If you haven’t yet discovered this brilliantly clever series of graphic novels which seamlessly combines some of the world’s most famous historical figures with comedy, which rock have you been hiding under? They are a sure fire hit with any fans of funny (or history) aged nine plus.

The newest addition to the series retells the antics of some of our most beloved writers.

‘Discover MARY SHELLEY and her electrifying FRANKENSTEIN! Look in on LEO TOLSTOY and read WAR AND PEACE in four pages! Keep up with CHARLES DICKENS and his GREAT EXPECTATIONS! Uncover all this and more in CORPSE TALK, the hilarious and mind-expanding chat show that brings the dead famous to life!’

Now it’s time to hear from the ‘Corpse Talks’ series creators, Lisa and Adam Murphy:

Why we like comics.

Lisa:
Honestly, I like the speed of comics. As a Mom with a little one, a homeschooler and the co-creator of Corpse Talk, I find I have very little time to read. But I can plough through a comic and boom – I’ve read a book!

I love that each panel is a tiny work of art. Images can really bring the words to life and express emotion in a way that sometimes can’t be depicted in words. It’s nice to read the action of the story in pictures, but I also love it when the images are more poetic, where they deepen your reading by giving a different understanding of the words.

As a Mom, and a former teacher, I also love comics as a teaching tool to start reading. I have found it builds confidence in children, especially reluctant readers. Reading comics lets kids get used to the mechanics of reading. They can pick up the basics of the story through the pictures, and then get more nuance and clarity from the words.

Adam:
I just like making stories with pictures. I always liked drawing and telling stories, even as a little kid, although it took a while to figure out how to put them together. I like reading comics too, although I don’t insist on it. Some stories are better told in prose. But there is something very special about the way someone draws, it’s such a window into how they see the world. A well-made comic with that sort of distinctive, personal vision gives you a closeness to the artist that I don’t think you can quite get in any other medium.

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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts – I love that graphic novels are not only quick to read and enticing, but also beautifully designed pieces of art. Not just a stepping stone but a final destination in their own right. We love graphic novels!

Library Girl.

*Many thanks to David Fickling Books for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour*