New Graphic Novels @ your Library ™

Rose
by Jeff Smith
Published 2009 by Graphix

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When a terrifying dragon attacks the small towns of the Northern Valley, a young Princess Rose (known later as Gran'ma Ben) must defeat it. The beast is actually the ancient evil, the Lord of the Locusts, and while Rose faces danger with honor, her elder sister, Princess Briar, follows a more sinister path. An unforgettable story with beautiful, sweeping artwork, this prequel explores the fateful beginnings of the epic BONE saga.

09/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 4-8A prequel to the Bone saga (Scholastic), "Rose" takes place in the Valley years before the Bones arrived, when Granma Ben was the spirited, beautiful Princess Rose. She and her cold, bitter sister, Briar, are called to defend the Valley from a vicious dragon that is possessed by the Lord of the Locusts. Rose is up to the task, but can Briar be trusted? Vesss Art Nouveau-style illustrations, as well as an elegant, ornate font, give the story the look of an antique fairy tale. The vivid but soft colors, in subtle shades of red, yellow, green, and blue, are stunning. A strong introduction for readers new to the series, and a satisfying addition for fans hungry for more."Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library, NY" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

Case Closed, Volume 31
by Gosho Aoyama
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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R to L (Japanese Style). It's no great surprise to find a corpse in Kashiragami Forest--the supposedly cursed forest is a popular destination for would-be suicides. But the latest suicide case has the local police suspecting foul play. Then a tall, dark man with a moustache hangs himself at a local hotel...after claiming to be Detective Moore! Are the "suicides" really something more sinister...and is the killer laying a trap for Conan and the real Detective Moore?

Chibi Vampire, Volume 14
by Yuna Kagesaki
Published 2009 by TokyoPop

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Volume 14 marks the finale of the hilarious adventures of Karin, the little vampire who, instead of needing to drink blood, has an excess of blood that she needs to give to her victims. The problem with this is that Karin never seems to do things right.

D.N.Angel, Volume 12
by Yukiru Sugisaki
Published 2009 by TokyoPop

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When 14-year-old Daisuke Niwa sees his crush, Risa, he transforms into his alter ego--the tall and handsome phantom thief named Dark, in the newest volume of the bestselling tale of romance and adventure.

Dragon Drive, Volume 14: Wait
by Ken-Ichi Sakura
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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In this final volume, Araki breaks into Rikyu, launching the battle of the Raikoo masters. Now the hope of both worlds rests on Reiji and Takumi, who must work together to stop Araki. But the battle won't be won without terrible sacrifices. R to L (Japanese Style). Final Volume!WaitThe transformed Araki breaks into Rikyu, launching the final battle of the Raikoo masters. Now the hope of both worlds rests on Reiji and Takumi, who must work together to stop Araki. With Reiji fighting the huge dragon from the outside and Takumi and Raikoo fighting from deep within, they just might be able to save humanity and dragonkind. But the battle won't be won without terrible sacrifices...

Final Crisis
by Grant Morrison
Published 2009 by DC Comics

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What happens when evil wins? That's the devastating question Superman, Batman, The Justice League, and the other super beings in the DC Universe must face when Darkseid and his legion of narcissistic followers actually win the war between light and dark. Best-selling writer Grant Morrison (BATMAN, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, JLA) and critically acclaimed artist J.G. Jones (52, Wanted) redefine what it means to be a modern day Super Hero in this cosmic epic.

What happens when evil wins? That's the question Superman, Batman, the Justice League and every being in the DCU have to face when Darkseid and his otherworldly legion of narcissistic followers actually win the war between light and dark. Featuring the deaths and resurrections of major DC characters, FINAL CRISIS is more than your average multi-part event - it's a deconstruction of Super Hero comics and a challenging, thought-provoking take on the modern, four-color icons..

