Synopses & Reviews
and#8220;Itand#8217;s the perfect book to pick up to restore your faith in comics or help show infinite diversity in infinite combinations on display on paper using the worldand#8217;s greatest artform.and#8221; and#8212; Comics Bulletin The Best American Comics showcases the work of both established and up-and-coming contributors and highlights both fiction and nonfiction and#8212; from graphic novels, pamphlet comics, newspapers, magazines, minicomics, and the Web and#8212; to make a unique, stunning collection. Frank Miller (Sin City, 300) called guest editor Scott McCloud and#8220;just about the smartest guy in comics.and#8221;
Review
andquot;McCloud could be the mediumandrsquo;s foremost deep thinker...There is much to be gained from his comprehensive embrace of the form and his nuanced, knowledgeable, and friendly essays preceding each of the themed sections...A master class in how to find the universally accessible in the intimately personal and transform images into emotions...Every page drives home the point that, if you can add only one book to your adult graphic-novel collection this year, this has got to be it.andquot; --
Booklist, starred review
andquot;The latest annual roundup is more ambitious and conceptually audacious than is usual for any andquot;Best Americanandquot; series...The spirit of discovery makes this a good launching point for readers interested in the genreand#39;s variety and limitless possibility.andquot; --Kirkus
andquot;Ever-essential...the widest-ranging comics collection of its kind...selected pieces are varied and absolutely vital...McCloudandrsquo;s entertaining and conversational introductions to each section educate and enlighten...offers readers the opportunity to discover new styles and a sense of the range of genres in the graphic novel world.andquot; --Publishers Weekly
Review
andquot;Keeps raising the bar for comics as an art form.andquot; --
USA Today andquot;A wide-ranging journey of 35 comics and interstitial text pieces that thoroughly engage the lifetime comics reader and the uninitiated alike...One splendidly eclectic trek, with McCloud as our especially articulate Sherpa.andquot; --The Washington Postand#160;andquot;A gorgeous book that does right by its subject matter...With its smart format and context, and#39;The Best American Comics 2014and#39; not only manages to unite clashing styles under one roof, it also makes an intimidatingly vast world of gorgeous, often challenging art accessible to a general audience.andquot; --The Denver Postand#160;andquot;This edition may be the best one yet...[McCloud] constructs this collection in an interesting and thoughtful way that makes these excerpts of some of the yearandrsquo;s best comics fit together in a cohesive manner.andquot; --Miami Heraldand#160;andquot;If thereand#39;s one thing Scott McCloud is better at than making comics, itand#39;sexplaining comics, which makes him the best possible editor for this yearand#39;s Best American Comics. McCloudand#39;s volume is surprising, delightful, diverse, brave and endlessly wonderful.andquot; --Boing, Boingand#160;andquot;The Best American Comics 2014 is the best edition of The Best American Comics to ever be published...The best book Iand#39;ve ever read in the whole Best American series. Itand#39;s informative, funny, surprising, and a satisfying reading experience on its own. This should be the book that every Best American guest editor aspires to emulate in years to come.andquot; --The Strangerand#160;andquot;Whether you want a laugh, intrigue, romance, or just plain weird, thereandrsquo;s something for everyone in this hardcover book.andquot; --The Awesomer
andquot;McCloud could be the mediumandrsquo;s foremost deep thinker...There is much to be gained from his comprehensive embrace of the form and his nuanced, knowledgeable, and friendly essays preceding each of the themed sections...A master class in how to find the universally accessible in the intimately personal and transform images into emotions...Every page drives home the point that, if you can add only one book to your adult graphic-novel collection this year, this has got to be it.andquot; --Booklist, starred review
andquot;The latest annual roundup is more ambitious and conceptually audacious than is usual for any andquot;Best Americanandquot; series...The spirit of discovery makes this a good launching point for readers interested in the genreand#39;s variety and limitless possibility.andquot; --Kirkus
andquot;Ever-essential...the widest-ranging comics collection of its kind...selected pieces are varied and absolutely vital...McCloudandrsquo;s entertaining and conversational introductions to each section educate and enlighten...offers readers the opportunity to discover new styles and a sense of the range of genres in the graphic novel world.andquot; --Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
STORIES BY
JP Ahonen
Matthew Armstrong
Bannister
Jason Caffoe
Scott Campbell
Tony Cliff
Cory Godbey
Grimaldi
Der-shing Helmer
Kostas Kiriakakis
Nicholas Kole
Sonny Liew
Leland Myrick
Jake Parker
Katie Shanahan
Steven Shanahan
Kean Soo
Kyla Vanderklugt
Dermot Walshe
Synopsis
Scott McCloud, "just about the smartest guy in comics" (Frank Miller), picks the best graphic pieces of the year.