Year’s Best Graphic Novels of 2011 NJ Library Association Conference, June 2012

Karla Ivarson, Ocean County Library David Lisa, Camden County Library Tyler Rousseau, Monroe Township Public Library

Juvenile Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking by Phillipe Courdray ISBN 1935179128 Juvenile Ever wonder what Kramer would have been like if he were a bear and his friends were a penguin, fish and rabbit?

Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 by Jack Kirby ISBN 1401232418 Ages Four and Up Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, the way it was meant to be experienced: in chronological order. New Gods. Forever People. Mister Miracle. Jimmy Olson. Kirby was at the height of his popularity and prowess. Thor: The Mighty Avenger Vol. 2 by Roger Langridge, Chris Samnee ISBN 0785141227 Ages Four and Up Thor has come to Earth and is befriended by museum curator Jane Foster. If ever a graphic novel could be considered charming, this is

it. Volume 2 of 2. This beloved comic book was canceled by Marvel. Sons of Liberty by Alexander Lagos ISBN 0375856684 Juvenile/YA Having acquired super strength, speed and agility as unwilling test subjects in Ben Franklin's evil son’s scientific experiments, freemen Graham and Brody rarely find occasion to use their powers…until unrest over Britain's new taxes on the colonies stirs.

Young Adult Batman: The Dark Mirror by Scott Snyder, Jock & Francesco Francavilla ISBN 140123206X Young Adult An Amazon Best Book of 2011 and a New York Times #1 bestseller. In this story, Dick Grayson, previously Robin, is now the Dark Knight. Can he handle the responsibility of being The Batman?

Level UP by Gene Luen Yang ISBN 1596432357 Young Adult Dennis loves video games and his parents love the idea of him going to medical school…but does Dennis have to give up his own dreams in order to appease his parents?

The Walking Dead Vol. 14: No Way Out by Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard ISBN 1607063921 The Walking Dead Vol. 15: We Find Ourselves by Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard ISBN

1607064405

Young Adult Robert Kirkman’s zombie story continues. The crew struggles to survive and must contend with their own demons as well as the monsters that surround them. Vol. 14 & 15 came out in 2011. Wandering Son by Shimura Takako ISBN 1606994166 Young Adult Manga Series Young Nitori finds great friendship with Takatsuki upon transferring to 5th grade in a new school, even before realizing that each secretly wishes to have been born the other gender.

Adult Any Empire by Nate Powell ISBN 1603090770 Adult Three ‘friends’ must reconsider their romanticized views of violence when a rash of turtle mutilations happen in their privileged suburban town.

The Death-Ray by Daniel Clowes ISBN 1770460519 Adult Daniel Clowes, creator of Eightball and Ghost World, released two popular graphic novels during 2011. The Death-Ray is very much a Clowes book, filled with pathos and pop art prowess. Mr. Wonderful: A Love Story by Daniel Clowes ISBN 0307378136 Adult A Love Story. A blind date leads to something more, in the inimitable Clowes fashion. Winner of the Eisner Award. Green River Killer: A True Detective Story by Jeff Jensen & Jonathan Case ISBN 1595825606 Adult Jeff Jensen, senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, penned this mystery which Stephen King himself praised as “compelling, stay-up-late reading. Great, creepy stuff.”

Year’s Best Graphic Novels of 2011 NJ Library Association Conference, June 2012

Karla Ivarson, Ocean County Library David Lisa, Camden County Library Tyler Rousseau, Monroe Township Public Library

Habibi by Craig Thompson ISBN 0375424148 Adult Dodola and Zam, refugee child slaves bound to each other by chance, by circumstance, and by the love that grows btween them. Infinite Kung Fu by Kagan McLeod ISBN 189183083X Adult Kagan McLeod is an avid fan of Martial Arts movies and has brought that love to the creation of an epic tale of Kung Fu, Immortals and Zombies. Onward to Our Noble Deaths by Shigeru Mizuki ISBN 1770460411 Adult A semi-autobiographical account of foolish pride and senseless deaths of Japan’s army during the final weeks of World War II.

Zahra’s Paradise by Amir and Khalil ISBN 1596436425 Adult A son never returns home from protesting the 2009 election in Iran and no one will tell his family where he is being held or if he is even alive. This work of fiction is based on the real life experiences of those incarcerated during the recent revolution in Iran.

Other titles of Note: Juvenile/Young Adult Stickman Odyssey by Christopher Ford Young Adult/Adult Empire State: a Love Story (or Not) by Jason Shiga Adult Big Questions by Anders Nilsen Feynman by Ottaviani and Myrick Freeway by Mark Kalesniko Hark a Vagrant by Kate Beaton Pinocchio by Winshluss Vietnamerica by GB Tran