Top Shelf Productions

Congressman John Lewis and his graphic novel March: Book One are back on TV -- and this time he's got company! MSNBC's Rachel Maddow brought on Congressman Lewis and his collaborators Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell Thursday night for a live on-air interview, marking the first time The Rachel Maddow Show has featured the full creative team of a graphic novel. Watch here, or scroll down for a summary!

Maddow led off with a recap of Congressman Lewis' life and career, as well as the 1950s comic book that inspired the March project (now available in our new digital bundle).

Then she played a new 60-second animation of Nate Powell's art from the book, with voiceover by Congressman Lewis, before bringing on the three creators to discuss the book and its message.

The whole video's embedded after the jump, or you can click over to the Maddow site for additional bonus footage and even a sneak peek at Nate's sketches for Book Two!

The new graphic novel series March, by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, is a landmark for the comics industry and a genuine publishing phenomenon, bringing civil rights history to new life for new generations of readers. Now it's time for a new piece of the story to emerge.

As Congressman Lewis has explained in interviews, the March project is patterned after a comic book he read in the 1950s, which inspired him and many other young activists to join the movement and use the principles of nonviolence to battle racial discrimination.

That unique comic book was Martin Luther King and The Montgomery Story, published in 1957-58 by the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Five decades later, Lewis mentioned it to his aide Andrew Aydin, who began researching the comic’s fascinating history, including the forgotten story of its creation and the numerous translations which have taken its message to activists in South Africa, Uruguay, Vietnam, Egypt, and beyond. Aydin soon graduated from Georgetown with a master’s thesis titled “The Comic Book That Changed the World,” and at the same time worked with Congressman Lewis and Nate Powell to carry on that tradition in the March trilogy.

Now Top Shelf has teamed up with the Fellowship of Reconciliation to produce the first ever fully-authorized digital edition of this historic comic book, as a companion to the bestselling graphic novel March: Book One. Exclusively through Comixology, you can download a digital bundle containing both March: Book One and The Montgomery Story for only $9.99! What's more, F.O.R. has also published a new physical reprint of The Montgomery Story, which you can order from Top Shelf right here.

All Top Shelf & Comixology fees and proceeds will be waived/donated to F.O.R., from your purchase of this timeless and globally influential piece of comic book history.

The March team's latest adventures included thrilling crowds at the Southern Festival of Books, a meeting with former Vice President (and new March fan) Al Gore, and an in-depth interview on stage with Rachel Maddow for the University of Louisville's Kentucky Author Forum, which just aired on PBS Monday night! You can watch that captivating hour right here:

That's not all: the full team -- Congressman Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell -- will be guests on The Rachel Maddow Show, airing at 9pm on MSNBC tomorrow (Thursday, November 7th)! This will be their first TV studio appearance as a full trio, not to mention the first graphic novel guest in the history of the Maddow show. And if you're in New York, meet all three at their signing tomorrow at Midtown Comics' downtown location from 6-7!

Appropriately enough for this spooky season, Amazon's Comics Newsletter has a great Q&A with Monster on the Hill author Rob Harrell, with brand-new art of your favorite monsters -- in costume, of course!

Here's a sample:

What's the most fun thing about drawing monsters?

RH: I love the fact that there are no rules. You can literally do anything you want with a monster drawing. Sometimes I’ll just make some random lines and squiggles on a piece of paper and then start piecing them together to see what evolves. It’s really kind of therapeutic. You don’t have to worry about scale or symmetry or physics. You can just sort of let your mind wander and see what happens. That’s how Rayburn and Tentaculor, the main characters in Monster on the Hill, came about. They were sketches that turned into finished drawings that eventually led me to a story.

Click on over to read the interview!

With a book this funny and profound, created by two Portland talents, it's no wonder that legendary Portland bookstore Powell's Books is keen on God Is Disappointed in You by Mark Russell and Shannon Wheeler! Staff member Gigi says "Don't take this book to Sunday School unless you want to laugh your butt off and then go to Hell."

