Toonseum director Joe Wos has been rediscovering some old favorites, and discovering some groundbreaking new graphic novels.
Joe's comic picks for adult readers:
Charles Addams, My Crowd
Charles Addams was the creator of the Addams Family — the warped and gruesome stars of magazine cartoons, a TV show and two movies. According to those who knew him, Addams was as strange as some of his characters. -NPR
Alan Moore, Batman: The Killing Joke
Alan Moore cemented his reputation for unparalleled storytelling with wildly acclaimed books such as WATCHMEN and V FOR VENDETTA. Here he takes on some of DC's most classic characters, offering his unforgettable version of the disturbing relationship between the Dark Knight and his greatest foe, the Joker.In this groundbreaking work, Moore creates a twisted tale of insanity and human perseverance. Looking to prove that any man can be pushed past his breaking point to madness, the Joker attempts to drive Commissioner Gordon insane. Refusing to give up, Gordon struggles to maintain his sanity with the help of Batman in a desperate effort to best the madman. - DC Comics
Ed Piskor, Wizzywig
Inspired by the incredible stories of real-life hackers, WIZZYWIG is the thrilling tale of a master manipulator -- his journey from precocious child scammer to federally-wanted fugitive, and beyond. In a world transformed by social networks, data leaks, and digital uprisings, Ed Piskor's debut graphic novel reminds us how much power can rest in the hands of an audacious kid with a keyboard. - Top Shelf
Speaking Volumes is a weekly conversation on books and reading. The program airs on 90.5 WESA Mondays during Morning Edition, and Wednesdays during Essential Pittsburgh.
