Jessica Abel Libri

A Library Journal Best Book of 2015 Go behind the scenes of seven of today’s most popular narrative radio shows and podcasts, including This American Life and RadioLab, in graphic narrative. Every week, millions of devoted fans tune in to or download This American Life, The Moth, Radiolab, Planet Money, Snap Judgment, Serial, Invisibilia and other narrative radio shows. Using personal stories to breathe life into complex ideas and issues, these beloved programs help us to understand ourselves and our world a little bit better. Each has a distinct style, but every one delivers stories that are brilliantly told and produced. Out on the Wire offers an unexpected window into this new kind of storytelling—one that literally illustrates the making of a purely auditory medium. With the help of This American Life's Ira Glass, Jessica Abel, a cartoonist and devotee of narrative radio, uncovers just how radio producers construct narrative, spilling some juicy insider details. Jad Abumrad of RadioLab talks about chasing moments of awe with scientists, while Planet Money’s Robert Smith lets us in on his slightly goofy strategy for putting interviewees at ease. And Abel reveals how mad—really mad—Ira Glass becomes when he receives edits from his colleagues. Informative and engaging, Out on the Wire demonstrates that narrative radio and podcasts are creating some of the most exciting and innovative storytelling available today.

Features excerpts from graphic novels, pamphlet comics, newspapers, magazines, mini-comics, and the Web, from Chris Ware, Seth, Alison Bechdel, and Matt Groening, among others

Bestselling author and rockstar of the comic world Neil Gaiman delivers a remarkable collection of the year's best graphic stories and comics.

Collecting the complete Eisner-nominated series by Jessica Abel!

200 years in the future, Trish Trash Nupindju lives on the newly inhabited Mars, where settlers survive under harsh conditions. Multiracial Trish feels trapped by her circumstances, and dreams of becoming a hoverderby star. When a half-dead Martian appears on her doorstep, Trish decides to help her rather than calling the Guards.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico City, the story follows Carla, an American seeking to reconnect with her roots and estranged father. Staying with her former lover, Harry, who indulges in a bohemian lifestyle, Carla immerses herself in the culture, exploring iconic sites and learning Spanish. Tensions arise as Harry's initial acceptance of her presence turns into frustration when he realizes she plans to stay indefinitely, leading to a clash of expectations and desires.

I’m psyched. I’m totally psyched. I’m not a loser. Who the hell am I kidding? Life sucks for Dave Miller—he’s broke, girlfriendless, and stuck in a dead-end job. Life sucks harder because his job is night manager at the Last Stop, LA’s finest vampire-owned 24-hour convenience store. Dave’s facing an eternity of turning the hot dogs and installing pork cracklins displays for Radu, his crappy boss and Vampire Master. It’s bad enough that Dave is clinging to his days as a vegetarian by refusing to feed off of humans, leaving him weak as a kitten and so not capable of superhuman feats of strength. But when he finds himself competing with psychotic surfer-vamp Wes for the affections of Rosa, a beautiful mortal with a romantic fixation on the dark side, life is about as sucky as it can possibly get.

“A gold mine of essential information for every aspiring comics artist. Highly recommended.” — Scott McCloudDrawing Words and Writing Pictures is a course on comic creation – for college classes or for independent study – that centers on storytelling and concludes with making a finished comic. With chapters on lettering, story structure, and panel layout, the fifteen lessons offered – each complete with homework, extra credit activities and supplementary reading suggestions – provide a solid introduction for people interested in making their own comics. Additional resources, lessons, and after-class help are available on the DW-WP website.

Originally published in French as: Trish Trash: rollergirl sur Mars.

Original title: Trish Trash, rollergirl sur Mars.