Graphic Classics announces AFRICAN AMERICAN CLASSICS edition

The Graphic Classics line of comics anthologies has been around for over a decade without getting much attention the comics world — but in libraries, they love these thoughtfully produced collections of comics adaptations of single authors or themes. And here’s a neat idea that comics haven’t really covered before: early black authors such as Florence Lewis Bently, Charles Chestnutt, Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. Editor Lance Tooks has rounded up a fine slate of cartoonists for the adaptations, including Kyle Baker, Afua Richardson, Christopher Priest and Trevor von Eeden.

Worth a look:

Eureka Productions is pleased to announce the release of African-American Classics: Graphic Classics Volume 22, the newest volume in the Graphic Classics® series of comics adaptations of great literature.

African-American Classics presents comics adaptations of great stories and poems by America’s earliest black authors, illustrated by contemporary black artists. The volume is co-edited by Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks, a longtime contributing artist to the series. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to expose young readers of all races to a group of brilliant American authors who’ve never been adapted into the comics medium, interpreted by some of our industry’s top talent,” states Lance.

This volume presents stories including “Two Americans” by Florence Lewis Bentley, “The Goophered Grapevine” by Charles W. Chesnutt, “Becky” by Jean Toomer, two short plays by Zora Neale Hurston, and six more tales of humor and tragedy. Also featured are graphic interpretations of eleven poems, including Langston Hughes’ “The Negro,” Claude McKay’s “America,” and Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Sympathy.”

The comics adaptations and illustrations are by some of the best black talent in the comics and illustration fields today, including Kyle Baker, Alex Simmons, Christopher Priest, Afua Richardson, Trevor Von Eeden, Jeremy Love and Milton Knight.

The Graphic Classics series presents the works of great authors in comics adaptations and heavily-illustrated text. The adaptations are written at an adult level, and utilize as much of the author’s original language as possible. Our goal is to create books that are enjoyable for adults, yet accessible to children ages twelve and up. Graphic Classics are available in bookstores and comics shops nationally, or direct from the publisher, Eureka Productions at http: ⁄ ⁄ www.graphicclassics.com. Libraries and schools can order from Diamond Book Distributors, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Follett or other distributors.  

The Graphic Classics series:
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: EDGAR ALLAN POE  (978-0-9825630-0-7)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (978-0-9746648-5-9)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: H.G. WELLS  (978-0-9746648-3-5)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: H.P. LOVECRAFT  (978-0-9746648-9-7)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: JACK LONDON  (978-0-9746648-8-0)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: AMBROSE BIERCE  (978-0-9787919-5-7)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: BRAM STOKER  (978-0-9787919-1-9)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: MARK TWAIN  (978-0-9787919-2-6)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON  (978-0-9746648-0-4)
HORROR CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Ten  (978-0-9746648-1-1)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: O. HENRY  (978-0-9746648-2-8)
ADVENTURE CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Twelve  (978-0-9746648-4-2)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: RAFAEL SABATINI  (978-0-9746648-6-6)
GOTHIC CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Fourteen  (978-0-9787919-0-2)
FANTASY CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Fifteen  (978-0-9787919-3-3)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: OSCAR WILDE (978-0-9787919-6-4)
SCIENCE FICTION CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Seventeen  (978-0-9787919-7-1)
GRAPHIC CLASSICS: LOUISA MAY ALCOTT (978-0-9787919-8-8)
CHRISTMAS CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Nineteen (978-0-9825630-1-4)
WESTERN CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume Twenty (978-0-9787919-9-5)
EDGAR ALLAN POE’S TALES OF MYSTERY: Graphic Classics Volume 21 (978-0-9825630-2-1)
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CLASSICS: Graphic Classics Volume 22 (978-0-9825630-4-5)