Synopses & Reviews
From
Maus and
American Splendor to
Persepolis and
Blankets, graphic novels have emerged as a vital forum for memoirs and semi-autobiographical tales.
It's a Bird..., written by Steven T. Seagle (Vertical; Sandman: Mystery Theater) with painted art by European artist Teddy Kristiansen (House of Secrets), is a personal story that details one writer's attempt to find his missing father, come to terms with his family's legacy of Huntington's disease, reconcile with his girlfriend, and stave off writer's block. If that sounds like a job for Superman, well, that's the problem.
The semi-autobiographical Steve Seagle of It's a Bird... should be celebrating. He's been offered a plum assignment: the opportunity to write the ongoing Superman comic book. But when his father disappears, Steve is confronted by his family's history of Huntington's and the possibility that he and his father might have the disease. He is desperate to track down his father and needs to explain to his girlfriend why he might be reluctant to have children. The last thing that he has time for is to put together a proposal for Superman, but his editor keeps calling and needs an answer: can he, will he, write Superman?
Review
"Seagle's writing has the vérité of American Splendor's Harvey Pekar; Kristiansen's art is spare and limber; the book's payoff is satisfying and wise." David Colton, USA Today
Review
"It's a Bird... does something unique with the graphic novel....[I]t's well worth the time of any reader." San Francisco Chronicle
Review
"Kristiansen's expert illustration in a variety of styles adds a polish that smooths over the awkward passages in Seagle's sometimes overearnest script." Gordon Flagg, Booklist
Review
"Teddy Kristiansen's painted art remains stunning throughout..." The Onion
Review
"It's dynamically intelligent and emotionally painted. I read it in the morning and in the afternoon I read it again." Victor LaValle, author of The Ecstatic and slapboxing with jesus
Review
"Spellbinding and timely." Grant Morrison, author of The Invisibles and JLA
Synopsis
Gorgeously painted by European artist Teddy Kristiansen, It's a Bird... is a Superman story that doesn't feature Superman at all. Rather, this unique graphic novel explores what the icon of Superman means to the world. Told from the perspective of an author who has written tales about Superman, this book examines the overwhelming effect that the Man of Steel has had on society. A compelling narrative told in a variety of experimental styles,
It's a Bird... weaves two interlocking stories: one that ultimately scrutinizes our own mortality and another that dissects the symbolic and cultural elements which make up Superman's mythic importance. SUGGESTED FOR MATURE READERS.