Thought Bubbles
Graphic Novels of 2002: Superheroes and More
Graphic novels received unprecedented attention in 2002, including a panel at ALA’s Annual Conference and a featured article in School Library Journal. Responding to growing interest, YALSA chose "Get Graphic @ your library®" as the theme for the fifth national Teen Read Week. Increasing numbers of librarians are addressing this demand, some adding graphic novels to their collections for the first time. Publishers and vendors have also responded, expanding inventory to include an unprecedented number of available titles.
Hundreds of new titles appeared last year, including the noteworthy Green Arrow: Quiver, a YALSA Best Book for Young Adults selection. As 2002 was dominated by titles from large publishing houses (culminating with Spider-Man: The Movie), noteworthy titles from smaller presses were often overlooked. Compelling characters and sharp writing were found in several independent titles, including Ted Naifeh’s gothic tale Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, Andi Watson’s romance Dumped, Jeff Smith’s fantasy Rose, Trina Robbins’ superhero adventure Go-Girl, and Rachel Hartman’s girl-friendly Amy Unbounded.
2002 Notable Books
The following list includes some of the notable graphic novels of 2002, from both independent and large publishers. Titles are categorized by genre; if part of a series, only volume one is listed, but the entire series is recommended. Grade level recommendations are suggested as a guide for selecting age-appropriate materials.
All Ages
All-ages comics are suitable for younger children and are free of graphic violence and objectionable language. Fans of adventure and suspense will enjoy Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures, Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, and Rose. Readers who like mythology will enjoy Sundita. Humor fans will enjoy Amelia Rules!, Astro Boy, and Herobear and the Kid.
Eisner, Will. Sundiata: A Legend of Africa. New York: NMB, 2002.
A crippled boy grows up to lead an army against the evil Samanguru in this retelling of the African legend of Sundiata.
Grades 3+
Gownley, Jimmy. Amelia Rules!, Volume 1: In with the In Crowd. Harrisburg, Pa.: Renaissance Pr., 2002.
Reminiscent of the Peanuts strips, Amelia and her friends encounter adventure from schoolyard to backyard. Grades 3+
Kunkel, Mike. Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance. Tolucka Lake, Calif.: Astonish Comics, 2002.
Whimsy and humor abound as Tyler’s toy bear transforms into the caped superhero, Herobear. Grades 3+
Naifeh, Ted. Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things. Portland, Ore.: Oni Pr., 2002.
Courtney has a hard time adjusting to her new surroundings until she discovers a secret world of goblins, ghosts, and ghouls. Grades 4+
Smith, Jeff, and Charles Vess. Rose. Columbus, Ohio: Cartoon Books, 2002.
In this prequel to the Bone series, Princess Rose embarks on a quest to destroy the dragon who is threatening the Northern Valley. Grades 4+
Tezuka, Osamu. Astro Boy, Vol. 1. Translated by Frederik L. Schodt. Milwaukie, Ore.: Dark Horse Comics, 2002.
A charismatic robot, Astro Boy, is created by Dr. Teznma as a substitute for his late son. Grades 4+
Torres, J. Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures. Portland, Ore.: Oni Pr., 2002.
At the St. Joan of Arc Academy for Girls, Alison and her best friends, Wendy and Dot, encounter magic genies, super-powered bank robbers, and a dastardly baron. Grades 3+
Superheroes
Films such as Spider-Man and Daredevil have revived interest in superhero stories. Titles such as Robin: Year One, Daredevil Legends, and Origin: The True Story of Wolverine will attract reluctant readers, especially boys. Titles featuring female protagonist include Catwoman: Dark End of the Street, Go Girl, and Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia. Older teens will appreciate the complexity of Fantastic Four 1234 and Quiver: Green Arrow.
Brubaker, Ed, and Mike Allred. Catwoman: Dark End of the Street. New York: DC Comics, 2002.
Selina Kyle returns to Gotham City, becoming a reluctant defender for the city’s lost and discarded citizens. Also recommended is Darwyn Cooke’s companion novel, Catwoman: Selina’s Big Score. Grades 7+
Dixon, Chuck, and Scott Beatty. Robin: Year One. New York: DC Comics, 2002.
