An inspiring collection of drawings and articles exploring the sketchbooks and artistic practices of 50 talented character artists. Sketches and drawings are the foundations of great art, where thoughts and concepts first come to life as an image. In Sketching from the Imagination: Characters, fifty talented artists share their sketches, inspirations, and approaches to creating characters. This book is a visually stunning collection packed with useful tips and creative insights--an invaluable resource that will inspire artists of all abilities.

Literary scholar Michael A. Chaney examines graphic novels to illustrate that in form and function they inform readers on how they ought to be read. His arguments result in an innovative analysis of the various knowledges that comics produce and the methods artists and writers employ to convey them. Theoretically eclectic, this study attends to the lessons taught by both the form and content of today's most celebrated graphic novels. Chaney analyzes the embedded lessons in comics and graphic novels through the form's central tropes: the iconic child storyteller and the inherent childishness of comics in American culture; the use of mirrors and masks as ciphers of the unconscious; embedded puzzles and games in otherwise story-driven comic narratives; and the form's self-reflexive propensity for showing its work. Comics reveal the labor that goes into producing them, embedding lessons on how to read the ""work"" as a whole. Throughout, Chaney draws from a range of theoretical insights from psychoanalysis and semiotics to theories of reception and production from film studies, art history, and media studies. Some of the major texts examined include Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis; Chris Ware's Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth; Joe Sacco's Palestine; David B.'s Epileptic; Kyle Baker's Nat Turner; and many more. As Chaney's examples show, graphic novels teach us even as they create meaning in their infinite relay between words and pictures.

When a mercenary warrior (Matt Damon) is imprisoned within The Great Wall, he discovers the mystery behind one of the greatest wonders of our world. As wave after wave of marauding beasts besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism. As wave after wave of marauding beasts besiege the massive structure, his quest for fortune turns into a journey toward heroism as he joins a huge army of elite warriors to confront this unimaginable and seemingly unstoppable force.

An action-packed page turner with heart! -Dav Pilkey, author of DOG MAN Take off on an action packed adventure with HILO Book 3! Dog Man meets Big Nate in this hilarious New York Times bestselling graphic novel series that kids love! Aah!!!! Everyone's favorite space boy is BACK! Hilo may look like an ordinary kid, but he's DEFINITELY not! When we last saw Hilo, DJ, and Gina, Gina had been sucked into a mysterious portal! But friends don't let friends disappear into NOWHERE! It's up to D.J. and Hilo to follow her. Will there be danger? YES! Will there be amazing surprises? OF COURSE! Will Gina end up being the one to save them? DEFINITELY! The trio will have to battle bad guys and face disgusting food, an angry mom, powerful magic, and more! Will they survive . . and make it back to Earth before the portal closes again?! Here's what people (and robots!) are saying about Hilo! More giant robotic ants and people going 'Aaaah!' than in the complete works of Jane Austen -Neil Gaiman, bestselling author Every kid would love a pal like HILO, and every kid will love this book! -Lincoln Peirce, bestselling author of the Big Nate series A perfect book for any kid who ever needed a friend and then had one with superpowers fall from space. -Seth Meyers, actor, comedian and writer A story that can be enjoyed by the entire family. -The New York Times A Total BLAST. -Miami Herald * A wholeheartedly weird and wonderful tale of friendship, acceptance, and robots. -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review * A must-have. -School Library Journal, Starred Review

The bestselling Heroes of Olympus title by Percy Jackson creator, Rick Riordan - now in stunning graphic novel form! Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, has come face to face with two snake-haired ladies who refuse to die. But they're the least of his problems. Because Percy finds himself at a camp for half-bloods, which doesn't ring any bells for him. There's just one name he remembers from his past. Annabeth. One thing is certain - Percy's adventuring days aren't over. He faces the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven. If he fails, it's not just their camp at risk. Percy's old life, the gods, and the entire world might be destroyed . .

Continues the epic war betweeen humans and Inhumans in Marvel's wildly popular X-Men series. Now that Genesis has learned that there may not be any hope of escaping his destiny of becoming the maniacal villain Apocalypse, will he continue to fight his future... or surrender to it? It may be moot, as the All-New X-Men come face-to-face with the threat that will spell doom for their entire species: The Inhumans and the Terrigen Mist! Collecting All-New X-Men Vol. 2 #12-16 TBC.