Review - The Storm in the Barn

The Storm in the Barn

by Matt Phelan
Candlewick Press
 

The Storm in the Barn is a graphic novel set in the Dust Bowl and is about a 11 year old boy named Jack. Picked on by other boys and ignored by his father, Jack is beginning to question his place in the world. If times were normal and farming was going on, Jack would be out in the fields. If he were older, he could help out working with his Dad more. Instead, he spends time with his sisters Dorothy and Mabel. Dorothy is sick with "dust pneumonia" and likes to read the new Wizard of Oz books. Jack also finds companionship from the local drug store owner who takes pity on him and tells stories of Jack the King of the West Wind and Jack and the King of Blizzards.

But Jack is drawn to strange things in the Talbots' abandoned barn. Flashes of light seem to come from there and when he investigates, the doors are locked. Jack must go through a great trial that tests his spirit and resolve. And if he can persevere, he will grow and his family will appreciate him much more.

Matt Phelan has illustrated many children's books. I'm kind of reminded Robert McCloskey and his Homer Price books. With sparse text, this story relies on its great illustrations to move. Done mostly in what looks like colored pencil, Phelan is able dramatically show the barrenness of the Dust Bowl. One of my colleagues commented on how well the billowing dust clouds looked. And as we learn about Jack and his world, the expressions Phelan is able to draw on each persons face make the story very emotional. We see the sympathy in the drug store, the innocence in his sisters faces, the weariness in Jacks moms eyes, and the anger within Jacks dad.

This book was brought to my attention by Nancy, one of our children's librarians. She always points out the youth graphic novels that come in that I'm not aware of. She was worried about putting in our children's graphic novel collection because it would get lost. Kids go to that area area looking for Spider-Man and Batman. With not too much argument on my part, she decided that it should go into the fiction area with a "historical fiction" genre label. She did mention that a child could get in trouble by using it for a school book report. I responded by saying if anyone complained, I would talk to them.

Suitable for every library, this book is a great way to introduce children to the Dust Bowl. Sometime scary, sometimes violent, I wouldn't let a real young child read it. But anyone who's over 10 should be able to understand and appreciate this wonderful story.

Comics for the week of February 26, 2010

Irredeemable #11
Uncanny X-Men #518
Deadpool #20
The Marvels Project #6
Gothan City Sirens #9
Victorian Undead #4
Batman #693
Wonder Woman #41
Dark Wolverine #83
Madame Xanadu #20
Daytripper #3

Old Time Newspaper Strips

Companies like Fatagraphics and IDW are reprinting old newspaper comics, and its a good thing. The library has always had books of newspaper strips. Peanuts, Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes books are constantly checked out. With Farside, Foxtrot, and even with our local celebrity Kevin Fagan in mind, we have a couple of the Drabble books floating around on our shelves.

However, a couple years ago I picked up for the library the first couple volumes of the George Harriman stip Krazy Kat and Ignatz. With volume 1, Krazy & Ignatz 1925-1926: "There Is a Heppy Lend Fur Fur A-Waay" and volume 2, Krazy & Ignatz 1927-1928: "Love Letters in Ancient Brick", I discovered how cool these old strips were. Surreal and sweet, Harriman created some of the most unique comic strips of all time.

Later on, when I saw a reprint of the old Popeye comic strips come across my selection list, I picked it up. Currently the library has volume 2, Popeye: "Well Blow Me Down!" We all know Popeye from the cartoons, but the comic strip stories are epic storylines that go on for months at a time. But E. C. Segar told tales much longer than a 12 minute cartoon. Much like a comic book series, the stories are well defined. And printed in an oversize format, the last quarter of the book is full of Sunday strips, full page color comic goodness.

Most recently, I purchased for the library the first volume of the Prince Valiant comic strips. With every strip on full color pages, the fantastic artwork of Harold R. Foster is the biggest joy of reading the book. Like Popeye, the serialized story goes on for pages. As the Prince explores his world and fights everything from bandits to monsters, we are carried along a wonderful adventure.

I am far to young to have read these strips when they first came out. But I can see how they might have ignited peoples imaginations back in the day. I guess these could be considered a more literate Saturday Morning Cartoon that was part of my generation. Hopefully, some library patrons will find these books and remember them first hand. Or better yet, discover them like I did and enjoy reading the strips my parents and grandparents enjoyed.

Comics for the week of February 17, 2010

Uncanny X-Men 521
Guardians of the Galaxy 23
Deadpool 19
Batman 696
Joe the Barbarian 2
Power Girl 9
Spider-Woman 6
Battlefields: Happy Valley 3
G.I. Joe II 2
Haunt 5
Incorruptible 3
Batman and Robin 8

Comics for the week of February 10, 2010

Nova #34
Thor #606
Daffodil #2
Kick-Ass #8
Teen Titans #79
Jack of Fables #42
Daytripper #2
Fantastic Four #575
Mass Effect #2
Daredevil #504
Echo #19
Incorruptible #2
Justice League of America #41
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #2

Comics for the week of February 3, 2010

Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost #1
Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love #4
Sweet Tooth #6
Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #3
Ultimate X #1
Winchester #1
Sky Doll: Doll's Factory #2

Quick thoughts on some new #1 issues

Orc Stain #1
by James Stokoe
Image

This book looks different than pretty much anything else out right now. Highly detailed cartoony pictures of orcs and their fantasy world make this one comic book where each panel needs to be looked at closely. The story starts out with an orc hoard laying siege to obtain the Ganga-Gronch. But there is a prophecy that a one eyes orc can only retrieve it.

I was entertained by this book. The story so far is just setting up the plot line, so I'm not sure where its going. But the characters and devices are very clever. With Flintstones technology, animals are used for safes to store valuables. Birds are alarms. And pretty much everything can be eaten. It's worth a look, but only for people who are not grossed out easily.

Demonic #1
by Robert Kirkman and Joe Benitez
Top Cow

Speaking of gross out, if you are sensitive to decapitations, this is a book you should skip. Robert Kirkman is the current man of the hour in comic book land since his Walking Dead series has firmly planted him in the upper echelon of comic creators. Demonic is part of the Pilot Season where are bunch of first issues are created and I guess we vote on the ones stories we like.

This book is about Scott. A man who seems to be possessed by a demon which requires sacrifices. Constantly needling Scott for souls, he goes out and kills criminals to satiate the demon. An interesting psychological story with some deeply moral questions. (Is one persons life more valuable than another?) I'd be interested in reading more of this story.

Joe the Barbarian #1
by Grant Morrison and Sean Murphy
Vertigo

I really like Grant Morrison's work. Doom Patrol, The Invisibles, JLA, New X-Men. He has redefined many superhero groups and has pushed comic stories deeper, stranger places for decades. But the first issue of Joe the Barbarian is the setup for an 8 issue limited series.

Joe is a teenage boy who is a geeky loner who likes to draw. Picked on by other kids, Joe seems only comfortable in his own room where he can isolate himself with his pet rat and his action figures. Not nearly as gross as the other two books, and psychologically interesting as Demonic, I'm really curious to see where the story is going to take Joe and if it's an interesting trip, I'll be sure to pick up the collected book for the library.