(c.) 2014 by Watson-Guptill

Title: Make Comics Like the Pros 
Authors: Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Published: 2014 by Watson-Guptill Publications

There are many "how to draw comics" instructional books out there --I've borrowed quite a few from the library over the years.  However, Pak and Van Lente's Make Comics Like the Pros takes it a step further, as their sub-title states, "The Inside Scoop on How to Write, Draw & Sell Your Comic Books and Graphic Novels."  This book contains a gold mine of information from veteran comic book creators for those looking into publishing their own sequential art.

The main idea of this book is collaboration.  Open any comic book and you'll often see a list of names credited: writer[s], editor[s],  penciler[s],  inker[s], letterer[s],  colorist[s],  etc.  Throughout different chapters, Pak and Van Lente take you through the entire process of creating a comic book from generating an idea to publicizing and marketing.  They use pages and panels from other indie comic book creators as examples or to illustrate ideas, so it's not a boring, dry, non-fiction book.  On the contrary!  The prose is conversational and concise, with each stage often broken down in numbered lists of guidelines or "commandments." 

One of the things I enjoyed about this book was learning about the process of creating a comic book --it isn't simply drawing out panels and writing in speech bubbles.  There is a lot of thought and work put into every step (and often by many different people).  There aren't any drawing tutorials in this book, as that is not the focus of the title, though there are tips and suggestions for collaborating or working with pencilers, inkers, colorists, and other artists. 

Also, unless younger readers are used to reading mainstream comic books, for my regular blog readers I'd probably recommend this book for high school and up for some stereotypical comic book stylization of women and some mild/borderline language (e.g. fr--king).  But overall this is a great graphic novel creation book and I recommend it to anyone who would like an idea of how the comic book publishing industry works.

About the Authors:

"Greg Pak is an award-winning comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing Batman/Superman and Action Comics for DC Comics, Turok Dinosaur Hunter for Dynamite Entertainment, and Eternal Warrior for Valiant Comics. He directed the award-winning feature film Robot Stories, wrote the epic “Planet Hulk” and “World War Hulk” comic storylines, and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) fan-favorite Incredible Hercules for Marvel Comics.

Fred Van Lente is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Marvel Zombies, Incredible Hercules (with Pak), Odd Is on Our Side (with Dean R. Koontz), and the American Library Association award-winning Action Philosophers. His original graphic novel Cowboys & Aliens (co-written with Andrew Foley) was the basis for the major motion picture. Van Lente’s other comics include The Comic Book History of Comics, Archer & Armstrong, and The Amazing Spider-Man.

Pak and Van Lente are both residents of New York City."

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for an honest review, which I have done.*

(c.) 2014 by Zondervan

Title: The Princess Spy
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Published: 2014 by Zondervan

Margaretha has always hoped to find her true love, but when an injured man is brought to Hagenheim castle, her world is thrown into disarray.  The mysterious Englishman is evasive in his answers, refusing to reveal his name or who left him for dead.  When he rescues a valuable heirloom, she knows the only way she could help repay him is to spy on her suitor, Lord Claybrook, who "Gawain" is convinced was involved in a murder.  But whom should she trust?

Melanie Dickerson's popular Christian YA fairy tale re-tellings continue with The Princess Spy, an adaptation of The Frog Prince.  Though loosely connected to her previous novels by featuring the children of the protagonists of The Healer's Apprentice and The Merchant's Daughter, like her other works, it can be read as a stand alone.

As always, it's enjoyable for me to see how Dickerson incorporates elements of her chosen fairy tale into her adaptation.  I learned in my English Literature class that in academia, one way they classify fairy tales is by subject or theme by the Aarne Thompson Uther system.   

