Twelve months ago, when we chose 2011’s best graphic novels, we predicted that this year’s list would be even better—and we were right.

More and more creators of graphic novels for kids are really starting to hit their stride, including Raina Telgemeier, Doug TenNapel, Chris Schweizer, and Faith Erin Hicks, whose most recent works appear on our 2012 list. And there’s always room on our top 10 list for a promising newcomer: Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin’s “Princeless” series nabbed two nominations for an Eisner Award (the equivalent of an Oscar) in 2011, when it was published in single issues, and we were bowled over by this year’s graphic novel version.

What’s happening in the wider world of comics? Licensed graphic novels remain red-hot, as young readers continue to flock to familiar entries such as the “Ninjago” series (Papercutz), which follows the escapades of four martial-arts-loving Lego ninjas. And now that graphic novels for kids have been around for a while, some older series are being revived, including full-color editions of Ted Naifeh’s “Courtney Crumin” (Oni) and a stunning black-and-white collection of Tania del Rio’s manga-style “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (Archie).

Without further ado, here are our favorite comics of the year:

1. Drama by Raina Telgemeier. There’s plenty of drama both on and off stage in Telgemeier’s new middle grade graphic novel. Callie is crazy about the stage, but unfortunately, that’s not where her talent lies. Still, she’s content to work backstage, and there’s no shortage of drama there, including romantic interests, best-friend woes, and classmates who are grappling with their sexual identities. Telgemeier’s playful, passionate, and boisterous artwork fits the text perfectly. And like her previous title, Smile (2010, both Scholastic Graphix), the new one is bound to be a big hit with her target audience, since it captures the agony and ecstasy of those tumultuous middle school years.

2. Cardboard (Scholastic) by Doug TenNapel. Mike is a single father who’s out of work, and the only birthday present he can afford to buy his son, Cam, is a cardboard box. But this is no ordinary box: it comes with its own set of rules. When Mike and Cam use the box to create a cardboard man, it comes to life. But when they break the box’s rules and attract the attention of the spoiled rich kid next door, things begin to get wonderfully out of control.

3. CROGAN’S LOYALTY (Oni) by Chris Schweizer. The latest installment in the “Crogan Adventures” series features two brothers on opposite sides of the Revolutionary War. Loyalist Charles and rebel William must decide what’s more important: their respective causes or their family ties. The narrative’s nonstop action, humor, and, yes, politics will keep readers on the edge of their seats, and there’s also an important lesson to be learned: just because somebody’s a Tory doesn’t automatically mean he’s a bad guy!

4. FRIENDS WITH BOYS(First Second) by Faith Erin Hicks. Maggie McKay is about to leave her sheltered life as a homeschooler for the scary world of high school. Although she’s still got her dad and big brothers to lean on, things haven’t been the same since her mom left home. Alone and friendless, Maggie is struggling to make friends and fit in. And then there’s the not-so-small matter of the ghostly spirit that’s been haunting her.

GIANTS BEWARE! (First Second) by Jorge Aguirre and Rafael Rosado. When scrappy Claudette hears about a baby-feet-eating giant, she convinces her younger brother, Gaston, and her friend Marie to accompany her on a quest to slay the monster. After overcoming scads of magical threats, they finally find the giant, who turns out to be not quite what they’d expected. Readers who love fairy tales will enjoy how this story defies stereotypes and is loaded with boundless wit and slapstick humor.

6. HEREVILLE: HOW MIRKA MET A METEORITE by Barry Deutsch. To avoid a huge falling meteorite, a witch transforms it into a clone of Mirka, our favorite 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish heroine—and that’s only the beginning of this kooky, captivating tale. The meteorite cleverly creeps into Mirka’s life, convinced it’s a better Mirka than Mirka herself, and the original Mirka must figure out a way to win back her life. This title—a sequel to Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword (2010, both Amulet)—is not to be missed.

7. LEGENDS OF ZITA THE SPACEGIRL by Ben Hatke. In this clever follow-up to Zita the Spacegirl (2011, both First Second), Zita is enjoying the life of an intergalactic celebrity. But when her fame becomes overwhelming, she swaps places with a robot double who decides to make the switch permanent. Stranded and on her own, Zita must seek out friends, expose the doppelgänger, and—oh, yeah—save another planet from a hostile space invasion.

8. NATHAN HALE’S HAZARDOUS TALES: BIG BAD IRONCLAD (Abrams) by Nathan Hale. If only all history books could be this entertaining. Hale, the author, uses Nathan Hale, the historic figure, to tell the story of the creation of the Confederate and Union navies, the building of the U.S.S. Merrimack and, most awesomely, the true-life exploits of William Cushing, a prankster who became a forerunner of today’s Navy Seals. The story’s laugh-out-loud humor makes it easy to remember this time in history.

9. PRINCELESS (Action Lab Comics) by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin. Princeless features a dragon, a princess who’s trapped in a tower, and a dramatic rescue. In the end, however, it’s the princess—not the prince—who saves the day. This title playfully skewers gender stereotypes and classic fairy tales, and older children and younger teens will find it a hoot to read. Plus, its main characters are people of color—a rarity in comics.

10. THE SECRET OF THE STONE FROG (Toon) by David Nytra. This short graphic novel is a lovely coming-of-age story that’s a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Nytra creates a wonderful world for Leah and her brother, Alan, to discover that’s filled with giant rabbits, foppish lions (dandy lions, maybe?), talking buildings, and a subway station for deep-sea creatures. This tale is highly recommended for fans of Lewis Carroll and exquisitely drawn comics.

For more great titles, visit Brigid Alverson and the “Good Comics for Kids” gang.

ABIRACHED, Zeina. A Game for Swallows. Graphic Universe, 2012. ISBN 9780761385684. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Based on her grandmother’s story, Abirached tells the tale of one long night in Beirut, when the parents of two children cross the line between East and West and get caught in a bombing. Told with simple black-and-white illustrations, in the tone of Persepolis, the children are comforted by their neighbors in their building’s foyer while the world is crashing down all around them. This beautiful story illustrates Florian’s words: To die to leave to return / It’s a game for swallows.

ANTHONY, Jessica and Rodrigo Corral. Chopsticks: A Novel. Razorbill, 2012. ISBN 9781595144355. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—If there was ever a book that didn’t fit into any particular mold, it’s Chopsticks. More of a mixed-media novel, the story is told through photographs, ticket stubs, postcards, and other ephemera, with a little text in-between. Glory is a child prodigy―a pianist of amazing talent. Her teacher and father books a European tour after she becomes romantically involved with Franco, the new boy next door. As Franco begins to fail out of school, Glory begins to descend into what appears to be madness as she interrupts her playing with “Chopsticks.” In a hauntingly ambiguous ending, readers will have to decide for themselves what really happened in the disappearance of Glory. What is reality? What is madness?

