Blog Post
Youth and Teen Magazine Update -- Mars, Manga and the World's Greatest Drummers
by MariaK
Want to jump into January 2011? Try these magazines -- with awesome new issues for the New Year!
For kids:
Ask Magazine: Giant dinosaurs, an island of tiny humans, and the reason giants don't exist.
Muse Magazine: Women Astronauts, Space-Sickness and Martians, oh my!
For teens:
Drum! Magazine: The Ultimate Readers' Choice Awards -- The World's Greatest Drummers!
Otaku USA Magazine: News, reviews and, of course manga! This month Otaku USA features sneak peeks at Lychee Light Club and Street Fighter Gaiden, with reviews of FLCL, Gravitation, Xam'd: Lost Memories.
Read 'em while they're new, people!
Blog Post
Meet Children's author & illustrator, Mark Crilley!
by erin
For many children meeting the author of a favorite book can be a life-changing experience! Mark Crilley, the author of the recent comic book release, Brody's Ghost Vol. 1, will be doing a special visit at the Ann Arbor District Library on Sunday November, 21 from 2:00-3:30 PM at the Downtown Library.
Mark Crilley was raised in Detroit and attended Kalamazoo College where he met children's book writer/illustrator (and 2001 Caldecott award winner) David Small. David’s example inspired Mark to pursue writing and illustrating professionally. Mark’s first series of books featured, “ Akiko” The first in the series, " Akiko on the Planet Smoo", was published in 2000; the tenth, " Akiko and the Missing Misp", hit stores in 2008. Mark also wrote the Billy Clikk books and the four-volume manga series " Miki Falls.” Miki Falls has been optioned for film development by Paramount Pictures and Brad Pitt's Plan B production company. Volume two of his newest series, Brody’s Ghost, will be released in January of 2011.
Join us for a high-energy, educational, hilarious and interactive afternoon. From telling stories and drawing characters attendees will be inspired by Mark’s creativity, talent and enthusiasm! The Vault of Midnight will be selling Mark’s books and Mark will sign these (and any personal copies that fans bring with) after his talk.
Blog Post
Happy Birthday Masashi Kishimoto!
by darla
Today, November 8, is the 36th birthday of Japanese Manga artist Masashi Kishimoto, creator of the hugely popular Naruto series. Naruto, for those not familiar with this collection, is the ongoing story of teen ninja Naruto Uzumaki and his adventures. For those not acquainted with the cultural phenomenon of manga, check out materials like Manga! Manga! : The World of Japanese Comics or go straight to a prime source like the magazine Shonen Jump: The World's Most Popular Manga.
Blog Post
Author Birthdays: Radcliffe, Jordan, Tsuda
by marshd
Apparently, July 9th is a good date for birthing authors.
Among those born on this day are Alexis Piron, Johann Nikolaus Götz, Matthew Lewis, Dame Barbara Cartland, Mervyn Peake, Oliver Sacks, Dean Koontz, and Thomas Ligotti.
Today is also the birthday of noted gothic novelist Ann Radcliffe, who wrote The Mysteries of Udolpho, which influenced not only the noted gothicist Edgar Allan Poe, but also the Marquis de Sade.
In addition, we also can celebrate June Jordan, a Renaissance-woman of Caribbean descent. She was not only a novelist, but also a poet, journalist, teacher, and activist. Included in her works is the book Naming Our Destiny, of which Library Journal said, "Though Jordan's voice is especially musical in her sonnets, the range of all these poems is wide, touching our very souls".
Lastly, I'd like to mention it is also the birthday of Masami Tsuda, a Japanese graphic novelist, whose most noted work is the teen manga Kare Kano.
Blog Post
Comic Artists Forum is April 11
by K.C.
Because of Easter this Sunday April’s Comic Artist Forum will meet the second Sunday, April 11. The location for the forum is changed as well. We’ll meet at the Pittsfield branch.
The forum itself will offer the same great opportunity to share work and get fresh ideas for future comics or graphic novels. We provide the basics: pencil, paper, eraser, ruler, marker but you are welcome to bring your favorite drawing tools.
This month’s guest artist will be . Check out his Closing Doors and Other Yarns.
