Even reading teachers have reading gaps, and for me the
graphic novel is David Letterman’s front teeth. I can only partially blame this
gap on residual snobbery from my youth, an ill-conceived notion that graphic
novels are not “worthy” stories. As part of my redemption I resolved this year
to read more graphic novels, and what finer text to begin with than Noelle
Stevenson’s National Book Award finalist Nimona.
The publisher listed the following on the back cover to help
establish the tone:
Nemeses!
Dragons!
Science!
Symbolism!
But wait: There’s more I need to add!
Text!
Subtext!
Codpieces!
Sass!
Sharks!
Shapeshifting!
Genuine emotions!
Onomatopoeia!
Heroes!
Villains!
Archers!
Archvillains!
Origin Stories!
Mad Scientists!
Somewhat calmer Scientists!
Hair color changes!
Churros!
Sidekicking!
Asskicking!
Comic timing!
Facetiming!
Just in time narrative saves!
Winking knowingness!
Oldtimeyness!
Nimona is a joy,
albeit one filled with the inevitable sadness we find when we stop winking
and recognize that growth is inevitably loss, no matter what shape we grow
into. Read this and mind your own gaps.
1 comment :
Sounds great! I hope you'll read the ones I've posted about here - the George O'Connor ones about Greek Gods are brilliant. And in March, I'll be posting about The Nameless City.
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