On The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Congressman John Lewis traced his journey of fighting for civil rights from the 1960s in Selma through to his new graphic novel series March. He was on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote his best-selling graphic novel trilogy and was talked into crowd surfing!
Check out the video above!
March: Book Three has been selling out all over and the demand is so high the printing facility for it ran out of paper! It should be no surprise then that the biographical trilogy by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell has taken the top three spots on The New York Times paperback graphic novel bestseller list.
March: Book Three debuted in the top spot followed by March: Book One which has spent an entire year on the list. March: Book Two was third and has been on the list for 13 weeks.
Congrats to everyone!
Congressman John Lewis was on The Daily Show earlier this week to talk about the third volume of his graphic novel biographic March. The Congressman talked about the graphic novel, Black Lives Matter and more with host Trevor Noah. Check out the various video clips below.
Cartoonist Benjamin Frisch makes his graphic novel debut this summer with The Fun Family, a subversive look at the underbelly of the All-American family through the prism of Family Circus-esque Sunday morning comic strips. Frisch presents a surreal deconstruction of modern parenting, childhood nostalgia, and good old American narcissism. The book, on sale now from Top Shelf Comix, has been eagerly anticipated.
With candy-colored artwork masking dark storytelling twists and an unexpectedly transcendent finale, The Fun Family is not the book it seems to be at first glance. As Frisch’s story opens, paternal cartoonist Robert Fun has earned a devoted following for his circle-shaped newspaper comic strip, which celebrates the wholesome American family by drawing inspiration from his real home life… but the Fun Family bears some dark secrets. As their idyllic world collapses and the kids are forced to pick up the pieces, can they escape the cycle of art imitating life imitating art?
Bacchus: Omnibus Edition, Vol. 2
Eddie Campbell (w & a & c)
Eddie Campbell’s Bacchus is a true epic, spanning a decade of work, over a thousand pages, and several millennia of alcohol consumption. In Bacchus, the visionary behind From Hell (with Alan Moore) and Alec: The Years Have Pants presents his version of “an American-style comic book,” filtered through his own brilliant, whimsical, and wide-ranging sensibility. With a fine blend of action, comedy, suspense, and an ear for a great story, Bacchus brings the gods and myths of ancient Greece to modern life, as if they had never left. Nearly 600 pages, this deluxe volume collects the second half of the Bacchus saga with new notes and commentary by the author.
TP • BW • $39.99 • 552 pages • 7.5” x 10” • ISBN: 978-1-60309-027-8
When I first heard that Congressman John Lewis was working on a set of graphic novels that encompassed his experiences during the civil rights movement, I was excited to see how this part of history would be translated into comic form. As certainly in recent comics history there have been biographical comics written about Martin Luther king and Malcolm X, but both graphic novelizations lacked the personal perspective, that one would have love to see in nonfiction comics. That is why my skepticism leaked into reading this trio of books, but when I heard that they were being implemented into schools, I had a feeling that they were more than just the typical nonfiction comic book. These were more like time capsules, of a time and place not long ago, as it shows progress have truly not happened, as was seen in the movie, Selma.
In Book One, we meet the young John Lewis as he is part of the first march across the Edmund Pettis Bridge, in Selma Alabama, as he ponders on whether he can swim, if needs to, just in case, as we find an unsure young man, who has doubts not only of himself and his purpose, but also of the civil rights movement. The reader gets a first row seat into a world where discrimination and inequity was much more in the open and the reader sees exactly what the Freedom Riders and the many lunch counter sit-ins all encompassed. In Book Two, the price of protest, is even more evident in this part of the story, as he gets arrested and the response to the movement’s commitment to nonviolence becomes increasingly difficult to uphold. In this book, his personal life and his life as part of the movement clash in the most unexpected ways.
In the final book of the trilogy, Book Three, he catches the reader up to the church bombing that killed those 4 little Girls, in Birmingham,, Alabama. The Civil Right Movement, is picking up momentum and influence, as Lewis officially joins Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ’s inner circle. The book’s penultimate moment was with the final march from Selma to Montgomery to speak at the state capitol’s steps, and where Dr.King introduces Rosa Parks. The book ends with the Civil Rights of 1965 being enacted into law.
