Celebrate Martin Luther King Day
If you have the day off then you’ve got time to read Ho Che Anderson’s masterpiece King. Taking over a decade to complete and now gathered in one volume, Anderson explores Martin Luther King’s life from birth to his assassination. It is a critical biography, both realizing King as a hero and a flawed human. The dream King had is laid out in brilliant color and actual photographs. A good choice for anyone wanting to know about the man and his devotion to raise this country up.
If you’ve already read King or are wanting to know about the Civil Rights Movement, you might also like these books:
In Incognegro, Mat Johnson writes a mystery wrapped up in the true story about light skinned reporters from Harlem who would infiltrate the hostile South. These men risked their lives to tell the truth. In Johnson’s story, the reporter who calls himself “Incognegro” finds himself in the middle of a mystery with his brother accused of murdering his white girlfriend.
Sports has a funny way of bringing people together through competition. It’s not about race but about orange and blue vs. green and white. Famous African-American pitcher, Satchel Paige is the subject of Satchel Paige: Striking out Jim Crow. It’s an exciting and subtle story of hope.
Finally, as a prelude to the Civil Rights Movement, acclaimed creator Kyle Baker presents Nat Turner. The slave rebellion is unflinchingly told, using art to reveal the true horrors of the slave trade. King was not a violent man but even he could see the bravery and necessity of fighting a system that sees people as property. It was these first few steps that lead to this country struggling with and beginning to overcome a history full of nightmares and dreams.
Last Minute Gifts
“Not just for nerds!”, proclaims a Publisher’s Weekly article on giving graphic novels to the readers on your Christmas list. They have a pretty good list and here’s (in my opinion) the highlights.
Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka – have I talked about this mange enough yet? No? Ok, let me reiterate. This story about a talented yet mad doctor is both heartwarming AND gory. A perfect gift!
Ghost World, Special Edition by Daniel Clowes - ok, I admit I saw the movie before reading the book. I liked the movie, loved the book. I don’t usually compare the two but this deluxe edition includes the movie screenplay so obsessives can sit and pick apart the differences. It also includes a “where are they now” comic! Awesome!
Hellboy 2: The Chained Coffin, the Right Hand of Doom, and Others by Mike Mignola - they claim this list isn’t just for nerds but include a “velvet-bound, over-sized book that showcases [Mignola's] his stunning art to it’s fullest”. I don’t know about you but the only person who gets excited over my absolute or deluxe editions is a total (cute) nerd. So if you know one, trust me, big giant comics that feel really heavy are the perfect gift!
Local by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly – I became a fan of Brian Wood after his collection of short stories, Demo. Local is just as good, if not better. Plus, it includes a chapter set in Norman! Nothing like seeing your local haunts depicted in a story about loss and depression is there?
Kramer’s Ergot #7 edited by Sammy Harkham – I haven’t read it but I can’t go a single day without hearing about it.
Gifts they recommend that I would pass on:
DC Vault and Marvel Chronicles – two histories of the giants, complete with memorabilia and an insane price tag.
Will Eisner’s The Spirit: A Pop-Up Graphic Novel by Will Eisner – yay! Sexism! Racism! In 3D! Include a pair of tickets to the awful looking movie to really make someone uncomfortable this Christmas. *Disclaimer* I know Eisner is a genius but really, the Spirit needs some updating and Darwyn Cook’s version doesn’t really manage it.
