Mark Siegel On The Magical, Sexy World Of 'Sailor Twain'

Graphic novels are in a golden age. We talk with an author and publisher.

By Colin McEnroe

Published: Oct 02, 2012

Slideshow

'Sailor Twain' follows the story of a steamboat Captain who rescues a mermaid from the Hudson River.

Mark Siegel

Mark Siegel says he illustrated the entire book in charcoal, which is rare for a graphic novel.

Mark Siegel

The author will sign copies of his new book at the Mark Twain House on Saturday, Oct. 6.

Mark Siegel

As publisher of First Second Books, Siegel has been involved with several influential graphic novels. Including one that was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Mark Siegel

Mark Siegel On The Magical, Sexy World Of 'Sailor Twain'

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Mark Siegel On The Magical, Sexy World Of 'Sailor Twain'

Mark Siegel, creator of "Sailor Twain," is doing wildly creative things with the graphic novel, which is doing widely creative things with the novel form iteself.

Siegel says the graphic novel is in a golden age, attracting writers not only from the book world, but from movies and television. And the work is starting to get noticed. In 2006, Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese, which Siegel published, was a finalist for the National Book Award.

Siegel discusses his latest work, which explores the relationship between a mermaid, a steamboat captain and the magical Hudson River. He'll appear at the Mark Twain House and Museum on Saturday, Oct. 6.

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Comments

Oct 02, 2012 - 02:49 pm

pskahill wrote:

E-mail from Stephanie

Hi, Colin-

I listen to your show almost every day on my way to work - it's always informative and interesting!

I thought I could share some resources for you if you are interested in pursuing further readings with graphic novels.

My friend Gene Kannenberg, Jr. has compiled a fabulous book titled "500 Essential Graphic Novels" and he has a head-spinningly informative comics website here: http://www.comicsresearch.org/

(I personally recommend Eric Drooker's "Flood" & Lynd Ward's "God's Man" as really fantastic wordless graphic novels, Herge's "Tintin", Goscinny & Uderzo's "Asterix" and I absolutely adore Chris Ware's entire oeuvre, especially Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth as well as Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore's works.)

Enjoy!