The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Washington White
Adam Griffiths
Secret Acres
www.secretacres.com
http://www.adamgriffiths.ink
9781734485691, $24.95, PB, 244pp

https://www.amazon.com/Washington-White-Adam-Griffiths/dp/1734485698

Synopsis: Adam Griffith's graphic novel, "Washington White", is a spy thril= ler set in a future Washington, D.C. and incorporates the true story of Ada=
m Griffiths' grandmother, Peggy Griffiths, a lawyer for the U.S. Civil Serv= ice Commission's Appeals Review Board, best known for winning a landmark bi=
as lawsuit against the federal government in 1977 for wrongfully being deni=
ed a promotion.

"Washington White" is the story of bureaucrat Peggy Fables who is denied pr= omotion by the President who plans to install a supporter of the government=
's mind-control drug program. The representation of institutionalized racis=
m experienced by his grandmother is, to Adam Griffiths, the most important = part of this work.

Critique: Published in a coffee-table style paperback volume (10.94 x 0.63 =
x 8.5 inches, 1.81 pounds), "Washington White" will have a very special app= eal to readers with an interest in LGBTQ+, Historical, Biographical, and Li= terary Fiction in a graphic novel format -- making it highly recommended fo=
r personal, community, and academic library graphic novel collections for a=
n adult readership.

Editorial Note: Adam Griffiths (https://papercutszines.com/adam-griffiths) =
is a cartoonist, illustrator, animator, photographer, video artist and cura= tor. His art centers on the various symbolisms and mutabilities of historic=
al imperialism and the class system, posing conceptual riddles about the st= ructure of society. Griffiths is a graduate of the Maryland Institute Colle=
ge of Art and has studied at the Center for Cartooning Studies and the Sequ= ential Art Workshop. His work has been exhibited at the Flashpoint Gallery,=
the Fridge, Hillyer Art Space, International Studio and Curatorial Program=
(ISCP), Pleasant Plains Workshop, Rhizome DC, School 33, Washington Projec=
t for the Arts (WPA).

The Team-Up Companion
Michael Eury, author
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com
9781605491127, $39.95, PB, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Team-Up-Companion-Michael-Eury/dp/1605491128

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Team-Up Companion", comic book histo= rian, Back Issue and RetroFan editor Michael Eury examines team-up comic bo= oks of the Silver and Bronze Ages of Comics -- DC's The Brave and the Bold = and DC Comics Presents, Marvel's Marvel Team-Up and Marvel Two-in-One, plus=
other team-up titles, treasuries, and treats -- in a lushly illustrated se= lection of informative essays, special features, and trivia-loaded issue-by= -issue indexes.

Comic book fans will be taken behind the scenes of their favorite team-up c= omic books with specially curated and all-new creator recollections from Ne=
al Adams, Jim Aparo, Mike W. Barr, Eliot R. Brown, Nick Cardy, Chris Clarem= ont, Gerry Conway, Steve Englehart, Steve Gerber, Steven Grant, Bob Haney, = Tony Isabella, Paul Kupperberg, Paul Levitz, Ralph Macchio, Dennis O'Neil, = Martin Pasko, Joe Rubinstein, Roy Thomas, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and many = other all-star writers and artists who produced the team-up tales that so c= aptivated readers during the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s.

Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with classic comic book cover il= lustrations to enhance the impressively informative and inherently fascinat= ing commentary, "The Team-Up Companion" a fun and information loaded read f= rom cover to cover. A unique and valued contribution to the growing library=
of Comics & Graphic Novels literature and histories, "The Team-Up Companio=
n" is an important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, profe= ssional, community, college, and university library Comics/Graphic Novels c= ollections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Michael "Mike" Eury is an editor and writer of comic books,=
and of reference works pertaining to comic books and other aspects of pop = culture. He has worked for DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics and Comico Comics, = having worked on books including Maze Agency and The Legion of Super-Heroes=
, originating practices such as the loose leaf format of DC's Who's Who in = the DC Universe reference series. In 2002 he began working for TwoMorrows P= ublishing, and since 2003, has edited the retrospective magazine Back Issue=
! He is also an advisor for the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, and as o=
f 2018, he has written over two dozen books examining aspects of pop cultur=
e. (Wikipedia).

The Man Who Fell to Earth: The Official Movie Adaptation
Dan Watters, author
Dev Pramanik, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781787737013, $29.99, HC, 128pp

https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Fell-Earth-Adaptation/dp/1787737012

Synopsis: An all-new, fully-authorised graphic novel adaptation of the cult=
1976 movie starring David Bowie and directed by Nicholas Roeg, "The Man Wh=
o Fell to Earth: The Official Movie Adaptation" includes a gallery of never= -before-seen photos used to illustrate an exclusive feature on the making o=
f the movie. Also included is a bonus section showcasing the development of=
the book itself.

