Voice Of Youth Advocates (VOYA), an influential professional publication for librarians catering to YA (Young Adult) audiences has reviewed 3 of our books recently:

Of Famous Players by Geary:

“A compelling tale full of jealousy, hatred, loyalty and a murderer who walked away from the crime.”

of Why I Killed Peter:

“Thought-provoking, difficult to put down. It deals with a controversial subject in a unique and absorbing way. The artwork illustrates the tale beautifully, almost poetically.”

of Mijeong:

“The stories are unique and powerful on their own, but together they create a solid theme for the collection. Although this title is definitely for comic readers who enjoy more literary quality in their sequential artwork, it has a larger appeal than the typical literary graphic novel. High school teens and adults will find inspiration here.”

“Alfred’s charming, emotional color art captures wonderfully Ollie’s youthful joy and psychological turmoil. Sensitive. Recommended for older teens and up.”

So says Library Journal of Why I Killed Peter about the author’s experience with abuse at the hands of an otherwise cool priest.

This only adds to the great press this book had gotten, including The Onion, a starred review from Publishers Weekly, the Miami Herald and many prominent websites.

It should be noted there is little in this book that could prove visually offensive.

The latest issue of Comics Buyers Guide makes Why I  Killed Peter a pick of the month, gives it a full 4 stars and calls it “One of the best autobiographical graphic novels. In fact, it may actually be the best.”

If you haven’t checked this out yet, it’s a very sensitive rendering of a fairly shocking experience.

Johanna Draper Carlson’s ComicsWorthReading has just reviewed 4 of our recent books, besides Miss Don’t Touch Me which she calls “thrilling escapism with naughty touches”, Why I Killed Peter and First Time, she has this to say about Trondheim’s latest Little Nothings:

“The work is gorgeous, due to the artist’s skill, observations, and especially watercolors.

Material includes the goofy things Trondheim’s bird-headed alter ego does on vacation, as well as simple observations about everyday life. I found them fresh and funny, showing me new ways to look at simple events. The different places around the world he visits are beautifully captured, putting me with him while rock climbing or scuba diving. “

“If there is a healing process, this unforgettable graphic reminiscence is surely its catalyst. Collaborator Alfred evocatively illuminates Ka’s memoir of childhood innocence and grown-up pain. Special mention must be made of his extraordinary use of color and photography as magical elements to convey the emotional ambiguity and banality of evil.”

So said Richard Pachter of the Miami Herald on Tuesday of Why I Killed Peter.

Just Sunday, The L.A. Times had this to say about our Nocturnal Conspiracies:

“Overall, the drawings create an anxious, voyeuristic intimacy, as if we are peering through a window unseen. “Nocturnal Conspiracies continues the emotional and artistic work of “Epileptic”, stripping the art -and the artist- down to raw process.”

Why I Killed Peter gets great reviews from the Onion and Andrew Smith:
“Proponents of graphic novels like to argue that the medium is mature enough to handle any topic. Why I Killed Peter may be proof of that. Ka writes a very grounded story with little hyperbole because none is needed.”
Andrew “Capt. Comics” Smith, Scripps Howard News Service

“Olivier recounts his purgative confrontation with his past, and gives hope to anyone haunted by memories of a life that took a few unexpected, unfortunate turns… A-”

The Onion

And Miss Don’t Touch Me:
“Call me twisted, but this book is, in fact, charming. Kerascoet moves the story forward breathlessly, and his disarming simplicity keeps “MIss Don’t Touch Me” feeling like a light-hearted bedroom farce when it could easily veer into horror or soft-core porn.”
Andrew “Capt. Comics” Smith, Scripps Howard News Service

Publisher’s Weekly has this week given a starred review for Why I Killed Peter, calling it “hauntingly evocative. Ka is unable to ignore his past any longer and decides to tell his story, teaming with artist Alfred to create a graphic memoir. Alfred’s blending of ink drawings and digital photographs in the final gut-wrenching scenes are perfect visual complements to Ka’s voice, which shifts effortlessly from the innocence of childhood to the responsibilities of adulthood.”

Another recent review:

“The sensitivity with which Ka and Alfred handle this real-life moment is astonishing. And the way the graphic novel plays out, with art eventually giving way to photographs taken of the actual spots where some of the story takes place, is powerful. There will be those who cannot get through the book, overwhelmed by the story and the emotional content, but for those who do, they are in for a unique graphic novel experience. ”

Marc Mason, Comics Waiting Room

Also. Andrew ‘Capt. Comics’ Smith of the Scripps-Howard News Service says of David B’s Nocturnal Conspiracies: “Recommended.”

Watch for an interview of David B. to go up on Graphic Novel Reporter soon!

The great critic and author of books on comics has a couple brilliant reviews: this for Why I Killed Peter and this for Ordinary Victories. He even goes as far as saying Bottomless Bellybutton pales next to Ordinary Victories! Nyah.

Terry

CBR adds its rave for this book:

“This is an excellent work.

Recommended.”

Reviews for this book are rolling in at quite a clip!

“Highly successful both as literature and visual art, this is a book to recommend to abuse survivors as well as readers who appreciate exploring life’s difficult realities.”

Booklist

“touching story of trust and betrayal.”

Litmob

“It’s a strong and important book, and above all, yet another testament to the power of this medium.”

Daily CrossHatch