The Frog Prince was the first English translation of the Brothers Grimm's The Iron Heinrich (or, The Frog King) and is ATU 440, that is Aarne Thompson Uther type 440 (the aptly titled "Frog Kings: Tales of Slimy Suitors").  Though details can change from tale to translation, the main story is this: A princess looses her golden ball in a pond or well and reluctantly befriends the frog who retrieves her plaything.  Later it is revealed that the frog was actually a handsome prince and one of the "morals" of the tale is the importance of  keeping your promises --highlighted when the frog appears at the castle and the princess doesn't want to let him in though she promised he could be her companion as seen in this excerpt from the Grimm's story:

The king said, "What you have promised, you must keep. Go and let the frog in."

 I think the primary way Dickerson chose to adapt this tale was through her female protagonist.  In the original tale, the princess comes across as a bit spoiled, maybe even bratty.  She carelessly promises the frog that he can live with her because she believes he can only stay in the water:

The princess thought, "What is this stupid frog trying to say? After all, he does have to stay here in the water. But still, maybe he can get my ball. I'll go ahead and say yes," and she said aloud, "Yes, for all I care. Just bring me back my golden ball, and I'll promise everything."

Margaretha is a much more likeable heroine.  Her talkative nature is seen as a fault or an annoyance by other characters at times, but I found it endearing and something that set her apart from Dickerson's past heroines.  Also, though she doesn't hurl the frog against a wall like in the earlier tales --Sorry folks, the transformation kiss?  That's a more recent addition!-- Margaretha is no shrinking violet.  Not to say that her hero is a pansy! The "frog" character, Colin, is completely human and never in a frog form (though he does spend some time in some ugly frog-colored garments).  One of the most cleverest of Dickerson's adaptation decisions in this novel was to create a bond between Margaretha and Colin through a language barrier.  The Duke's daughter is one of the only English speakers in Hagenheim castle, so Colin is forced to rely on her and it is the reason why kindhearted Margaretha initially feels she should help him.  Seeing their relationship grow and develop from this beginning was a pleasure.  The only criticism I could give is that some of her plots are beginning to seem a tad formulaic (the protagonists forced to travel together on a dangerous journey), but so were Brian Jacques' Redwall novels and they are still loved and enjoyed by many.

If you like sweet, fairy tale adaptations suitable for teens and up, definitely give Melanie Dickerson's books a try!  Side note: The Princess Spy has one of my favorite book cover art from 2014!  Just gorgeous --I love green!  Also, I appreciate how the author and cover artist coordinate these stories and their covers.  All of the dresses depicted on her book covers are described at least once in all the Dickerson's novels I can remember ...

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this title from the publisher through their BookLook bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.*

(c.) 2014 Tyndale House Publishing

 Many Christians feel daunted by the prospect of sharing their faith with others.  When it's with someone who's belief system may be unfamiliar to you, even more so.  In a post-9/11 America, there is so much (often conflicting) opinions and information regarding Islamic religion, that it can be overwhelming.   Journey to Jesus: Building Christ-Centered Friendships with Muslims is meant to be a starting place for Christians interested in ministering to or sharing with those who adhere to the Muslim faith.

This DVD Curriculum is produced by the Muslim Ministries Program and the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College.  I liked how the focus of the curriculum and movies are on relationships and building personal friendships before trying to witness.  I think Christians can often put so much pressure on themselves, that we have to say all the right things and often end up not saying anything at all because of that fear.  Putting the emphasis on building relationships and letting God work through your life (and that HE is the one who saves, not us) can take some of that stress away.  The mini-dramas are cinematically well made (you can check out the trailer at the end of this review) and are kind of samples of hypothetical situations and questions you might encounter --these videos are also used in the study to encourage thought and discussion.

You'll need a computer and a PDF viewer to access the following materials:

Leader's Guide Session Plan for each session.  Meant for the facilitator, each session plan lists the purpose statement (the main goal of the session), preparation suggestions, a preview of the slide show study, and a break down of a sample hour long session: introduction, slideshow/video and discussion.

Each session also contains participant handouts, which are kind of like a paper copy of the slides. The questions to discuss after viewing the session's mini-drama are also included.

