Graphic Novels presents an accessible, entertaining, and highly illustrated guide to the diversity of contemporary comics in book form. Featuring striking graphics and explanatory extracts from a wide range of graphic novels, the book examines the specific language of the comics medium; the history and pioneers of the form; recent masterpieces from Art Spiegelman's Maus to Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan; the impact of Japanese manga and European albums translated into English; how artists have overcome prejudices towards the genre; and the ambitious range of themes and issues artists are addressing, including childhood, war and survival, politics, the future, sexuality, and the supernatural.
]]>Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics presents an accessible, entertaining, and highly-illustrated introduction to the development and diversity of Japanese comics from 1945 to the present. Featuring striking graphics and extracts from a wide range of manga, the book covers such themes as the specific attributes of manga in contrast to American and European comics; the life and career of Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy and originator of story manga; boys' comics from the 1960s to the present; the genres and genders of girls' and women's comics; the darker, more realistic themes of gekiga -- violent samurai, disturbing horror and apocalyptic science fiction; issues of censorship and protest; and manga's role as a major Japanese export and global influence.
]]>Some of the rare treasures you will encounter are Presidents who become muscle-bound superheroes, cavemen who fight giant tabby cats, and a peasant-girl who fervently worships the swastika. But . . . are you ready for Russia's busty bombshell Octobriana? What about getting your groove on with Mod Love? How about scaring your kid sister with the flesh-eating animals in The Barn of Fear? And if you can stomach these, you might want to try Amputee Love, Fatman the Human Flying Saucer, Tales of the Leather Nun, and many, many more.
</DIV>]]>Notorious comic book brainiacs Paul Gravett and Peter Stanbury have scoured the world to bring together the strangest comics to be found. Gigantic alien monsters in swimming trunks rub up against the Leather Nun; hip-hop superheroes fight street crime, while peasant-girl Hansi worships the swastika. Also included alongside long-running series are bizarre one-off titles such as Barnyard of Fear, Chaplains at War, Amputee Love and Cannibal Romance.
Following an entertaining and informative introduction which places the comics in context, Gravett & Stanbury present an ever-changing parade of 50 rare and crazy comics, each featured in a colourful double-page spread with the eye-popping cover shown at full size.
The Leather Nun will make the perfect quirky gift for comics fans, collectors of curiosities - and anyone with a taste for offbeat humour.