Hey there! Welcome back! In my last post, I said that I was going to discuss a mystery topic, well this weeks mystery topic is *insert drum roll...Graphic novels and comics. It's time to unleash the inner geek!
I don't usually do the whole "life blogger" thing but in this case I absolutely must. So let's begin....Shocker, no spoiler alert this week.
Technically I entered the world of the graphic novel before diving into the realm of comics, so I'm going to talk about graphic novels. Comics and my mysterious book phase will be in upcoming posts...
I say "technically" because I am UK based and the stereotypical tradition amongst parents is to get their young girls "comics" (otherwise known as the gender stereotypical girls magazines) and their young boys "actual comics" (otherwise known as hyper masculine comics). If we look at things on this basis then I grew up reading "comics", discovered graphics and then began reading "actual comics". Moving on....
I read my first comic in year 6. Back then I wasn't really into reading, I also wasn't really into playing outside with other people so I retreated into the library and found myself having to find something to read because the rules of the library stated that you had to be reading or doing homework. I really didn't want to read a "wordy" book and feared I might have to until I stumbled across the graphic novel section, which was only made up of one shelf. I picked up the first book on the shelf, which was called "Bone" and decided to give it a go. I was hooked. Within 6 months I had read the entire shelf, everything from "Twilight" to "Artemis Fowl". My English teachers at the time noticed that I was reading graphics and made numerous attempts to coax me into reading "real books" but I wasn't having any of it. I didn't care that my classmates thought it was too masculine or weird or couldn't understand why I read them, I loved them and that was that.
If you couldn't tell, I ran out of graphics pretty quick. I tried persuading the librarian/the middle school (yes, I was one of the few people in England that went to a middle school from years 6-8) but she said there wasn't enough demand. That really sucked! Naturally, not really willing to read anything else, in year 7 I ventured out onto the playground. The rest of that story is for a future blog post as it allows me to talk about my longest book phase and it really is a long story...
Fast forward to year 9. The "future post phase book type thingy" had gone on a temporary hiatus because my new English teacher wouldn't let me read those books anymore because he claimed they didn't count as "actual books". I was forced to read them in secret. It was around about this time that I grew an interest in graphic novels again, however my high school library had the absolute worst collection I had ever seen, which meant they were out of the picture.
Jump forward again to year 10. This was the year that I found my first graphic novel shop in the back of beyond. I had saved pocket money to invest in some new "nameless books" but I deemed this more important and bought my first ever graphic novel "Bone". Yes, I bought a book I had already read but let me put it this way. Books have immense sentimental value to me, I like having books that I can read over and over! I also like having at least 1 shelf full of books that I haven't read because it means that I always have something to read. Back to what I was saying, not only did I buy "Bone" but I bought books 1-3 because I had only book 1.
I devoured the books so quickly that I found myself doing jobs around the house to earn enough money to invest in more. Not just that but to earn a lift into one of the big towns/cities because I was based in the middle of no-where. My collection grew and grew, a year or 2 later, I was able to pick up some self-published graphics at London and Birmingham comic-cons, which was a truly amazing experience, and I still continue to collect them...
Okay, that's my "life blogging attempt" section over. So now you are probably wondering why I actually like graphic novels? I guess it must be a surprise considering I only talk about what most people call "real books" on this blog. That's fair enough. If it's not a surprise, that's fair enough too. I became really attached to graphics not just because I used to dislike reading (which I now love with all my heart) but because of the characters. If you know where to look, you can find representation. For me, the characters I most connected with were from "Moonstruck", which is both a graphic novel and minor comic collection (they stopped producing comics after the 1st issue in the 2nd quarter) . They are all so unique and flawed and beautiful in their own ways, they make mistakes and act like bitches at times and are utterly relatable.
I really like how graphic novels seemingly have no boundaries and you can let your brain switch off for a bit whilst reading them. Graphic novels heavily inspired numerous creative streaks throughout the years and continue to inspire me today, even though I haven't and probably couldn't make one myself. I am honestly stunned by how talented every artist is and even though I don't like every art style, fully appreciate the work that goes into them both in terms of artwork and story line.
I have to admit, it feels weird revealing myself to be a major geek/nerd, it also feels hella epic! Yes I am a geek! I am proud of it and if you are a geek, you should be too! If you are not a geek, you should embrace that whilst also supporting the geeks around you. Geek or no geek, everything is fine provided that we show each other a little bit of love/ kindness and share friendly laughs.