Overall, a strong trilogy, not just in content alone, but also in the way the story is told. This slice of Congressman John Lewis’s life is more than a monument to the Civil Rights Movement, but a beautiful sequential art that illustrates the actual sacrifices that were taken. The art and storytelling, are more than competent, they are as integral as the real story itself. In ending, this trilogy of books deserves every accolade it has received and more, as it not only tells of a time in America but how that time very much reflects right now.
Story: John Lewis and Andrew Aydin Art: Nate Powell
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Top Shelf provided Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review
The Underwater Welder HC
Jeff Lemire (w & a & c)
WARNING: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE. As an underwater welder on an oil rig off the coast of Nova Scotia, Jack Joseph is used to the immense pressures of deep-sea work — but not the pressures of impending fatherhood. While Jack dives deeper and deeper, he seems to pull further and further away from his young wife and their unborn son. Then one night, deep in the icy solitude of the ocean floor, Jack has a mysterious and supernatural encounter that will change the course of his life forever.
Equal parts blue-collar character study and mind-bending mystery, The Underwater Welder is a graphic novel about fathers and sons, birth and death, memory and reality, and the treasures we all bury deep below the surface.
HC • BW • $29.99 • 232 pages • 6.875” x 10.435” • ISBN: 978-1-60309-392-7
By the fall of 1963, the Civil Rights Movement has penetrated deep into the American consciousness, and as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis is guiding the tip of the spear. Through relentless direct action, SNCC continues to force the nation to confront its own blatant injustice, but for every step forward, the danger grows more intense: Jim Crow strikes back through legal tricks, intimidation, violence, and death. The only hope for lasting change is to give voice to the millions of Americans silenced by voter suppression: “One Man, One Vote.”
To carry out their nonviolent revolution, Lewis and an army of young activists launch a series of innovative campaigns, including the Freedom Vote, Mississippi Freedom Summer, and an all-out battle for the soul of the Democratic Party waged live on national television.
March: Book Three is the finale of writers Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, and artist Nate Powell‘s trilogy of graphic novels chronicling the early years of Congressman Lewis’ life and his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
As I read the graphic novel from cover to cover, I found myself filled with emotions, as Lewis’ life was there in print for those to see and read. The story is a complicated one, but it’s presented in a way that feels honest and open, both good and bad. This is an inside look at one of the most important, and turbulent times in American history from not just someone that was there, but a leader of the movement. And that’s a fascinating part of this third book, is its focus on Lewis’ role as a leader.
At 25 years old, John Lewis and his friends were looked at as radicals trying to grasp power from the establishment. The graphic novel chronicles Lewis’ meeting with Malcolm X who advised him and the movement to focus on class, not race. And all of that spoke to me like nothing I’ve read before, because over 50 years later, that exact same conversation is being had. The young radicals within the Democratic party (and politics in general) are being dismissed. The idea of focusing on class instead of race is still debated. For all the victories, what was accomplished, so little has changed. From issues of inequality to Black Lives Matter, the themes and struggle of this third graphic novel echo and repeat to today. While the graphic novel book ends itself with the election of President Obama, the graphic novel forces the reader (whether on purpose or not) to think about what that means in today’s society. Where we are from where we’ve been.
This third chapter to makes the whole stronger and for as much as I thought the second graphic novel was an emotional whirlwind, this third one left me fighting back tears at times. The whole is easily one of the greatest graphic presentations of all time, and absolutely some of the best literature to have been produced in recent years. It may seem like exaggeration but this graphic novel again brings real history “to life” in a way that is educational and entertaining. It accomplishes amazing things and will easily find its way on to book shelves as well as the classroom.
This third volume somehow leapfrogs the other two. Whether it’s due to learning or the material within, something about it created an emotional reaction I haven’t felt by any media in quite some time. And most importantly it got me to think about where we as a people and nation have been, where we are, and where we’re going.
This is easily the best graphic novel of the year so far.
Story: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin Art: Nate Powell
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Anthony
Top Pick: Kill or Be Killed #1 (Image Comics) Praise the comic Gods or whomever for the beginning of another series from Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Elizabeth Breitweiser. If you haven’t read anything by this creative team, that needs to change…now. The premise remains fairly mysterious with the focus being on an individual whose vigilante actions of killing those that have wronged others begins to affect the people he keeps around him. The creative team and collaborative efforts of Brubaker and Phillips have yet to disappoint so this is a definite must read/buy.