Publishers Weekly 06/29/2009

Morrison's big, beautiful mess of an apocalypse is gathered in this deluxe volume, along with one of the spinoff mini-series that took place between issues. Darkseid, one of the New Gods of Apokolips, is taking over the universe, broadcasting his antilife equationa mathematical spell that drains all hope and emotion from those who hear itthrough every mass communication vehicle available. Reality starts breaking down, time itself is collapsing; meanwhile, Batman is taken out of action and Superman can't help out as he needs to stay by Lois's hospital bedside or she will die. To say that there's a lot going on is an understatement; the plot is byzantine, and DC newbies will likely find it confusing and require multiple reads. Fanboys, on the other hand, will relish spotting all of the references to DC canon. There is an awful lot of setup and not much in the way of payoff until the very end, but Morrison-philes will enjoy his characteristic wordplay and fearless invention the whole time. Jones and Mahnke split the main art with skill and vision. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

09/01/2009 School Library Journal

Gr 10 UpThis comics event throws in everything from DC but the proverbial kitchen sink. The end result is something that may please longtime readers but will leave those without an extensive knowledge of the DC universe, past and present, in a state of bewilderment. The barely comprehensible plot involves a major threat to the universe (and beyond) from DCs biggest baddie, Darkseid. The story begins intriguingly, when two characters from the late, great Jack Kirbys New Gods pantheon arrive on Earth in ominous circumstances. The narrative quickly gets out of control as the story moves forward in a baffling procession of characters and dilemmas. The intriguing cover and bold artwork may draw readers in, but only the truly dedicated will make it through this flawed epic. It is definitely targeted to an older audience as its characters die, make suggestive comments, and generally behave in ways unlike their earlier incarnations, which will seem fresh to some, but gratuitous to others."Douglas P. Davey, Halton Hills Public Library, Ontario, Canada" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

La Corda d'Oro, Volume 10
by Yuki Kure
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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R to L (Japanese Style)Every few years, the prestigious Seiso Academy holds a prominent musical competition, and only the very best students at the Academy are allowed to participate. Though all are eligible to apply, only students from the music department actually make it to the competition...until now. At long last, the Final Selection has arrived! Kahoko and her fellow contestants take the stage, knowing that only one of them can win. For Kahoko, there's even more pressure: this is the first time she'll perform without magical assistance. But after the competition, an even greater challenge lies ahead: deciding what to do next. Is music--and love--in the future for Kahoko and her friends?

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords: Part 2
by Akira Himekawa
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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The green, red, and blue Links reach Death Mountain, where they challenge Shadow Link and Violet Link in battle. Then, inside the Fire Temple they learn a terrible secret about the Dark World and the evil power behind Vaati. 10/09. R to L (Japanese Style) In the mystical land of Hyrule, three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce, and whoever holds them will control the world. A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Pr Four Swords Pt. 2The green, red and blue Links reach Death Mountain, where they challenge Shadow Link and Violet Link in battle. Then, inside the Fire Temple they learn a terrible secret about the Dark World and the evil power behind Vaati. To defeat this great enemy, the different colored Links must find a way to become one again in order to harness the power of the Four Sword! The manga adapation of the legendary video game series, now available in English for the first time! Become part of the Legend - "The Legend of Zelda"!

Life Sucks
by Jessica Abel
Published 2008 by First Second

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Life sucks for Dave Marshall. The girl he's in love with doesn't know he exists, he hates his job, and ever since his boss turned him into a vampire, he can't go out in daylight without starting to charbroil.Undead life in its uncoolest incarnation yet is on display in this cinematic, supernatural drama told with gallons of humor and hemoglobin. In striking, colorful, B-movie sty;e artwork and light-hearted, intelligent writing by Jessica Abel, Gabe Soria, and Warren Pleece, Dave Marshall's story comes alive - in a vampiric kind of way.

Publishers Weekly 02/25/2008

Dave is a poor vampire, working the night shift at the 24-hour convenience store run by his vampire master, Lord Radu Arisztidescu, who thinks Dave is pretty much a wuss as a bloodsucker. Truth is, Dave would rather steal his nutrition from a blood bank than kill the innocent. But this choice leaves him weak and vulnerable to more predatory types like alpha-vampire surfer dude Wes, who's making a move on Rosa, the Latina gothic babe Dave has his eye on. There's plenty of humor with Dave's friend Jerome acting as a "Clerks"-like foil, coming over to Dave's work at night when the black-eyeliner crowd comes by (the Running of the Goths). "Life Sucks" also gets a good deal of mileage out of the ironic distance between the romantic visions that Rosa and her mortal crowd have of the vampire lifestyle and the grimy reality of Dave's life as an eternal wage slave. Even if it doesn't pan out satisfactorily (the conclusion seems particularly truncated), Abel and Soria's light approach, combined with Pleece's bright, Technicolor art, gives the book an entertaining Joss Whedon gloss to its Gen-Y bloodsucking melodrama. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

