A splash of Persia Blues (make that two)
April 16, 2013 by Dara Naraghi
Despite my best intentions to blog more frequently here about my upcoming book, Persia Blues, I find all my free time jeopardized by the mad dash to the finish line. The book is about a month away from release, and I’m lettering the final few pages tonight. But just because I don’t have time for a lengthy post, it doesn’t mean I can’t at least share some artwork with you.
My partner on the book, artist Brent Bowman, has been absolutely tearing it up with the visuals. This is no small feat, since he’s using two different art styles to depict the two different settings of the book. So presented below, sans dialogue, are a couple of splash pages from the first volume, to give you a feel for what’s in store for you:
And a very different scene…
How these disparate elements converge into one story is at the very heart of the book’s overarching narrative.
I hope you’ll join us for the fun.
ABELARD Receives Eisner Nomination!
April 16, 2013 by Stefan Blitz
NBM Publishing is extremely proud and flattered to receive an Eisner nomination for Best U.S. Edition of International Material for Abelard by Régis Hautiere and Renaud Dillies.
Also nominated for “Great Graphic Novel for Teens’ by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), here are what some other reviewers are saying:
“At times, both whimsical and melancholy, Abelard transcends the artform as an example of exquisite storytelling.”
“Wonderful, thoughtful, and moving.”
“If the cartoon images of birds and bears–and the addition of the word “magical” to the book’s front cover–give the impression that Abelard is a children’s fantasy, be assured that it isn’t. Think of it more as an anthropomorphic piece of magical realism in the manner of Joanne Harris’ Chocolat, a reflection on hope and dreams that may surprise you by just how affecting it is.”
“(Abelard) starts off feeling somewhat quaint and unassuming, and by the time you realize where it is heading, it is far too late to stem the tide of heartache that the book makes you feel…A book very much worth your time and money. This is a high-quality piece of work.”
“A beautifully crafted piece of storytelling from Hautiére that tugs mercilessly at the heartstrings but doesn’t ever fall into sentimental or sickly sweet. If anything, by the end, we’re assaulted by the brutality of the story. And Dillies’ artwork is quite beautiful, his charming characters almost deliberately at odds with some of the themes and actions of the tale, yet never feeling wrong. His stylised colours perfectly suited to detailing all the wonders, all the misery, all the dreams Abelard finds along his journey.”
– The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log
“
A poignant, droll, and heartbreaking “funny animals” tale for grown-ups, with breathtaking art.”
– Karen Green – Boing Boing Annual “Return of the Best Damn Comics of the Year” List
“Abelard is a magnificently well-told story… It’s truly a fantastic graphic novel that’s perfect for people who aren’t normally comic book fans.”
“…Starts out feeling like a sweet, whimsical pastoral children’s graphic novel and slowly morphs into a wonderfully moving adult story that kind of sneaks up on you with its craft, intelligence and interesting themes.”
Family Ties: Late?
April 15, 2013 by Eric Hobbs
Picture in the Park, Park in the Picture
April 14, 2013 by Margreet de Heer
We have the great fortune to live next to a great park in Amsterdam. It’s out of the way of the tourist routes and has really become a park for all of the neighborhood: young families, joggers, people with dogs, families at a barbecue, and tormented artists like ourselves seeking the solace of nature.
Two years ago the old abandoned shack in the park grounds was reopened by an enthusiastic young couple, Tim and Astrid, who started selling delicious smoothies, toasties and other goodies there. Their cafe in the park, called Terrasmus, became a great success and last winter they remodeled the place, so they can accommodate more people inside and have more room for workshops, music festivals and all sorts of activities for kids.
A few days before the reopening, we walked by to check the place out, and bumped into Tim and Astrid themselves, who showed us around. They pointed out a great empty stretch of wall where they were thinking of asking a local artist to do a mural – so we immediately volunteered and the same evening I made a sketch for a drawing of about 3,5 by 1,20 meters.
