The Lion of Rora: A Dad and Daughter Review

The Lion Of Rora is a new original graphic novel written by Ruth Fletcher Gage and Christos Gage, part of the writing team for the Netflix hit, Daredevil.  It is drawn by Jackie Lewis, and artist I was not previously familiar with but have some nice things to say about in a couple of paragraphs.

I don’t want to summarize too much of the book and spoil it for you, so I will let the websites words give you the basics for me.

Based on true events, [Lion of Rora] tells the story of Joshua Janavel and the Waldensians, the first people in European history to rebel against their ruler for the purpose of religious freedom.

When the Waldensians were threatened, Janavel went from being a simple, unassuming farmer to what Napoleon called the greatest military tactician in history. Through their skill and bravery, winning battles against overwhelming odds, Janavel and the Waldensians won the admiration of people throughout the world.

From Lion of Rora webpage.

The Gages have crafted a fast paced interesting history book that I could not put down.  Stories involving religion can put people off, but this book is about a group of people who want to be free and are forced to fight for that freedom.  You do not have to be interested in any specific religious struggle or religion at all to enjoy The Lion of Rora. 

I think the best thing I can say about the art is that while reading Rora I kept being reminded of another book, Joe Sacco’s The Great War, a 24 foot fold-out book depicting the first day of the Battle of the Somme.  If you are not familiar with Sacco’s work, trust me, this is high praise.  Jackie Lewis’ art is not identical to Sacco’s but there are plenty of busy battle scenes in Rora and Lewis makes the close ups and the distant shots clear, informative and exciting, like Sacco did in his book.  This is a carefully researched book, both by the authors and the illustrator.  The clothing, references and tools all feel authentic (granted, I’m taking their word for it, but everything seems right). 

As I write this my ten year old daughter is reading my copy of the book.  I have asked her questions to check her comprehension as she reads and she is getting it.  I wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing this into my classroom for my ten year old students (I’ve had parents complain about the sex and violence in BONE) but any reader mature enough to watch a movie like The Hobbit should be able to handle the action and violence of The Lion of Rora. There is death and violence in The Lion of Rora, as any book about revolt and war will surely have, but the brutality is not depicted in a gory way and there is no cursing or nudity.

 I was entertained and educated while I read it and my daughter is feeling the same way right now.  She was unfamiliar with the problems that faced the early protestant churches, but I did not have to say much – the book does a great job of giving readers enough information to follow the story.  The official website for the book has

more information on the history of the Waldensians and a study guide as well.  Any class studying the Protestant Reformation or the history of revolts in general could use this book and guide.

To finish off, words from my daughter, who just now finished reading the book:

Mariah: I really liked it. It was interesting how it told about the fight people have to keep their churches.  Also, I liked when Janavel’s young son said that each other and the family bible was all they needed.  “Everything that’s important is still here.  This was just a house.”

The Lion of Rora is published by Oni Press.

Scott Tingley
September 12, 2015

http://www.thechesscomic.com/

http://wefightrobots.blogspot.com/ 
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KATE LETH JOINS THE 'BRAVEST WARRIORS'

-Press Release-
KATE LETH JOINS THE
'BRAVEST WARRIORS' BEGINNING
WITH JUNE'S ISSUE #21

April 17,  2014 - Los Angeles, CA - New York Times bestselling author Kate Leth (ADVENTURE TIME VOL 3: SEEING RED) is pulling on her giant blue gloves and getting in touch with her inner Emotion Lord in preparation for taking over as the new series writer for KaBOOM! comics title BRAVEST WARRIORS, starting with issue #21 in June. The Bravest Warriors are always up for saving the universe, but Leth joins forces with new series artist Ian McGinty (ADVENTURE TIME) to see just what happens when the universe has to save them! It’s sure to be a crazy mission, and if the universe isn’t up for it, then hopefully Catbug will come up with something...right?

Leth is firmly entrenched in the world of comics. She keeps a busy schedule by working at comic shop Strange Adventures in Nova Scotia; creating the biweekly Kate or Die strip for Comics Alliance; working on various comics projects; and running The Valkyries, a network of women working in comic shops around the world. Leth has worked on various KaBOOM! and BOOM! Box projects, including ADVENTURE TIME WITH FIONNA AND CAKE, THE MIDAS FLESH, and LUMBERJANES.

