The handout from The Best Graphic Novels of 2011 presentation om 6/6/12 at the NJLA Annual Conference.

1. Year’s Best Graphic Novels of 2011 NJ Library Association Conference, June 2012
Karla Ivarson, Ocean County Library
David Lisa, Camden County Library
Tyler Rousseau, Monroe Township Public Library
Juvenile
Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking by Phillipe Courdray ISBN 1935179128 The Walking Dead Vol. 14: No Way Out by Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard ISBN
Juvenile 1607063921
Ever wonder what Kramer would have been like if he were a bear and his friends were a The Walking Dead Vol. 15: We Find Ourselves by Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard ISBN
1607064405
penguin, fish and rabbit?
Young Adult
Robert Kirkman’s zombie story continues. The crew struggles to survive and must contend
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus Vol. 1 by Jack Kirby ISBN
with their own demons as well as the monsters that surround them. Vol. 14 & 15 came out in
1401232418
2011.
Ages Four and Up
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, the way it was meant to be experienced:
Wandering Son by Shimura Takako ISBN 1606994166
in chronological order. New Gods. Forever People. Mister Miracle.
Young Adult Manga Series
Jimmy Olson. Kirby was at the height of his popularity and prowess.
Young Nitori finds great friendship with Takatsuki upon transferring to 5th grade in a new
school, even before realizing that each secretly wishes to have been born the other gender.
Thor: The Mighty Avenger Vol. 2 by Roger Langridge, Chris Samnee
ISBN 0785141227
Ages Four and Up Adult
Thor has come to Earth and is befriended by museum curator Jane
Foster. If ever a graphic novel could be considered charming, this is Any Empire by Nate Powell ISBN 1603090770
it. Volume 2 of 2. This beloved comic book was canceled by Marvel. Adult
Three ‘friends’ must reconsider their romanticized views of violence when
Sons of Liberty by Alexander Lagos ISBN 0375856684 a rash of turtle mutilations happen in their privileged suburban town.
Juvenile/YA
Having acquired super strength, speed and agility as unwilling test subjects in Ben Franklin's
evil son’s scientific experiments, freemen Graham and Brody rarely find occasion to use their
powers…until unrest over Britain's new taxes on the colonies stirs.
Young Adult The Death-Ray by Daniel Clowes ISBN 1770460519
Adult
Daniel Clowes, creator of Eightball and Ghost World, released two popular graphic novels
Batman: The Dark Mirror by Scott Snyder, Jock & Francesco Francavilla ISBN 140123206X
during 2011. The Death-Ray is very much a Clowes book, filled with pathos and pop art
Young Adult
prowess.
An Amazon Best Book of 2011 and a New York Times #1 bestseller. In this story, Dick Grayson,
previously Robin, is now the Dark Knight. Can he handle the responsibility of being The
Mr. Wonderful: A Love Story by Daniel Clowes ISBN 0307378136
Batman?
Adult
A Love Story. A blind date leads to something more, in the inimitable Clowes fashion. Winner
of the Eisner Award.
Level UP by Gene Luen Yang ISBN 1596432357
Green River Killer: A True Detective Story by Jeff Jensen & Jonathan Case ISBN 1595825606
Young Adult
Adult
Dennis loves video games and his parents love the idea of him going to
Jeff Jensen, senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, penned this mystery which Stephen King
medical school…but does Dennis have to give up his own dreams in order
himself praised as “compelling, stay-up-late reading. Great, creepy stuff.”
to appease his parents?

2. Year’s Best Graphic Novels of 2011 NJ Library Association Conference, June 2012
Karla Ivarson, Ocean County Library
David Lisa, Camden County Library
Tyler Rousseau, Monroe Township Public Library
Habibi by Craig Thompson ISBN 0375424148
Adult
Dodola and Zam, refugee child slaves bound to each other by chance, by circumstance, and by
the love that grows btween them.
Infinite Kung Fu by Kagan McLeod ISBN 189183083X
Adult
Kagan McLeod is an avid fan of Martial Arts movies and has brought that love to the creation
of an epic tale of Kung Fu, Immortals and Zombies.
Onward to Our Noble Deaths by Shigeru Mizuki ISBN 1770460411
Adult
A semi-autobiographical account of foolish pride and senseless deaths of Japan’s army during
the final weeks of World War II.
Zahra’s Paradise by Amir and Khalil ISBN 1596436425
Adult
A son never returns home from protesting the 2009 election in Iran
and no one will tell his family where he is being held or if he is even
alive. This work of fiction is based on the real life experiences of those
incarcerated during the recent revolution in Iran.
Other titles of Note:
Juvenile/Young Adult
Stickman Odyssey by Christopher Ford
Young Adult/Adult
Empire State: a Love Story (or Not) by Jason Shiga
Adult
Big Questions by Anders Nilsen
Feynman by Ottaviani and Myrick
Freeway by Mark Kalesniko
Hark a Vagrant by Kate Beaton
Pinocchio by Winshluss
Vietnamerica by GB Tran