The Happy Prince Makes Lots of Reviewers Happy
June 14, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog, Reviews
Years in the making, P. Craig Russell’s long awaited fifth volume of his Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde series, The Happy Prince, has been getting the fantastic reviews that it deserves. This is a book not to be missed, and if you haven’t picked it up yet, waste not a moment more and check it out (after reading some of the fantastic review excerpts below, of course!).
“While much of the story is pensive or even outright sad, Wilde still pops in with some sharp satiric wit now and then. This is not a fairy tale with a happy ending, or at least what we would normally think of as a happy ending, but it certainly makes its point. Russell’s sensitive, belle epoque–inspired artwork brings the story to life with a matched sensibility that makes other comics adaptations look clumsy.”
“Russell’s illustrations provide impressive visions of the descriptions the prince and the swallow share. While he tells of the hardship of his people, the bird dreams of flying away to Egypt and the exotic sights to be found there. All together, it makes for a feast for the eyes of many of the extremes of our world — artistic accomplishment (the gilded statue), natural beauty (the bird and the reed), faraway lands (the swallow’s Egyptian dreams), and the ups and downs of home (those living among us who need help).”
“An outstanding piece of work, well worth your time and money, whether you’re a Wilde fan, a Russell fan, or just want to try something new.”
“The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde Vol. 5: The Happy Prince is another triumph for both Russell and NBM. I’ll be sad when this series finally wraps up with the final adaptation, but it’s also as good a time as any to go back and re-read the earlier volumes. Russell’s art is never one to be missed, and The Happy Prince is no exception. Highly recommended, for readers of all ages.”
“Russell manages to capture the tone of the fairy tale perfectly, neither letting Wilde do most of the heavy lifting nor leaving so much out that the original author seems ill-served. The tale itself is a bit heavy-handed and sentimental, but Russell’s talents manage to dampen down the more saccharine aspects. Would that all literary to comic adaptations could be so graceful.”
– Robot 6
ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE is a “Must Read”
May 21, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog, Reviews
If you haven’t checked out Rohan at the Louvre yet, what are you waiting for? The book is continuing to get some fantastic reviews…
What’s the matter? You don’t like good comics?
“Rohan at the Louvre has all the elements of my type of story: fairy tale whimsy, attention to the artistic process, and an ending bathed in horror. The art is often times beautiful, yet other times absolutely chilling. And seen through the eyes of Rohan, who is cursed with the power to dissect those around him with a simple gaze, Rohan at the Louvre communicates how an artist views the world in a manner that I’ve never seen. Even those who are not fond of manga will be pleasantly surprised at this fantastic hardcover book. If you like art, horror, and fairy tale, Rohan at the Louvre is a must read.”
“The previous, fourth title in the Louvre’s distinguished graphic novel series, The Sky Over the Louvre, set an even higher standard than the first three high-quality titles, and Araki’s gorgeous ghost story easily matches them all for plot, drawing chops, and emotional gut-punch. This excellent volume is recommended for dans of extrame manga artishness and for horror otaku.”
– Library Journal
“Rohan at the Louvre is a fun book, and it’s one that grows on you with time. I enjoyed it when I first read it, but a day later I found myself thinking about it and how effective some of the scenes in the book were…This is a dark, creepy book.”
“Araki’s depictions of the ghostly attacks beneath the Louvre are darkly grotesque and effective, a strong counterpoint to the brightly hued images of the above-ground museum…Araki’s art contains a strong Western comics influence—his figures reminded me of ’70s Marvel more than once—and contains none of the visual short-cuts that can prove alienating to those readers less in sync with manga conventions.”
So, what are you waiting for?
You can order it directly from us HERE or from your favorite comic store, book store or e-retailer.
ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE Has The Web Buzzing
May 16, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog
Our latest volume of the Louvre series, Rohan at the Louvre by Hirohiko Araki has garnered quite a bit of attention. Here are some of the latest reviews:
“A highly effective horror story, of the sort that will be familiar and welcome to fans of 21st century J-horror. Araki has a strong sense of design that leans hard and far away from the direction of what comes to the casual manga reader’s mind when they hear the word “manga,” and the panels are all big and rich in detail in a way that suggests European rather than Japanese comics art.”
– Robot 6
“Everything here works; the art is lovely, the colors are striking, the story is interesting, and the presentation (hardcover and in proper right-to-left format) is excellent. The Louvre series continues to be absolutely magic for readers.”
“It’s a neat comic… a nice chance to see manga art in color, which is a rarity, at least for work that has been translated into English. It also seems like a good sample of Araki’s work, something that might point readers toward his other stuff, with expectations of nonsensical craziness and eccentric art, and the feeling that anything can, and probably will, happen.”
– Warren Peace Sings the Blues
“An imaginative celebration of the Louvre Museum, conveying its scale, age, and majesty. Araki’s book is one of the most dramatically satisfying, achieving a near-perfect balance between telling a ghost story and telling the Louvre’s own story.”
Have you read it yet? What are your thoughts?