After some back and forth about things to include in the picture – basically everything and everyone that can be found in the park on a nice sunny day – we had an approved sketch that Yiri then colored in bright summery colors. We sent it to the printer to have it printed on wallpaper, and within a week a big package was delivered to our doorstep.
Yiri and part of the drawing, fresh from the printer’s; it’s HUGE!
The picture rolled out on the floor of the cafe.
The glueing of the picture, by Tim and Astrid’s parents.
The placing of the picture, by Tim & Astrid, and Astrid’s parents.
The end result!
And here is the whole picture, enlarge by clicking on it:
Intended audience, the picture & me.
If you’re in Amsterdam, come and take a look at it at Terrasmus in the Erasmuspark – and have one of Tim & Astrid’s great smoothies to make it a perfect experience!
Anything That Loves
April 9, 2013 by Margreet de Heer
Currently, there’s a Kickstarter campaign going to bring out ‘Anything That Loves’ - a bold new comics anthology that explores and celebrates the complex world beyond the categories of “gay” and “straight”. I’m proud to announce that one of my comic characters will fill ten pages of this book.
I started ‘Mijntje’ for Dutch lesbian magazine Zij aan Zij in 2004 and she’s my oldest and longest running comic. Mijntje is a 22 year old bisexual girl who’s in a relationship with Mia, with various adventures on the side.
Especially for ‘Anything That Loves’, I have translated ten comics, and re-christened Mijntje into Minnie for the english-speaking world.
Given the ongoing struggle for any minority that doesn’t fit into what other groups define as “normal”, I think this will be an important book that will contribute to the visibility of the shifting realities of sexuality, instead of the cliches. I’m proud my Minnie can be part of this, and I encourage anyone with an interest in the subject to back the Kickstarter here to receive the book – and there are also cool T-shirts to order!
Here’s a preview of one of the ten Minnie comics that will be in the book:
NBM Review Round-Up!
April 9, 2013 by Stefan Blitz
After a great time at MoCCA, here we are, back again, with some recent reviews of various NBM titles.
Has been nominated for “Great Graphic Novel for Teens’ by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). Results will be announced in January 2104 by the ALA.
“At times, both whimsical and melancholy, Abelard transcends the artform as an example of exquisite storytelling.”
“Billed as “A Graphic Poem,” author/artist Durieux’s volume renders a reverie rich with carefully detailed sepia-toned illustrations that incorporate photo reproductions of the museum’s celebrated artwork…Highly recommended.”
“Pure escapism through art.”
“In an afterword, writer/artist Christian Durieux says his ambition was to create poetry in comics. With this beguiling, bittersweet reverie, I think he has succeeded.”
“The art is lovely, the characters and dialogue are rich, and the book sweeps you up and carries you along with its verve. Each entry in the Louvre series has been unique, and has challenged its readers as a work of art should. This one stands above the others in its power to engage.”
Philosophy – A Discovery in Comics
“(Philosophy: A Discovery in Comics) is very much a “discovery”, a “first look” at philosophy that warns against subscribing to any particular system of thought too rigidly and instead encourages critical, personal engagement. It’s an important lesson to learn, particularly for young adults who are just beginning to engage with abstract thought.”
“Philosophy is organized like a virtual road trip, with de Heer and her husband Yiri (also a cartoonist; he did the coloring for this volume) offering commentary on the issues and philosophers covered, frequently raising the same kinds of questions that we would have, and providing reasonable answers to many of them. The illustrations are cute and colorful, alternating between standard frame-based sequential comics and full-page splashes, and de Heer’s cheerful style keeps even the weightiest questions from seeming too difficult to contemplate.”
“If you have a heart at all, you will cry reading this book.”
Lovers’ Lane: The Hall-Mills Mystery
The Morton Report has a fantastic interview with Rick where he discusses A Treasury of Victorian Murder Compendium as well as his true-crime work in general.