BRAVEST WARRIORS is an animated web series created by Pendleton Ward (creator of Adventure Time) and produced by Frederator Studios about four, teenage heroes who save the galaxy time and time again through the power of friendship, emotions, and…weaponized animal hybrids! KaBOOM!, an imprint of BOOM! Studios, began publishing the BRAVEST WARRIOR comics in October 2012.

“Kate is on a hot streak right now, having recently placed on the New York Times bestseller list with her ADVENTURE TIME: SEEING RED original graphic novel and her Emerald City Comic Con exclusive cover for LUMBERJANES #1 completely selling out,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “We can’t wait for her to bring her talent to BRAVEST WARRIORS and take Chris, Wallow, Beth, and Danny on some awesome new adventures!”

BRAVEST WARRIORS #21 arrives in comic shops on June 25th with a price of $3.99, featuring covers illustrated by Mady Martin, Rachael Hunt, and Jason Adams. It is listed under Diamond Order Code APR141026. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com. 

Scott Tingley

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Sonic Saga: Vol 2 review by Jack, age 6

My son, Jack just discovered the world of Sonic through a few old Free Comic Book Day Sonic issues I had put in a box of comics for him.  He has been nearly obsessed with them for the two weeks since. He can’t quite read the books (he is 6 and in grade one), but he sure is loving them.  I think that something about the storytelling abilities of the artist and writing team that a new reader can follow the Sonic stories.

Here is the Press Release information on the book provided by the publisher, Archie Comics:

Sonic’s epic adventures aren’t just stories, they’re SAGAS! Blast into the action at Sonic speed with the continuation of the all-new Sonic Saga series! The mysterious villain known only as Anonymous finally makes his play after months of careful plotting, and hero and villain alike are caught in his grasp! Friends and family are put in peril! And if that wasn’t enough, Anonymous has gathered every Chaos Emerald in the universe!

Nothing will be the same as lives are lost, whole dimensions re-written, and alliances put to the test. Sonic must cross time and space to reunite families, while his dark rival, Shadow the Hedgehog, finally confronts Dr. Eggman… and his legacy!

 Here is my interview/review with my son.

Dad: What book are you reading?

Jack: Sonic Saga – the new one.  I like it.

Dad: What do you like best about it?

Jack: I like Shadow – At night he turns into a were-hog or something. [keeps reading...] Whaat?!?  A GIANT CRAB!

Dad: Lobster.

Jack: Yeah, I get mixed up.  The big headed nose guy has it.  He’s a bad guy.

And I like Sonic and the robots.  There is lots of action.  There are two guys that are fast – Sonic and Shadow.

Dad, stop writing – I want to keep reading.

I think that is a ringing endorsement for Sonic Comics in general.

SONIC SAGA VOL. 2 collects selected stories from Sonic the Hedgehog #168-172.
Script: Ian Flynn
Art: Patrick “SPAZ” Spaziante, Tracy Yardley!, James Fry, Tania Del Rio, Gary Bedell, Jim Amash, Rich Koslowski, John Workman, Josh & Aimee Ray, and Jason Jensen
Cover by Tracy Yardley!, Jim Amash, and Jason Jensen

isbn: 978-1-936975-40-2
$11.99/$13.99CAN
6 5/8 x 10 3/16”
Trade Paperback
112 pp, full color
Direct Market On-sale: 3/13

-Scott Tingley

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A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comics: A Review

 Every time I clean up the junk that accumulates around my computer desk I find a good book that I meant to review ages ago.  This time around I have uncovered A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comics, “Choosing titles your children will love”.

The reason I started this website in the first place seven years ago was that comics (under the name Graphic Novels) were gaining a fair bit of respectability in education but there was little information to guide adults who had never picked up a comic before.  There was a growing list of titles to choose from but few voices giving their opinion on what was appropriate or quality.  Soon after I started Comics in the Classroom a number of comic sites popped up which centered on comics for kids, which was a great help for parents, teachers and librarians (not to mention those who are trying to make a living at making comics for kids).  Lots of people had the same good idea at the same time.