MCCLINTOCK, Norah and Mike Deas. I, Witness. Orca, 2012. ISBN 9781554697892. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Being a teenager is hard enough, but when you witness a murder and the next thing you know your best friend is killed in a drive-by shooting, life gets really complicated. Boone’s friends begin to drop like leaves as the dead bodies pile up around him. Thinking that it’s better to keep his mouth shut, he walks into another situation that makes him think twice about not getting involved.

Blood-red ink is used to highlight the mostly black-and-white graphic novel, and with all of those deaths, there’s a fair amount of red. Canadian novelist McClintock enters the teenage world and mixes it with violence and conscience-driven actions. Teens will wonder what they would do if they knew more than they wanted to know.

PETTY, J.T. and Hilary Florido. Bloody Chester. First Second, 2012. ISBN 9781596431003. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—Petty’s young adult graphic novel debut is a mix of horror, mystery, and the Wild West. Filled with coarse language (and racial slurs), the story tells the tale of a teenage boy who grasps at the chance to start over. Called Bloody Chester (because he constantly gets a beating), Chester must burn down a plague-ridden ghost town in order to earn his salary. It seems, though, that it’s much more complicated than that. He falls for a girl who’s still in town because her crazy, holed-up, treasure-hoarding father won’t leave. Then there are the ghosts or zombies or plague-ridden souls that haunt the town. Chester is determined to do his job and discovers that no one seems to be telling the truth.

From humor to horror, Petty and Florido create an interesting tale with full-color illustrations. A few sketches of the work in progress are also included. There’s even a bit of reflection in the story’s secrets that will cause the reader to ponder.

PHAM, Thien. Sumo. First Second, 2012. ISBN 9781596435810. JLG Level: GH : Graphic Novels High

Gr 9 Up—When his chance for a career in pro football is eliminated and a long-term romance ends, Scott chooses to start over in Japan as a sumo wrestler. Though it’s harder than he expects, his past experiences help him give it his best shot.

Using color to indicate the time and setting, Pham tells a powerful three-part story that builds until the final wordless conclusion. Readers may be able to read it quickly, but will want to reread to absorb the brilliance of the telling.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild (JLG) is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, JLG’s book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit them at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

GREY-WILBURN, Renee. Volcanoes! Capstone. 2012. ISBN 9781429676069. JLG Level: CK2 : Series Nonfiction: Science K-2 (Grades K-2)

In chapter book format, this volume in Capstone’s “First Graphics” series brings science to our youngest readers. Beginning with an explanation of volcanoes and moving into how scientists study eruptions, readers will learn basic facts in a controlled vocabulary. The text also features nonfiction support including an index, bibliography, and a glossary.

HAYES, Geoffrey. Benny and Penny in Lights Out!  Toon Bks. 2012. ISBN 9781935179207. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2-6)

It’s time for bed, but Benny is not ready to go to sleep. His sister, Penny, is rattled by his attempts to stall bedtime. When Benny slips out to look for his pirate hat, Penny tries to be brave and look for him. They have an adventure that is just scary enough for the intended reader.

With additional support material on the publisher website, teachers can easily use their document cameras or interactive whiteboards to share award winning graphic novels for their emerging readers.

LAMBERT, Joseph. Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller. Disney/Hyperion. 2012. ISBN 9781423113362. JLG Level: GM : Graphic Novels Middle (Grades 5-8)

Already a Booklist Top 10 Biography Book for Youth 2012, Lambert’s graphic novel format does more than retell an already familiar story. Alternating the past and present, readers learn more about Annie Sullivan’s background. Readers will also learn about a controversial story that Helen wrote. Authorities questioned whether Helen really wrote the story, as it was very similar to a published story. Through this retelling, readers will discover even more about the powerful bond between a teacher and her student.

L’ENGLE, Madeline. A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel. Adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson. Farrar/Margaret Ferguson Bks. 2012. ISBN 9780374386153. JLG Level: FM : Fantasy/Science Fiction Middle (Grades 5-8)

For fifty years, readers have worn out copies of Newbery-winning A Wrinkle in Time. Larson’s graphic novel version stays true to the original. Using black and white with blue accents, L’Engle’s voice comes through, so readers will not be disappointed. The tome is nearly 400 pages long, allowing Larson the freedom to use plenty of text, but also giving an opportunity for action to happen in the illustrations. Though readers may want to read the book in one gulp, chapters provide good stopping places. Teachers and librarians may want to use this version as an introduction to the classic and lovers of the classic will need no introduction.

NYTRA, David. The Secret of the Stone Frog. Toon Bks. 2012. ISBN 9781935179184. JLG Level: GE : Graphic Novels Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Nytra’s crowquill pen-and-india-ink drawings lend a mysterious tone to this Alice in Wonderland-themed graphic novel for middle elementary grade readers. Leah and Alan wake one morning to find themselves in an enchanted forest. Brother and sister learn to depend on each other when their adventures take them farther and farther from the path that leads to home.

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.

Laverne Mann, branch manager at the Piscataway Public Library, piqued some interest during her panel presentation on Foolproof Graphic Novel Collection Development when she announced an upcoming beta test for a new digital comic product ComicsPlus; Library Edition, by iversemedia. ComicsPlus will offer ebook versions of graphic novels and comics to libraries via subscription.

Two other NJ-based librarians, Emily Weisenstein of Boonton Holmes Public Library and Joseph Gasparro of Montville Public Library, discussed the use of superheroes in promoting library programming. Weisenstein warned the audience that the use of trademarked characters, which includes most superheroes, is not permitted for the promotion of library programs. So teens in her library created their own. They include Dr. Holmes, a superhero librarian, who will debut at the end of October. But NYCC attendees were treated to a preview as Weisenstein transformed herself into Holmes for a mini in-character performance.

Bearing tattoos and spiked hair, high school English teacher Justin DeVoe from Newark, NJ, discussed video games in a panel on Games and Learning. He emphasized that by using games he’s fostered an “interactive” classroom. Meanwhile, Malcolm Bauer, a research scientist at the Educational Testing Service (ETS) addressed ETS’s efforts to develop game-based student assessments. With its Assessment Game Challenge, ETS is soliciting input from the public.

The annual NYCC, second in size to the Comic Con International conference in San Diego draws more than 100,000 attendees to the four-day event. They included Betty H. Lee, library associate for young adults at Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Libraries. Lee said she enjoyed the exhibits from familiar names in publishing, such as Abrams, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette Books in addition to smaller publishers such as Kill Shakespeare whose books have appeared on the YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens list.

GIALLONGO, Zack. Broxo. First Second. October 2012. pap. $16.99. ISBN 9781596435513.

Gr 5 Up—Tough-talking Princess Zora arrives in a strange land hoping to negotiate with the local tribe and unite them with her kingdom. But the tribe has been reduced to man-eating zombies, and Zora must team up with the sole survivor, a boy named Broxo, to fight them—and assorted other monsters.

ROSCA, Madeleine. The Clockwork Sky, vol. 1. Tor. September 2012. pap. $10.99. ISBN 9780765329165.

