Links: Kids, comics, and racism

How do you explain racist caricature to young kids? That’s the question on Stephen Marche’s mind this week, as he describes his experience reading Asterix to his son, who was puzzled by the grotesque appearance of one pirate in Asterix’s crew. “Much of the great old children’s material, like so much of the great old adult material, is either racist to the core or at least has seriously racist bits,” Marche opines. “Learning to negotiate around them or through them is something that every parent has to do, unless you want to waste your children’s precious young lives sticking strictly to ‘approved literature’ and Winnie-the-Pooh.”

Kids-friendly titles claim four of the top ten slots on this week’s New York Times Paperback Graphic Novel Bestseller list. Making an especially strong showing are volumes one and two of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Archaia Studios will be issuing a special edition of Return of the Dapper Men that includes two bonus comics and previously unpublished artwork by illustrator Janet K. Lee.

In recognition of the important role of libraries in promoting graphic novels, The Will and Anne Eisner Family Foundation has created a new award: The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Prize for Libraries. Three libraries will receive a mixture of books, vouchers for book purchases, and funds to support comic-book events; winners will be announced at the American Library Association’s annual summer convention.

Reviews
Traci on Captain America: Forever Allies (No Flying No Tights)
Greg McElhatton on Crogan’s Loyalty (Read About Comics)
Karen Maeda on vol. 9 of Dengeki Daisy (Sequential Tart)
Steve Bennett on Earthling! (ICv2)
Sterg Botzakis on vol. 1 of Fangbone! Third-Grade Barbarian (Graphic Novel Resources)
Jennifer on Jubilee (No Flying No Tights)
Anthony on Kevin Keller #3 (Anthony’s Notes)
Anna Neatrour on vol. 14 of Kimi ni Todoke (Manga Report)
Danica Davidson on vols. 1-4 of Library Wars: Love & War (Graphic Novel Reporter)
Sterg Botzakis on Mangaman (Graphic Novel Resources)
Anna on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (No Flying No Tights)
Sheli on vols. 1-3 of Nola’s Worlds (No Flying No Tights)
Sheena McNeil on Prydwen, Vol. 1: Gods & Monsters (Sequential Tart)

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