The early days of Robin’s career are explored as he encounters the Mad-Hatter and Two-Face for the first time. Grades 5+
Jemas, Bill. Origin: The True Story of Wolverine. New York: Marvel Books, 2002
This story focuses on Wolverine’s earliest days, as his mysterious origin is revealed for the first time. Grades 7+
Loeb, Jeph, and Tim Sale. Daredevil Legends, Volume 1: Daredevil: Yellow. New York: Marvel Books, 2002.
The early days of Daredevil’s career are chronicled, as Loeb examines his relationship with his late father and his girlfriend, Karen Page. Grades 6+
Morrison, Grant, and Jae Lee. Fantastic Four 1234. New York: Marvel Books, 2002.
The inner lives of the Fantastic Four are revealed as Morrison explores romantic tensions between the Sub-Mariner and the Invisible Woman and Reed Richard’s compulsive nature. Grades 9+
Robbins, Trina. Go Girl. Milwaukie, Ore.: Dark Horse Comics, 2002.
Once Lindsay realizes that she has inherited her mother’s ability to fly, she borrows her Mom’s old superhero costume and becomes Go-Girl. Grades 5+
Rucka, Greg, and J. G. Jones. Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia. New York: DC Comics, 2002.
Wonder Woman provides sanctuary and protection to a young woman, Danielle Wellys, not realizing that she is being tracked down by Batman for the murder of several people. Grades 7+
Smith, Kevin, and Phil Hester. Green Arrow: Quiver. New York: DC Comics, 2002.
Oliver Queen reappears, having been killed ten years earlier in a story that explores the origin and history of the Green Arrow. Grades 9+
Young Adult Fiction
Readers of young adult fiction will appreciate the realism of Dumped and The Towers of Bois-Maury, as well as the humor in Amy Unbounded, Mars, Sidekicks, and Hopeless Savages. Fantasy readers will enjoy Hellboy: The Conqueror Worm and The Ring of Nibelung.
Hartman, Rachel. Amy Unbounded: Belondweg Blossoming. Wynnewood, Pa.: Pug House Pr., 2002.
The unflappable Amy of Eddybrook Lodge learns about life, friendship and chores in this coming of age story set during the Middle Ages. Grades 6+
Hermann. The Towers of Bois-Maury, Volume 1: Babette. Milwaukie, Ore.: Dark Horse Comics, 2002.
Displaced from his homeland, Sir Aymar travels the countryside of medieval Europe, becoming entangled in a plot of murder and intrigue. Grades 10+
Mignola, Mike. Hellboy: The Conqueror Worm. Milwaukie, Ore.: Dark Horse Comics, 2002.
Sixty years ago the Nazis contacted a space being, the Conqueror Worm, and now it has returned to destroy mankind. Grades 10+
Russell, P. Craig. The Ring of Nibelung, Vol. 1: The Rhinegold and The Valkyrie. Milwaukie, Ore.: Dark Horse Comics, 2002.
A beautifully illustrated adaptation of Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle opera. The story concludes in The Ring of Nibelung, Vol. 2: Siegfreid and Gotterdammering. Grades 8+
Soryo, Fuyumi. Mars #1. Los Angeles: Tokyopop, 2002.
A shy art student, Kira, becomes romantically involved with Rei, a rebellious motorcycle racer. Grades 7+
Torres, J. Sidekicks: The Transfer Student. Portland, Ore.: Oni Pr., 2002
Terry Highland transfers to Shuster Academy, a school for superhero sidekicks, where the focus is on academics and the use of superpowers is forbidden. Grades 6+
Van Meter, Jan. Hopeless Savages. Portland, Ore.: Oni Pr., 2002.
Seeking to rebel against his celebrity, punk rock parents, Rat Hopeless-Savage takes a normal, nine-to-five job. Grades 8+
Watson, Andi. Dumped. Portland, Ore.: Oni Pr., 2002.
Among Mary Quant dresses and Jackie Collins novels, Debs, a vintage clothing store owner, and Binny, a collector of vintage books, discover each other. Grades 10+
© 2003 Philip Crawford
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