Gr 6 Up—A feisty girl teams up with a robot policeman to solve the mystery of a spate of missing children in a steampunk version of 1890s London. Rosca, the creator of Hollow Fields, has a knack for creating convincing characters—and machines.

YOLEN, Jane. Curses! Foiled Again. Illustrated by Mike Cavallaro. First Second. January 2013. pap. $15.99. ISBN 9781596436190.

Gr 8 Up—In Foiled, fencing student Aliera Carstairs was swept away into a fantasy world when she put on her mask in Grand Central Station. In this sequel, she’s off on more adventures, this time with her wheelchair-using cousin Caroline by her side.

NORDLING, Lee, et al. Once Upon a Time Machine. Dark Horse. October 2012. pap. $24.99. ISBN 9781616550400.

Gr 7 Up—An anthology of traditional stories such as John Henry, Snow White, and The Last Leaf, retold in a sci-fi setting by an array of up-and-coming creators.

MACK, Stan. Taxes, the Tea Party, and Those Revolting Rebels. NBM. September 2012. Hardcover. $14.99. ISBN 9781561636976.

Gr 7 Up—An accurate but irreverent retelling of the American Revolution and the events that led up to it. Mack’s colonists talk like real people—with attitude—which helps bring the facts of history down to earth in a way modern readers can relate to.

POMPLUN, Tom, ed. Halloween Classics. Eureka Productions. October 2012. pap. $17.95. ISBN 9780982563052.

Gr 7 Up—Scary stories from Washington Irving, Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and H. P. Lovecraft, plus a comics adaptation of the silent film The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari, adapted by a variety of creators and tied together by a narrator who’s straight out of EC Comics. This is volume 23 of the Graphic Classics series of anthologies.

RUSSELL, Gary, et al. Doctor Who Omnibus, vol. 1. IDW. January 2013. pap. $29.99. ISBN 9781613773482.

Gr 7 Up—This 420-page omnibus collects several story arcs that have appeared as individual comics and in trades, all featuring the Tenth Doctor: “Agent Provocateur,” “Through Time and Space,” and “The Forgotten.”

SUENOBU, Keiko. The Limit, vol. 1. Vertical. October 2012. pap. $10.95. ISBN 9781935654568.

Gr 8 Up—The Limit has the look of traditional shoujo manga, but the story is closer to Lord of the Flies: A busload of high school children goes over a cliff, killing most of them and upending the social order. It’s a dark book with quite a bit of violence, but it’s also an unsparing look at bullying and cliques. Suenobu is the author of Life, a manga that dealt with cutting and was published by Tokyopop.

YAZAWA, Ai. Paradise Kiss, vol. 1. Vertical. September 2012. pap. $19.95. ISBN 9781935654711.

Gr 11 Up—A group of fashion students recruit a dutiful, overworked high school student to be their model, and she begins to question her choices in life. Tokyopop released this as a five-volume series in the mid-2000s; Vertical’s three-volume edition has a larger format and a new translation. Sexual situations and innuendo make this a better choice for older teens.

RICE, Anne. Interview with the Vampire: Claudia’s Story. Ill. by Ashley Witter. Yen Press. November 2012. $19.99. pap. ISBN 9780316176361.

Gr 11 Up—A retelling of Rice’s classic vampire novel Interview with the Vampire through the eyes of Claudia, one of the characters in the original, who has an adult personality but is trapped in a child’s body.

Teachers, librarians, and parents will also want to take advantage of the read-alike list, and the podcast can be used as a guide for kids to do their own readings and to start their own book discussions. Bookmark Kids’ Comics Revolution!, or even better, subscribe to it in iTunes or set up an RSS feed so you’ll never miss the latest fun from this dynamic and cuddly duo.

One big announcement came just before the con: Marvel is shaking up its line (much as DC did last year with its New 52), with new titles debuting in October and a series of relaunches that will run through February 2013.

Dark Horse announced a new Star Wars monthly comic that’ll be written by Brian Wood (The New York Four, Conan the Barbarian) and will be set between two Star Wars films, Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

Bloody Chester

Graphic novel publisher First Second books debuted Bloody Chester, a horror story set in the Old West, and hosted signings by Nate Powell, Faith Erin Hicks, and others. Hicks is illustrating a new book for First Second, Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong, about a high school robotics team.

The Bolt City booth was home base for a number of YA graphic novel creators, including Raina Telgemeier (Smile), who had advance copies of her latest book, Drama, and Dave Roman and John Green (Teen Boat).

The Deep

Creator Tom Taylor came all the way from Australia to promote The Deep, an adventure story about a family of underwater explorers who live in a submarine. The first volume won an Aurealis Award, Australia’s literary award for speculative fiction, for Best Illustrated Book.

And standing a little aloof from the Babymouse and Lunch Lady graphic novels at the Random House booth was one lone copy of the graphic adaptation of Jeanne DuPrau’s City of Ember, due out in September.

Namco Bandai turned a nearby hotel pavilion into an arcade featuring classic video games to promote its new webcomics site, ShiftyLook, which publishes game-based webcomics by a number of creators, including Jimmy Palmiotti, Ben McCool, Dean Haspiel, and Jim Zubkavich.

In the manga department, Kodansha was promoting the sixth volume of its best-seller Sailor Moon with giveaway posters; the other featured book was its new series, Attack on Titan.

Interview with a Vampire

Yen Press announced several new titles, including graphic-novel adaptations of James Patterson’s Zoo, Ransom Riggs’s Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and Brent Weeks’s The Way of Shadows. At its booth, Yen was promoting its adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire as well as the Japanese title Alice in the Country of Hearts, a series that was left unfinished by the demise of Tokyopop. Yen has published the complete series in three omnibus volumes. Seven Seas featured several related Alice in the Country of Clover manga at its booth alongside its homegrown graphic novels, Amazing Agent Luna and Vampire Cheerleaders.

Viz Media announced two additions to Shonen Jump Alpha, its digital magazine: Blue Exorcist, which Viz is already publishing in print, and a new series, Takama-ga-hara, which only recently launched in Japan. And the digital manga site JManga revealed plans for an unlimited-access manga site featuring single manga chapters that can be read for free.

Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand

Comic-Con is the setting for the Eisner Awards, and this year’s award in the young adult category went to Vera Brosgol’s Anya, published by First Second. The graphic novel adaptation of Jim Henson’s screenplay Tale of Sand won three awards, as did the Marvel series Daredevil.

Oh, and budding comics creator Shia LaBeouf, whose day job has something to do with movies, made a surprise appearance at the con, sharing a booth with Keith Knight. This is the second time LaBeouf has done that; he had a table in Artists Alley at C2E2 last April as well.