Paper Girls #8 (Image Comics) – Fresh from its Eisner wins for Best New Series and Best Penciller/Inker for Cliff Chiang, Paper Girls continues to be one of the best titles being released not only by Image, but any publisher period. The mystery continues to thicken with a monthly treat of Chiang’s images with Matt Wilson’s bold colours and Brian K. Vaughan’s smart, fast paced script.
Tokyo Ghost #9 (Image Comics) – It is unfortunate that this has to be the penultimate issue of Tokyo Ghost. This series has been an entertaining, thought-provoking ride that will surely set up quite the finale from the fantastic creative team of Rick Remender, Sean Gordon Murphy, and Matt Hollingsworth.
Lady Killer 2 #1 (Dark Horse) – Writer/Artist Joelle Jones is back with more Lady Killers! The first series was an absolute delight, diving into the life of Josie Schuller whom juggles between her life as a 1950s housewife and contract killer. Colourist Michelle Madsen looks to pick up the reigns of Laura Allred from the last series and looks to be in more than capable hands judging from the gorgeous, sleek preview pages.
4001 A.D. War Mother #1 (Valiant) – The most anticipated one shot from the 4001 event from Valiant was a mystery for a good portion of time. When it was revealed that it would focus on a character introduced during the Book of Death and to be written by Fred Van Lente, the level of curiosity rose. Once some preview pages revealed the mind blowing pencil work of Tomas Giorello, the attention of many was officially grabbed.
Alex
Top Pick: 4001 A.D.: War Mother #1 (Valiant) – So this is Valiant’s mystery comic that’s tying into 4001 A.D., eh? With all the hype that the publisher have been trying to build around it, I really hope it’s half as good as they seem to think it is, because if my guess is right this could be a launching point for an entirely new set of stories in the 4001 A.D. time-frame.
Dishonored #1 (Titan Comics) – I loved this game when I played it on PS3 a couple years ago, so I’m excited to see where the story has progressed to since the end of the game. I’m also expecting this to be less than excellent, but I’m always
Evil Heroes #1 (Zenescope Entertainment) – I’m not gonna lie, this is here solely because of the name. I know nothing else about the comic…Moon Knight #5 (Marvel)
Moon Knight #5 (Marvel) – Moon Knight versus Moon Knight. Just when you thought this couldn’t get any crazier…
Suicide Squad Rebirth #1 (DC Comics) – I have never read anything Suicide Squad before, so with the movie coming this week, what better place to start?
Brett
Top Pick: March Book 3 (IDW Publishing/Top Shelf) – The third and final volume of Congressman Lewis’ recounting of his time during the Civil Rights movement. The third volume is powerful on its own, but when combined with the first two volumes you have a trilogy that’s a modern classic.
Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth #1 (Oni Press) – This first issue had me laughing and this series looks like it’s going to be completely out there and enough dick jokes to make the 8 year old version of me giggling.
Kill or Be Killed #1 (Image Comics) – Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Elizabeth Breitweiser, that alone is the reason I’m excited for this one.
Lady Killer 2 #1 (Dark Horse) – Joelle Jones is back with a new volume about our favorite housewife/killer Josie Schuller. The first issue is absolutely fantastic and has me excited to see what else is to come.
Sheriff of Babylon #9 (Vertigo) – The best comic on the stand right now. This issue as the various threads coming together and it’s done so in a way that’ll have you amped up to see what comes next and yelling at the comic in frustration of the disaster that is the US’s occupation of Iraq.
March Book 3
Congressman John Lewis & Andrew Aydin (w) • Nate Powell (a & c)
Top Shelf is honored to present the stunning conclusion to the award-winning and best-selling MARCH trilogy.
By Fall 1963, the Civil Rights Movement is an undeniable keystone of the national conversation, and as chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis is right in the thick of it. With the stakes continuing to rise, white supremacists intensify their opposition through government obstruction and civilian terrorist attacks, a supportive president is assassinated, and African-Americans across the South are still blatantly prohibited from voting.
To carry out their nonviolent revolution, Lewis and an army of young activists launch a series of innovative projects, including the Freedom Vote, Mississippi Freedom Summer, and a pitched battle for the soul of the Democratic Party waged live on national television. But strategic disputes are deepening within the movement, even as 25-year-old John Lewis heads to Alabama to risk everything in a historic showdown that will shock the world.
TPB • BW • $19.99 • 256 pages • 6.5” x 9.5” • ISBN: 978-1-60309-402-3