This JULY, NBM Covers Philosophy and History With Two Exciting Releases
May 14, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog
Here’s what we’ve got being solicited this month and appearing in comic shops this July; two very exciting non fiction releases from two authors making their NBM debuts!
T
axes, The Tea Party, and those Revolting Rebels A Comics History of the American Revolution
By Stan Mack
Here’s the fun way to learn all about the Birth of the United States: in comics!
“A cartoonist de-mythologizes the Founding Fathers and makes them more ‘like us’”says The New York Times.
Uncannily relevant to today’s world. Learn about the original revolt against taxes: the Boston Tea Party, and the original Occupy movement: the Rebels in revolt against the status quo.
A whimsical and informative pictorial history featuring a chubby, insecure King George III, rebellious and misunderstood colonists, loudmouthed and insensitive aristocrats, and more.
Updated from the original “Stan Mack’s Real Life American Revolution” published by Avon books in 1994 .
6×9, 176pp., B&W hardcover, $14.99
ISBN 9781561636976
Philosophy- A Discovery in Comics
By Margreet de Heer
A fun introduction in comics to deep thinking and the history of Philosophy!
What is Thinking? And how does our thinking set us apart from other animals?
Now that we’re thinking, what is Reality? Is there an objective reality or are there numerous subjective realities?
And do we move in it with a free will or is everything predestined?
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Erasmus, Descartes, Spinoza, Nietzsche: just a few philosophers who have pondered these questions. Comic artist Margreet de Heer and her husband Yiri travel through the history of Western Philosophy and draw a colorful picture of all these questions.
8×8, 120pp., full color hardcover, $16.99
ISBN 9781561636983
Everybody is Talking About RICK GEARY
May 4, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog, Reviews
The Legendary Rick Geary
Last week we announced that Rick Geary’s latest volume of The Treasury of XXth Century Murder, Lover’s Lane: The Hall-Mills Mystery will be released this June.
Here’s what iFanboy said just about the solicitation:
“Each time Rick Geary releases a new comic on a historical murder, you can be sure that I’ll recommend it.”
Geary’s true crime books continue to attract readers and fans years after their release.
Check out what some folks have been saying recently:
A Treasury of Victorian Murder V.7: The Murder of Abraham Lincoln
“Rick Geary once again proves his artistic and story-telling chops in this volume. He packs an amazing number of historical references into this beautifully rendered tale while also making it compelling and suspenseful, even to readers familiar with the facts”
A Treasury of XXth Century Murder The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans
“Geary’s artwork, as usual is wonderful. No one does b&w like he does and his artwork is simply perfect for the mood and atmosphere of murder and the macabre.”
A Treasury of Victorian Murder V. 3: The Borden Tragedy
“Geary does his usual top-notch job of rendering historical scenes with great accuracy and detail as well as catching readers up in a tight plot.”
Treasury of XXth Century Murder: The Lives of Sacco & Vanzetti
“In short, The Lives of Sacco and Vanzetti details a court case that is so full of improper procedures, sketchy evidence, and outright tampering that reading Geary’s account makes you wonder how on earth this wasn’t declared a mistrial. That’s part of what makes Geary’s Treasury books so powerful; he has a gift of pulling you deep into these people’s stories and making you feel like you’re living alongside these news events. “
“His meticulous art injects a sense of drama and intrigue into the proceedings.”
For more details, be sure to visit Rick’s homepage at RickGeary.com!
Ephemeral Tidbits – New Reviews For NBM Favorites
May 3, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog, Reviews
It’s always nice to see that a book lives on beyond it’s release date. Hopefully being shared and recommended to like minded readers.
Teacher Librarian Magazine‘s Joe Sutliff Sanders recently took a look at Sean Michael Wilson and Chie Kutsuwada’s The Story of Lee commenting:
“Drawn with the iconic faces and screen-tones manga aficionados cherish, and written with the sensitivity to the passion of first love, The Story of Lee is a story to move any heart.
Several months after it’s release, Ernie Colón’s Inner Sanctum is still gathering new readers.
“Colón demonstrates his considerable talents and offer(s) sufficient chills to interest even the most jaded horror comics fan…Essentially, Inner Sanctum serves as a showcase for the extraordinary Colón.”
“The stories are a mix of psychological horror (the kind where there’s always a rational explanation for the most irrational-seeming events) and fantasy horror (the kind where the devil really does walk the earth, and vampires are not just the product of overheated, virginal imaginations), with the more successful playing with the boundaries between the two genres. This is a fun volume to read, particularly if you have nostalgic bent.”
“Renowned for his intuitive ability to spot the blacks and the use of contrast to help build atmosphere…Colón’s art alone is worth the price of admission.”
Altering the support of sounds for the support of pictures is only part of Colón’s work here: his choices of panels and perspectives come to the fore to create a new—but loyal—way of experiencing what started as actor’s voices.
“It’s fun to see Colón attempting Warren-style horror again, and at the least, the overall gruesomeness and cleverness of these stories might drive some readers to rediscover the radio show.”
