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Illustrations to Admire: Graphic Novels and Comics

11 Dec

The Crossroads at Midnight
by Abby Howard
These unique, black and white line-drawn illustrations from Abby Howard’s The Crossroads at Midnight match-up with the grotesque short stories told alongside them. These stories, I imagine, could only be compared to that of a nightmare, because they’re bizarre yet lifelike. Some of the drawings were so detailed that I found myself getting lost in them. Through depths of trees and oddly angled points-of-view these drawings help deepen the stories.

They’re easy-to-read, fun to re-read, and pretty amazing to look at. One story that really sticks with me is one about a used mattress that gives the new owner a disastrous skin disease. It’s haunting to think about, and to see it drawn out so vividly, I wouldn’t wish a crazy incident like that on my worst enemy. Pretty out-of-this-world, like the other stories in here also, with modern characters and themes. I read this around Halloween, and it definitely satisfied my need for a quick thriller. If you’re still in the mood for a scare, then I think this is a must read.

The Riddler: Year One
by Paul Dano and Stevan SUBIC
While stuck in the middle of HBO’s new show The Penguin about the legendary Batman villain, and having just finished the recently released Batman movie –I also found myself reading, analyzing, and absolutely awestruck by the illustrations in The Riddler: Year One comic. I simply can’t believe the intense darkness that this was able to display. I read it on my computer through Overdrive, and ended up mirroring it onto my TV screen for others to read along, and we just gasped at the marvelous drawings –that’s just how great it is. It’s turning out to be my favorite read of the year so far.

It’s seemingly rare that we get so much details and information about the inner workings of the mind of the nefarious found taunting Gotham. I never in my life thought I could understand or even sympathize with an outlaw to the degree of Riddler, but this actually made me feel bad for him. The Riddler, real name Edward, works as a very intelligent accountant that is used to being used by his coworkers for his smarts and never gets the credit, and tells us about his sad life as an orphan.

As a young orphan, we learn that Edward meets Thomas Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s (Batman’s) dad when doing a routine political press tour visit to the orphanage. Young Edward often found himself jealous toward a young Bruce Wayne at the time, for having an amazing rich life and family. Yet, depressed young Edward begins to see hope for himself after Thomas promises a bright future for him. At the same time, we see older Edward idolizing Batman for his bravery and rebellion in the city. From childhood to now, we see why and how Edward becomes Riddler, inevitably using Batman like he has been.

The way this story wraps up with surprises at every corner made it really fun to learn the deep history of this franchise. I finally understood all the star struck fans of the movie once I heard the lines pulled from this comic. If they make a Riddler show or movie like rumors have been circulating–I’m watching it!

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack
Continuing the spooky streak –lovers of the classic Archie comics’ Sabrina the Teenage Witch or the tv show from the 90’s –maybe even the modern Netflix one –will love this new, dark version of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Archie comics used their illusive drawn storytelling to make this comic truly chilling! I love the witchy-background like where some spells come from, what they do to banned witches, and of course, what really happened to Sabrina’s parents and her childhood.

The dark shading on the drawings escalate an eerie feeling that’s intensified from the storyline. It’s actually refreshing to see, since the older comics and shows were so cutesy and family friendly, this runs along the line of proper spookiness with important family lessons still. We learn about her witch and warlock filled family in between each drastic and scary adventure. Each scenario brings us deeper into the world of witchery, ghosts, and monsters along with all of their sins and betrayals. This is a shocking yet fun experience to read and see! 

BONUS CLASSIC
Snoopy the Fearless Leader
by Charles M. Schulz
Everyone must love Snoopy, even a little bit, right? If you’re not interested in dark comics or graphic novels, why not start with the funny basics of the Peanuts very beloved Snoopy? These comics are gathered together and focus around a central theme instead of a full story. Most of these comics include Snoopy, Woodstock and other popular Peanuts characters, and in this series, they focus on wilderness or outdoors. They’re so fun and lighthearted, I think everyone should give them a try at any age.

Written by:
Samantha Meyers
Information and Digital Services Library Assistant

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Watch the Drama Unfold on Hoopla: Diddy and Gypsy Rose Blanchard

27 Nov

There are so many free options for shows, movies, and audiobooks on Hoopla made available to you through your library card. There are even more big name celebrities who have their lives aired on documentaries or docuseries, so if you’re in the mood for some drama we lined up some deep ones. These are definitely for a mature audience, since the alleged and charged crimes of these individuals are extremely serious. If you follow any type of entertainment or daily news, you may have heard of the scandals rapper, producer Sean “P.Diddy” Combs has been involved in and recently arrested for, which revolve around his risque lifestyle and lawsuits. On the other hand, not-so-famous-until-now Gypsy Rose Blanchard has received startling popularity since being released from prison for putting an end to her abuser, her mother. These two documentaries take us through their shocking lives.

Diddy: Summit to Plummet
Somewhere under all of the flashing lights, paparazzi, multiple records and businesses circled whispers about Diddy and his lavishly unheard of lifestyle that included hours long parties, and allegedly, abuse. “Complexity and chaos,” the narrator used to describe Diddy’s life. The documentary pulls moments from his highest points of his career, mostly in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, where he gives speeches for winning awards or his performances, and briefly points at his downfall from this year. 

Not pleased with just being a rapper and performer anymore, he pivoted his career to finding some of the best talented artists through his company Bad Boy Entertainment. When one of his new-found artists, Biggie Smalls was killed, rumors circled if Diddy was involved. This documentary covers the deep history the two played in hip-hop, and the feud they held between west coast rappers like Tupac and Snoop Dogg.

Previous critically acclaimed girlfriend in the 90’s, Jennifer Lopez, and Diddy were involved in a shooting in New York, which has also unveiled some more unreleased details now in 2024. One artist turned lover, Cassie, came forward about the abuse Diddy put her through in her career and relationship -unfortunately this was only briefly touched upon in the documentary, but provides a good footing for a curious mind to look up more news and gossip surrounding his arrest. A recent video from a hotel was released to the public that shows him pulling her to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her around a corner. This contributed to his arrest in 2024, and for the FBI to search his homes and estates.

Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard – Season 1
Killer or not? This 6-episode docuseries goes through the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard after spending 7 years in prison for the murder of her mother to then moving on with her life and getting engaged. We finally get to learn about all the reasons Gypsy felt justified to end her mother’s life, all which surround the allegation that she was severely molested, abused, and was confined to a wheelchair in order to live a lie to convince everyone about having cancer or other illnesses. Gypsy teamed up with her ex-boyfriend to plan and commit the murder.

Besides sleep apnea and an extremely lazy eye that needed surgery, Gypsy had relatively no health problems, but her mother made her, doctors, and many others believe that she had health issues in order to receive sympathy and pain medications in some way or another. This led to numerous surgeries down the line. We get to hear accounts from her family witnessing these fake ailments when they all knew she didn’t have any of them.

Each episode gets more shocking by revealing a truth or a lie about her life that no one could predict. Like one instance where her mother lied about Gypsy having an eating disorder in order for her to receive a feeding tube, which she used to put pills in the food sent through the tube. This caused Gypsy to realize she was addicted to pills. Or putting a tooth numbing substance in her mouth to make her salivate for doctors to believe she had cerebral palsy, and eventually get her salivary glands removed, leading to tooth loss. It’s something you really have to watch to believe.

These episodes give a great wrap-up of what happened to Gypsy in 2015 to 2024. So, now you can join in on the controversy about what’s unfolding in her life today, like if she went through with the marriage or not, or will ever live a normal life.

Written by:
Samantha Meyers
Library Assistant

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