ToonSeum gift shop recommendations

Recommended from our Gift Shop

A few ToonSeum gift shop recommendations:

Street Angel and Afrodesiac by Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca (Local Artists Section, recommended teen and up) – Beautifully drawn, fast-paced, ironic, and full of biting wit, these exceptional books are reminiscent of classics like The Tick and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Ethel and Ernest by Raymond Briggs (Contemporary Section, recommended teen and up) – A classic of the comic arts, Briggs’ touching tribute to his parents, following their courtship to their deaths. An eye-opening book for anyone who thinks comic books are just muscles and capes.

The Essex County Trilogy by Jeff Lemire (Contemporary Section, recommended teen and up) – Interweaving stories of families, loneliness, and hope in rural Ontario, told in breathtaking expressionistic black and white drawings, full of imagination and feeling.

The Comics Journal #300 (Criticism, teen and up) – A fascinating and entertaining collection featuring comics-industry giants interviewing one another. Spiegelman, Alison Bechdel, David Mazzuchelli, Frank Quitely, Dave Gibbons, Ho Che Anderson, Jaime Hernandez and many more.

Schoolhouse Rocks! DVD Collection (DVDs, all ages) – The complete Schoolhouse Rocks! How can you beat that? How about a copy signed by Rocks! composer Bob Dorough, the legendary songwriter of the series?

Asterios Polyp by David Mazzuchelli (Contemporary, 18+) – A landmark achievement of the graphic novel, this gorgeous collage of technique, color, and smart, post-modern storytelling begs to be read again and again. A great introduction to the comic arts and a must for enthusiasts.

The Adventures of Tin Tin by Herge (Kids, all ages) – One of the most popular and influential comics of all time, collected in full color.