Fanboy and Goth Girl received two starred reviews and made the School Library Journal‘s 2006 Best Books list. Lyga is the author many books in different genres, including, Boy Toy (2007), Hero-Type (2008), Goth Girl Rising (2009) and Mangaman (2011, all Houghton Harcourt), and is currently hard at work on the sequel to his thriller, I Hunt Killers(Little, Brown, 2012).

Lyga, who lives in New York City, is a guest speaker at SLJ‘s August 9 online event, SummerTeen: A Celebration of Young Adult Books. If you’ve signed up for SummerTeen, make sure to gather your teens to hear Lyga speak on the “Alternate Formats: New Approaches to Teen Fiction” panel from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is still open.

SLJ spoke to Lyga about what how he started writing for teens, his view of librarians, and how his books have possibly saved lives.

What do you like best about writing for teens?

BL: The enthusiasm and passion of the audience. Teens are at an age where a good book—or just the right book at the right time—can still dramatically change their opinions, their visions of themselves and the world, and their futures. Adults are pretty much set. Very few adults radically change their lives in adulthood. But teens are still amorphous, still in progress, so a book can still set them off on an entirely different course. That’s a pretty amazing thing to contemplate. I don’t write books with the intention of changing a teen’s life, but just knowing that it’s possible is phenomenal.

So what’s one of the most moving things someone has said after reading one of your books?

BL: Quite simply, this: “I was going to kill myself, but then I read your book and decided not to.”

How’d you end up writing your first YA novel?

BL: Sheer accident. I had written a couple of adult novels that I didn’t sell and friends kept telling me that all of the characters in them acted like teenagers, even though they were intended to be adults. This made me decide to try my hand at a YA novel. I got about three pages into The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy & Goth Girl when everything just clicked for me and I knew that this was what I was supposed to be writing all along.

How valuable are librarians at getting the word out about your work?

BL: Enormously so! I write for an audience that doesn’t always have a great deal of disposable income, so the ability to read my books for free at the library is a gigantic benefit. And librarians—in my experience—are the best people in the world at performing that invaluable service of noticing what a kid is reading and saying to him/her: “Hey, if you liked that, I bet you’d like this…and this…and this…”

You sometimes write about sensitive topics. Do you ever worry about your books being censored or challenged?

BL: I wouldn’t say I “worry” about it. I think about it sometimes. It crosses my mind. But it never affects the writing itself. It can’t. You can’t write a story while trying to please some invisible, unknowable army of hypocrites who will never, ever be happy with what you write in the first place. There’s just no winning that game. So you write the story you want to see out there in the world, and if someone challenges it or yanks it off a bookshelf, you go and you fight the good fight. But to write a book trying to avoid a challenge or censorship… that’s ceding your authorial voice and your very soul to the forces of, well, blatant idiocy. Who would want to do that?

What are you working on now?

BL: I’m working on the sequel to my thriller, I Hunt Killers. I’m also working on a couple of other things. I always have multiple projects on shuffle—but nothing I can talk about yet.

Other SLJ SummerTeen Interviews:

Gareth Hinds

Earl Sewell

A.S. King

Johan Harstad

Photo: Kimberly Butler

Due out next year, it will be the first new Sandman story in nine years and will coincide with the original series’ 25th anniversary.

The new limited series, called “The Sandman,” is a prequel to the DC series he began in 1988 and ended in 1996 with 75 issues. Sandman is Dream, known also as Morpheus, an immortal member of a group called the Endless.

“I’m excited; this has been an incredibly long time coming,” Gaiman said in the video message. “It was one of the few stories that actually felt, when I finished Sandman, like I had failed because I had not told this story.”

Gaiman fans recently learned that he signed a major book deal with HarperCollins for two picture books and three novels, where we’ll see some favorite familiar characters, as well as some new ones.

Inspired by a recent trip to China, Gaiman‘s book deal with HarperCollins includes two new picture books for small children that center on Chu, the loveable little panda with the great big sneeze. Chu’s Day, illustrated by Adam Rex, will be published January 8, 2013, and another Chu book has already been written.

Fortunately, the Milk, a funny young middle-grade novel that’s already completed, is “an ode to the pleasure and wonders of storytelling itself” and will feature numerous interior illustrations by Skottie Young, says HarperCollins. The deal also includes a sequel to Odd and the Frost Giants,which will follow the Viking boy Odd on further adventures. Gaiman says on his blog that he’s already “started and plotted” the book.

Gaiman will also write a still unnamed middle grade novel, described as a “mysterious book that I think I know what it is (not even started, won’t be for quite a while, and I think I know the setting but not the story).”
“We are thrilled to sign these wonderful and diverse books by the immensely talented Neil Gaiman, who is such a treasure and has so many fans of all ages,” says Rosemary Brosnan, his editor at HarperCollins.

The author wrote on his blog that he’s also hard at work on an adult novel, which has the working title, Lettie Hempstock’s Ocean. Although contacts haven’t been signed yet, Gaiman says it should be out sometime in 2013.

“[The novel is] lurching further toward the end of its second draft every day. (mostly I’m just listening to comments from friends who have read it, and fixing things, or thinking about them and letting them stay the same…),” he writes on his blog.

Gaiman’s Newbery-winning The Graveyard Book was the only book to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie Medals. He’s also the author ofStardust and Coraline, which was made into an Academy Award-nominated animated feature film.

Teens can visit the movie’s official website to check out action-and explosion-packed video previews, peruse a gallery of full-color film photos, and download movie poster images for their desktops and mobile devices. They can also try their hand at “The Fire Rises,” an online strategy game that casts participants in the role of one of Bane’s underlings with the mission of looting and pillaging Gotham City while evading police. YAs interested in more information can cruise over to the Batman Wiki to access in-depth character profiles, overviews of movie plots, info about TV shows and video games, a look at Batman’s decades-old comic-book history, and more. Crammed with click-on cross references, this fan-created site is illustrated with artwork reproductions, photos, and videos.

Great Reads for Batman-iacs

The opening of The Dark Knight Rises is sure to fuel interest in all things Batman and inspire teens to seek out the source material. Consider shoring up your Caped Crusader comics collections by purchasing and/or displaying these fan-grabbing titles.

Get the Big Picture

Daniel Wallace’s Batman: The World of the Dark Knight (DK, 2012; Gr 7 Up), a handsome volume jam-packed with full-color artwork, introduces the crime-fighting paragon and navigates through more than seven decades of comic-book history. After recounting the character’s creation and his 1939 comic-book premiere, eye-catching spreads delve into topics such as Batman’s suit, utility belt, weapons, gadgets, lair, and vehicles with a combination of lively text, captioned artwork, and diagrams and cutaways. Other sections cover the hero’s origin tale, mental and physical prowess, fighting style and training regime, and civilian persona. Character profiles highlight a large cast of villains and allies along with Batman’s love interests and superhero team affiliations. A six-page illustrated timeline listing career milestones is followed by chronological chapters that recount important story arcs and outline the character’s evolution through the years and adaptations to changing times and cultural trends. Summaries of key comic-book issues provide a glimpse of each work’s plot and art and explain its importance to the Batman body of work. Throughout, dazzling reproductions of full-color comic-book artwork are presented on attractively designed layouts. Movie fans will enjoy stepping into Batman’s universe, while comics devotees will find this a useful and informative resource.

