Booktalk, 2006 June 12 : Graphic Novels

By Dominique Garde Torres (Nikki)

A month before this, when we first discussed the idea of focusing on graphic novels in the next Booktalk, I must confess that I was enthusiastic but nervous. I have always thought of myself as a person who loves words but who is, shall we say, challenged in the field of visuals. You can tell by looking at my room, my desk, even the way I dress. Making things pretty or expressing myself through drawings or something visual just has never been my thing.

After much thought and some introspection, I convinced myself that (a) because of my exposure to three or four graphic novels, (b) my basic ability to be opinionated about anything, (c) the fact that I possessed one of the very best written graphic novels of all time and loved it, (d) a book is a book is a book… I decided that I would brave the session.

Here is what happened.

There were nine people who took part in the Booktalk that evening.

Beaulah, the indefatigable Regional Advisor of our SCBWI chapter, started things off with a brief introduction about the SCBWI, a short description of what the Booktalk is like and what we hope to achieve, and a short mention of the writing workshop that we have scheduled for July. A teacher at heart, Beaulah also made it a point to set a working definition of “graphic novel” for the evening: a novel with sequential printed images, all dealing with a single story or moving towards a single ending. She emphasized “sequential art,” and both Ani and Addison across the table nodded vigorously.

Three Incestuous Sisters

First to talk about the book she brought was Ani Almario – children’s book publisher, teacher and owner of a brand new pre-school, girl about town who seems to have a finger in so many many pies. The book that she brought was “Three Incestuous Sisters” by Audrey Niffeneger. While she was not quite sure if it was a graphic novel or simply a story with many illustrations, she nevertheless shared it with us because she enjoyed it so much. It’s about three sisters whose incestuous relationship was actually not sexual; rather, it referred to their extreme closeness. For Ani, not only is the book very unique, it’s also good for young adults 16 years old and above. Naturally, the question about the proper age for certain books was pointed out by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, recently retired from her 30 plus years of service at International School Manila.

An Urban Fairy Tale

After Ani, we had Bleps – a very young, very shy, very quiet illustrator, and a member of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang InK). She shared Lawrence Marvit’s “An Urban Fairy Tale.” It’s about a typical girl, typically longing for her prince charming to come and sweep her off her feet. Her prince charming, when he did show up, was a…….robot! This piece of information alone is actually enough to send me running to buy this particular book.

Jam

Karen Kunawicz, a writer whose columns my husband and I used to read, followed. She introduced us to “Jam” – a series of magazines/comic books for tween girls that she and her all female group produced. Dealing with Pinay Power, Jam has four different storylines about four different heroines, written by four different women. In the course of our conversation, we learned that the series is sold directly to schools as well as in National Bookstore, and that it is the direct competitor of “Witch,” another graphic/comics magazine for girls.

The Life of Gree the Wanderer

Yvette Tan, a writer and a member of GMA 7’s webteam had “The Life of Gree the Wanderer” – a very cheerfully illustrated book by Sergio Aragones. She has had this particular tome since she was in high school, many years ago in 1995. Apart from the illustrations – which reminded all of us of Asterix – she thought the whole book was very well written.

Goodbye Chunky Rice

After Yvette, we heard from Neni Sta. Romana Cruz. Neni has worked for the longest time at the media center of International School Manila. No, she is not a librarian, she says; she just worked with books. This lovely gentlelady (if there is gentleman, there MUST be an equivalent title for women, I insist) shared Craig’s Thompson’s “Goodbye Chunky Rice” – a rather poignant story of loss and friendship. Taking her responsibilities as a part of the Booktalk very seriously, Neni actually marked certain pages and read from them. Neni is strange – she said she didn’t understand the graphic novel at all but as she spoke about the graphic novel that she brought, she nearly cried over it. It seemed, to me at least, that she actually understood it very well.

