#coralloveslibraries

Zahra's Paradise Written by Amir Artwork by Khalil First Second 2011 This novel takes place following the great street protests in Tehran Iran in 2009. It is a masterful work of fiction that is a synthesis of thousands of stories. It is anti Islamic Republic without being anti Islam. It is far more pro Persian. A complicated history woven into the tragic tale of a son made to disappear during the protests. Historic and contemporary figures anchor the tale. It is beautiful. It is painful. It is inspiring. At the end of the book are pages of the 16,901 names from the Omid memorial. Individuals killed by the Islamic Republic since 1979 compiled by the Abdurrahman Boroumand Foundation. #corallovescomics #coralloveslibraries #firstsecond #zahrasparadise #iranprotests #iran #resistance #activismincomics #diversityincomics #graphicnovels #beyondsuperheros (at Beaverton, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnbeDk0lON0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ox8xfg52cf27

Ruins Written and illustrated by Peter Kuper SelfMadeHero 2015 I am really enjoyed this graphic novel! I dislike most of the characters and the story ends as it must not as it "should". The art is deceptively simple and only if it's in hand can you truly capture the lovingly layered watercolors, pencils and inks. I tried for a close up. It's a dual tale told of the migrating monarch butterfly and a couple with serious baggage both on their way to Oaxaca. Samantha is an author revisiting her past that is reflected in the book she is trying to manifest. George is an out of work artist/entomologist trying to figure everything out and quite frankly failing. The only one who appears to know the score is the butterfly. Between the personal and political drama there are simple moments and those are my favorite. #coralloveslibraries #corallovescomics #independentcomics #diversityincomics #corallovesbugs #graphicnovel #activismincomics (at Beaverton, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnDbKMGlwVz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kq7mbq164i7w

Dragon's Breath and other true stories Written and drawn by Mari Naomi 2D Cloud and Uncivilized Books 2014 I have to admit this isn't the style of comic storytelling I enjoy. Not my personal aesthetic. That being said: This is a beautiful well put together piece of autobiographical vignettes that can be very challenging to read. The title sort is by far my favorite. The art changes in the book as the stories seem to be arcing over several years. It does read and feel like a memoir. While accessible to most readers if you were a teenager between 1980 to 1995 I feel some of it will be extra powerful for you (us). Also if you made a series of questionable partner choices.... #corallovescomics #coralloveslibraries #marinaomi #womenincomics #independentcomics (at Beaverton, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnDZS6LloeO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=biz4v2p98kl3