The film, based on the classic science fiction novel by Walter Trevis, sees=
an extra-terrestrial called Thomas Jerome Newton (played in the movie by D= avid Bowie) land on Earth in search of water to save his dying home planet.=
Using his advanced scientific knowledge, Thomas becomes incredibly rich an=
d uses his wealth to search for a way to transport water back to his home p= lanet. But as his mission on Earth drags on, Thomas becomes seduced by the = excesses of our world and desperate to return home unaware he has become a = target of interest for the U.S. Government and a sinister corporation, eage=
r to exploit him.

This all-new graphic novel also features exclusive bonus material including=
a 10-page article on the production of the original film illustrated with = dozens of rarely seen on-set photographs. As well as cover concepts, charac= ter designs, a 'script to art' section chronicling the development of the a= rtwork, and a reproduction of the original movie poster.

Critique: A memorably impressive adaptation of an outstanding film version =
of a classic science fiction novel, "The Man Who Fell to Earth: The Officia=
l Movie Adaptation" by the team of author/storyteller Dan Watters and artis= t/illustrator Dev Pramanik is an especially recommended addition to persona=
l and community library Science Fiction graphic novel collections. It shoul=
d be noted that "The Man Who Fell to Earth: The Official Movie Adaptation" =
is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle/Comixology, $28.= 49).

Editorial Note #1: Dan Watters )https://www.dc.com/talent/dan-watters) is a=
UK-based comic-book writer. His first book, "Limbo" was released through I= mage Comics in 2016. He has since written "The Shadow" for Dynamite Comics,=
and "Assassin's Creed", "Wolfenstein", and the 2022 smash-hit "Cowboy Bebo=
p" for Titan Comics. Currently he is writing "Arkham City: The Order of the=
World" for DC Comics, and "Home Sick Pilots" for Image Comics.

Editorial Note #2: Dev Pramanik studied at the Jalpaiguri Government Engine= ering College. His first published work was on Nightbreedbreed #9-11. He we=
nt on to work on Vampire: The Masquerade, Paradiso and Firefly as well as w= orking with Ram V on both Grafity's Wall and Black Mumba. He recently finis= hed work on the comic adaptation of the prequel to Dune: House Atreides.

Apple Black 2
Odunze Oguguo
Rockport
c/o Quarto
quarto.com
9780760376911 $13.99 pbk / $10.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Black-Rockport-Sunny-Saturday/dp/0760376913

Synopsis: Young sorcerer and prophesied savior, Sano, continues his quest b=
y attempting to uncover and protect the secrets behind his father's researc=
h on the immense power known as Apple Black.

Many years ago, humans acquired fruits called "Black" from a tree that desc= ended from the skies, which turned humans into sorcerers. Although all of B= lack is now extinct, humans still have sorcery inherited from their ancesto= rs. Blessed by "Merlin," the god of sorcery, with the Arodihs arm, Sano, a = young sorcerer, is raised and trained in isolation and secrecy to be the wo= rld's savior known as the Trinity. The savior is believed to be the one who=
dawns the Infinite Night, an eternal night of chaos.

Sano gets a fiery start after being admitted to Black Bottom Island's guild=
for young sorcerers with his newfound freedom from isolation. As his fello=
w gifted allies and sorcerers accompany Sano on his quest, the treachery, b= etrayal, and evil that have plagued nearly all of Eden emerge again to thre= aten the world. With his visions offering him a darker path, Sano seeks to = find those responsible for his loss and walk a path away from revenge but r= ather one towards forgiveness to find closure. Ridding Eden of the Infinite=
Night will require him to uncover the secrets behind his father's research=
on fully rejuvenating the effects of Black in bloodlines with the immense = power known as Apple Black.

Opal Wantmore, another young sorcerer, must find a misplaced tourist amid B= lack Bottom Island. Unfortunately, it's under attack by a deadly division o=
f rebels from Gideon Banburi's rebellion. These terrorists seek to collect = Apple Black research and to leave the country in ruins. But nothing would b=
e better than to capture Sano, the Trinity himself! The siege is led by Pri= nce Ceazar Ashokahn, who has his own motives for wanting to scorch Black Bo= ttom Island off the face of Eden.

Apple Black is rated T for Teen, recommended for ages 13 and up.

Critique: Apple Black 2 is the second volume of a black-and-white manga (Ja= panese graphic novel) series by creator Odunze Oguguo, and an all-new relau= nch of Oguguo's "Apple Black" high-action-fantasy saga set in a world where=
the power of sorcery has been inherited among humans for generations. The = world is plagued with violence, betrayal, and suffering; Sano, a young sorc= erer, is on a quest to learn more about the mysterious power of Apple Black=
, and perhaps transform society. In addition to Sano's struggles, Volume 2 = (subtitled "Sunny Eyes") highlights the brash, sharp-tongued, strong-willed=
student sorceress Opal Wantmore (pictured on the cover); she is determined=
to find a misplaced tourist who could be in peril on Black Bottom Island! =
A thoroughly engaging blend of magic, combat, and shades of dystopia, the A= pple Black series is highly recommended. It should be noted that Apple Blac=
k is intended for readers who are 13 or older, since there are scenes of vi= olence.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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