Graphic Novel Grabbers for Discovery Channel Fans
RSSJoy Fleishhacker
Do your patrons make Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" an annual viewing event? Are they hooked on shows that combine information with colorful CGI animation and compelling storytelling, such as Dinosaur Planet, Clash of the Dinosaurs, or the newest prehistoric critter offering, Dinosaur Revolution? Devotees of these TV shows and general readers alike will enjoy diving into two Discovery Channel tie-in titles presented by Silver Dragon Books, comic book publisher Zenescope's all-ages imprint. These graphic novels based on the network's programming provide a wealth of facts in an inviting format that blends dynamic artwork and quick-paced narrative with a you-are-there sense of excitement. The graphic novel format seems the perfect choice to expand upon the content and tone of Discovery Channel's programming. Jennifer Bermel, director of licensing and specialty sales at Silver Dragon, explains, "Discovery was on board with the idea from the very beginning and are very much hands on." Bermel points out that research has been an important part of the project: "We paid a lot of attention to the storytelling and entertainment value of the books but we also wanted to be completely accurate with all of our facts. For the first graphic novel, Top 10 Deadliest Sharks, we worked with their shark expert, Andy Dehart, who fact-checked and provided art direction. It involved a lot of research for both the facts that we presented and the depiction of the sharks and how they moved. It was very important to us to be as accurate as possible on all the data and facts contained in the books." According to Bermel, these titles, like all comics and graphic novels, tell "a story with just the art. They strike a great balance between engaging the reader and entertaining them because of the amount of visual information that is presented." She believes that they will hold plenty of appeal for their audience. "Kids and teenagers like to learn things—even thought they might not admit it," says Bermel. "We're relaying information in a way that is fun and exciting and very different from other text heavy books that they might be reading. Our goal is to not only entertain teens but to make them better readers. Research shows that teens will read what they enjoy and that any reading helps them develop reading skills they can you use to comprehend books they may not necessarily want to read. We tried to design these books to grab the attention of both avid readers and kids and teens that don't currently enjoy reading. And we hope those latter readers will develop skills and come to enjoy reading." The next volume in the series, an Animal Planet branded book called World's Most Dangerous Animals, is scheduled for release in November 2011. Bermel explains that the focus will be "on some of the most dangerous animals and what can happen when humans encounter them in the wild. We take a look at the Cape Buffalo as one example... one of the most dangerous animals in Africa." On the Web Kids who want more animal information presented with a dramatic flair can check out several Discovery Channel websites. The "Shark Week" site provides numerous videos organized by topic (e.g., "Top Ten Shark Attack Videos" and "Saving the Sharks!" ), the latest headlines in "Shark News," lists of fascinating facts, and more. Kids can play online games (viewers are invited to upload a photo and "Shark Yourself" with an array of fishy features, or munch their way through a maze of prey), choose from several different quizzes, or go on a "Virtual Dive" to investigate shark species. At "Discovery Dinosaur Central," youngsters can choose from a showcase of video clips, link to the latest dinosaur news tidbits, and sample a selection of themed online games. They can also find out more about "Prehistoric Eras," browse readable entries about different types of critters, and take a closer look at amazing creatures via the "Dinoviewer" (facts about various species along with illustrations, diagrams, and animations). Publication Information BRUSHA, Joe. Discovery Channel: Top 10 Deadliest Sharks. illus. by Anthony Spay, et al. 2010. ISBN 978-0-9827507-2-8. BRUSHA, Joe, et al. Discovery Channel: Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Predators. illus. by Caio Cacau, et al. 2011. ISBN 978-0-9827507-4-2. Ea vol: Silver Dragon Bks. pap. $9.99. This article originally appeared in School Library Journal's enewsletter SLJTeen. Subscribe here.<
Adorned with a bold and amazingly realistic-looking illustrated cover, Top 10 Deadliest Sharks (2010) introduces species known to have attacked humans. Each section begins with a spread providing clear images of the featured animal, including close-ups of particular physical characteristics, along with several facts. Told in a gripping narrative, the rest of the chapter fills in more detail by providing a related story-blue sharks stalking a downed World War II pilot, a spear fisherman's encounter with a hammerhead, the role played by tiger sharks in Hawaiian myths and legends, etc. The storytelling is suspenseful and the writing appealingly lively (short pectoral fins and a powerful tail propel a mako "through the water like a superfast torpedo with teeth"). Still, the tone never tips into the over-sensationalized and the book remains grounded in facts. Other sections highlight environmental issues, such as human incursion on shark habitat, the animal's important role in the food chain, and the very real danger of extinction. Though based in realism, the artwork does an excellent job of using dramatic lighting, zoomed-in perspectives, motion-packed panels, and just enough blood to keep the action amped up to the highest setting. Kids will read the book cover to cover and emerge from the experience more informed.
Equally eye-catching, Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Predators (2011, both Gr 5-9) begins with a quick intro to geological time periods and then launches into an A to Z of 10 creatures that were once "the most feared and ferocious animals on the planet." Each species is introduced with a large-size illustration, a fact file (common name, type, era, diet, size, etc.), and captioned close-ups highlighting physical characteristics (the armor plating of Ankylosaurus or the powerful jaw of the crocodile-like Sarcosuchus). More information about these animals and their way of life-as well as a whole lot of fictionalized drama-is revealed through vignettes that describe exciting encounters between predators and prey, recount some famous fossil expeditions (the "Bone Wars"), and theorize about the causes of mass extinction. Presented in panels, each section draws readers in with vivid scripting and kapow artwork filled with fire-bright oranges and earthy greens (and plenty of razor-sharp teeth). Readers will thrill along with descriptions of a gigantic Spinosaurus hunting its prey ("A swat from one of its massive seven-foot arms would be enough to knock any enemy senseless") or a Triceratops beating the odds to survive an assault by a menacing T-Rex ("he likely defended himself by holding his ground and using his brow horns to gore and ward off attack"). Youngsters will delight in browsing these entries and perhaps find themselves inspired to seek out more in-depth resources.
