This winter, the Learning Centre at Yeovil College is delighted to introduce our new, modestly sized but carefully chosen, graphic novel and manga collection, available to borrow for all Yeovil College students and staff, and our external borrowers.
Based on feedback from both staff and students, and demonstrating our continued commitment and enthusiasm for promoting literacy, English skills and reading, we decided to choose a selection of the best, the newest and most interesting graphic and manga novels. These range from the stalwart superheroes of the DC and Marvel universes to alternative takes on the genre, spectacular prequels and re-tellings of fictional favourites and collections of the bestselling and most exciting manga series.
We hope that these novels and stories will capture hearts and imaginations, and help encourage those who are not confident or interested in reading to try something different, that is both visually stimulating and good to embed and develop integral literacy skills.
Here's what we chose:
"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" (2002) by Frank Miller.
After thirty years a cynical, hardbitten Bruce Wayne is forced out of retirement by a rapidly degenerating society. After apprehending an old adversary, he quickly discovers that opposition can come from the most unlikely quarters...
"Bleach" (2004) by Tite Kubo.
Immensely popular manga series following Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul reaper and is forced into defending humans from evil spirits and guarding souls to the afterlife.
"Days of the Bagnold Summer" (2012) by Joff Winterhart.
Sublimely funny and perceptive graphic novel about one teenage boy's long, dull summer (and that of his struggling mother) as they both make new friendships, deal with their fears and insecurities and rebuild their relationship with each other.
"Fables" (2009) by Bill Willingham.
Fantastical dark reimagining of fairytales and folklore, this graphic novel series tells of the "Fables", outcasts from their realm who have travelled to our world and formed a secret community in New York City.
"Ghost Hunt" by Shibo Inada.
This light novel series follows the adventures of the Shibuya Psychic Research Centre, who with the help of spiritualists and assistants, investigate mysterious occurrences across Japan.
"The Hedge Knight" (2013) by George R.R. Martin.
A wonderful return to the world of Westeros, both stand-alone story and prequel to "A Song of Ice And Fire", this tale tells of aspiring knight Dunk, who acquires a mysterious squire, Egg, on his way to a tournament where he hopes to prove his worth.
"Kingdom Come" (2008) by Mark Waid and Alex Ross.
An Elseworlds story, set in a future where conflict between outdated "traditional" superheroes and a new generation of irresponsible, amoral vigilantes threaten to cause an apocalyptic superhuman war. Batman and his assembled team must try and prevent impending doom.
"Ms Marvel" (2014) by G. Willow Wilson.
Kamala Khan, the newest incarnation of Ms Marvel, in the Marvel Universe comic book series, is a Pakistani-American teenage girl and comic book fan who discovers she has shapeshifting abilities and superhuman powers.
"Nimona" (2015) by Noelle Stevenson.
This hilarious, deftly written tale challenges genre conventions with its young shapeshifter heroine with an aptitude for villany and mayhem, who becomes the sidekick of Sir Ballister Blackheart, a reluctant supervillain.
"One Piece" (2009) by Eiichiro Oda.
This hugely popular series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy with his diverse crew of pirates, who are seeking the world's ultimate treasure, known as "One Piece".
"School Rumble" (2007) by Jim Kobayashi.
This shonen Manga series is a romantic comedy, focusing on the love triangle between its two protagonists and their classmate.
"Stardust" (1998) by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess.
This exquisitely illustrated and beautifully realised graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel brings the realm of Faerie to life.
"Watchmen" (2014) by Alan Moore.
This DC comicbook series deconstructs and parodies the idea of superheroes, with alternate histories and protagonists embroiled in murky moral struggles and violence.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. You can also email us at: learningcentre@yeovil.ac.uk.
We'd also love your suggestions for any further graphic novels or Manga series we should think about adding to the collection.
Happy Reading!
Based on feedback from both staff and students, and demonstrating our continued commitment and enthusiasm for promoting literacy, English skills and reading, we decided to choose a selection of the best, the newest and most interesting graphic and manga novels. These range from the stalwart superheroes of the DC and Marvel universes to alternative takes on the genre, spectacular prequels and re-tellings of fictional favourites and collections of the bestselling and most exciting manga series.
We hope that these novels and stories will capture hearts and imaginations, and help encourage those who are not confident or interested in reading to try something different, that is both visually stimulating and good to embed and develop integral literacy skills.
Here's what we chose:
"Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" (2002) by Frank Miller.
After thirty years a cynical, hardbitten Bruce Wayne is forced out of retirement by a rapidly degenerating society. After apprehending an old adversary, he quickly discovers that opposition can come from the most unlikely quarters...
"Bleach" (2004) by Tite Kubo.
Immensely popular manga series following Ichigo Kurosaki after he obtains the powers of a Soul reaper and is forced into defending humans from evil spirits and guarding souls to the afterlife.
"Days of the Bagnold Summer" (2012) by Joff Winterhart.
Sublimely funny and perceptive graphic novel about one teenage boy's long, dull summer (and that of his struggling mother) as they both make new friendships, deal with their fears and insecurities and rebuild their relationship with each other.
"Fables" (2009) by Bill Willingham.
Fantastical dark reimagining of fairytales and folklore, this graphic novel series tells of the "Fables", outcasts from their realm who have travelled to our world and formed a secret community in New York City.
"Ghost Hunt" by Shibo Inada.
This light novel series follows the adventures of the Shibuya Psychic Research Centre, who with the help of spiritualists and assistants, investigate mysterious occurrences across Japan.
"The Hedge Knight" (2013) by George R.R. Martin.
A wonderful return to the world of Westeros, both stand-alone story and prequel to "A Song of Ice And Fire", this tale tells of aspiring knight Dunk, who acquires a mysterious squire, Egg, on his way to a tournament where he hopes to prove his worth.
"Kingdom Come" (2008) by Mark Waid and Alex Ross.
An Elseworlds story, set in a future where conflict between outdated "traditional" superheroes and a new generation of irresponsible, amoral vigilantes threaten to cause an apocalyptic superhuman war. Batman and his assembled team must try and prevent impending doom.
"Ms Marvel" (2014) by G. Willow Wilson.
Kamala Khan, the newest incarnation of Ms Marvel, in the Marvel Universe comic book series, is a Pakistani-American teenage girl and comic book fan who discovers she has shapeshifting abilities and superhuman powers.
"Nimona" (2015) by Noelle Stevenson.
This hilarious, deftly written tale challenges genre conventions with its young shapeshifter heroine with an aptitude for villany and mayhem, who becomes the sidekick of Sir Ballister Blackheart, a reluctant supervillain.
"One Piece" (2009) by Eiichiro Oda.
This hugely popular series follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy with his diverse crew of pirates, who are seeking the world's ultimate treasure, known as "One Piece".
"School Rumble" (2007) by Jim Kobayashi.
This shonen Manga series is a romantic comedy, focusing on the love triangle between its two protagonists and their classmate.
"Stardust" (1998) by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess.
This exquisitely illustrated and beautifully realised graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's fantasy novel brings the realm of Faerie to life.
"Watchmen" (2014) by Alan Moore.
This DC comicbook series deconstructs and parodies the idea of superheroes, with alternate histories and protagonists embroiled in murky moral struggles and violence.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below. You can also email us at: learningcentre@yeovil.ac.uk.
We'd also love your suggestions for any further graphic novels or Manga series we should think about adding to the collection.
Happy Reading!
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