Graphic novels are a brilliant way of encouraging and promoting reading for pleasure amongst students but are unfortunately an underused resource in schools. I am very proud of the Stan Lee Excelsior Award (and its spin-off for younger children, the Stan Lee Excelsior Award Junior!) and of its versatility and its ability to engage thousands of school children all over the UK, irrespective of their reading ability, their age, their gender and their cultural background. I am really excited about finalising the next shortlist over the next few weeks!
Quotes from librarians and teachers on the Excelsior Award website, show that the reading groups have been met with huge enthusiasm by children and young people, and that they have been successful in drawing new readers into the school library.
So what are the prize winning comics that have attracted these new readers?
Acknowledgements Many thanks to Paul Register for responding to my queries.
Young People’s Comic Award Winners and 2015 Shortlist
Hilda and the Black Hound, by Luke Pearson, Flying Eye Books, 978- 1-9092-6318-5, £12.95
Hilda and the Midnight Giant, by Luke Pearson, Flying Eye Books, 978-1-9077-0425-3, £12.95
The Complete Rainbow Orchid, by Garen Ewing, Egmont, 978-1- 4052-6385-6, £14.99
Cindy and Biscuit Vol 1: We Love Trouble, by Dan White, Milk the Cat Comics, Self-published, £10.00, https://milkthecat.wordpress. com/the-shop/
The first Excelsior winner was Black Butler by Yana Toboso. This is the first volume in a manga series about a teenager who is working in league with a demon (in disguise as his butler) in order to avenge his parents’ murder. The 2012 winner was Star Wars: Blood Ties by Tom Taylor and Chris Scalf, a story from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on bounty hunters Jango and Boba Fett.
From 2013 up until 2015 superheroes have won the day. In 2013 the prize fell to Supergirl: Last Daughter of Krypton by Michael Green, Mike Johnson and Mahmud Asrar, which tells the tale of Superman’s cousin – Kara Zor-El – and her struggle to cope with life after her crash-landing on Earth decades after the destruction of her home planet. Last year’s winner was Earth 2: The Gathering by James Robinson and Nicola Scott. Part of DC’s THE NEW 52 series, this comic sees new heroes step in to take the place of Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman, in this story from an alternate universe. This year’s winner was Superman/Wonder Woman: Power Couple by Charles Soule and Tony S. Daniel which explores the trials and perils of romance between two all-powerful superheroes.
Meanwhile, the winner of the first Excelsior Junior Award was Bunny vs Monkey: Book One by Jamie Smart. First published as a weekly comic in The Phoenix, Bunny vs Monkey tells the tale of Monkey, Skunky, Le Fox and their battles with the well-meaning (if sometimes less-than-intelligent) inhabitants of the woods – Bunny, Pig and Weenie.
While this article has highlighted the winning titles, it is well worth checking out the award websites, as there are many other excellent titles with varied themes and art-styles on the British Comic Awards and Excelsior Award shortlists.
Gary’s Garden Book 1 1-9102-0009-4, £6.99
Ghost Cat’s Pedigree Chums, by Craig Conlan, Self-published, £6.50,
http://craigscomicland.bigcartel.com/product/ghost-cat-s- pedigree-chums
, by EdieOP, Avery Hill Publishing, 978-1-9103-9507-3, £11.99
Star Cat Book 01, by James Turner, David Fickling Books, 978-1- 9102-0006-3, £7.99
Excelsior Award and Excelsior Junior Award Junior Winners
Black Butler, by Yana Toboso, Yen Pres, 978-0-3160-8084-2, £6.99
Star Wars: Blood Ties, by Tom Taylor and Chris Scalf, Titan Books, 978-0-8576-8129-4, £10.99
Supergirl: Last Daughter of Krypton, by Michael Green, Mike Johnson and Mahmud Asrar, DC Comics, 978-1-4012-3680-9, £10.99
Earth 2: The Gathering, by James Robinson and Nicola Scott, DC Comics, 978-1-4012-4281-7, £10.99
Superman/Wonder Woman: Power Couple, by Charles Soule and Tony S. Daniel, DC Comics, 978-1-4012-5346-2, 12.99
Bunny vs Monkey: Book One, by Jamie Smart, David Fickling Books, 978-1-9102-0007-0, £6.99
Hannah Sackett works part-time as school librarian at Widcombe Junior School, Bath, where she runs an after-school comic club. She also works as a freelance educator.
Books for Keeps No.215 November 2015 15
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