I say all that to say this, Scott Robins (a former kids' comics blogger from way back) and Snow Wildsmith have recently published a guide to comics that makes the choosing of titles easier than ever.  They have reviewed 100 of the best in-print comics available for young readers from pre-K through Grade 8 (plus a list of 750 titles at the end of the book).  The sections (Pre-K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 6-8) are colour coded by grade level, there are “Educational Tie-Ins” and “Heads Up” sections in each entry.  I like that Robins and Wildsmith recognized that pointing out any questionable parts of the book was important.  Some adults want all comics to be sanitized and others figure that all comics are fine even when they are not (comics=kids).  Here is a Heads Up example: “Explores the concept of death through metaphor”, The Snowman by Raymond Briggs.

My first reaction when I went through the book was “Hey, I wouldn’t have put that comic in that grade level section!” (or something to that effect), but that doesn’t diminish the book at all.  For one thing, the book does usually err on the side of caution. Bone is in the grade 6-8 section, and although I have books 1-3 in my own grade 4 classroom there is smoking and minor use of alcohol, and, as the series goes on the tone gets darker and may be too much for some readers (sort of like how the Harry Potter books start out sort of light and get darker and darker as the series reaches the end).  Also, If I wanted to complain about where some of the books are places I should keep it too myself and write my own book.

A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comics is a good resource for librarians, comic shops and parents.  It is attractive, well organized and on sale now. 

 ·        Paperback: 256 pages

·         Publisher: Krause Publications (May 31, 2012)

·         ISBN-10: 1440229945

·         ISBN-13: 978-1440229947

·         $16.99 (us), $17.99 (can)

-Scott Tingley

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Drama: A Review by Mariah

This review of Raina Telgemeier’s DRAMA is by Mariah, age 7.

This book came in my dad’s mail and on the first day he got it I was all over it.  I read it all the first day and then a little after I was finished it I read again.  I even brought it to the dentist to read in the waiting room.  Dad didn’t even get to read it.  I am reading it again now.  I am at page 95 (it has 233 pages).

In DRAMA Callie wants to be in the school play, but she can’t because she is not a very good singer.  Instead she joins the stage crew and makes sets.  There is also trouble with some boys she likes.

I wanted to take a look at it when dad first got it because the title and the cover looked very interesting.  The coloured in pages of the book made me think it was an interesting book.  Then the colour stopped and turned to black, grey and white, but that made me think it was even more interesting.  I thought it was going to be a colour, no-colour, colour, no-colour book, but dad says that the colour stopped because we have a review copy, not a store copy.  You can get the full-colour book in September 2012.

Mariah buying her own copy at Chapters.

Drama is a really cool book.  I don’t have a favourite part because every part is my favourite.  I like it when Callie and her friends, Justin and Jessie go to a bookstore.  They get out a book about an old play and on the next page they are actually in the book.  It’s cool because I thought they were just looking at it but then their imagination made them go in the book.  Later in the bookstore Justin and Jessie give Callie bubble tea and when she drinks it she says it is “bizarre.”   I also like the details of Raina Telgemeier’s art.

I think this book would be good for kids aged 10 and up, but I’m only 7.  There is a little kissing and some boyfriend stuff.  The prom part is not too bad, but with the kissing, I’m not too sure. 

Dad says that the publisher, Scholastic, recommends the book for  ages 10-14 or grades 5-9.  I think adults might want to look at it too.

You can watch a video of the book HERE.

• ISBN-13: 9780545326995
• Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
• Publication date: 9/1/2012
• Pages: 240
• Hardcover 23.99 us
• Softcover 10.99 us     
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The Chapel Chronicles: An Interview

This interview was written by my (Scott T, the creator of this site) 7 year old daughter, Mariah.

Mariah:  I really like your comics.  When did you start making the comics for The Chapel Chronicles?

Emma T. Capps: Thanks! I started making the comics for the Chapel Chronicles in 8^th grade. For my 8^th grade project, I designed a collection of greeting cards and gifts based upon this character I designed named Chapel Smith. I then decided to extend it to comics.

Mariah: When did you first create the Chapel character? Is she really you?

