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Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel


(Note: I know it's not a graphic novel, which is what I dedicated my blog to, but the subject is about graphic novels and about one of it's most famous creators. So, I included it as one of my reviews.)

 Summary: "Champion" is a great description of Will Eisner, not because he was the best at graphic novels but because he supported and promoted graphic novels for many decades. He believed in what they could do and what they could become.  He was of the originators who never stopped learning and encouraged others in their works, as well. Eisner believed in the medium and practiced what he preached, so much so, that he worked on his novels up until the day he died. In his book, Paul Levitz gives us the details of Eisner's life and the struggles he faced throughout his career. But, we also learn of Eisner's business sense and he lucrativeness that allowed him to pursue his passions throughout his lifetime, despite those struggles. From his childhood until his passing, we discover who Will Eisner was and the impact he had on so many artists, writers, and contemporaries, all while promoting the grand possibilities that he felt graphic novels could be.

Reference: Paul Levitz (2015). Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel. Abrams. New York, NY.

Why I Picked It Up: As anyone who has read my previous blogs will tell you, I am a big Eisner fan, so when I saw the blurb for this book in Previews magazine, I dog-eared the page for future acquisitions for my school's library. (One of the perks of being a librarian.)

Why I Finished It: I got to know more about Mr. Eisner than I had known before. I got to read about his early struggles, his determination, and his mistakes. I got to see Mr. Eisner as a more complete human being, rather than just an icon. Not every publication he did was perfect and he did touch on a few politically incorrect subjects, but Levitz does a thorough job in explaining Mr. Eisner's opinion on those regrettable matters. However, despite those unfortunate circumstances, those events didn't sway me from my opinion about the man. On the contrary, the more I got to know about Mr. Eisner the more I wanted to know.

 Recommendation: For anyone wanting to know about Will Eisner or about the important history of graphic novels, I highly suggest Paul Levitz's book. Levitz does a fantastic job in telling Mr. Eisner's story and all that he accomplished in his life. I don't think that we could have had a more appropriate individual to champion the graphic novel than Will Eisner. Definitely, a book to read on the living room sofa chair.

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