And finally, a new look at the Eisner-nominated On The Odd Hours,
“On the Odd Hours is a nifty graphic novel, full of fascinating scenes that highlight the relationship people have with art and why we care so much about it. I’d definitely Recommend you check it out. It’s more thoughtful and clever than you might expect, and it’s a gorgeous looking comic book, which goes a long way!”
More Thoughts On STARGAZING DOG
May 2, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog, Reviews
Sure, Takashi Murakami’s Stargazing Dog was well received when it first came out (making several “Best of 2011″ Lists), but what are other reviewers thinking in regard to this title?
“Takashi Murakami’s Stargazing Dog will break your heart. I can’t emphasize that enough…The story sucked me in that hard. I’m a softie for this book, completely.”
” It’s one of the sweetest, saddest stories you could pick up.”
“Stargazing Dog has been a best-seller in Japan since its release, and what’s charming and universally appealing about this little novel isn’t the pictures—it’s the story”
“This graphic novel strikes a resonating and emotional chord. It really gets at the heart of what makes us happy, what makes us human, and what makes us family.”
– Kirkwood Public Library Staff Reads Blog
“Stargazing Dog will make you despair at the unfairness of life and wonder at the power of love and loyalty.”
Have you read Stargazing Dog yet? What do you think?
The Critics Speak! Reviews of ROHAN AT THE LOUVRE Hit The Web!
April 30, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog, Reviews
The latest volume in our Louvre series, Rohan at the Louvre by Hirohiko Araki has been out for a bit now and we’ve gotten many fantastic mentions and reviews.
“Triggers bodily mayhem of a type sure to warm the hearts of old souls who remember the author’s early ’80s bio-mutation opus Baoh.”
“Looking like the work of a Japanese P. Craig Russell, Araki’s art lends a wistful mood to the tale’s proceedings and arrests the eye with willowy figures and expressive faces. Previous volumes of this graphic novel series published by the Louvre itself have all been excellent, and this is no exception.”
“Rohan at the Louvre is less aimed at the bovine teenagers grazing the manga aisles at Barnes and Noble and more toward the sort of mature, comics-as-artform crowd…The sort of bizarre, distinct, and memorable one-shot manga that rarely ever sees the light of day over in North America”
“A refreshing, visceral exploration of the concept of the artistic muse and the desperate lengths most of us will go to capture and hold onto inspiration.”
“Rohan at the Louvre belongs on everyone’s shelf! This book has rocketed to the top of my “Best of” list for the year.”
“I found Rohan to be an engrossing and welcomed change of pace from the majority of my comics reading these days. Rohan is also a beautiful book.”
“Araki’s striking color work is marvelously effective, adding another level to his artistry. While the color emphasizes the fantastic, Araki’s line and figure work tends toward the realistic, creating an interesting and engaging contrast. Araki’s illustrations are meant to be looked at and appreciated not just as part of the story but as art.”
“Araki’s style is flamboyant and flashy, an interesting merger between traditional Japanese linework and American slickness.”
Have you read Rohan At The Louvre yet? What are your thoughts?
This Weekend, NBM Proudly Debuts P. Craig Russell’s The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde V. 5 at MoCCA!
April 27, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under Author Appearances, Events, New Releases
This weekend, at the 2012 MoCCA Fest, we’re debuting the long awaited fifth volume in P. Craig Russell’s The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde series, Volume 5: The Happy Prince.
Craig will also be making a rare convention appearance and serve as the Fest’s very first Guest of Honor.
In addition to the stunning volume, we’ll also have 10 copies of the signed and numbered edition of the book which are quarterbound in real cloth and fine paper with a tip-in sheet signed by P. Craig Russell.
If that’s not awesome enough, Brooke A. Allen (A Home For Mr. Easter) and Neil Kleid (Brownsville, The Big Kahn) will also be hanging around the booth with publisher Terry Nantier and Papercutz artist Rick Parker (Slices, Tales From The Crypt).
So, come by Booth J4, say “hello” and be one of the very first to own Craig’s newest book.
We Hope To See You At MoCCA Fest This Weekend!
April 24, 2012 by Stefan Blitz
Filed under NBM Blog
This weekend, is the 2012 MoCCA Fest and we’re pretty excited that our own P. Craig Russell (who did that stunning artwork above) is their very first Guest of Honor.
We’ll be debuting Craig’s new book, the eagerly anticipated fifth volume of The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde: The Happy Prince at the show, several weeks before it’s available anywhere else.
We’ll also have ten advance copies of the the signed and numbered edition of the book (How limited? 200 copies and the ten copies for sale will all be within the first twenty-five) which are quarterbound in real cloth and fine paper with a tip-in sheet signed by P. Craig Russell. Also, it’s a tremendous opportunity to have Craig personalize your copy!
Also attending the show is our esteemed publisher, Terry Nantier, Brooke Allen, Neil Kleid and Papercutz’s own Rick Parker!
So come on by, meet some cool folks and celebrate comics!