Graphic Novels: Movie Inspirations and Batman Classics

Frank Miller ushered in a gritty and graphic new era for the Caped Crusader in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (DC Comics, 2002 ed.; Gr 10 Up), originally published in 1986. The cowl-wearing crime fighter has been off the radar for 10 years, but the reappearance of several old enemies in a Gotham now rampant with violence compels a gray-haired but still-determined Bruce Wayne to once again take on his role as protector of the city. Despite negative attention from the news media, a new police commissioner who brands him a vigilante, and a citizenry that has become complacent, Batman bravely weathers an onslaught of cataclysmic events and proves that there’s still a place for heroes. The script’s strong characterizations and emotional underpinnings make this searing work as much a psychological study as an action tale, and the illustrations, whether zooming in to depict the media’s talking heads or pulling out to delineate dynamic good-versus-evil confrontations, are just as dramatic.

Equally dark in tone and reader-riveting, Miller’s Batman: Year One (originally published 1986-1987; DC Comics, 2012 ed.; Gr 10 Up) explores the Caped Crusader’s origins, reinterpreted to reflect a sense of down-and-dirty realism. The story is set in a Gotham besieged by street crime and crooked politicians, but not yet threatened by costumed super-villains. Parallel tales unfold as a driven but inexperienced Bruce Wayne learns through trial and error how to reach his objective of becoming “the greatest crimefighter the world has ever known” and Jim Gordon spends his eye-opening first year on a police force blighted by corruption. As the plot twists and turns, it soon becomes clear that both individuals are set on a course that will result in an invaluable alliance. Saturated with atmospheric shadows and vividly drawn details, the warm-hued artwork looks spectacular in this deluxe edition, which also includes a lengthy section of reproductions and commentary by illustrator David Mazzucchelli.

Presented in two hefty action-packed paperback volumes, Batman: Knightfall (DC Comics, 2012; Gr 10 Up) collects together the “Detective Comics” story arc (originally published 1993-1994) that first introduced the new movie’s antagonist. Bane is a towering and terrifying hulk of a man whose physical abilities and mental prowess are enhanced by a constant supply of the super-steroid Venom. After escaping from Pena Duro prison, he arrives in Gotham with an ingenious plan to destroy the Caped Crusader. By freeing all of Arkham Asylum’s villains (the Joker and a cavalcade of other crazies), he unleashes a tidal wave of crime on the city, pushing an already beleaguered Batman to his mental and physical limit. In an epic battle, Bane breaks the exhausted hero, tossing him off a skyscraper and leaving him seriously injured and emotionally devastated. Slowly recovering under the care of Robin and Alfred, Batman asks Jean Paul Valley (Azreal) to don the cape and cowl to protect his beloved city, but will this ruthless new Dark Knight go too far? Muscle-bound and filled with bright colors, the artwork depicts the story’s high-octane action along with its emotional nuances. With a whirlwind of bad guys both well-known and newly minted, numerous plots and subplots, and a bounty of dramatic battle scenes, this sequence will appeal to teens who like their storytelling fast-paced and fiery.

Originally published in 13 issues (1996-1997), Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s outstanding Batman: The Long Halloween (DC Comics, 2011; Gr 10 Up) harks back to the hero’s crime-combating beginnings, as he forms an alliance with Commissioner Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to take on mobster Carmine “the Roman” Falcone. There’s also an elusive serial killer on the loose with a penchant for celebrating monthly holidays with violent homicides. Appearances by colorful characters such as the Joker and Poison Ivy are cleverly integrated into the plot, but the real focus is on the murder mystery and the changing relationship between the three men. Both the storytelling and artwork have a film-noir feel, and the dialogue balances perfectly with the slick, shadow-infused images to propel the action forward and fortify the suspense. This edition includes a Q&A with movie creators Nolan and David S. Goyer and a gallery of covers with commentary from the author and artist.

Also penned by Loeb, Batman: Hush (originally published 2002-2003; DC Comics, 2009 ed.; Gr 10 Up) underscores the Dark Knight’s sharp-honed detective skills, as he tracks down a new villain who’s manipulating his deadliest enemies-and his most-trusted allies-like pawns on a chessboard as part of a revenge-seeking master plan. Meanwhile, the loner in cape and cowl finds himself falling for Catwoman, but can he truly trust her? Marked by inner conflicts and opaque motivations, the characters are multidimensional, and the plot is nimbly orchestrated to play the mystery to the hilt. Utilizing fine-etched lines, verdant colors, and a kaleidoscope of shifting perspectives, the artwork presents a graceful visual ballet of action-packed sequences and emotion-filled close-ups. This gripping tale will challenge teen’s intellects while satisfying their need for speed.

In 2011, DC Comics relaunched its entire line of monthly superhero comics, restarting each series with a new issue #1. Batman: The Court of Owls: Volume 1 (DC Comics, 2012; Gr 10 Up), written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Greg Capullo, collects together the first seven installments in the new “Batman” run. Masterfully plotted and well-paced, the adventure effectively blends old-school elements with updated touches. Like most Gotham residents, Batman has often heard rumors about the legendary Court of Owls—a cabal that has allegedly ruled the city in secret for years, dispatching the deadly Talon to vanquish its enemies—but dismisses the tales as unfounded; after all, no one knows the ins and outs of Gotham like he does. However, when a razor-clawed assassin begins to attack civic leaders, he must re-examine his beliefs—and eventually fight for his life and his sanity—while digging into dangerous mysteries that are intimately intertwined with the history of Gotham and his own family. An intrinsic part of the Batman mythology, Gotham itself joins the cast of well-developed characters, becoming an enigmatic and influential presence in the story. The tale is enhanced by a lineup of new villains and freshly imagined familiar players (including several generations of Robins), examples of new-and-cool technology, and moments of delightfully deadpan humor. Lyrical writing, crisp and colorful artwork, satisfying action scenes, and a meaty mystery make for an impossible-to-put-down read.

Publication Information

WALLACE, Daniel. Batman: The World of the Dark Knight. DK. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-9249-0.

MILLER, Frank. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. illus. by author. with Klaus Janson & Lynn Varley. DC Comics. 2002 ed. pap. $19.99. ISBN 978-1-56389-342-1.

_____. Batman: Year One: Deluxe Edition. illus. by David Mazzucchelli. DC Comics. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3342-6.

MOENCH, Doug, Chuck Dixon, & Alan Grant. Batman: Knightfall: Volume One. illus. by Jim Aparo et al. DC Comics. 2012. pap. $29.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3379-2.

MOENCH, Doug, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, & Jo Duffy. Batman: Knightfall: Volume Two: Knightquest. illus. by Graham Nolan et al. DC Comics. 2012. pap. $29.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3536-9.

