Just a thought: would you enjoy a “graphic novel club” that operates like the book club? I didn’t put one together because I don’t have that much experience with 'em, but that’s what book clubs are for, right? If there’s interest, I’d be happy to set up a system just like the book club for 'em.
Hrmm. I dunno. I suppose because I think they should hold their own in the book club, but I can see that having a distinct group would be an advantage.
Maybe alternate them?
Based on conversation from the latest podcast, and from the sparse chatter from the January read (which, I know, varies from book to book), I’d vote for maybe making graphic novels elligible for the monthly vote. Also, from my spread-thin-and-pressed-for-time perspective, it’s hard enough to keep up with all the re-watches and other running discussions as it is. Something like Watchmen or Dark Knight or Sandman, I venture to say, has enough meat for a good month of discussion.
As always, Pike and I agree. Splitting off graphic novels runs the risk of them being treated as “other” which is a challenge. There are good graphic novels, and then there are great graphic novels. Watchmen, Sandman, Maus, Dark Knight…these are epic stories rich with character, plot and meaning, beautifully crafted and expertly executed.
My two cubits are to keep them together. In my mind splitting off graphic novels from books is akin to splitting off scifi from discussions about great movies. “Oh…it is scifi? Well…how good can it be?” <shudder> You all know what I mean.
I still will never forgive the NY Times for reclassifying Harry Potter as a children’s book to get it off the top 20 books.
grrr.
Dark Knight Returns is pretty much tops, but I’d also like to suggest Powers - very cool series of graphic novels…
Simply put, the separation of Graphic Novels from all other literature sort of rears its ugly little head. As inadvertent as this obviously was on Chuck’s part I just think it’s funny the way people will always sort of split comics and Graphic Novels into their own little category. I also would like to applaud every one who responded to keep the books gathered into one place, the reason that I find GWC and the forum so incredible is the way that so many people of like mind can gather free of any judgments or harsh criticism. Chuck, keep 'em all together bro, much love.
My two quatloos? Keep graphic novels eligible for the regular book club. As others have pointed out, in some ways a book is a book; also, just because things have been sort of (surprisingly, given the affinity to BSG) quiet with DADoES doesn’t mean it will always be so. And, I don’t want to have to acquire two books a month to keep up with you good folks at GWC! 