Welcome to Tranquility

Author: Gail Simone

Bibliographic Info:

Simone, Gail. (2008). Welcome to Tranquility. La Jolla, CA: Wildstorm Productions.

Descriptive Summary:

What happens when old superheroes get put out to pasture? Apparently they retire to Tranquility. Tranquility is a city whose citizenry is made up of superheroes with their glory days behind them, their often superpowered descendents, their former enemies, and the non-powered law enforcement who attempt to keep the peace. The local sheriff, the granddaughter of the mysterious Black Glider, has her work cut out for when a murder of a beloved former hero occurs. Those involved are reluctant to talk and there are hints of something sinister bubbling beneath the surface of this superhero paradise.

Evaluative comments with rating: 3/5 TVs – Better than most of what’s on TV

Gail Simone is one of the better comic book writers in the industry and usually manages to combine wit and humour with strong female characters, Welcome to Tranquility is no exception. Unfortunately, Welcome to Tranquility tries to do a little too much within its confines. “Historical” material is introduced alongside the story’s present-day narrative and rather than enhancing the storytelling, it detracts from it and confuses the reader. Welcome to Tranquility is a fun post-modern take on superheroes (think a more lighthearted Watchmen), but it works best for readers who have a solid handle on superhero comics, but might be a little tired of superhero conventions.

Suggested Audience (age range): 14+

Readers’ advisory notes (appeal factors/readalikes):

Appeal factors: Action-packed, intricately plotted, plot-driven, world-building, funny, suspenseful, offbeat

Readalikes: The Watchmen - Alan Moore, 1963 – Alan Moore, Astro City – Kurt Busiek, Young Heroes in Love – Dan Raspler, America’s Best Comics – Alan Moore, Ex Machina – Brian K. Vaughan

Booktalking hook:

Sheriff Lindo: That harmless old guy? That used to be the most powerful maxi goin'. Had a magic word that turned him from an accountant into a superhero. Only, he had an accident. Forgot the word. Now he reads dictionaries, every single word, all day long, tryin' to find that word again. That one's Hebrew, I think. These people, Collette. They told the Nazis to shove it. Sometimes literally. Don't make them a punchline.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the author’s prior works.

Thomasina Lindo (main character) of Welcome to Tranquility was named Best Female Character in the Glyph Comic Awards

Category: Graphic Novel/Mystery

21: The Story of Roberto Clemente

Author: Wilfred Santiago

Bibliographic Info:

Santiago, Wilfred. (2011). 21: The story of Roberto Clemente. Seattle: Fantagraphic Books.

Descriptive Summary:

A beautifully illustrated look into one of baseball’s greatest icons, 21 is not a pedestrian and cursory summation of Clemente’s career. Wilfred Santiago looks at the boy who would grow into one of Latin America’s most inspiring heroes and examines Clemente as a whole. From Clemente’s beginnings in Puerto Rico to his World Series win with Pittsburgh’s beloved Bucs to his unforgettable 3,000^th hit, 21 looks at every facet of the namesake of Major League Baseball’s humanitarian award.

Evaluative comments with rating: 

 5/5 TVs – Worth throwing out your TV for.

Santiago’s storytelling blends Clemente’s most historic public moments with private and personal experiences that did just as much to shape his humanity and his sense of justice. It’s this full-bodied approach to Clemente and his journey that conveys to the reader just how important Clemente was, not only to baseball, but the people of Latin America. 21 is never fully historical or personal and it moves between the two types of storytelling without too many hiccups – blending fact and anecdotes. Never pedantic or preachy, 21 mirrors the grace and style that Clemente displayed on and off the field, coupled with the substance that made him an everlasting legend.

Suggested Audience (age range): 14+ (for some mildly offensive language)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: character-driven, bittersweet, inspirational, richly detailed, moving

Readlikes: The Golem’s Mighty Swing – James Sturm, King – Ho Che Anderson, Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow – James Sturm

Booktalking hook: Read the introduction of the book aloud to teens and show them the illustrations from Clemente’s final game.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the subject material, positive online reviews, and a beautiful design.

• One of Library Journal's Best Books 2011: Graphic Novels
• One of Booklist's Top 10 Graphic Novels: 2012 (for 2011 books)
• Finalist for the 2011 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book from Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine
• One of ALA/YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

Category: Award-winning, Historical, Graphic Novel