LOEB, Jeph. Batman: The Long Halloween. illus. by Tim Sale. DC Comics. 2011. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3259-7.

_____. Batman: Hush. illus. by Jim Lee. DC Comics. 2009. pap. $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-2317-5.

SNYDER, Scott. Batman: The Court of Owls: Volume 1. illus. by Greg Capullo. DC Comics. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 978-1-4012-3541-3.

Peter Parker (Garfield), an outsider with an interest in photography, struggles with typical high school tribulations such as standing up to bully Flash Thompson (Chris Zylka) and untangling his tongue in the presence of his major crush, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). Left in the loving care of his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field) when he was a boy, Peter is haunted by the long-ago disappearance of his parents and questions about his own identity. When he finds a briefcase left behind by his father, he’s determined to get to the truth, and his ensuing investigations take him to Oscorp and the lab of scientist Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), Richard Parker’s one-time associate. Bitten by a mysterious spider, the teen finds himself in possession of astounding new abilities and faced by unfamiliar challenges. As Peter hurtles toward a showdown with the terrifying Lizard (the result of Connors’ experiment gone wrong), he must confront the mysteries of his past while making important choices that will determine the course of his future.

On the Web

Teens can visit the official movie website to sample the movie’s blend of gritty-looking realism, web-swinging acrobatics, and explosive action. Photos and brief bios introduce the main players, and viewers can browse video clips, an interactive trailer with additional click-to-access facts, and a gallery of inviting movie photos. A selection of wallpapers and other images are available for downloading, and YAs can also try their hand at taking on villains-and unlocking achievements- in a multileveled online movie game. Additional trailers and videos, photos, and movie news are available at Marvel’s website, along with a round-up of online games featuring the character. Kids who are curious about Spidey and his 50-year-long comic book career can check out the Marvel Universe Wiki for quick-click facts (powers, abilities, weapons, paraphernalia, and more) and a detailed biography that includes images and links to related characters and events in the Marvel Universe.

Book Tie-ins

The Amazing Spider-Man: The Movie Prelude (Marvel, 2012; Gr 7 Up) draws in film fans with a movie poster front cover and a photo of Garfield and Stone in character on the back. This graphic novel opens with the newly minted Spider-Man taking on a bevy of masked fiends, while flashbacks to several weeks ago highlight important moments that have brought him to his current circumstances and state of mind. Some of the storytelling is done from Gwen’s perspective, adding depth to her character and foreshadowing the intricacies of the movie plot. High-energy artwork and succinct scripting keep the pages turning quickly. The book also includes an eye-dazzling reprint of an old-school “Amazing Spider-Man” three-issue comic book bonanza penned by Lee in 1969, in which the hero tussles with the deadly Lizard.

Also adorned with an inviting film photo cover, The Amazing Spider-Man: Secret Origins (Marvel, 2012; Gr 7 Up) collects together several comic book tales that inspired the film plot and provide insight into the characters. Included here are Lee and Ditko’s original story about Peter Parker’s transformation into Spider-Man first published in 1962; installments from the “Amazing Spider-Man” series detailing edge-of-your-seat encounters with the Lizard and other menacing villains; and a tale from Paul Jenkins’s “Spectacular Spider-Man” (2003) that provides a contemplative look at Peter’s inner conflicts and motivations revealed through a graveside “conversation” with his beloved Uncle Ben. Introducing characters such as Flash Thompson and Gwen Stacy, the stories also underscore Spider-Man’s trademark blend of superhuman ability and innate scientific smarts, his struggle to balance the commonplace challenges of day-to-day life with the demands of his alter ego, and his deep-seated sense of responsibility for taking care of others. The artwork is crisply and colorfully reproduced, and the volume ends with a 25-page section of detailed character profiles.

More Great Graphic Novels

Expand the movie-going experience—and update your graphic novel collections—with a selection of recently published works told with a contemporary sensibility that will reel in teens and offer a sampling of the vast body of Webhead lore.

Spider-Man: Season One (Marvel, 2012; Gr 7 Up) provides a slick update of the classic origin tale with modernized details and settings. Detailed artwork and snappy dialogue effectively convey Peter Parker’s experiences, from the fateful bite to his well-known power-equals-responsibility epiphany. A clash with the villainous Vulture provides a fitting climax and sets the tone for future adventures. Spider-Man’s acrobatic antics are depicted in vibrant hues and clean black lines, and the action often bursts beyond the panels’ borders to fill full pages. Plagued by self-doubt and forced to learn on his feet, Spidey is far from invincible and comes across as a believable and vulnerable teenager. Touches of humor—Peter gleefully bending Uncle Ben’s barbell into pretzel shape or trying out a sagging homemade costume and (thankfully) quickly discarded new name (Johnny Arachnid)—abound, along with web-flinging action scenes and instances of self-reflection, adding up to a well-paced and emotionally satisfying tale.

Avenging Spider-Man (Marvel, 2012; Gr 8 Up) collects together the first several issues of a new series by writer Zeb Wells and artist Joe Madureira that teams the Webhead up with other super-powered dynamos. In this stand-alone volume, Spidey goes underground—literally—alongside the gargantuan Red Hulk to save Manhattan from a subterranean invasion, partners up with the sharp-shooting Hawkeye on a stakeout, helps Captain America reconnect with the geeky comics-drawing youngster he once was, and more. Filled with dazzling colors, dynamic energy, and shifting perspectives, the artwork depicts both the events and the emotions. The storytelling is powered by spine-tingling action, clever plot twists, and Spidey’s snide humor and trademark quips. Revealing moments shine through, as readers catch appealing glimpses of Peter Parker’s personality—insecure, racked with self-doubt, kindhearted, often noble, and totally relatable to teens.

The Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time: Ultimate Collection (Marvel, 2012; Gr 9 Up), a hefty compilation of riveting—and more recent (2010- )—issues of this long-running series, gives teens a taste of a more updated version of the Webhead and his world. In these pages, Peter Parker’s personal life finally seems to be settling down (he has a steady girlfriend and a new dream job in a think tank at Horizon Labs, while Spider-Man (who gets to work alongside the Avengers and the Fantastic Four) tangles with a cavalcade of fearsome bad guys tricked out with all manner of super abilities and high-tech gear. It will take all of the hero’s ingenuity, scientific know-how, clever thinking, and perseverance to meet this new array of challenges. The adventures featured here represent a satisfying variety of moods and plotlines, as the protagonist wisecracks his way through conflicts, uses both his superpowers and wits in battle, grapples with personal issues, and bids farewell to a loved one. Readers will be swept away by the sublime storytelling and scintillating artwork.

