Congratulations Colleen Frakes ’07 and Emma Hunsigner ’20! Knots and How It All Ends are featured in the School Library Journal’s (SLJ) Best Books of 2024 list. The SLJ list of 25 books showcases comics that push storytelling to new heights.
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Tags: CCS Alum, Colleen Frakes, Emma Hunsinger, Graphic Novel, Greenwillow, Harper Alley, School Library Journal
The second installment of the hilarious and informative children’s graphic novel series ODDBALL HISTORIES by Andy Warner ‘12 is out now! This time, Andy explores SPICES AND SPUDS and our long complicated history with plants.
“A concise overview of a complex and fascinating history presented in a digestible visual medium.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An introduction to plants as crops that entertains as well as it educates. A helpful purchase for covering changes over time and the interdependence of trade and agriculture.”—School Library Journal
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Tags: Alum, Andy Warner, Graphic Novel, nonfiction, Oddball Histories, Spices and Spuds
The debut graphic novel by Coco Fox ‘19, LET’S GO, COCO!, hits bookshelves on 8/13 with HarperAlley!
“This is the book I wish I could have read when I was in sixth grade. It would have made me laugh while also making me feel less alone,” said Coco Fox ‘19. “LET’S GO, COCO! is a middle grade graphic novel that shows how making new friends and being yourself is a clumsy, silly, scary and fun experience. It felt cathartic to revisit that time and felt a little bit like I was whispering to that sixth-grade me, ‘Psst, you’re going to be OK. You’re confused, but so is everyone else… also, when you get older, you’ll get to draw as much as you want to.’”
LET’S GO, COCO has received great reviews:
“In this semi-autobiographical debut, Fox combines middle school angst with giggle-inducing humor to deliver a wholesome graphic novel romp.”
—Publishers Weekly
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Tags: basketball, Coco Fox, Comics, Graphic Novel, Harper Alley, Harper Collins, Indiana, Let's Go Coco!, Middle Grade Graphic Novel, middle-school, Teaching Comics
Congratulations to Emma Hunsinger ‘20 on her debut graphic novel, HOW IT ALL ENDS by HarperCollins/Greenwillow Books. After working on it for three years, it releases 8/6 wherever books are sold! You can pre-order it now!
HOW IT ALL ENDS has received many starred reviews. Including:
“Hunsinger’s distinctive style. . . is reminiscent of doodles in the margins of student notebooks and perfectly suits the subject matter. . . . Tara’s voice rings true, and readers will find much to relate to in her various social and emotional struggles. Frequent moments of humor create a lighthearted tone despite Tara’s overall angst. . . . A slice of life that’s as imaginative as its protagonist.” —Kirkus Reviews
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Tags: Booklist, CCS Alum, Eisner Award nominee, Emma Hungsinger, Graphic Novel, Harper Collins, How It All Ends, How To Draw A Horse, Kirkus, My Parents Won't Stop Talking, Starred Review
We’re excited to announce members of the CCS community have been nominated for one of comics’ oldest and most prestigious awards—the Harvey Awards!
The nominees are….
Book of the Year: WATERSHIP DOWN, THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by CCS co-founder James Sturm, art by Joe Sutphin, based on the novel by Richard Adams (Ten Speed Graphic)
Book of the Year: TENDER by Beth Hetland ’11 (Fantagraphics)
Best Young Adult Book: CLEMENTINE, BOOK 2 by Tille Walden ’16 (Image Comics)
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Tags: Beth Hetland, Celementine, Graphic Novel, Harvey Awards, James Sturm, Joe Sutphin, Tender, Tillie Walden, Watership Down
Exciting news! You can now pre-order THE ART OF CRYING by CCS alum, visual artist, and educator, Pepita Sandwich ‘19, and Hatchette Books.
“A book that I’ve been researching and working on for the past 3 years… I’m already crying tears of joy.”