“Rick Geary’s distinctively inked style is a perfect match to the tales of bloodshed he favors—they recall both woodcuts and graphical newspaper illustrations of the Police Gazette variety, giving a period flavor to his work. His deadpan style of storytelling, as well as his unerring choice of unusual details to highlight, give the proceedings a touch of humor of the “what fools these mortals be” variety.”
Take a Ride at The ZOMBILLENIUM!
April 5, 2013 by Stefan Blitz
Here’s a fantastic video trailer for our upcoming ZOMBILLENIUM Vol.1: Gretchen by Arthur de Pins, which is receiving it’s first English translation.
Francis von Bloodt, vampire, a good family man, manages the theme park Zombillenium. They don’t just hire anyone, at Zombillenium: mere mortals need not apply, the park works only with genuine werewolves, vampires and zombies. This is what Aurelian gets to discover as, burnt out, deceived by his wife, he finally gets hired in spite of himself in this strange business. Gretchen, a plucky trainee witch, helps him get around…
Visit Us At MoCCA This Weekend at Booth 161-162
April 5, 2013 by Stefan Blitz
NBM is once again heading to the MoCCA Arts Festival and we’re happy to have Stan Mack (Taxes, the Tea Party, and Those Revolting Rebels) signing on Saturday following his 11:30 am panel, Art As Passion: Celebrating the spirit of comics through observation and reportage which will be moderated by Dan Nadel.
Stan will be at the NBM/Papercutz Booth (161-162) on Saturday from 12:30-1:30 and then from 3 to 5.
Also hanging out at the NBM booth will be cartoonist Lance Tooks making a rare U.S. appearance. He’ll be signing copies of his series Lucifer’s Garden.
We’ll also have a special free sample of Persia Blues by Dara Naraghi and Brent Bowman as well as our latest titles including An Enchantment by Christian Durieux, The Initiates by Etienne Davodeau, and Abelard by Régis Hautière and Renaud Dillies. We’ll also have plenty of Papercutz titles including Annoying Orange, The Smurfs, Ariol, Ninjago, Power Rangers, and more.
So come on by, meet some cool folks and celebrate comics!
NBM/Papercutz
Booths 161-162
THE INITIATES Combines Wine and Comics As A Recipe For Success
April 3, 2013 by Stefan Blitz
The original French edition was Gourmand Magazine‘s Best Wine Book of the Year (2011). Now, NBM is proud to release The Initiates in English for the first time. Here’s what the reviewers are saying:
“This intensely thought-provoking graphic novel makes us pause to consider our relationships with other people and asks us to think about who we are, what we do, and how we perceive and relate to the world around us”
“It’s hard to imagine a more pleasantly told story.”
“(An) engrossing piece of comics reportage.”
“I was inspired, by the end, to better appreciate just how much hard work goes into a delicious wine or a beautiful comic. This would make a wonderful gift to any artist, or those aspiring to be.”
“This book will teach [you] something new in an entertaining form.”
“A book that sticks with you long after you put it down… An amazing piece of work.”
“Beautifully rendered…”
“Beautifully designed…highly recommended in every respect…will certainly make my top five graphic novels of 2013.”
“A compelling read no matter where you are in your wine journey.”
“A page-turner…perhaps the best book ever for explaining, viscerally, the toils of a terroirist.”
“Faster Than a Speeding Bullet” – What The Reviewers Are Saying…
April 1, 2013 by Stefan Blitz
If you haven’t picked up this new edition of Stephen Weiner’s groundbreaking Faster Than a Speeding Bullet: The Rise of the Graphic Novel, here’s what the critics are saying…
“Though its title gives the impression that the book’s focus will be on superhero GN fare like Knight or Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Weiner provides a broader view of comics’ maturation as a storytelling form.”
“Anyone new to learning about the comics industry’s history would find a wonderful starting place with Faster Than a Speeding Bullet.”