Emma: No, Chapel isn’t me. For example, I don't really like to dress up whereas Chapel does. I'd say Chapel's a lot more competitive and courageous than I am, and I actually admire how much self-esteem she has to wear crazy outfits all the time! I don't think I'd be brave enough to wear a Lady Gaga dress to a wedding, that's for sure, and I think it's great that Chapel's confident enough to go ahead with it!

I first created Chapel, I believe in 7^th grade. I was just doodling and my mom saw my doodles and she said she really liked one which became Chapel.

Mariah: This is one of the most awesome comics I have read.  They make me laugh in my head.

Where do you get the ideas for your comics?  Do your ideas come from things that happen to you or from things you see happening to other people or do you just make up the ideas?  My dad makes comics out of what he sees me and my brother doing.

Emma: Again, thank you so much! I make comics to make people smile so I’m happy to hear they make you laugh.  First, I brainstorm my idea. I would say I have flights of fancy quite a bit...I like to think about things that could happen. Of course, this helps me quite a bit in dreaming up new Chapel comics!  I'll try to find something I've observed or witnessed recently to use as a jumping-off point. I do sometimes draw directly from my own life, but I try to always make the comics very universally appealing. I only ever use something that's happened in my own life if I think it's something everyone can relate to. In the first volume, there are many Chapters that have never happened to me (I’ve never adopted an animal nor found a person whose music I obsess over).

Mariah: Your art is hilarious.  How long does it take you to make one comic?

 

Emma: First, thank you! I try hard to make people smile when I write my comics.  It generally takes between 5-6 hours to draw, ink, and color a comic. I don’t keep track of how much time it takes me for to come up with an idea. Recently I thought out 15 ideas and only picked 9 to draw. Some can take longer like the Valentine’s Day strip when the background is complicated. You can see that strip here: http://www.chapelchronicles.com/comic/50.

Mariah: Did anyone help you with the comics for the book or did anyone help you put the book together?

Emma: My dad helped put the book together a bit because he knows about the printing process but I selected how I wanted it to look and wrote everything; including deciding what press quotes I wanted in the book, the About Emma section, the cover. Since it’s my book, I need to touch every element in it.

Mariah:  Are you happy with the book?  Are lots of people seeing it?

Emma: I am very happy with the book. Recently more people have seen it since I implemented a good commenting ability on the website which my techie father kindly wrote for me. I would like to find more ways for more people to see it. Since I’m in school, I don’t have tons of time to market my work like other people do because I have homework and an early bedtime. And I’m now being homeschooled so I don’t have loads of friends.  So I need help from family, friends, and reviewers like you to spread the word.

Mariah: There are lots of board games in the book.  Do you like board games?  My favourite game is Operation.

Emma:  I do like board games. I’ve not played all the games I put in the book. I’ve never played Risk but I do like playing games with my family and friends such as Pictionary and Scrabble. I play Scrabble in Spanish with my Spanish teacher. I play Battleship with my mom but I always seem to win even when she places her pieces randomly on the board. I’ve never played chess but I liked drawing that strip because I added an homage to my dad’s game called Through the Looking Glass, which was the first game for the Macintosh.

Mariah:  Do you have any other characters you are making comics about?

Emma: Besides Chapel, I also want to do some graphic novels, which would be very different from Chapel in both style and tone. It will be in a different drawing style; my more realistic drawing style and not the cartoony style I draw for Chapel. I'm going to be working on one this summer! I've already got some of the plot planned out and a good majority of the characters designed.

Mariah:  Do you have another Chapel book comic out soon?

Emma: Yes! In the short-term, this April I'm going to be exhibiting at a comic convention called The MoCCA Festival (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) in New York City, and debuting a brand-new book of Season Two of my Chapel webcomics. I'm really excited to go, and I hope lots of my readers can make it out to say hi! MoCCA is April 28^th and 29^th, 2012. I will also be debuting a perfect bound, 80 page book which will contain all the strips in both Season One and Season Two with some special materials.

Mariah:  Thanks for answering my questions.

Emma: It’s always a pleasure to answer questions. I hope you sign up for email and that way you’ll get some seriously wacky fun in your mailbox. You can always feel free to email me. My email address is etc@chapelchronicles.com

Thank you for your questions and your time! 

Chapel books and other items can be purchased at http://www.chapelchronicles.com/orders/new#item423

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