Collection Development
Graphic Novel Recommendation: JEMBER by Etan Comics
Hello Everyone!
***Please note: this Kickstarter project for the Jember Vol.
1 graphic novel ends 8 April 2021!
JEMBER: Becoming Somebody HARDCOVER (African Graphic
Novel)
112-pg action/adventure story about finding your self-worth & letting go of what others think of you (with foreword by Maaza Mengiste!)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/etancomics/jemberv1
I would like to share with you an opportunity for everyone to add
an outstanding comics series to your collections that you might
not hear about otherwise as it is in its early stages of creation
and marketing. Jember is an Ethiopian superhero series set
in Addis Ababa and my family of comics and superhero geeks loves
the story and characters, eagerly waiting for the next issue to
be published.
Currently only available via Kickstarter, we have been reading
Jember since its first issue. The current campaign is a
beautiful, hardcover graphic novel ready for library circulation,
collecting the first four issues of Jember and includes an
introduction by author Maaza Mengiste, whose latest novel The Shadow King was shortlisted for the
Booker Prize.
If you are looking to diversify your graphic novel collections
and share fresh, new voices out of the mainstream to balance out
the Marvel and DC universes, here is a epic quest created by an
all-African team of writers and artists that you and your
students can look forward to supporting now and in the future
with new stories and characters.
"If you are a fan of Black Panther, Shuri, Miles Morales, and
similar coming-of-age stories then this graphic novel is for
you!"
About creator Beserat Debebe, Worcester,
MA:
Hi! I am Beserat Debebe, founder of ETAN COMICS and
writer/creator of HAWI and JEMBER. I was born and raised in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia. I fell in love with superheroes and fantasy
stories via video games, animation shows and movies I used to
watch as a kid. After coming to the US, I was introduced to the
world of comics and graphic novels. I used to spend my days in
libraries and bookstores reading them because I couldn’t afford
them. After school + a few years in the corporate world, I
finally built the courage to create the stories I’ve always
wanted to see in these books; African Fantasy and Superhero
Stories! You can reach me via email (info@etancomics.com) or on
social media (@etancomics). Enjoy the stories!
If you choose to back this project now, deadline 8 April 2021,
the graphic novels will arrive this summer. There are multiple
copy options for libraries and bookstores included, along with
other cool merch and there is now a Jember Original
Soundtrack composed, mixed and mastered in Ethiopia and added
for all backers!
Warm regards,
Kim T-D
Head of Libraries
International School of Amsterdam
Netherlands
Twitter: @kimtyodickerson, @ISA_Libraries
Thanks Kim
I will certainly be checking that out.
Kickstarter is where new artistic comic talent is coming from now, they can self publish without a heavy handed editor influencing their work. i've gotten some amazing comics from Kickstarter in the last few years.
Same here, Alan, and it's great news when a comic gets to the
hardcover volume stage, so much better for library
circulation.
I am curious about how to get digital copies of individual issues
to circulate in our digital libraries, right now we only have
Follett or Sora as options...have you found a way to do circulate
digital copies from Kickstarter, etc.?
Kim T-D
Head of Libraries and Upper School Librarian
International School of Amsterrdam
Netherlands
Twitter: @kimtyodickerson, @ISA_Libraries