There are also supplemental handouts for each session:
Session 1 - Approach to World Religions

Extra Material: Timeline of Significant Events in Islamic History

Session 2 - Sharing Your Life in Christ with Muslims
Extra Material: "Can Christan Serve Halal Meat to Muslim Guests?" Rev. Mike Urton

Session 3 - Understanding Muslims
Extra Material:

• An Introduction to the Qur'an
• Manuscript Evidence for the Bible

Session 4 - Islamic Diversity
Extra material: "Sharing with Different Types of Muslims" Roy Oksnevad

Session 5 - Encountering Musilm Objections
Extra material:

• Encountering Musilm Objections - Prophets
• Additional Responses - Bryan and Abdul

Session 6 - Sharing Using Apologetics
Extra material:

• "Does Goodness Live in You?" Roy Oksnevad
• Understanding the Trinity: The Community of the Triune God
• Muslim Apologetics Resources

Overall, this DVD curriculum is a good basic overview of the Islamic faith, different sects of Islam, and approaches to apologetics, with a large emphasis of God's love and showing Christ through your words and actions.

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this DVD curriculum from Tyndale House Publishers. No compensation was received and the opinions expressed are my own.]

Yay, finals week is over! Just submitted my last project, so I can get back to blogging.  Lots of reviews coming soon, but for now, Wordless Wednesday is back!

The final covers from The Heart of San Francisco trilogy

For this week's "Wordless Wednesday" I was inspired by Julie Lessman's guest post last week when she wrote about her original ideas for The Heart of San Francisco trilogy's book covers.  It stuck with me and I knew I wanted to try my hand at sketching some ideas of what it might have looked like had they gone in that direction.  Disclaimer: It's been awhile and my Art Professors would be very disappointed that I haven't kept up with my daily drawing journal.  These are quick sketches, only about 10-15 minutes spent on each one.  I'd love to revisit these later (maybe once finals are over)!

My Love at Any Cost cover concept art

"For book 1, Love at Any Cost, I envisioned the blonde heroine—Texas cowgirl Cassie McClare—in a full-length, off-the-shoulder evening gown with her hair piled high in the Gibson style of the day, looking over her shoulder at the reader with a Mona Lisa smile. Very sweet and elegant, but with a lasso—which is an important part of the story—in her hands behind her back that trails to the floor."

People are one of the more difficult subjects to draw ... I couldn't find a good photo or reference image to work from, so the figure is definitely off. It isn't quite what I had in mind, but when your art is frustrating you, it's best to take a break and move to something else.  Fortunately, Alli and Megan turned out much better.  =)

Pose concept for Alli in Dare to Love Again

"For book 2, Dare to Love Again, originally the ebony-haired heroine Alli McClare wanted to take up boxing because she wanted to learn to defend herself after being attacked one night in the Barbary Coast where she volunteers at a school for the poor. I saw Alli in the same kind of flowing dress as book 1, in full-view stance with head cocked as she looks at the reader with a coy smile, a pair of boxing gloves dangling over her shoulder. In the final book, however, Alli learns jiu-jitsu rather than boxing, a self-defense technique popularized by Teddy Roosevelt who was the U.S. President at the time."

I love how Alli's pose turned out and her figure is much more proportionate.  I'd probably want to have her hip cocked a bit more and have an added tilt to her head so she looks more sassy!

Megan's got her glasses again!

"Book 3 [Surprised by Love] is an ugly-duckling-to-swan story about the auburn-haired heroine Megan McClare who wore Coke bottle glasses as a child before she is transformed in Paris while attending school for a year. I thought it would be cute to have Meg holding eyeglasses behind her back or against her lips as she gives the reader an innocent look, once again in full evening dress or even a Gibson style skirt and blouse."

I decided to not go the evening gown route for Meg, though if this really was a cover series, it would look out of place compared to the other two ... I think it was since she was holding the eyeglasses, the blouse and skirt felt like it would go together best (and a hat, as a nod to the final covers).