Great librarians, pushing comics, graphic novels, and more.

I eased into Comicon’s hugeness with a panel on Comics in the Library, and just as I was feeling a little self-consciousness about my safe and school-marmish choice, I was rewarded by the sight of library-comic-lady Francisca Goldsmith’s turquoise hair.

It was a great panel, particularly for Dr. Pop people who think comics have a lot to offer the world of “complicated things, simply explained.”

The lineup:

John Hogan, panel moderator and Editorial Director of the Graphic Novel Reporter, a great resource for novices and cognoscenti alike.  Check out their Core Graphic Novel List.

The turquoise-haired Francisca Goldsmith, self-described as “pushing comics in libraries since the 80′s.”

Tuan Nguyen (Texas Maverick Graphic Novel List), library guy who is yet undefeated in Death Match.

Jill Patterson, Orange County Public Libraries (who can also tap dance.)

Joann Jonas, San Diego County Libary, a Comicon first-timer, who got a round of applause for that.

Raina Telgemeier, graphic novel illustrator (graphic novel adaptations of four Baby-Sitter Club books) and author (Smile).

Merideth Jenson-Benjamin, Phoenix, Arizona teen librarian and a very funny person.

The discussion was largely by and for librarians, how and why to get comics and graphic novels on the shelves, how to promote them, how to overcome staff and parent resistance, how comics are such a great bridge for visual learners, and other such stuff.

Meredith explained that she was a big proponent of the “gateway drug” strategy — using comics that have some higher level of acceptance to get the library and its patrons hooked.  Her examples include Book Hunter, a graphic novel mystery that takes place in a library; Jeff Smith’s Bone; the fantasy Unwritten; and Fables, whose characters are derived from fairy tales and folklore.

Along with the intelligence and passion the panel had for their subject, my favorite part was their personal favorites and recommendations, which along with some of the above lists will keep me busy and spending at Meltdown for a while (or maybe, I hope, at the library!?).

First, here are the two that were my gateway drugs:

Maus, Art Spiegelman’s account of his Holocaust survivor father’s life

Persepolis, about a young girl’s coming of age during the Iranian Revolution.

And next,  a range of favorites from the really great panel:

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For those of you who like comics, check out this interview on Robot 6 about my new webcomic Bicycle Cop Dave, patrolling the underside of gentrification that I’m writing with Manoel Magalhães illustrating from Rio — for FourStory, the affordable housing/urban issues blog.

Maybe you’ll check out the story after reading the interview.

As a freelance prose and comics writer, I sweat a lot about where my next paycheck is coming from. Half my day, and I’m being somewhat metaphorical here, is spent with my butt in the chair grinding out the words. The other half is spent partly with my butt in the chair “cold calling” editors or using the internet to market the stuff I’ve got coming out. At Comic-Con this past July – and y’all know Comic-Con is the mother of all comic book conventions, right? — freelance writers and artists converge to bask in the ambiance but more than anything, network, schmooze, and otherwise figure out how to get on the radar of respective editors at Marvel or DC.

There are plenty of other companies producing comic books, but except for the Big Two, no one pays a livable advance – that is a salary up front against earning royalties after ‘X’ amount of issues of that comic book sells. According to Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest distributors of comic books and graphic novels, Marvel had a 42.58% share of the market in July 2009, DC 34.14% and bringing in a distant third was Dark Horse at 4.06%. This still means on an annual basis DH earns millions in sales of comics, tchotchkes like character figurines and such, and movie option dough on properties like Sin City and Aliens vs. Predators. Read More…

For comic book and funnies fans, the economic crisis has spawned plenty to educate and entertain.  Here are a few:

Economic Meltdown Funnies

First up, is the economic crisis 101 comic book by our friends at the Institute for Policy Studies (Institute? Comics? Yep…hard times require comics) and Jobs with Justice.  Written by Chuck Collins and Nick Thorkelson, the book is a humorous and informative take on the Meltdown that walks us through the many factors that led to the current crisis. You can download a free copy here.

Lex Luthor asks for a Bailout

Very, very funny.

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