Set in the alternate reality of Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli’s Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man: Volume 1 (Marvel, 2012; Gr 8 Up) introduces the next-generation incarnation of the web-slinging wonder. Miles Morales, a likeable kid with loving parents, has just won a spot in a prestigious charter school that might be the ticket out of his dead-end Brooklyn neighborhood. However, when he is bitten by a mysterious spider at the apartment of his uncle (a thief recently seen rooting around an Osborn Industries lab), he suddenly finds himself with abilities that seem similar to those of-unbelievably-Spider-Man. Stunned, scared, and even a bit stoked, Miles keeps his metamorphosis a secret from his parents, while wrestling with what the change means to his future: does he have the wherewithal to live up to the responsibility that comes along with the power? His dilemma is pushed to the forefront when the real Spider-Man is tragically killed, and Miles must decide if he is ready to wear the mask. Filled with humor, heartbreak, and pulse-pounding action, the well-written script and detailed artwork create a believable and multi-dimensional character. The youngster’s perspective is spot on and compellingly expressed, as he navigates through difficult challenges and dangerous circumstances with courage and candor. It’s hard for anyone to step into Peter Parker’s shoes, but the charismatic Miles will quickly win over teens.

Movie and comics fans will find a wealth of information and full-color images in Spider-Man: Inside the World of Your Friendly Neighborhood Hero (DK, 2012; Gr 7 Up). This handsome volume begins with a foreword by Lee, who puts a finger on why his character has made such a long-lasting impression (“…he’s possibly the most realistically human of all Super Heroes”) and continues to strike a chord with young adults (he is, after all, a teenager himself, and the first to step out of sidekick status and into role of full-fledged champion). Beginning with a recap of the character’s creation and comic book premiere in 1962, colorful spreads introduce Spider-Man (with in-depth treatments of his origins, suits, powers, web-producing abilities, and alter ego), his loved ones and allies, and the numerous villains who have set their sights on his destruction. An eight-page illustrated timeline details important events and relationships. Sections organized by decade outline major plotlines, providing plenty of meaty backstory and tracing the character’s evolution through the years. Overviews of key comic book issues appear throughout, providing a glimpse of each work’s plot and art and explaining its importance to the oeuvre. The well-written text is abundantly illustrated with spectacular reproductions of comic book art that span five decades and showcase a variety of artistic tones and styles. Both fun to browse and informative, this volume also deserves a place in library comic book collections.

Looking for materials for younger readers? Click here to check out movie tie-ins and related reads.

Publication Information

COHEN, Tom. The Amazing Spider-Man: The Movie Prelude. illus. by Neil Edwards. Marvel. 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9780785164999.

LEE, Stan & Paul Jenkins. The Amazing Spider-Man: Secret Origins. illus by Steve Ditko, John Romita, Gil Kane, & Mark Buckingham. Marvel. 2012. pap. $14.99. ISBN 9780785164722.

BUNN, Cullen. Spider-Man: Season One. illus. by Neil Edwards. Marvel. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780785158202.

WELLS, Zeb. Avenging Spider-Man: Volume 1. illus. by Joe Madureira. Marvel. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780785157786.

SLOTT, Dan, Fred Van Lente, et al. The Amazing Spider-Man: Big Time: Ultimate Collection. illus. by Humberto Ramos, Neil Edwards, et al. Marvel. 2012. pap. $39.99. ISBN 9780785162179.

BENDIS, Brian Michael. Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man: Volume 1. illus. by Sara Pichelli. Marvel. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780785157120.

MANNING, Matthew K. Spider-Man: Inside the World of Your Friendly Neighborhood Hero. DK. 2012. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780756690892.

Abandoned by his parents when he was a child, Peter has been raised by his loving Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field), but still struggles to understand the mysteries of his past. When he stumbles upon a briefcase left behind by his father, his investigations take him to Oscorp and the research lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), an award-winning scientist and his father’s one-time associate. As events unfold (and a fateful spider bite occurs), Peter finds himself with astounding new abilities…as well as a formidable new enemy, the Lizard (Connors in altered form). He soon faces difficult choices that will not only impact his survival, but also define his destiny as a hero.

Kids can visit the official movie website for a look at the action. Video trailers, character bios, and a gallery of colorful movie photos are presented along with wallpaper and other images to download. An online movie game allows users to take on bad guys while progressing through the levels and unlocking various spider-slick moves, equipment, and achievements. Youngsters can also cruise over the “Marvel Kids” website for more online games, a selection of Spider-Man online comics, downloadable character-themed drawing and activity sheets, full episodes and video clips from the Ultimate Spider-Man animated TV series, and an easy-to-use “Create Your Own Comics” option.

Book Tie-ins

Marvel Press, an imprint of Disney Books, has published a lineup of tie-in titles, each adorned with a fan-grabbing cover. A striking close-up image of the costumed superhero beckons youngsters into The Movie Storybook (K-Gr 5). Including plenty of dialogue and detail, this fast-read describes events and also emphasizes Peter’s gradual realization that along with his new superpowers come great responsibility. Ranging in size from small insets to a double-page spread, the numerous full-color movie photos—laid out with red and blue borders and be-webbed backdrops—include both character portraits and action scenes. This offering can be shared with younger movie viewers or enjoyed by independent readers.

Dr. Connors’s secret formula has unexpected results when the scientist is transformed into a rampaging monster, and all of New York City must Beware the Lizard! (K-Gr 4). Never fear, Spider-Man is determined to put an end to the danger and help his adversary regain human form. This staple-bound picture book blends a clearly written narrative with well-chosen movie photos and gritty, lizard-green backdrops and graphic designs. Becoming Spider-Man (K-Gr 2), a “Level 2″ easy reader, describes how Peter Parker goes from “normal kid” to web-shooting superhero. The book’s simple vocabulary, brief sentences, and open layout will encourage beginning readers. The accompanying movie photos add excitement and provide visual clues for interpreting the text.

The Tangled Webs of Spider-Man (Gr 3-6) will ensnare older readers with an intriguing cover image: Peter Parker wearing his everyday clothes, effortlessly affixed to a towering wall by hands and feet, his shadow falling in the shape of the elongated Spider-Man emblem. Filled by taut suspense, the narrative revisits highpoints from the movie plot with 10 short-story-like chapters. Bits of dialogue are interwoven into clear descriptions of the characters, settings, and conflicts. Each chapter is launched with a black-and-white drawing of Spider-Man in an action pose, and eight pages of captioned full-color film photos are also included.

More Spidey Reads

Catch the eye of moviegoers as well as other devotees of this ever-popular character with inviting titles starring the web-slinging champion. Marvel Press presents a series of staple-bound paperback picture books that pit the superhero against well-known villains: The Amazing Spider-Man vs the Lizard; Doctor Octopus; and The Green Goblin (Mysterio will be released in August). Each tale is told in a straightforward narrative and filled with colorful paintings that convey the action and plot details. Beginning with the kapow-packed cover images, the illustrations reflect the dynamic energy and shifting perspectives of comics-style artwork but presented in a larger-size, easy-to-view format. Just right for newcomers to the Spider-Man oeuvre, the texts explain the origins of each rogue’s super abilities (usually science gone wrong) and evil motivations. While there is plenty of punch-throwing, web-blasting, window-smashing action, the images and storytelling never tip toward overly graphic. The Amazing Spider-Man Storybook Collection (all Marvel Pr./Disney, 2012; PreS-Gr 3), a hardcover volume, compiles 20 action-packed tales similarly told and illustrated. Spidey tangles with a cadre of bad guys (including Sandman, Electro, the Rhino, and many more) while trying to balance his dual existence as superhuman and high school student and contemplating the essence of heroism. This hefty volume is a read-aloud or read-alone bonanza for the youngest Spider-Man buffs.

