Robin

who?
Yes, that is me over there on the right, in comic form (as seems only fitting.) My name is Robin Brenner, 25 year-old resident comics and graphic novel enthusiast at Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, Massachusetts. I am currently working as a Library Technician and am studying to get my masters in Library Science (which means I'll finally get to be a full-fledged librarian!). I went to Bryn Mawr College, majoring in Creative Writing, studying fine arts (yes, I did that drawing to the right) and in general realizing just how cool librarians are.

where?
At the moment, I live just outside of Boston.

why?
I've been working on developing the graphic novel collection at Cary Memorial Library with our resident Young Adult Librarian. About a year ago, I was asked to do some research into graphic novels, and the rest is history! I cannot claim to know even close to the amount many fans out there know, but I do know libraries, I'm beginning to know teens (heck, it wasn't all that long ago that I was one myself), and I am certainly enthusiastic (if you haven't noticed that already.)

what's your favorite graphic novel?
No! Don't make me choose! All right. Currently, I'm torn between Ultimate Spiderman: Learning Curve and Pedro and Me. They're entirely different, but I love them both, the former for its action and humor, the latter for its honesty and heart. I also have to add to that list Clover, for its elegance and wrenching story.

who's your favorite comic books character?
Well, that's a tough one, but I'd have to say Oracle, co-star of Birds of Prey. Oracle, once Batgirl and known in civilian life as Barbara Gordon, is quite the woman. Her career as Batgirl ended after a nasty trick by the Joker paralysed her from the waist down, but she rebuilt her life and her strength using the tools available to her. Once a reference librarian, as Oracle she now uses her information-seeking skills and the Internet to be the information broker for her mentor Batman, Nightwing, and the Black Canary. She also trains the current Batgirl. She's just way too cool for words.

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Jen

who?
Like my partner in crime-- er, esteemed colleague, I'm a 24-year-old aspiring librarian and current Library Technician at Cary Memorial Library in Lexington, Massachusetts. When not glued to a computer I'm usually walking around (sometimes in front of oncoming traffic!) with my nose in a book. I graduated from Oberlin College in 2000. I want to be a rock star, or maybe a fantasy heroine, when I grow up. My favorite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice.

where?
I live with my sweetheart in Somerville, MA.

why?
I've always loved comics, and I got into graphic novels in college when I was introduced to Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. I also love to share my opinions, so I'm thrilled that Robin's letting me contribute!

what's your favorite graphic novel?
My current favorite comics would have to be Meridian, The Authority, and Castle Waiting.

who's your favorite comic books character?
For Best Comic Character I nominate the Doctor from The Authority. He's a former addict who now draws on the knowledge of all the world's past shamans (like Gandhi and Einstein!) to do cool things like turning the forces of evil into trees.

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Alison

who?
I'm not a Vulcan Science Officer, but instead the Research Publications Coordinator at the Harvard AIDS Institute. Currently I'm formulating a plan to leave the fascinating world of international public health for art school next fall (off to make some comics of my own!). What does all this have to do with my BA in English Literature, you ask? Ha! Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

where?
Bouncing like a Ping-Pong ball between downtown Boston and Davis Square, Somerville.

why?
Because Robin invited me! And because ever since I picked up my first issues of Sandman and Transmetropolitan, I knew I had stumbled onto something really exciting. Surrealistic stories and fantastic artwork all between the same two covers ø who says you can have too much of a good thing?

what's your favorite graphic novel?
Gah! OK, listing just one is out of the question, soooÉFortune and Glory for the sheer thigh-slappin' hilarity of it all; the Authority series because that is one of my favorite alternate realities of all time; and The Invisibles (OK, OK, we haven't reviewed it yet, but these were the first comics I ever read, and they're creepy, seditious, and fantastic).

Petra

who?
I graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1999 with a major in medieval European history. More recently, I just completed a Masters degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (which interesting qualifies me to practice neither law nor diplomacy). I am currently catching up on sleep after 2 years in grad school, indulging in large quantities of guilt free reading, and looking for a job that lets me incorporate pop culture and conflict resolution. If you come across one, let me know.

where?
Boston.

why?
It's all Robin's doing. One day I'm looking at her skeptically as she enthuses about Batman: Year One and wondering who exactly this Alan Moore person is; a year later I'm structuring my Master's thesis around Warren Ellis' vision of the future. Plus, I get a nifty little portrait of me.

what's your favorite graphic novel?
I can only have one? Ah . . . Ultimate Spiderman, I guess. Although, Queen & Country is running a very close second.

who's your favorite comic books character?
Jenny Sparks, The Authority ø spirit of the 20th Century, kicks a whole lotta ass and doesn't put up with anyone's crap, what girl doesn't aspire to that?

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Gina

who?
Working in publishing, I spend a large portion of my day reading books. Then I come home and read more books. Sometimes, on special occasions, I interact with people. I have a degree in anthropology and not enough bookshelves.

where?
In the last three years, I've inhabited California, Oregon, Connecticut, and New York. I'm currently spending a good deal of time on the Metro North train (New Haven to New York).

why?
When I was in college, I ran a small comic book library. After graduating, having acquired a moderate amount of knowledge about comics from my sojourn in school, I looked around for something to do with it... and found Robin's excellent No Flying, No Tights.

what's your favorite graphic novel?
Stray Toasters, by Bill Sienkiewicz. Yes, I'm aware that you've probably never heard of this book before in your life. Nonetheless, the art is fantastic, and it's about a guy who tries to turn a kid into a toaster. How could a book possibly go wrong with such a subject?

who's your favorite comic book character?
My favorite X-character is Marrow (though she was better in the few issues that she was in Australia and had bone-antennae): my favorite character in the DC-verse is Impulse (Batgirl-- the third one-- is a close second): otherwise, the character who currently tops my list is Glenn Ganges from Kevin Huizenga's Or Else series.

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