THE COMPLETE MAUS

The Complete Maus

(25^th Anniversary Edition)

By Art Spiegelman

Published by Pantheon Books

Copyright © 2011

Review by Anthony Kendrick

So, many people believe that graphic novels and comic books aren’t real literature, and that at most they are a low form of art and entertainment. Those people have not read “MAUS”. I have finally read this much acclaimed graphic novel and I found it to be one the most compelling and absorbing true stories of the Holocaust that I have ever read.

Maus tells the biographical and autobiographical story of Vladek, Anja, and Art Spiegelman. Vladek and Anja were Jews who lived in Poland at the beginning of World War II and they saw the horrors of German treatment of Jews throughout German occupied Europe. Against all odds they lived to tell the tale. Art is Vladek’s and Anja’s son and in addition to his parent’s story he shows and describes a little of how his parent’s ordeal effected his life and choices. What really makes this story unique is how the story is told graphically. The stark black and white drawings work perfectly with the equally blunt and depressing subject matter. Also you won’t ever forget who is who as each person is characterized as an animal based on their nationality; which is why the book is called Maus, because our main characters are Jewish and are portrayed as mice. These characterizations have connections to historic propaganda.

I found this book riveting for its honesty and accessibility.  Using this artistic form really opens up the holocaust to people who otherwise wouldn’t read a book about the subject. He also portrays it in such a way that you still feel the gravity of the event without being overcome by it. This is the perfect book to engage students (and adults alike) in the history of the holocaust. This is a five star book!

EXPLORER 2

Explorer: The Lost Islands

Edited by Kazu Kibuishi

Published by Amulet Books

Copyright © 2013

Review by Anthony Kendrick

Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the Amulet Series and the comic strip “Copper”, is back with a second installment of his graphic short story collection “Explorer”; This one is entitled “The Lost Islands”.  Kibuishi edits, and contributes to, this collection in which the premise is that every story should have/use a lost island in some way.

I love the concept of these books. Everyone builds their own story around one theme and then these fantastic graphic illustrators bring it to life as well. So this book is rich with color, texture, and even beauty.

My favorite stories in this edition are “Rabbit Island” By Jake Parker where we visit a island inhabited by personified rabbits who become too reliant on technology. It really hits home in the society in which we live where so few people know how to do anything with their own hands.

…and I also liked “Loah” by Michael Gagné which tells the story of a group of fish that are in terrible danger as their island is about to explode. Of course I love this one most because it is visually colorful, clean, and stunning.

This is a wonderful book if you want to see the way a theme inspires artists differently. It might also be a great to have students write a short story based on the same theme as well. I hope Kibuishi continues to roll out the “Explorer” books.

MERCURY

By Hope Larson
Published by Atheneum
Copyright © 2010
Review by Anthony Kendrick

“Mercury” is, for me, the embodiment of a great graphic novel. Larson tells a strong story that is realistic with just a hint of magic. And her illustrations show so well just what can be done in simple black and white.

Josie Fraser has her heart set on her best friend’s brother Jonathan, until a stranger by the name of Asa Curry comes to the farm. He seems like a good God fearing young man and he is handsome to boot. He has come to propose a business venture with Josie’s father, he wants to form a partnership with him and mine for gold on his property. Josie falls in love with him and they plan to marry, but she soon learns that Asa isn’t what he seems.

150 years later Josie’s descendant, Tara Fraser, is living with her Aunt in the same town. Tara’s mother has been working in Alberta since their house burned down back home. Her mother wants to sell the family property and have Tara move to Alberta with her, but Tara is less than enthused about this idea. That house and property had been in Tara and Josie’s family for a long time, and Tara isn’t ready to give up on it.

As we read Josie’s story slipping into tragedy and sadness, we simultaneously get to read of Tara’s story rising from tragedy and sadness into hope that has its roots in the Nova Scotia Gold Rush.

Hope Larson takes us to a place that most of us have never been, or even thought of going, and she takes us to a time and event that we didn’t even know happened. I had no idea that there was a Nova Scotia gold rush, but there was one in the 1860’s and beyond. In truth there is still small scale gold mining there today. I love stories that can inform and transport you to such events.

In addition to the story the artwork is wonderful. The black and white frames really move the story along and Larson has a real knack for conveying emotion with facial expressions. Another thing that I noticed from page one is that her drawing style seems to be slightly influenced by Jeff Smith, writer and illustrator of the Bone graphic novels. (One of the best, if not the best, graphic novels ever.) I absolutely love Smith’s style and I love Larson’s just as much.

Mercury is suitable for most teens and the characters are very relatable. If, like me, you love graphic novels that are heavier on story and relatable characters rather than on out of this world color graphics and superheroes, then Mercury is definitely for you.

WONDERLAND

By Tommy Kovac
Illustrated by Sonny Liew
Published by Disney Press
Copyright © 2008
Review by Anthony Kendrick

“Why Mary Ann! What are you doing out here?...Don’t just do something, stand there... Uh... no no! Go go! Go get my gloves! I'm late!” The familiar cries of the White Rabbit, of course, but just who is this Mary Ann?

Wonderland is an unofficial offshoot of Disney’s original animated movie “Alice in Wonderland”. It isn’t the same old cutesy nonsense though. Wonderland takes us to the aftermath of Alice’s visit and show’s us Wonderland from the viewpoint of the White Rabbit’s clean freak maid, Mary Ann.

The White Rabbit is implicated in the events with the “Alice Monster” and he is soon being hunted by the Queen of Hearts with Mary Ann in tow. With the leading and misleading of the Cheshire Cat Mary Ann soon finds herself the object of the Queen’s ire and the focus of “The Curious” who view her as a savior. This chase is going to end with a battle for power between various members of Wonderland and a battle with power (or the idea of it) for Mary Ann.

This beautifully illustrated graphic novel is definitely Disney-esque but with a hint of Asian Manga influence. The story itself is edgy and funny, especially with Mary Ann’s obsessive cleaning and her over the top reactions to dirt. Who would think that such a character trait could get a person into so much trouble? There are moments when Mary Ann becomes very relatable, especially to teens, when she is contemplating her self-worth and what she wants to do with her life. I really appreciated what Mary Ann chose to do when presented with a decision to change her life. Would it be for the better? Was there anything wrong with her position as it was? Even though it is just a graphic novel, it makes a person think about what is really valuable and what it is that makes us important.

This is an enjoyable and colorful read that should keep most young adults attention, however it might help to be familiar with the original books by Lewis Carroll or with the 1951 Disney movie if you want to understand the story more fully.