Exclusive: Humanoids Announces Second Wave of Life Drawn Graphic Novels
The Famed European Sci-Fi/Fantasy Publisher's Life Drawn Imprint Focuses on Personal, Political Real-World Narratives
Main Art by Emilie Boudet/ Tommy Redolfi/ Clement Baloup Comics Features humanoids
As we approach the nerd convergence known as San Diego Comic Con International 2018, comic companies shift into announcement overdrive, and famed European publisher Humanoids is no different. Today, Paste can exclusively announce Humanoids’ second wave of graphic novels for Life Drawn, its new literary imprint. Best known for sci-fi and fantasy epics like The Incal by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Mœbius, Humanoids’ Life Drawn imprint marks a major tonal departure for the publisher, with a focus on personal, political real-world narratives.
Life Drawn’s second wave includes the biography of a feminist icon, a runner’s memoir of the New York Marathon, a horror-tinged take on a Hollywood legend and a humorous exploration of religious identity and how it relates to the world’s most famous superhero.
“This fall’s publishing slate of Life Drawn graphic novels continues Humanoids’ commitment to celebrating diverse voices and telling deeply personal stories,” said Humanoids CEO and Publisher, Fabrice Giger, in a statement. “We’ve been heartened by the incredible response to the inaugural Life Drawn titles, Including Mariko Tamaki’s acclaimed adaptation of Carole Maurel’s Luisa: Now and Then, with readers, librarians, booksellers, comic shop owners, critics and bloggers. And we’ve only just begun.”
For the full breakdown of Life Drawn’s fall titles, as well as an exclusive first peek at their covers, scroll down below. Stay tuned to Paste throughout the week for more San Diego Comic Con news.
Marilyn’s Monsters Cover Art by Tommy Redolfi
Marilyn’s Monsters
Writer/Artist: Tommy Redolfi
Release Date: September 4, 2018
“A brilliant, hallucinatory meditation on the phenomenon of Marilyn Monroe. It will alter your understanding of both Hollywood and Marilyn.”—David Cronenberg
The famous Hollywood Hills. A strange, twisted forest filled with freaks and broken-down trailers. In this dark world, movie stars are born in the shadows. Determined to become the greatest one of all, shy Norma Jean Baker (Marilyn Monroe) comes to this ghost-town with hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, she’ll have to face all kinds of monsters to reach her ultimate goal…. This is Marilyn Monroe’s dark journey like you’ve never seen it before.
Kabul Disco Book 2: How I Managed Not To Get Addicted to Opium in Afghanistan Cover Art by Nicolas Wild
Kabul Disco Book 2: How I Managed Not To Get Addicted to Opium in Afghanistan
Writer/Artist: Nicolas Wild
Release Date: September 18, 2018
“Exuberant….. a textured travelogue that mixes the open drawing style and self-mocking voice of Guy Delisle with a cynical, Rajiv Chandrasekaran-like takedown of insular war zone expat life.”—Publishers Weekly
“Wild has some amazing stories that are both entertaining and crazy…. You need this in your collection. It’s amazing.”—Forces of Geek
In this second volume of his travelogue series, Nicolas Wild returns to Afghanistan, unfulfilled by his old life in Paris, to resume work at the Zendagui agency. This time around, however, his job is even trickier than illustrating the Constitution (see Book 1): he has to convince Afghans that “Opium is Bad” in a time when no one wants to hear what expatriates have to say. With a charming sense of humor and a genuine love for Afghanistan, Nicolas Wild depicts a series of complicated events, transpiring in a complicated country.
Superman Isn’t Jewish (But I Am . . . Kinda) Cover Art by Emilie Boudet
Superman Isn’t Jewish (But I Am . . . Kinda)
Writer: Jimmy Bemon
Artist: Emilie Boudet
Release Date: October 2, 2018
Adapted into an eponymous short film by Jimmy Bemon.
An intimate and humorous autobiography of a boy’s quest for identity as he struggles with his heritage and his heroes. Benjamin would always proudly say, “I’m Jewish. Like Superman!” Assuming that Judaism is some kind of super power and Hebrew is akin to the Kryptonian language, Benjamin believes each of his family members is a superhero. Until, like Krypton, his world is shattered. After learning of the link between being circumcised and his religion, Ben decides to hide his heritage from everyone. Caught between the desire to avoid disappointing his Jewish father and his desire to understand his Catholic mother, Ben has to find a way to abandon his secret identity for a very public one. Humorous, timeless and universal, this personal and poignant story of acceptance and understanding shows how we all must learn to love the hero within ourselves.
My New York Marathon Cover Art by Sebastien Samson
My New York Marathon
Writer/Artist: Sebastien Samson
Release Date: October 30, 2018
“I’ve looked through hundreds of books and have never experienced anything like this. . . . [My New York Marathon] has a place in running literature.”—From the foreword by Jeff Galloway, US Olympian and Runner’s World columnist
Published timed to the annual New York Marathon, this inspiring love-letter to the event and to the city that hosts it has already been championed by running heavyweights Jeff Galloway and Amby Burfoot, and endorsed by both the New York Road Runners club and the New York Marathon itself.
A quiet, aging teacher decides to run the New York Marathon. Along the way, he transforms into the man he always wanted to be. Sebastian, a quiet and shy teacher, decides, on a whim, to challenge his aging body and crumbling spirit and run the New York Marathon. From the streets of France to the streets of Brooklyn, Sebastian pushes himself past limits he didn’t even know he had. A humorous and poignant autobiographical tale and a love letter to the landscapes and panoramas of New York as well as a testament to the triumph of the human spirit.
Hedy Lamarr: An Incredible Life Cover Art by Sylvain Dorange
Hedy Lamarr: An Incredible Life
Writer: William Roy
Artist: Sylvain Dorange
Release Date: November 6, 2018
To her fans, Hedy Lamarr was a silver screen star; to those who knew her, she was a genius. She fashioned designs to revolutionize the planes built by Howard Hughes. In the dead of night, she tinkered with her blueprints and experiments. And when World War II began, Hedy left her superstar persona behind and claimed the patent for a strange device. One that manipulated sound, created an unbreakable code and confounded the Nazi regime, giving the allies the advantage they needed to claim victory. Scientists called it “Spread Spectrum” technology. The military called it a “secret communication system.” Today, we call it a “cell phone,” “Wi-Fi” and a little thing called “Internet.” This is the story of a genius. A visionary. And the most beautiful woman in the world.
Vietnamese Memories Book 2: Little Saigon Cover Art by Clement Baloup
Vietnamese Memories Book 2: Little Saigon
Writer/Artist: Clement Baloup
Release Date: November 13, 2018
Winner of the Coup de coeur prix Michelin 2012—Rendez-vous du Carnet de voyage
“The cartoonist’s range of visual styles is remarkable, alternating between stark pen, gritty chalk, and panoramic watercolor as he attempts to decipher a war that’s all too often been filtered through the lens of white American experience.”—Vulture
“Vibrant… these stories give human faces to the effects of colonialism and war in the Vietnamese diaspora.”—Publishers Weekly
The second in a three book series exploring the stories of displaced Viet Kieu around the world, Vietnamese Memories: Little Saigon immerses us in the diaspora of the United States and the assimilation of these Vietnamese immigrant communities, labeled Little Saigons. Through trips made in 2009 and 2010, Baloup shows how the memory and culture were maintained in these Asian neighborhoods in the heart of the big American cities (Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Lao Area, etc.).