Reviewed Reading

I will be the first to admit that over the past two years I have gone from mildly dorky librarian to a full blooded graphic-novel dork. It was a transition that I didn't see coming and that will haunt me later, I'm sure. My kids are already on the "one comic, one magazine" restriction from the library for the summer. I am a bad influence, I see this. Yet I hesitate to say that my love for the graphic is a bad thing. Here are my reasons:

1) Graphics have plots. Their authors have to be good storytellers to tell the story without resulting in an outline with pictures. Some are better than others, but a good one is really good.

2) Graphics present a level of depth that sometimes is missing in a novel. Emotional content, silliness and flavor are often conveyed via the art of a good graphic. Sometimes (trite but true) a picture is worth a thousand words.

3) Graphics encourage those who find reading difficult to find enjoyment in books.

4) Graphics are candy, and just like maple syrup or coffee with a shot of vanilla, you should make sure to sample all the food groups, but appreciate a big old swig of sugar, as well.

Speaking of which:

RECOMMENDED:
Guns and Smoke by Kristin Baldock and Fabio Moon

This is not a comic for the youngsters. Nor should anyone trying to quit smoking read this. However, if you are a girl (or like girls) and read graphics, this is the book for you.

All the "cigarette girls" are divided into rival gangs and vie for sales. They sell cigarettes, smoke them, and carry live ammunition. Our heroine not only likes living on the edge, she pushes the boundaries until she comes out on top...top salesgirl of the city, blood and all.

This graphic, where the "girls" are tough and the men are pretty much the background, makes me almost appreciate the comics that for so long have been aimed at boys. Turning that traditional "all-action, no plot shoot-'em-up" on its ear really worked well for me.