The Beat is a proud sponsor of Comix Experience’s Graphic Novel of the Month Clubs, which bring comics fans a curated mix of the best of new release graphic novels and conversations with the creators who make them. Each month, the staff of Comix Experience votes on two sets of upcoming books they are most excited—one gets presented to adults and another to middle readers. Each club provides swag like original signed custom bookplates for adults or buttons and magnets for the kids (in this case, the latter, to support the featured book, The Deep & Dark Blue).
Most excitingly, the Graphic Novel Clubs bring in the creators of selected books to talk exclusively to GNC members in interviews conducted by Comix Experience owner Brian Hibbs, who brings 30 years of experience in comics to the table. These talks are livestreamed to members all over the country and are a fun and informative mix of conversation on craft and form, as well as on the business of making comics. The Graphic Novel Clubs make a point of being inclusive, inviting creators from a wide variety of age, race, sex, and cultural perspectives to speak to members.
Membership is what propels these conversations, so if you like what you see, please support these discussions of comics, and the creators who make them, by joining the club.
Today: Brian Hibbs talks to The Deep & Dark Blue author Niki Smith. Previously nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for her Iron Circus comic, Crossplay, Smith’s most recent work from Little, Brown follows two twins in a time of political upheaval. After a political coup usurps their noble houses, they’re forced to go on the run and change their identities to survive – and eventually find themselves in the care of an order of magical women called the Communion of Blue. Twins Hawke and Grayce come to understand more of the reality spinning women, but eventually come to an impasse when one wants to avenge the family, and the other realizes she can finally be herself.
