Have you seen this? Here is my favorite part:
The first Minx graphic novel will be “The P.L.A.I.N. Janes,” written by Cecil Castellucci and illustrated by Jim Rugg. It tells the story of Jane, a transfer student in a suburban high school who starts a campaign, “People Loving Art in Neighborhoods.” It’s a call to appreciate the everyday world that comes to involve everything from protesting the construction of a new mall to encouraging pet adoptions from animal shelters.
Jane’s classmates and fellow believers are Jane, who is interested in theater; Jayne, an academic whiz; and Polly Jane, a jock. Each is decidedly not part of the in-crowd. The reason for Jane’s transfer is serious: her family fled to suburbia after Jane survived a terrorist attack that blew up a cafe in fictional Metro City.
The experience of survival is a personal one for Ms. Castellucci, 37, whose young-adult novels include “Boy Proof” and “The Queen of Cool.” In 1979, when she was 9, Ms. Castellucci witnessed a bombing by the Irish Republican Army in Brussels. In 1986, she was in Paris during a rash of bombings. Those incidents, and the events of Sept. 11, played a role in shaping the story.
“It seemed like this was a good opportunity to explore those fearful feelings that I had growing up,” she said in a telephone interview from her home in Los Angeles. “They’ve always been a part of my makeup and fears.” Feeling scared, she said: is an emotion everyone understands. “You can’t help it if you’re a part of this world.”
So DC comics, Cecil Castellucci and graphic novels for teenage girls. I might faint from joy over this combination. If they stay smart (which I know Cecil's will be) and veer away from the Gossip Girls temptation (which I know Cecil's will easily avoid) then DC might finally break down the barriers between comics and girls.
Oh my lord. It's like a fantasy come true.
You all know I love comics (my box of monthly titles is on the way as I write this) and I love Cecil (love Boy Proof, love Queen of Cool, looking forward to Beige). If anyone can pull this off, she is the one.
It's awesome, utterly and completely awesome!
