Guy Delisle finds himself living in one of the world's most guarded and secretive cultures in Pyongyang, North Korea's capitol. Unbeknownst to me, North Korea is an animation haven, many of its artists work on developing frames in conjunction with French and Italian film studios. While working on animation projects, Delisle chronicles his observations of daily life and the state of the country. North Korea has the appearance of perfection, a noble goal in a communist society. The people are educated, and the infrastructure is stable. Not only do its citizens adhere to their government's rules and standards, but everyone seems to idolize their leaders, Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. Through Delisle's illustrated memoir, he gives a scrutinizing account of a closed society.

I stumbled across this gem while searching for the DVD of the award-winning documentary of the same name. Ari Folman was a member of the Israeli army in the early 1980's. His patrol was involved in the massacre of hundreds or thousands of Palestinians, yet Folman was unable to remember his personal whereabouts during the slaughter. Although his memory is faulty, he attempts to recreate his time spent in the war. Interviews with his fellow soldiers help him to fill in the gaps, as he realizes his memory may not be as solid as he once believed. The horrors of war resonate with Folman's conscious as he pieces together his past and comes to terms with his personal involvement.

Pride of Baghdad by Brian Vaughn.

When the United States bombed Iraq in 2003, civilians weren't the only casualty. This graphic novel is based on the true story of four lions that escaped captivity from the Baghdad zoo, and were loose on the streets of Baghdad. For the first time, these domesticated animals must find their own food and defend themselves against predators. The illustrations showcase the harsh, violent realities of a city caught in the mist of war. This book is not intended for weak stomachs. War is violence, and this book emphasizes how it affects all members of a society, including the animal world.

Visually, this book is complex and intricate and it can take a very long time to read each page simply because there is so much to look at.  Barry's illustrations are whimsical and chock-full of hidden delights and tiny treasures, but they are not without a darker side.  Tiny ghost-like creatures hover around the margins and many of the drawings and collages are unsettling and often quite haunting.  Like much of Barry's work, What It Is is layered and messy, punctuated by bright spots of clarity and humor - sort of like life itself.

Don't worry about what it is.  Just read it and enjoy it.

The Big Skinny: How I Changed My Fattitude is a funny and very honest graphic novel that chronicles Lay's life-long battle with being overweight, the changes she made to lose the weight, and her success in keeping those 30 pounds off for good.  Told in short chapters, Lay alternates her story with straightforward and practical information on diet, exercise, and nutrition.  What she also includes is some fascinating information on food and human behavior.  And, while it may seem like there are so many obstacles to overcome in order to lose weight (genetics!  hidden calories! sabotaging co-workers!), Lay explains things in a way that makes weight loss a realistic and attainable goal.  

We've been hearing it for years, but what really resonates here is the simplicity of Lay's philosophy:  Think before you eat.  Pay attention to calories and nutrition labels. Eat real food.  Exercise.  It sounds easy, but it can be so difficult!  Lay teaches you, in very simple ways, how to do all these things without disrupting normal life or feeling like you are totally deprived.  Yes, you will have to make some fundamental lifestyle changes, but the rewards are worth the effort.  And when you've made those changes, nothing can sway you. Not even George Clooney with an egg and sausage biscuit.

Skim is not. Skim that is. In Skim, a graphic novel by Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, Skim is Kimberly Keiko, a mixed-race, not-slim, Goth-girl and wannabe Wiccan searching for her own place in the private girls' school she attends with her best friend, Lisa. When the boyfriend of a classmate commits suicide, the place becomes downright oppressive as Skim's peers target her dark moods and darker wardrobe. Enter Ms. Archer, Skim's free-free-spirited drama teacher. Suddenly, Skim finds meaning in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The two begin a romantic relationship that leaves Skim questioning her sexuality and, when it ends, her self-worth. Ultimately, it is in reaching out to Katie, girlfriend of the boy who committed suicide, that Skim finds her voice again.

Through the lens of a few years, and the comfort of a grownup chair, the age of 16 is easier to bear. This graphic novel was published for a teen audience but adults will empathize with Skim's growing pains. The book is set in early 1990s Toronto and its panels feature details that will take adult readers back to their own school days. Adolescent anxiety may be a painful thing to remember, but here it is drawn in flowing black-and-white.  The novel's sharp dialogue and the school's reaction to the suicide are eerily reminiscent of the 1989 Christian Slater-Winona Ryder movie, Heathers.  

Pairing an elegant package and a winning voice,  Skim will resonate with teen and adult readers alike.

The influx of manga into the American graphic novel market has made for a dizzying array of choices. A nice side effect of this is that there are more graphic novels available with female main characters and romantic, as well as adventurous, subplots. One of the shojo manga (manga aimed at women and girls) that I greatly enjoy reading is the series Red River. It is long, twenty-eight volumes total, some of which are still forthcoming, but the adventure is nonstop!

A spell sends Yuri, a young Japanese teen, back in time to the ancient Hittite Empire. Queen Nakia, the sorceress who cast the spell, wants to use Yuri as a blood sacrifice to ensure that her son becomes the next king. While trying to escape the evil queen, Yuri stumbles upon Prince Kail, one of the brothers in line for the throne. He mistakenly thinks that Yuri is a tool of his conniving stepmother. When he realizes that she's just an innocent pawn, he promises to protect her until they can figure out a way to send her home. Of course, when the prince spends so much time with Yuri, everyone else assumes she is his concubine. Kail decides that Yuri will be safest if they continue to let everyone believe that they are lovers. This keeps Yuri out of Queen Nakia's clutches, but conflicts with other empires, notably Egypt, soon draw Kail away from the palace, leaving Yuri vulnerable on several fronts. She must learn to navigate the brutal landscape of the ancient world, protecting herself and sometimes Kail as well. After one adventure, Yuri is declared an avatar of Ishtar, the Hittite goddess of love and war. The army believes that with her at Prince Kail's side, they can defeat any enemy. This declaration binds Kail and Yuri even closer together, and, as more time passes, Yuri isn't sure she wants to leave Kail at all, even if it means missing her chance to go home.

With clean, crisp artwork and a good sense of drama and suspense, Red River is an easy, fun read. Personally, I often struggle with the love triangles that drive most manga storylines. Thankfully, Red River doesn't revolve around one. Rivals for Kail and Yuri's love pop up from time to time, but none are serious threats. The obstacles they face are usually more diverse, political machinations and continuous warfare chief amongst them. Their love affair is racy enough to be amusing and sweet enough to be heart-warming. Readers looking for a romantic adventure will find one here.