Toon Talk: Third in a Series

With the advent of spring springing on, it’s only natural that all of Forsyth County is soon to be found under green trees and by riversides, indulging in America’s favorite pastime: reading comics. But — worry not. As teens and their older ilk flounder to find new material, the FCPL system is here to supply. Below are some of the best offerings your library has to offer for adults, curated by a cartoon-conscious teenager.

Black Hammer

I couldn’t write a library rec’ list without some Lemire. Really, my suggestion is just to run a search on the catalog that goes: “Lemire, Jeff.” I’ve yet to try something by him that hasn’t been a delight. But Black Hammer is a standout; it’s probably the best intro to Lemire’s bibliography that isn’t Essex County (try that, too!) His expertise is raw human emotion, rural horror, family drama, all with a heavy touch of cosmic weirdness. I tentatively recommend this series of adult graphic novels because I, myself, just started Black Hammer with the first trade (Volume One: Secret Origins) and now I’m going to have to compete with all of YOU to get the next book!

Peanuts

Here’s another reason why Fantagraphics is the best. They collected all of Charles Schulz’ Peanuts strips — dailies, Sundays, all of it — and packed them into a series of beautiful little books that you can read chronologically at your local library. Just search up “the complete Peanuts” on the catalog and take your pick over decades’ worth of cartoon masterminding. Don’t you remember Good Ol’ Charlie Brown? These soft bound books are found in the adult nonfiction section of the library. 

[Another recommended search on the catalog is to sort books by (PUB=”Fantagraphics”). It’s hard to go wrong there.]

Jade

Teen Advisory Board