The brilliantly researched and illustrated book officially hits bookstores on April 30, 2024. More from Hachette Books: “In The Art of Crying, Pepita Sandwich makes the case that crying is humanity’s most misunderstood and magical special effect. We are the only animals who shed tears as a result of the emotions we feel. But crying is not our weakness: it’s our superpower. Our tears are a path to growth and healing that leads to deeper and more fulfilling experiences.”
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Tags: CCS Alum, CCS Alumni, Graphic Novel, Hachette Books, Pepita Sandwich, The Art of Crying
San Diego Comic-Con announced the nominees for the 2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, honoring works published in 2023. Congratulations to CCS faculty, alum, and fellow nominees:
BEST WRITER/ARTIST
Tillie Walden ‘16, Clementine Book Two (Image Skybound)
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Tags: CCS Fellow, Clementine, Comics, Eisner Award, Eisner Award nominee, Fantagraphics, Graphic Novel, James Sturm, Joe Sutphin, Liniers, Macanudo, San Diego Comi-Con, Skybound, Ten Speed Graphic, Tillie Walden, Watership Down
“An incredibly paced horror story that’s equal parts sardonic, gruesome, and tender. A Jeanne Dielman for the Instagram generation.” —Katie Skelly
“Chicago cartoonist and educator Beth Hetland’s graphic novel debut is a brilliant psychological thriller that tears down the wall of a genre — body horror — so often identified with male creators. Heady and visceral, Tender uses horrific tropes to confront women’s societal expectations of self-sacrifice despite those traditional roles often coming at the expense of female sexuality and empowerment.” —Fantagraphics
Congratulations to Beth Hetland ‘11 on the release of her graphic psychological thriller debut, TENDER, by Fantagraphics!
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Tags: Beth Hetland, CCS Alum, Fantagraphics, Graphic Novel, Horror Comic, Tender
Congratulations to Natalie Norris ‘20 for the release of her debut graphic memoir, DEAR MINI, out now via Fantagraphics! DEAR MINI began as Natalie’s thesis project while at CCS. The second and final volume of the graphic memoir will be printed in 2025.
“I first connected with Eric [at Fantagraphics] back in 2019 when I sent him some minicomics for The Center for Cartoon Studies’ Industry Day. He liked my early work so when I finished my thesis I sent him a physical copy to see if it would be something he’d be interested in. And luckily he was!” said Natalie.
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Tags: CCS Alum, Fantagraphics, Graphic Memoir, Graphic Novel, Minicomic, Natalie Norris, Schulz Library, Thesis Project
We are honored and excited to announce that two of our The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) grads and current faculty, Robyn Smith ’17 and Tillie Walden ’16, have been nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award! Both are in the running for “The Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17).”
Robyn Smith ’17 for WASH DAY DIARIES (Chronicle Books) with writer Jamila Rowser. Robyn is a 2017 graduate of CCS, was a fellow from 2021-22, and is a member of our faculty.
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Tags: CCS Alum, Clementine, Eisner Award, Eisner Nominee, Graphic Novel, Jon Chad, Liniers, Robyn Smith, Tillie Walden, Wash Day
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CCS wants your old comics! These comics and many more were donated to support CCS's BIPOC Cartoonist Fund. If you're interested in making a comic book or cash donation drop us a line.
Cartooning In An Anxious Age (pdf) is a free comic by Cara Bean on the act of drawing, which focuses your attention and intimately connects you with the generative act of creation. It’s an inspiring read.
Created for middle and high school students, Let’s Talk About It: A Graphic Guide To Mental Health is a lively and educational comic book that destigmatizes the conversation around mental health.
Using the power of comics to teach teens about the way our government works This Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governance is a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). This short comic guide helps to bring democracy back to the hands of the people by explaining what democracy actually means and how the whole thing works. This guide will be a great jumping-off point to learn about our government.
Download a free copy of The World is Made of Cheese, The Applied Cartooning Manifesto.
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