The Graphic Novel Shelf

Queen in Comics!
Sophia Blitman, et al.
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
www.nbmpub.com
9781681123110, $27.99, HC, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Comics-NBM-Biographies/dp/1681123118

Synopsis: Brian May, Roger Taylor, and Freddie Mercury form Queen, one of t=
he greatest rock bands in the world. Under the leadership of its charismati=
c singer, Queen became a planetary success for each hit with its decadent s= hows, inimitable aesthetics, and style. "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Are the Ch= ampions," "Don't Stop Me Now," or even "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" are=
just some of the hits!

With the publication of "Queen in Comics!" fans will discover a wealth of g= reat stories and little secrets surrounding the band's legend!

Critique: The result of a team of collaborators including co-authors Sophia=
Blitman and Emanuel Marie, and contributions by seventeen talented artist/= illustrators, this graphic novel style biography, "Queen in Comics!", is a = 'must' for the legions of Queen fans. While highly recommended for communit=
y, college, and university library Composer/Musician and Pop Music History = collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Queen in C= omics!" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note #1: First a French teacher then a journalist specializing in=
education, Sophie Blitman (https://nbmpub.com/collections/artist-blitman-s= ophie) has always loved transmitting and sharing knowledge, information, st= ories. Now based in Stockholm, she spends most of her time writing books, e= specially for children, but sometimes also for adults with always the same = concern: to arouse the curiosity of its readers thanks to a creative and pl= ayful approach, and to take a citizen's look at the world with them.

Editorial Note #2: Emmanuel Marie (https://nbmpub.com/collections/artist-ma= rie-emmanuel) has been a comics writer for nearly 5 years, with several boo=
ks published in a rather documentary style. A sociologist by training, he e= njoys giving humorous and romantic tints to stories rooted in social realit=
y.

Blackwax Boulevard Is Listening
Dmitri Jackson
Frotoon Press
https://frotoon.gumroad.com
9780999259658, $24.00, HC, 202pp

https://www.amazon.com/Blackwax-Boulevard-Listening-Dmitri-Jackson/dp/09992= 59652

Synopsis: "Blackwax Boulevard Is Listening" by artist/author Dmitri Jackson=
is a slice-of-life comedy that follows Marsalis, Hardy, and Veronika, as t= hey strive to keep the titular record store open for business. In this orig= inal graphic novel from Frotoon Press, our three heroes also tackle the mos=
t hot-button issues of the day including racism, homophobia, #MeToo, and ca= ncel culture. Blending pop music esoterica with blistering commentary on th=
e nature of celebrity, fandom and wokeness, "Blackwax Boulevard Is Listenin=
g" fully captures a generation of record lovers, nerds, hipsters, and outca= sts grappling with the cultural turbulence of the late '10s and early '20s.

Critique: Replete with timely and timeless observations, insights, wit, wis= dom, and humor, "Blackwax Boulevard Is Listening" is a fun and deftly read = that will have immense appeal to readers with an interest in satire present=
ed in a graphic novel format. While unreservedly recommended for community = library Graphic Novel collections, it should be noted for personal reading = lists that "Blackwax Boulevard Is Listening" is also readily available in a=
paperback edition (9780999259641, $20.00).

Editorial Note: Dmitri Jackson (https://source.wustl.edu/2020/11/drawing-fr= om-life) is an award-winning cartoonist based in St. Louis, Missouri. His w= ork includes the Frotoon minicomic series, John Henry: Steel-Driving Man an=
d Marty's Diner.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
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The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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