Comic Artists Forum | Sunday, April 11 | 1:00-3:00 PM | Pittsfield Branch | Teens and Adults
Blog Post
Honey and Clover
by celesteh
One of the best and most charming graphic novels I have recently been reading is the shōjo manga Honey and Clover. Takemoto, Morita and Mayama are three young men attending art school in Tokyo, living together in a cheap apartment with paper-thin walls. When they're not thinking about food (meat in particular) or trying to get to class on time - they're usually thinking about girls. Takemoto’s life turns upside down when he meets Hagu, a fairy-like and mysterious art prodigy in her first year at the college. Wacky and bizarre, but also dramatic (love triangles!) and even touching at times - I can't wait to read more of this series.
Honey and Clover was also adapted as a live action feature length film in Japan in 2006.
Blog Post
Comic Artists Forum for Teens and Adults
by K.C.
No matter whether you’re a budding or veteran comic artist stop by Malletts Creek this Sunday for a chance to share your work and get fresh ideas for your next comic or graphic novel project. Bring your favorite drawing tools and drop in for a few hours of drawing, learning, and sharing. For beginners we’ll provide basic supplies (i.e. paper, pencils, erasers, rulers). Jerzy Drozd will be our guest artist sharing a drawing or publishing tip.
Comic Artists Forum | Sunday, December 6 | 1-3 PM | Malletts Creek | Grades 6-Adults
Blog Post
The Queen of Manga
by pkooger
You might not recognize Rumiko Takahashi by name, but I bet you’ve seen her manga and anime characters before. Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most successful manga artists/authors in the world. She’s the creator of several worldwide favorites like InuYasha, Maison Ikkoku, and Ranma ½. Her manga is very popular and several of her series have been made into anime TV shows. AADL has lots of her manga series and a few of her anime series on DVD. Take a look!
One more thing. Fans of InuYasha will be happy to know (if you don’t already) that the final story arc is at long last being adapted for TV! AADL has DVDs of the original series and the movies. Check out the manga and follow along with the story as it unfolds each week.
Blog Post
World Fantasy Awards
by lucroe
Created in the mid-1970s, the World Fantasy Awards, associated with the annual World Fantasy Conventions were established as a fantasy counterpart to the SF-oriented Hugo and Nebula Awards. If you enjoy reading/watching/writing fantasy or science fiction, the annual conventions are definitely for you! Think about attending the 2010 convention. It will be close by in Columbus, Ohio on the weekend of October 28-31. A great way to celebrate Halloween by dressing up as your favorite fantasy character- a Volturi anyone?
Here are the winners for best novel:
The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford: In the wake of a classmate's disappearance, a sixth grader and his older brother observe strange events in 1960s Long Island, including the appearance of a man in a large white car and the deteriorating mental state of the school librarian.
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan: A young woman who has endured unspeakable cruelties is magically granted a safe haven apart from the real world and allowed to raise her two daughters in this alternate reality, until the barrier between her world and the real one begins to break down.
Best Anthology:
Paper Cities, by: Ekaterina Sedia, ed.
A collection of urban fantasy stories featuring cities--whether real or imaginary and throughout history--and how they affect the lives and experiences of their inhabitants.
Best Collection:
The Drowned Life by: Jeffrey Ford: In this mesmerizing blend of the familiar and the fantastic, multiple award-winning New York Times notable author Jeffrey Ford creates true wonders and infuses the mundane with magic.
Blog Post
Sports, Manga and Gaming -- Teen Magazine Update!
by MariaK
This month's teen magazine update focuses on the few, the proud, the fans. All you who love -- really love -- your sport, hobby, game or series, this is for you.
Basketball fans can all rejoice now that the October issues of Dime Magazine is on the shelf. Dying to hear the latest news on O. J. Mayo, Travis Outlaw, and Amar'e Stoudemire? Dime will give you that, and throw in an exclusive, up-close look at some of the bling NBA stars like Lebron James will be wearing this season.
For the tabletop war gamers out there, White Dwarf Magazine is currently featuring the Space Wolves -- with guides to painting and assembly as well as a blow by blow Battle Report describing a clash with Chaos Daemons. Not to be missed!
Last, but not least, Otaku USA's winter issue is out -- providing 32 pages of quality manga for FREE! Of course, really they just want to get you addicted to newcomers "Hero Tales" and "Battle of Genryu," but what the heck. Hey, speaking of otaku...the library will host a fun afternoon of amigurumi crochet November 15 for any fans of Japanese culture and small, cute, crocheted things.
Alright, fans, I've done my part. Now go and feed your passion (with magazines)!