Those kind words follow a super-successful signing at Powell's, where crowds turned out for a full evening of "weird Biblical entertainment," including animated videos, book readings, live audience-member-sketching, and musical interludes from the likes of "King" David Lindenbaum and more.

Don't miss the awe-inspiring pulpit/lectern Mark and Shannon performed from, after the jump:

You already know those irreverent reverends Mark Russell and Shannon Wheeler have produced God Is Disappointed in You, a gut-busting and thought-provoking comedy condensation of the Bible, presented as a gorgeous faux-leather-bound volume... But what do they do for an encore?

Whip together a jazzy spoken word performance, of course, with voiceover reading by Mark and all new cartoons from Shannon!

Check out the video above, or watch it on YouTube here, and pick up a copy of God Is Disappointed in You for all the saints and sinners on your gift list!

Jeff Lemire is on a roll!

After winning top honors for his rural epic Essex County (the American Library Association’s Alex Award, the Doug Wright Award, and the Joe Shuster Award) and creating the beloved 3+ year serial Sweet Tooth, he returned to the graphic novel form with The Underwater Welder, immediately earning rave reviews from all corners: the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, the CBC, Publishers Weekly, ComicsAlliance, Barnes & Noble Review, and countless more.

Now, not only has The Underwater Welder received two Harvey Award nominations, we're delighted to report that Jeff Lemire has just won the Joe Shuster Award — again! For the second time, he is officially the year's Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Cartoonist / Créateur Canadien Exceptionnel de Bandes Dessinées. The award recognizes his final year of Sweet Tooth as well as The Underwater Welder.

Congratulations to Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell — their graphic novel March: Book One is on its way to becoming a bona fide phenomenon.

Since the New York Times introduced its "Graphic Books" bestseller chart four years ago, Top Shelf has had several titles make the list -- but as usual, March: Book One is breaking records! This landmark graphic novel is our first time in the #1 position, all thanks to the powerful storytelling of Congressman Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell, and the immense support of readers like you.

The long-awaited day is here! US Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis' first graphic novel with Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, March: Book One, is in stores everywhere... even in e-book form.

And what better way to launch than with a funny and inspirational interview with Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central's smash hit The Colbert Report?

The two legends discussed the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington (where John Lewis was the youngest person on stage and Stephen Colbert was the youngest fetus in the audience), as well as new challenges ahead for voting rights in America, and of course the new graphic novel trilogy March.

To Stephen's joke about a comic book cheapening the dignity of the civil rights movement, Congressman Lewis pointed out that a 1957 comic book, Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story, was a significant influence on his generation of activists, and is now an inspiration for March. "So meeting Dr. King was like meeting Superman!?" Hard to argue with that, Stephen.

Click here to watch the full episode, or after the jump, watch the two segments with Congressman Lewis!

From the beginning, it was clear that this would be no ordinary Comic-Con.

After all, we were attempting the unthinkable: bringing 73-year-old Congressman John Lewis, the last living speaker from the 1963 March on Washington, a man who suffered police beatings and over 40 arrests in his fight to end racial discrimination, who went on to three decades in Congress and the Presidential Medal of Freedom... bringing this American icon into the throbbing heart of pop culture madness, Comic-Con International in San Diego.

But hey, if you've got a new comic book or graphic novel (like March: Book One), there's no better place on earth to launch it! This is the biggest pop culture event in America -- so when Congressman Lewis said he wanted to come, we moved heaven & earth to get his book ready in time for a special advance launch.
[READ ON FOR MORE!]

We are all worn out after this marathon week+weekend... but let us at least say THANK YOU for making Comic-Con 2013 a tremendous success, both in person at the San Diego Convention Center and online through our "Cyber-Con" digital sale. Together we're truly making history.

As soon as we get our feet back under us, we're eager to share all the wonderful news and lasting memories that came out of these past few days. So stay tuned!

All right, you've heard Congressman John Lewis is coming to Comic-Con for a special advance debut of his graphic novel March: Book One... and heard all about the rest of our incredible line-up for Comic-Con... but what about the rest of the world who won't be jammed into the San Diego Convention Center next week? Not to worry, folks -- we've got good news for you too!