For those of you who are interested in exploring the wonderful world of the graphic novel and potentially becoming members of the geek club or for those of you who just want some recommendations, let me be your guide...
I have known many a potential geek apprentice bite off more than they can chew so I recommend easing your way into it. Begin by choosing a genre that you like in regular book form i.e. if you enjoy horror books then try a horror graphic novel. If you don't like what you initially choose, that's okay, keep experimenting and trying new genres until you find one you like.
At the end of the day, if you can't find a genre you like that's okay and if you decide that graphics aren't your cup of tea, fair enough. Don't force yourself to like something you don't like.
My graphic recommendations for new readers are: Bone (action, adventure, comedy, fantasy), The secret loves of geeks/geek girls (2 separate books, love, LGBTQ+, mix of comics and fully written short stories, especially recommended for people who enjoy graphics and regular books as well as people who don't want to go full graphic on their first read), Persepolis (religion, politics), Heroes (superhuman/superhero esque) This One Summer (slice of life) and Monstress (sci-fi, steampunk, gore). These recommendations are basically 1 book from each popular genre, there are a lot more genres out there and I can only recommend what I have actually read.
Reach out to people who are in the same boat as you, whether that be through genre or experience. Don't be afraid to talk to graphic novel shop owners, they love to geek out, recommend graphics and know an insane amount about the different fandoms (especially the ones they are members of). If you can't find anyone to geek out with, geek out with yourself.
Who cares if you like *insert genre graphics, you like them and you should embrace that side of yourself. I highly advise writing about your fandoms through fan fiction or just through writing in whatever form. If you want to have a go at creating a graphic for yourself, go for it! Don't feel under pressure to share anything! Don't feel under pressure to do anything you don't want to do. The geek world is what you make of it, its up for interpretation and new ideas and uniqueness and mainstreamness.
Take your time, enjoy experimenting/ figuring out who you are and where you fit into the fandom. Even if you think you don't fit in, you do. I guarantee it! There's always a space for a new comer.
Girls/women don't be intimidated by this seemingly male dominated world. There's so much room for you and so many people who are willing to let you in. Don't be ashamed to read "stereo-typically masculine graphics". Don't be ashamed to call yourself a femme geek, wear that badge with pride.
Same goes for boys/men. Also boys/men please don't feel embarrassed for reading "stereo-typically feminine graphics". Don't be ashamed to talk to femme geeks.
Those of you who identify as somewhere else on the gender spectrum, you are all equally welcome, you shouldn't feel ashamed by what you read and who you talk to, you also need to wear the geek badge with pride.
For the love of heck both mens, femmes and everything in-between, don't judge what people read! Don't judge based on experience or lake thereof, we were all newbies once!!!
Whatever you do, have fun and enjoy yourself. The geekdom is there for self expression and enjoyment above all else. Be kind to yourself and your fellow geeks/non-geeks (I know I have said this before but kindness is crazy important). It's okay to disagree, it's okay to debate, it's not okay to hurt someone, end of story. It's okay to be part of multiple geekdoms!!!
With all that said, what type of geek am I? Honestly, I'm a mix. I thoroughly enjoy fantasy (even though I'm not really into fantasy books), romance and slice of life/dramas. That being said, I will read pretty much any graphic providing it isn't horror or thriller.
I consider myself to be a solo-geek simply because I initiated myself into the fandom and found my way without any guidance. I also am not a big fan of reading graphics alongside other people and much prefer geeking out about them after I have read them. All of that aside, I will happily geek out anytime and don't mind listening to members of other realms of the geekdom geek out about their favourite genres.
I also consider myself to be a 1 graphic wonder geek because I don't really read graphics in a series. I thoroughly enjoy stand alones (both graphics and regular books) however I really enjoy reading book 1's as well. If I get seriously into a book 1, I am not opposed to reading the rest of the series.
Do I consider myself established as a geek? Absolutely yes. Do I see myself ever leaving the fandom? Heck no! I am a proud geek for life.
That's all for now, thank you so much for reading. Stay tuned for an announcement, which is also being posted tonight, and a new blog post next week, where I'll be discussing "Six the musical"...
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