Graphic Novel Roundup

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<a name="FatherofInvention"></a>&nbsp;</P><table width="100%" border=1 cellpadding=12><tr><td class='sidebareven'><H3><span class='sidebarheadline'>Father of Invention</span></H3><span class='copy'><br>

<p><i>Will Eisner, creator of the first graphic novel, has left a rich legacy</i> </p>
<p>It&#39;s impossible to think of a cartoonist more extraordinary than Will Eisner, who died in January at age 87. Eisner&#39;s career spanned nearly seven decades, and he influenced almost every aspect of modern comics. But his greatest contribution was creating the first graphic novel, A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories. These four short stories were inspired by Eisner&#39;s childhood, growing up in a ragtag, over-crowded neighborhood of New York City. When Contract was first published in 1978 by Baronet Books, it was nothing short of revolutionary. Rather than telling a conventional action story, like the comics of its day, Contract took aim at tough-minded issues, such as the effects of poverty and oppression. Eisner went on to create more than 15 graphic novels—ranging from the semi-autobiographical (The Dreamer and To the Heart of the Storm) to the political and educational. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, an award for excellence, &#34;The Eisner,&#34; was established by the comics industry in 1988.</p>
<p>In <i>Will Eisner</i> by Robert Greenberger, young readers can learn about Eisner&#39;s humble beginnings, his brushes with anti-Semitism, and his amazing career as a cartoonist. Plus, this engaging book will help students satisfy one of their teachers&#39; favorite assignments—reading a 100-plus-page biography.</p>
<p><strong>A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories.</strong> DC Comics. 2000. $12.95. ISBN 1-56389-674-5. Gr 10 and up.</p>
<p><strong>Will Eisner.</strong> Greenberger, Robert. Rosen. 2004. $31.95. ISBN 1-4042-0286-2. Gr 6 and up.</p><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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<a name="AFraudRevealed"></a>&nbsp;</P><table width="100%" border=1 cellpadding=12><tr><td class='sidebareven'><H3><span class='sidebarheadline'>A Fraud Revealed</span></H3><span class='copy'><br>

<p>Shortly before Eisner died, he finished working on <i>The Plot</i>. This important nonfiction work traces the history of a spurious document called <i>The Protocols of the Elders of Zion</i>, which describes a plot for world domination by the Jews. Although <i>Protocols</i> was widely dismissed as a fraud in 1921, it is still disseminated today and accepted as genuine in some circles. Eisner&#39;s compelling narrative explores the evolution of this devious document, with the cartoonist himself appearing as a character in the book&#39;s final pages. <i>The Plot</i> is well researched and includes a valuable bibliography. It&#39;s an important addition to the literature on anti-Semitism.</p>
<p><strong>The Plot: The Secret Story of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.</strong> Norton. 2005. $19.95. ISBN 0-393-06045-4. Gr 8 and up.</p></span></td></tr></table></P>

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<a name="WorkingtheGraveyardShift"></a>&nbsp;</P><table width="100%" border=1 cellpadding=12><tr><td class='sidebareven'><H3><span class='sidebarheadline'>Working the Graveyard Shift</span></H3><span class='copy'><br>

<p>The Spirit—one of Eisner&#39;s most popular creations—is a detective whom the world believes has died. He also happens to make his headquarters in a cemetery. These adventure tales are witty, fast-paced, and tremendously entertaining. Although the titles in the 15-book series don&#39;t come cheap, they&#39;re well worth the investment and will stand up to extensive use.</p>
<p><strong>The Spirit Archives: Vol. 1.</strong> DC Comics. 2000. $49.95. ISBN 1-56389-673-7. Gr 3 and up.</p>
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