Recommended Books

This week, the much anticipated Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World hits screens around the globe, to the collective cheer of comic nerds everywhere. The film is based on the series of graphic novels by Brian Lee O'Malley, which combine martial arts, shojo-worthy smooching, and some serious rocking out. Scott Pilgrim, while currently the hottest rock-themed comic out there, is by no means the only one worth reading. Here are a couple of other music manga and graphic novels that you can find at your local library.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

(2005) Harurudo Sakuishi

Koyuki is a wallflower who isn't particularly good at anything other than getting beat up. Little does he know how dramatically his life will change when he rescues a dog from some bullies. In doing so, he earns the gratitude of its owner, Ryūsuke. Fresh back in Japan from the United States, Ryūsuke introduces Koyuki to American Rock, Blues and Rap. More importantly, he may have given Koyuki a way to win the heart of the girl of his dreams! 

The Apocalipstix

(2008) Ray Fawkes

Mandy, Megumi and Dot are Apocalipstix, the hottest band around. Or at least they would have been, if there hadn't been a nuclear war that destroyed most of the known world. In this Mad Max meets Josie and the Pussycats creation, Ray Fawkes pits his three indomitable heroines against mutant ants, road pirates, and legions of gross horny dudes.

Garage Band

(2007) Gipi

Guliano's father has lent him the garage to use as a rehearsal space for his band, as long as he stays out of trouble. Over a hot summer, he and his three friends, Stefano, Alberto and Alex explore class tension, morality and the lengths they will go to for their music. This beautiful graphic novel by Italian cartoonist Gipi explores each of the young men's perspectives in turn through a muted palette of watercolour illustrations.

This is a Souvenir: The Songs of Spearmint & Shirley Lee

(2009) Various Artists

In the LP-sized This is a Souvenir, over forty comic artists and writers have collaborated to interpret the songs of British indie group Spearmint and its lead singer, Shirley Lee. The wide range of styles and media the various artists employ stand in as an excellent representation of the musical range of the performers they illustrate.

Neil Young's Greendale

(2010) Josh Dysart

While not a comic about music per se, Neil Young's Greendale belongs to the canon of rock comics, if only due to the musical inspiration for the book. Guided by Canuck Rocker Neil Young, Josh Dysart's graphic novel is a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of war in the Middle East and pending ecological meltdown.

This week, the much anticipated Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World hits screens around the globe, to the collective cheer of comic nerds everywhere. The film is based on the series of graphic novels by Brian Lee O'Malley, which combine martial arts, shojo-worthy smooching, and some serious rocking out. Scott Pilgrim, while currently the hottest rock-themed comic out there, is by no means the only one worth reading. Here are a couple of other music manga and graphic novels that you can find at your local library.

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad

(2005) Harurudo Sakuishi

Koyuki is a wallflower who isn't particularly good at anything other than getting beat up. Little does he know how dramatically his life will change when he rescues a dog from some bullies. In doing so, he earns the gratitude of its owner, Ryūsuke. Fresh back in Japan from the United States, Ryūsuke introduces Koyuki to American Rock, Blues and Rap. More importantly, he may have given Koyuki a way to win the heart of the girl of his dreams! 

The Apocalipstix

(2008) Ray Fawkes

Mandy, Megumi and Dot are Apocalipstix, the hottest band around. Or at least they would have been, if there hadn't been a nuclear war that destroyed most of the known world. In this Mad Max meets Josie and the Pussycats creation, Ray Fawkes pits his three indomitable heroines against mutant ants, road pirates, and legions of gross horny dudes.

Garage Band

(2007) Gipi

Guliano's father has lent him the garage to use as a rehearsal space for his band, as long as he stays out of trouble. Over a hot summer, he and his three friends, Stefano, Alberto and Alex explore class tension, morality and the lengths they will go to for their music. This beautiful graphic novel by Italian cartoonist Gipi explores each of the young men's perspectives in turn through a muted palette of watercolour illustrations.

This is a Souvenir: The Songs of Spearmint & Shirley Lee

(2009) Various Artists

In the LP-sized This is a Souvenir, over forty comic artists and writers have collaborated to interpret the songs of British indie group Spearmint and its lead singer, Shirley Lee. The wide range of styles and media the various artists employ stand in as an excellent representation of the musical range of the performers they illustrate.

Neil Young's Greendale

(2010) Josh Dysart

While not a comic about music per se, Neil Young's Greendale belongs to the canon of rock comics, if only due to the musical inspiration for the book. Guided by Canuck Rocker Neil Young, Josh Dysart's graphic novel is a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of war in the Middle East and pending ecological meltdown.