SHE'S A STAR

Joëlle just told me that her book Token got a great write-up in Publishers Weekly, and sure enough, I was able to find the article online.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6621933.html

Token Alisa Kwitney and Joelle Jones DC/Minx, $9.99 paper (176p) ISBN 978-1-4012-1538-5

The Minx line of girl-themed graphic novels ends with its best book. In 1987 Miami, 15-year-old Shira dreams of old-fashioned adult glamour. Her reality is a lawyer father distracted by a new relationship with his secretary, an outspoken Jewish grandmother and mean girl classmates. Shira's painfully aware of how uncool she is. Her best friend is her grandmother's contemporary, Minerva, a former actress who talks about the old days. While the story is alternately touching and thought provoking, Jones's art is simply astounding. Her characters' expressions and attitudes are perfect in every panel to convey the emotion underlying the text. People are attractive—you want to keep your eyes on them—without being glossy or artificial. The story, while following the “life-changing turning point” focus of the Minx line, is more subtle and mature than many others. Shira's learning to make her own choices and let go of her father to have his own life, and she comes out the stronger for it. (Nov.)

The bolding is mine, obviously. Publishers Weekly is an important venue, as booksellers really pay attention to it. I'm glad that Token isn't falling under the radar without the Minx initiative still pushing behind it. It's also comforting to see another writer working with Ms. Jones getting the "the story may be good, but the art is totally better" treatment. :)

If you haven't yet bought the book, follow the button below. I'm going to go add some images to the Amazon gallery for it, too.




Current Soundtrack: The Killers, "Spaceman"