James Library Graphic Novels

We are very excited to introduce a collection of graphic novels available for checkout from the James Library. In recent years, graphic novels have gained recognition as works of literature and art in their own right. Many examples of this genre are exceptional, dark and complex. A graphic novel has even been awarded the Pulitzer Prize (Art Spiegelman's Maus), gaining even more respectability for the format. Michael Hill, University of Technology, Sydney, describes the new medium as sequential art. "Graphic novels transcend the serial burst of your typical comic," he says. "There are many rich works. Like Persepolis, the autobiographical story of an Iranian girlhood, or works by Neil Gaiman, or, of course, something like Maus."

When the author and his wife, Pam, stumble upon a mysterious old cat costume, they become caught up in the lost world of Alias the Cat -- an early 20th century comic strip, film serial character, and real-life superhero -- and his colorful companions as they make their way toward a fateful showdown in Migetville, New Jersey. 741.5 Die 2007

Revolving around the life and writings of Lewis Carroll, author Bryan Talbot takes readers into the many layers of history of the British city, Sunderland. 741.5 Tal 2007

An expedition to the heart of the sun is sabotaged by Lex Luthor, who would stand to profit from a global water shortage. Superman saves the day, but at a steep cost -- his encounter with the sun alters him at a cellular level, and it looks like the Man of Steel actually faces death. 741.5 Mor 2007

It is ten years after an aging Batman has retired and Gotham City has sunk deeper into decadence and lawlessness. Now as his city needs him most, the Dark Knight returns in a blaze of glory. 741.5 Mil 2002

A powerful re-telling in graphic format of Britain's oldest epic, featuring the heroic efforts of Scandinavian warrior Beowulf to save the people of Heorot Hall from the dragon, Grendel. 741.5 Hin 2007

This Eisner Award-winning epic revolves around the lives of Sherman, Dorothy, Ed, Stephen, Jane and Mr. Flavor. Robinson's knack for dialogue makes this story of dreary jobs, comic books, love, sex, and messy apartments delightful and whimsical. 741.5 Rob 2005

A single-volume collection of the Harvey and Eisner Award-winning graphic fantasy series follows the modern fable of an abandoned castle and its eccentric inhabitants, in an anthology that includes such pieces as "The Curse of Brambly Hedge," "The Lucky Road," and "Solicitine."
741.5 Med 2006

Stosh Bludowski is a killer. Killing comes easy for Blud, and he makes a good living at it, until the day he meets two jobs in an alley who just won't die and a grotesque mystery unfolds right in front of him. 741.5 Wri 2008

Xeric Award-winning cartoonist Jeff Lemire illustrates the tale of Lester, a recently orphaned 10-year-old living on his Uncle's farm. As their relationship grows increasingly strained, Lester befriends the small town's hulking gas station owner, Jimmy Lebeuf, a damaged former hockey star. The two escape into a private fantasy world of super-heroes, alien invaders and good old-fashioned pond hockey. 741.5 Lem 2008

A young man unravels the mysteries of his father's death and entire identity after learning he may have been a victim of a suicide bombing, in a graphic novel set in modern Israel. 741.5 Mod 2007

Parliamentary politics were never so much fun as they are in the Prime Minister election of 1414. Lord Julius and the mysterious Astoria battle for control using Cerebus the Aardvark as their unwitting pawn. Goats, bunny sketches, the Regency Elf, and Moon Roach join the pandemonium, helping to set the stage for things to come. 741.5 Sim 1986

Contains some of legendary comics icon Jack Kirby's (co-creator of Marvel's Fantastic Four, X-Men, The Hulk, and Thor) personal favorite stories. 741.5 Kir 2007

Touching on themes of abandonment, social isolation, and despair against the backdrop of Chicago's urban transformation over the course of a century, this story, set in the 1980's, follows the fortunes of Jimmy Corrigan, a meek thirty-something who meets his father for the first time in a town near Chicago over Thanksgiving weekend. 741.5 War 2000

Laika by Nick Abadzis

From the dog's point of view, follows the adventures of the dog sent into space by the Soviet Union. 741.5 Aba 2007

The story of Vladek Spiegelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe, and his son, a cartoonist coming to terms with his father's story. Winner of a Pulitzer Prize. 741.5 Spi 1997

When Tikku's sister Little Carp is kidnapped by pirates, the young fisherman enlists the help of Okko, the ronin, Noburo, a mysterious giant who hides his face behind a red mask, and Noshin, the sake loving monk with the power to summon and commune with the spirits of nature. The quest leads our four heroes further afield than they ever imagined. 741.5 Hub 2007

Satrapi's memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Paints a portrait of daily life in Iran and gives a child's eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctified whippings, and heroes of the revolution. 741.5 Sat 2003

A graphic novel set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-twentieth-century Paris offers a unique glimpse inside the world of the modernists as it follows the adventures of Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Gertrude and Leo Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Paul Gauguin, and Guillaume Apollinaire as they join forces to find a killer preying on avant-garde artists around the city. 741.5 Ber 2007

Recounts the life of hip-hop artist M.F. Grimm, including his early years as a performer and drug dealer, the loss of the use of his legs from a gunshot wound, his incarceration in prison, and his eventual release and self-reinvention. 741.5 Car 2007

In a startling portrait of life in Russia, a beautifully illustrated graphic novel takes readers into the heart of the old Soviet empire, exploring the barren Siberian countryside and the people who live and work there. 741.5 Mas 2006

Follows the everyday life of spies, exploring their small lies and deceptions, as well as the larger secrets they hide and revealing the nature of espionage and how an individual can become lost in such a deceptive world of lies. 741.5 Kin 2007

This graphic novel tells the story of a young Army reservist's last weekend before he is scheduled to depart for active duty in the Middle East.
741.5 Orf 2007

Exceptional graphic artwork brings to life the story of the Watchmen as they race against time to find a killer, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Winner of the Hugo Award and one of Time magazine's 100 Best Novels. 741.5 Moo 1987