“Blankets,” also by Craig Thompson was mentioned at this point. Beaulah had brought a copy that was lent to her by a friend, and it was passed around, examined, and commented on. Both Neni and Beaulah said they would have wanted to talk about “Blankets” too, if there was time and people were allowed to talk about more than one book.

Monkey Vs. Robot

Throughout the entire Booktalk, I was privileged to sit beside Addison, a former member of InK and now a freelance artist. Privileged, because Addison was literally a living, breathing encyclopedia of knowledge of all things pertaining to graphic novels and comic books. He knew everything – from copyright ownership to which writer was the protege of whom. As he sat beside me, he kept muttering bits and pieces of comics and graphic novels trivia. So if there is anything missing in my notes here, it’s your fault Addison! I was so busy listening to your fascinating trivia I’m sure I must have missed a word or two or three. But Addison DID know his stuff.

Anyway, Addison shared with us a book with no words at all: “Monkey Vs. Robot” by James Cacharca. Very simply, it was the story of how monkeys fought against robots over the possession of a hill. In the initial edition, everyone died, monkey and robot alike. In later editions, a monkey survived.

The Watchmen

After Addison, it was my turn. I had Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s “The Watchmen.” I love this book. It was given to me nearly 20 years ago by an old boyfriend. When we broke up, I returned many of his gifts but I kept this book. When he first gave it to me, I was a bit skeptical about whether I would like it or not since I was never a fan of Batman or anyone in a cape. I ended up reading it till I finished at 2 am. Wonderful book, fantastic writing. It speaks about vigilantism and alternative futures. It had a story within a story within a story.

I do not know if this or any of the other novels shared that evening would be good for children. I only know that my daughter shocks me with her choice of reading material and with the stuff she chooses to watch on TV. I guess if I see my Ruth reading this, the best I can do is make myself available in case she has questions about the rather dark material.

And God Cried Too

Next was Ria, obviously a book lover. She arrived, together with her boyfriend Drix who was happy to be dragged along, and between the two of them they had one book: “And God Cried Too” by Rabbi Marc Gellman. Not a graphic novel, but one for young people nevertheless, this book was written in reaction to the events following 9/11. In this book, the Rabbi encouraged children to ask question which would stump even God. At the end of each chapter, there was a section on things to think about.

The Upturned Stone

Last, Beaulah shared one of the three graphic novels that she brought for the evening – “The Upturned Stone” by Scott Hampton, a story that she first found in Heavy Metal Magazine. Beaulah said that the first time she saw this story, she was spellbound by the illustrations. The whole story was a breathtaking series of paintings, all done in a soft, watercolor style. But dark – like the story itself. When Beaulah mentioned that Hampton is regarded as the creator of the first continuing painted comic, there was Addison again, nodding vigorously across the table in complete and happy agreement.

Beaulah said she did not even read the story the first time; she simply gazed at the illustrations, frame by frame from beginning to end. She felt that the pictures by themselves already told the story quite well. Of course, when she took the trouble to actually read the text, the story revealed more of itself. And for her, it’s quintessentially Young Adult. For one, the protagonists are a group of ten-year old boys. Another detail that Beaulah mentioned is that among notable graphic novels, “The Upturned Stone” is an example of a creator-owned project. Meaning, Hampton himself owns the rights to the work. Recent news has it that it was being optioned for film production.

Of course, this is not all that happened at the Booktalk. We were continously reaching across the table to get hold of each other’s books, opening them, caressing the pages, scrutinizing the paper, and actually reading them as if we had the time to finish before the coffee shop closed for the night. And, we were busy making friends, learning of each other’s other businesses. From Addision, we learned so much. I wish I had had the time to record all of his “Ma’am, kaunting trivia lang po….” And I was personally happy to meet Karen, a person whose work I had read and admired long ago.

What are the words that I would use to describe how I feel about this Booktalk? Satisfying, enjoyable, a great learning experience.

See you on July 10, at the next Booktalk!

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