Rosario+Vampire, Volume 9: Monster Mamas
by Akihisa Ikeda
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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Tsukune's new classmates are monsters--really!; At Tsukune's school, the turf war isn't between the jocks and the nerds, it's between the vampires and the werewolves! R to L (Japanese Style). LESSON NINE: MONSTER MAMASWHEN TWO OF YOUR MONSTER FRIENDS' MOTHERS MISTAKE YOU FOR THEIR PRECIOUS DAUGHTERS' BOYFRIEND, ACT LIKE...a. the perfect monster-in-law to beb. you love to play the fieldc. you never met their precious angles before in your life All-around average teenager Tsukune can't get accepted to any high school save one...but on his first day, he finds the "rest" of the student body doesn't appear average in the least. Best of all, the cutest girl on campus can't wait to fling her arms around his neck! Wait a sec'--are those her "teeth" around his neck too...? Tsukune's going to have one heck of a hickey when he gets home from Monster High! But does he have a chance in H-E-double-hockey-sticks of raising his grades at a school where the turf war isn't between the jocks and the nerds but the "vampires" and the "werewolves"?

Shaman King, Volume 24 (Shonen Jump Manga)
by Hiroyuki Takei
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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R to L (Japanese Style). Shaman FightThe Golem runs out of energy, so Dr. Munzer wants to command it to self-destruct, but Anna wants to keep the Golem as a weapon against Hao. Then Little Opacho shows up, bearing a message that Yoh must return to the Shaman Fight, or Hao will destroy both the Golem and the kids!

Skip Beat!, Volume 16
by Yoshiki Nakamura
Published 2009 by Viz Media

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Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous! Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!Saving Kyoko from Reino's attack has finally knocked some sense into Sho's head, and he realizes how much he cares for her. But before he can declare his devotion, Ren shows up to ruin the moment. Both men realize that Kyoko has no idea of their true feelings for her and begin a secret battle for her affections!Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous! Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!

Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (Deluxe)
by Alan Moore
Published 2009 by DC Comics

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An unforgettable hardcover collection of WATCHMEN writer Alan Moore's definitive Superman tales that is sure to appeal of readers of his BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE graphic novel. Moore teams with Curt Swan, the definitive Superman artist from the 1950's through the 1970's, to tell the final adventure of the Man of Steel featuring his last stand against Lex Luthor, Brainiac and his other foes in "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MAN OF TOMORROW?." This volume also includes Moore's classic early collaboration with WATCHMEN illustrator Dave Gibbons, "FOR THE MAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING," in which Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman find Superman held captive by the villain Mongul in the Fortress of Solitude and dreaming of an idyllic life on Krypton courtesy of a wish-fulfilling parasitic plant known as the Black Mercy. Both tales are considered two of the top five all-time best Superman stories among fans.

The rare first team-up adventure between the Man of Tomorrow and Swamp Thing, the character that first brought Moore to notoriety in the United States, is included as an additional bonus.

Tsubasa, Volume 22: Reservoir Chronicle
by CLAMP
Published 2009 by Del Rey Books

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REMATCH!

In the Country of Oto, Syaoran fought his former mentor, Seishiro, and lost badly. Now Seishiro is back, and this time Syaoran is determined not to allow him to escape with Sakura's feather. Many things have changed since their first battle, but is Syaoran now strong enough to withstand Seishiro's vampire-killing skills?

Xxxholic, Volume 13
by CLAMP
Published 2009 by Del Rey Books

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The medium Kohane-chan has been punched and bruised on national TV, but still her controlling mother is forcing her to go on the air. Now Kimihiro steps between the rebellious young psychic and her raging mother, only to take the beating himself. See the dramatic conclusion of Kohane-chan's story!