paco Roca, Guillermo Roca (Fantagraphics)
Ultrasound by Conor Stechschulte (Fantagraphics)
World Record Holders by Guy Delisle (Drawn & Quarterly)