Great Graphic Novels

Power up your collection with age-appropriate graphic novels starring the web-slinging wonder from Spotlight’s “Marvel Age” line. “Spider-Man Set 4″ includes four spine-tingling standalone volumes: Spidey takes on both the Scorpion and Electro in one busy night and figures out how to make his victory a Two for One deal; survives a twist-turning encounter with a mysterious dragon creature and realizes that “…Everything You Read…” in the headlines isn’t necessarily true; finds himself Playing Hero when a villain-manipulated video game advances to a new level of destruction; and saves President Obama on Inauguration Day (all 2011; Gr 3-7) by foiling an evil plot. All of the tales combine fast-paced storytelling, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and humorous touches. Filled with vibrant colors and gloriously presented on large-size glossy pages, the dynamic artwork clearly conveys events. The volumes are attractively designed, and the publisher’s durable reinforced bindings ensure a long shelf life. Visit Spotlight’s website for other Spider-Man adventures.

Spider-Man: Tangled Web (Marvel, 2012; Gr 3-7), part of the all-ages “Marvel Adventures” line, collects together several exhilarating escapades in an easy-to-thumb-through paperback. Spidey clashes with a dream team of villains, attempts to save a family from being evicted by criminal mastermind Madame Masque, mysteriously switches places—and powers—with the otherworldly Silver Surfer, and more. The writing has a kid-appealingly contemporary tone, and the fast-paced action is balanced with humorous beats and the hero’s funny quips and one liners. Occasionally expanding out to fill a full page, the artwork panels propel the action forward while also emphasizing the light tone of the storytelling. A great first step into the world of Spider-Man comics.

Looking for Spider-Man adventures that will reel in YAs? Check out next week’s SLJTeen e-newsletter for a selection of tie-ins, graphic novels, and more.

Publication Information

SIGLAIN, Michael, adapt. The Amazing Spider-Man: The Movie Storybook. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-142315400-6.

CASTRO, Nachie, adapt. The Amazing Spider-Man: Beware the Lizard! pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-142315479-2.

PALACIOS, Tomas. The Amazing Spider-Man: Becoming Spider-Man. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-142315487-7.

CASTRO, Nachie, Tomas Palacios, & Michael Siglain, adapts. The Amazing Spider-Man: The Tangled Webs of Spider-Man. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-142315399-3.

WONG, Clarissa S., adapt. The Amazing Spider-Man vs the Lizard. illus. by Todd Nauck & Hi-Fi Design. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-142315423-5.

PALACIOS, Tomas, adapt. The Amazing Spider-Man vs Doctor Octopus. illus. by The Storybook Art Group. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-142314274-4.

BEHLING, Steve, adapt. The Amazing Spider-Man vs the Green Goblin. illus. by The Storybook Art Group. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-142314273-7.

The Amazing Spider-Man Storybook Collection. illus. by various. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-142314292-8.

ea vol: Marvel Pr/Disney. 2012.

DEZAGO, Todd. Spider-Man: Two for One. illus. by Jonboy Meyers. PLB ISBN 978-1-59961-779-4.

_____. Spider-Man: “…Everything You Read…” illus. by Sanford Greene. PLB ISBN 978-1-59961-776-3.

SUMERAK, Marc. Spider-Man: Playing Hero. illus. by Sanford Greene. PLB ISBN 978-1-59961-778-7.

WELLS, Zeb. Spider-Man: Inauguration Day. illus. by Todd Nauck. PLB ISBN 978-1-59961-777-0.

ea vol: “Spider-Man Set 4.” ABDO/Spotlight. 2011. PLB $15.95.

Four vol. set. PLB $63.80. ISBN 978-1-59961-775-6.

TOBIN, Paul, J.M. DeMatteis, & Sean T. Collins. Spider-Man: Tangled Web. illus. by Matteo Lolli et al. Marvel. 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7851-5258-3.

This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.

The Avengers movie premiered just prior to C2E2, but Marvel panelists seemed to be more interested in promoting their “Avengers vs. X-Men” (AvX) comic book crossover series, which was launched at the end of March. Marvel has several digital initiatives that tie in with the AvX event, including its Infinite Comics, which use limited animation and other digital tools to enhance the stories.

In the Marvel Ultimate Universe panel, participants discussed the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, who was bitten by a radioactive spider shortly after the death of the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Parker lives on in The Amazing Spider-Man, and the two stories will cross over later this year.

Dark Horse announced two new comics set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one based on the character Willow and the other on Spike. A third Joss Whedon series, Drusilla, which was to be written by actress Juliet Landau, has been put on hold, possibly permanently. However, work has begun on another much-delayed title, Gerard Way’s Killjoys, with Conan the Barbarian artist Becky Cloonan supplying the art. Dark Horse’s marketing director, Jeremy Atkins, also highlighted its game tie-in comics, Mass Effect and Dragon Age, both written by the game writers and designed to fill in gaps in the game storyline.

At the Archaia panel, writer and artist Royden Lepp discussed his graphic novel series “Rust,” revealing that the second volume, due out this summer, will feature a new villain. Writer Jim McCann also talked about the second volume of Return of the Dapper Men, which will take the main character, Ayden, into teenager-hood. According to Mouse Guard creator David Petersen, another volume of the “Legends of the Guard” anthology is in the works.

Valiant Entertainment previewed four comics that it’ll debut this summer, which are based on classic Valiant stories from the 1990s. The first, which came out on May 2, is X-O Manowar, the story of a Visigoth who is captured by space aliens, steals a suit of living armor, and returns to Earth in modern times. The second series, “Harbinger,” due out in June, focuses on a group of teens with psychic powers.

While C2E2 focuses more on comics and less on movies and video games than other cons, this year brought one surprise crossover guest: actor Shia LaBeouf (Holes, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), who rented a table in Artists Alley and simply showed up with a stack of his comics, taking even the show organizers by surprise. Word spread quickly, and a line of fans quickly formed as LaBeouf signed copies of his three self-published graphic novels.

Check out Good Comics for Kids, a collaborative blog covering good comics for kids by Brigid Alverson, Robin Brenner, Katherine Dacey, Lori Henderson, Esther Keller, Scott Robins, Eva Volin, and Snow Wildsmith. You can also follow them on Twitter @GoodComics4Kids.

This article originally appeared in School Library Journal‘s enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.