Starting this morning and running through the end of Sunday (July 17-21), Top Shelf is throwing our biggest ever digital comics sale! Whichever vendor or format you like -- Comixology, Apple iBookstore, Amazon Kindle, and beyond -- we've got deals so irresistible you'll be able to grab some new releases, catch up on acclaimed titles you've been meaning to check out, and have plenty of cash left over to take a chance on something you never considered! All for the price of a couple movie tickets.

We're talking $3.99 for this year's Eisner nominees Harvey Pekar's Cleveland and Wizzywig. $3.99 for massive award-winning classics like From Hell, Box Office Poison, and Alec: The Years Have Pants. $3.99 for fan-favorite modern masterpieces like Swallow Me Whole, Infinite Kung Fu, and The Underwater Welder. $2.99 for Top Shelf essentials like Clumsy, Far Arden, and The Surrogates. Beloved all-ages series like Dragon Puncher, Johnny Boo, Korgi, and Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken for $1.99 -- some as low as 99 cents! Scroll down for more highlights, or click through for the complete list: Top Shelf "Cyber-Con" Digital Comics Sale!

And that's not all -- we're also kicking off Cyber-Con with a few new digital releases!

You know about our massive plans for March: Book One with Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell... But that's just the beginning of our Comic-Con extravaganza!

Rob Harrell debuts the delightful MONSTER ON THE HILL!

Acclaimed comic strip artist Rob Harrell joins the Top Shelf family with a thrilling, funny, and beautifully drawn graphic novel adventure, set to charm the pants off readers of all ages. He's coming out from Texas for his first ever Comic-Con, so give him a warm welcome... and there might just be some Monster on the Hill trading cards there too!

Mark Russell & Shannon Wheeler launch the faithfully funny GOD IS DISAPPOINTED IN YOU!

This comedy adaptation of the Bible isn't just a wry and witty take on the world's most popular book -- it's a surprisingly authentic condensation of the original text. This is a hilarious read that appeals to cynics and believers alike, as well as a gorgeous gift object with sumptuous production values. And now's your chance to get it signed by the authors! Well, by Mark and Shannon anyway. Getting God's signature is up to you.

Jeffrey Brown reveals "his most personal work to date," A MATTER OF LIFE!

At the same time that Jeffrey's DARTH VADER parenting books are blowing the lid off bestseller lists, he's also pushed himself to tackle the big questions in this stunning meditation on fatherhood and faith -- and in full color! NPR says it "will sit next to Craig Thompson's Blankets as one of the most touching and wise graphic memoirs we have about growing up in a religious household."

Zander Cannon takes you all to HECK!

Acclaimed cartoonist Zander Cannon has decades of experience on high-profile projects from Alan Moore to Transformers -- but only now has he brought those mighty talents to bear on a full-length solo graphic novel! And boy, Heck is a powerful book, in every sense -- thrilling muscular action, elegantly chunky ink-work, and intense emotional stakes. Meet Zander and grab the regular hardcover or the deluxe signed & numbered bundle!

Unmissable programming!

The Comic Art Creations of Civil Rights Legends - Tying into March, Andrew Aydin and other scholars discuss the history of comics in the civil rights movement. (Friday, 1pm, Room 26AB)
Spotlight on Jeffrey Brown - Spilling the beans on his three new books this year, and more! (Friday, 4:30pm, Room 8)
March: Book One - a feature presentation with Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, & Nate Powell! (Saturday, 10AM, Room 23ABC)
Top Shelf Productions - featuring our top talents sharing behind-the-scenes gold, and exclusive breaking news on the digital comics front! (Saturday, noon, Room 4)
Beautiful Books: Graphic Design in Comics and Graphic Novels, featuring our own Chris Ross working his visual magic! (Saturday, 5pm, Room 4)

Plus many more great cartoonists: here's the full lineup!

• Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, & Nate Powell (March: Book One)
• Rob Harrell (Monster on the Hill)
• Mark Russell & Shannon Wheeler (God is Disappointed in You)
• Jeffrey Brown (A Matter of Life, Vader's Little Princess)
• Zander Cannon (Heck)
• Andy Runton (Owly)
• Robert Venditti (The Surrogates, The Homeland Directive)
• Jeff Lemire (Essex County, The Underwater Welder)
• Matt Kindt (2 Sisters, Super Spy)
• Ray Friesen (Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken)

See you in San Diego...

And stay tuned for one more update coming soon, with a massive bundle of digital news for those who can't make it to Comic-Con!

Now that we're a month away from the official release date of March: Book One (the first in a trilogy of graphic novels by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell), major reviews are starting to come in. As you may or may not know, all the top book-industry review journals issue "starred reviews" for titles they consider outstanding in their field. One starred review is lovely… more than one, and you've got something really special on your hands. So, how does March stack up? See for yourself:

"Dazzling... a grand work." — Booklist (starred review)

"A powerful tale of courage and principle igniting sweeping social change, told by a strong-minded, uniquely qualified eyewitness... the heroism of those who sat and marched... comes through with vivid, inspiring clarity." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Lewis's remarkable life has been skillfully translated into graphics... Segregation’s insult to personhood comes across here with a visual, visceral punch. This version of Lewis’s life story belongs in libraries to teach readers about the heroes of America." — Library Journal (starred review)

That's right, we're three for three so far! But now it's time for the verdict from those who really matter -- YOU, the readers. Which leads to our next item…

MARCH comes to Comic-Con!

Comic-Con International in San Diego is the biggest show in America -- so when Congressman Lewis said he wanted to come, we moved heaven & earth to get the book ready in time. As a result, we're very pleased to confirm the special advance debut of March: Book One at Comic-Con next week, along with all three creators: Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. Come by the Top Shelf booth (#1721), meet a true American icon, and be the first to scoop up a signed copy of this piece of history!

What's more, we'll also have copies of a limited HARDCOVER edition, as well as a limited SIGNED & NUMBERED HARDCOVER edition of MARCH: BOOK ONE, available exclusively from Top Shelf.

PLUS: don't miss the MARCH team's feature presentation, Saturday morning at 10AM in room 23, as they share the story of MARCH and how it came to be! Click here to RSVP!

America's libraries go wild for MARCH!

Finally, we have to share some memories of the MARCH team's triumphant visit to the American Library Association's annual conference. It was as huge a success as the BookExpo, with librarians scooping up our March Teacher's Guide, packing the auditorium for a feature presentation by Congressman Lewis and the boys, and standing in long lines for a chance to meet the authors and get a signed preview booklet.

It's a deluge of long-awaited new releases from Top Shelf this week!

One year ago, Kevin Cannon and Zander Cannon, the fabulous studio-mates and not-brothers, let their powers combine for the bold experimental digital-comics magazine Double Barrel. Now, as that serial wraps up, its beautiful spawn has arrived: two thrilling hardcovers!

Kevin's is the sequel to his beloved first graphic novel Far Arden, bringing ornery sea-dog Army Shanks to the Arctic space-race mystery of Crater XV! It's somehow 96 pages longer than the already-brick-like Far Arden, and so far critics agree that it's even better! Find out for yourself today. [also available in a deluxe signed & numbered bundle!]

Meanwhile, Zander brings his terrific chunky black ink-work to bear on an infernally haunting story: Heck! This underworld quest is a thrill-ride to be sure, but packed with moral quandaries and unforgettable imagery in the rich tradition of Dante. You'll want to read it more than once, to unravel the layers of story and marvel at how the art says so much with so little. Go to Heck! [also available in a deluxe signed & numbered bundle!]

Finally, after phenomenal smash success with the Star Wars parenting comedies Darth Vader and Son and Vader's Little Princess, Jeffrey Brown is "bringing it all back home" with a personal take on fatherhood, full of touching slices of life that quietly add up to a powerful statement about family and faith. It's A Matter of Life, his first full-color work of autobiography, available now in a lovely hardcover from any retailer. If you've ever been a parent, or a child, there's a lot for you here.