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 schwag like original signed custom bookplates for adults or buttons and magnets for the kids (in this case, the latter, to support the featured book Pilu of the Woods!).
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 thirty 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.
This week: Today, Brian Hibbs sits down with Mai K. Nguyen, the creator of Oni Press’ graphic novel Pilu of the Woods. The story follows Willow, a young girl living with a swirl of emotions that she keeps bottled up inside. After a fight with her sister, she runs off into the calm and serene woods and meets a lost tree spirit named Pilu. Willow decides to help Pilu find her way home, but the journey brings unexpected challenges and forces Willow to confront the darker parts of herself.
Disclosure: The Beat is owned by Polarity, which also owns Oni Press.
