Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi

This one is getting mixed reviews. Touted as a biography of Houdini in graphic novel form, it is really more of a snapshot. The introduction, written by Glen David Gold, is intriguing. Written in “plain speak” it comes to the point about who Houdini was, and wasn’t, and encourages the reader to really think about the impact of a life lived large. The panel discussions at the end are similarly interesting, providing some neat (and unknown) facts about the time period and various events portrayed. It is the “graphic novel” section itself that I struggled with. While the artwork is quite good – clean line drawings do a great job of creating a likeness of Houdini – the story is far too short and the dialog is campy. The entire “story” told here is that of five hours, and one escape, by this master of the art. And, while Houdini’s temper and his wife’s dedication were well-documented, they are depicted here with two-dimensional portrayals. Houdini is egotistical and mean, his wife never stops smiling and telling him how wonderful he is. It reminded me of those cartoons in the Sunday paper which show very “cleaned up” history. While some graphic novels are able to convey complexity and depth within their slim volumes, this isn’t one of them. I say, read the text at the beginning and end, then look for one of the other Houdini biographies to have come out lately (such as “The Secret Life of Houdini” by William Kalush and Larry Sloman). This book might make for an intriguing tease about the life of Harry Houdini, but it really only wets the appetite for something more substantial.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

This wordless book is absolutely stunning. I’ve read it twice through and it still takes my breath away. Don’t be fooled by the “wordless” description. This is not a picture book for little kids (although some of the more sophisticated ones might enjoy it). The story, of a man immigrating to a new land, is told both clearly and symbolically. The artwork, a kind of sepia-toned print, is rich and powerful, and heavily influenced by one of my favorite artists, Hieronymus Bosch. Everyday actions, such as the man leaving his home and family, are combined with fantastical elements, such as the shadow of a dragon tail weaving itself through a town poised for destruction. The new world is full of unintelligible signs, strange creatures and bizarre machines … all of which makes this “stranger in a strange land” feel that much more isolated. The passage of time is beautifully depicted, by endless panels of clouds during his boat trip across a sea, and by plants blooming in the spring only to be covered in snow as winter progresses. The great thing about wordless books is their universality and their ability to be interpreted on deep and complex levels. Our lead character encounters many people along the way, none seem to be “from” this country, but all have stories about the struggles that drove them to seek a new home. As the American grandchild of immigrants, I saw this as a uniquely American experience, complete with Ellis Island. Imagine my surprise to discover that the author is Australian! Some of the images he used were from the Ellis Island archives, but much of this story comes from the immigration stories of Australians. As proof of the web of human experience, the book ends with a story much like those throughout its pages. An immigrant girl who has acclimated assists another “fresh off the boat” arrival. Each time I look at this image, I feel it drives its way further into my heart. This book is a joy. Take time to delve into it.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

HYSTERICAL. This “novel in cartoons” is a very guy-centered depiction of young Greg as he begins middle school. Greg is not a wimp, nor is he a bad kid, but he is very much a “boy” and his attempts to do good while creating the most gain for himself had me laughing out loud. This fast read could be appreciated by younger readers as well as older ones. The font is large, made to look like hand printing on school ruled paper, and the cartoons are plentiful. The book borders on a graphic novel given the extensive images and the strong connection between picture and text. The drawings add emotional undertone to the words and the words convey subtleties in the cartoons (I love the Orphan Annie eyes on mom). As an older reader, I also enjoyed the book. The humor is obvious, but also arch and sardonic. If you have a free hour (our computers crashed and I got a chance to read for a change) then I highly recommend this book as an amusing diversion. (Side note: the author was local! He grew up in DC).