March is Women's History Month! Did you know that Women’s History Month has its roots in the struggle for workers’ rights? In 1908, women garment workers protested the poor working conditions inside factories. This was just the beginning of a larger fight for equality, equity, and safe working environments for all, which… continue reading Teen Reads for Women's History Month
By written by Verónica M. March 6, 2024
In our Manga 101 series , we’ve covered a lot of manga-related topics. We looked at some commonly asked questions , explored demographic categories , reviewed several popular manga genres, and discussed related types of media . In our final Manga 101 post, we'll look at other manga-related materials the Free Library has to… continue reading Manga 101: Manga and Beyond at the Free Library
By written by Meg B. December 18, 2023 1
In our Manga 101 series, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions , defined some common manga terms , and looked at some of the most popular manga genres found at the Free Library. This time, we’ll take a look at other forms of media that are related to manga. Anime While manga refers to comics, anime refers to animation. Lots… continue reading Manga 101: Related Concepts
By written by Meg B. November 20, 2023
The Free Library has been expanding staffing efforts throughout the library system in recent months. With all the hiring excitement, there’s a mix of both new and familiar faces in all of the branches, and you might be wondering what some of these folks do. " Faces of the Free Library " is an interview series intended to… continue reading Faces of the Free Library: Meet Rasheem!
By written by Bridget G. October 20, 2023 3
In our last Manga 101 installments, we touched on romance and LGBTQIA+ themes in manga. This time, we’ll take a look at a new genre: horror . Though the roots of manga can be traced back through centuries of Japanese art, one of the most pivotal moments in contemporary manga arose in the wake of World War II, when works by… continue reading Manga 101: Horror
By written by Meg B. October 16, 2023
This month’s Review Round-up features two cartoonists who frequently work on their comics in the Art Department , plus a peek inside Reptile House Comix ’s latest summer issue. Smell ya later, summer! Gecko by Nate Garcia Alanzo Sneak is a modern cowboy with modest hopes and dreams: to share a square meal with his girl Plump… continue reading Comix Club Spotlight Review, Plus a Special Event This Month!
By written by Eileen E. September 25, 2023
In our previous Manga 101 installment, we covered romance manga. This time, we’ll take a look at two subgenres of romance manga (BL and GL), as well as some non-romantic LGBTQ+ manga. BL BL is an abbreviation for Boys’ Love ; the terms shonen ai and yaoi are also used to refer to this genre of manga. BL focuses on stories… continue reading Manga 101: BL, GL, and Beyond
By written by Meg B. September 15, 2023 2
With this month’s Comix Club drawing nigh (that’s Tuesday, August 29 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Art Department), here is a Review Spotlight of sparkly new additions to the Philadelphia Comics Collection . Each review contains a recommendation of similar or related comics, which are also available in the Philadelphia… continue reading Comix Club's New Titles Spotlight Review
By written by Eileen E. August 23, 2023
Previous Manga 101 installments took a look at isekai and sports manga; this time, we’ll explore another popular genre of manga: romance . From poignant stories of high school love to doomed romances with supernatural beings, romance manga is a hugely popular genre that includes a wide variety of styles and scenarios. While many of… continue reading Manga 101: Romance
By written by Meg B. August 15, 2023 4
In the previous Manga 101 installment, we took a look at the manga genre known as isekai . Now, we’ll continue with an exploration of another popular manga genre: sports! Sports manga as a genre is precisely what it sounds like manga stories that focus on a particular sport. The protagonist may be determined to achieve greatness, a… continue reading Manga 101: Sports
By written by Meg B. July 17, 2023 2
One way of classifying manga is by demographic categories like shonen and shojo (for more information, check out the previous Manga 101 blog post ). However, manga can also be divided into genres of similar subject matter. While some popular manga genres are familiar, like romance or horror, others might require a bit more explanation. One… continue reading Manga 101: Isekai
By written by Meg B. June 15, 2023
The Art Department is thrilled to host the launch of Don’t Look Into The Abyss , a new graphic novel illustrated and published by Bryn Ziegler . Ziegler is a book and comic artist specializing in intimate, interactive books exploring themes of queerness. Don’t Look Into The Abyss is a single-player… continue reading Bryn Ziegler's Don’t Look Into The Abyss and Other Philadelphia Comics
By written by Alina J. June 14, 2023
Manga is often published chapter-by-chapter in anthology magazines which are marketed towards particular audiences. Some magazines focus on specific genres of manga (like fantasy, romance, etc.) while others publish stories in a variety of genres. Most manga magazines are aimed at a target audience of a specific age and gender. Here’s the… continue reading Manga 101: Demographic Categories
By written by Meg B. May 15, 2023 1
Some of the most popular titles at the Field Teen Center are manga, or Japanese graphic novels. Manga includes a wide range of genres and art styles with more than 100 titles in our collections. Navigating it all can be overwhelming, but we hope this guide will help you find your bearings. This is the first in our "Manga 101" series,… continue reading Manga 101: Answering Common Questions
By written by Yona Y. April 11, 2023
Are you an avid reader of comics, and of the age 18+? The Art Department is stoked to announce an exciting new collection for you to explore: The Philadelphia Comics Collection (PCC) is a living, growing, cutting-edge catalog made up of comics and zines by local artists, and you can take a look at them now! Many of these items are… continue reading The Philadelphia Comics Collection Debuts in the Art Department
By written by Eileen E. March 10, 2023
Like comics? You're going to love this! Our newest electronic resources from ComicsPlus bring thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from a variety of library-friendly publishers for kids, teens, and adults. Explore a selection of new and backlist titles from ABDO, Andrews McMeel, BOOM! Studios,… continue reading ComicsPlus is Here!
By written by Sharyl O. March 7, 2023
Throughout the month of July, Field Teen Center recorded interviews with a voice actor, four game designers, and a comic book writer. If you’re interested in creative jobs or if you just want to learn more about how your favorite TV shows, games, and books are made, you won’t want to miss these! Job Talk: A Conversation with Voice… continue reading Explore Creative Careers with Field Teen Center!
By written by Yona Y. August 5, 2022
Are you a fan of comic book characters such as Marvel Comics' Black Panther or DC Comics' Black Lighting ? These Black superhero comics gained renewed popularity in recent years as a result of blockbuster movies and TV series. Did you know before 1957, Black writers, illustrators, and cartoonists could not work for White comic book… continue reading Early Black Comic Book Writers, Illustrators, and Newspaper Cartoonists
By written by Sandy M. February 10, 2022 1
Another year, another stack of superhero stories, fascinating biographies, funny books, and extraordinary illustrated tales that defy classification! While not necessarily a "Top 10" (especially since I selected 21!), and definitely not in any order of greater or lesser importance, the following are just 21 really cool, fun,… continue reading 21 Great Graphic Novels and Comics from 2021
By written by Peter SM January 19, 2022
A panel from Hazel Newlevant's exposé of queer uprisings found within Be Gay, Do Comics!. All October we'll be talking about LGBTQ History on the Free Library's blog! Last week we discussed LGBTQ Historical Young Adult Fiction . This week, we turn our attention to comics and graphic novels! I think comics are really great… continue reading LGBTQ History Told Through Comics and Graphic Novels
By written by Shelley R. October 13, 2021
