Wonderstruck A Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick

Wonderstruck A Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick

637 pp. (Middle grade; ages 9 to 12)
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 13, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0545027896

Brian Selznick is the illustrator of "Frindle" by Andrew Clements, and the author of "The Houdini Box," winner of the 1993 Texas Bluebonnet Award.


Banjo on Alldeaf.com writes that the book "features at least two Deaf characters. Carol Padden and Tom Humphries, two Deaf scholars helped the author fine-tune the experience of the Deaf Culture to ensure that it was true to the core."
Thanks to Nancy C. for pointing out the NY Times Review A Deaf Boy’s New York Quest.

 
Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best Books of the Month, September 2011: In a return to the eye-popping style of his Caldecott-award winner,The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick’s latest masterpiece, Wonderstruck, is a vision of imagination and storytelling . In the first of two alternating stories, Ben is struck deaf moments after discovering a clue to his father’s identity, but undaunted, he follows the clue’s trail to the American Museum of Natural History, in New York City. Flash to Rose’s story, told simultaneously through pictures, who has also followed the trail of a loved one to the museum--only 50 years before Ben. Selnick’s beautifully detailed illustrations draw the reader inside the museum’s myriad curiosities and wonders, following Ben and Rose in their search for connection. Ultimately, their lives collide in a surprising and inspired twist that is breathtaking and life-affirming. --Seira Wilson

Scholastic also offers an educator's guide.

On the Odd Hours

On the Odd Hours (Louvre Collection), Eric Liberge
Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 71 pages
Publisher: ComicsLit (April 2010)
ISBN-10: 1561635774

Bastien is deaf and uses sign language to communicate.
From Booklist
Like Nicolas Crecy’s Glacial Period (2007) and Marc-Antoine Mathieu’s The Museum Vaults (2008), the third Louvre-sponsored graphic novel is a fantasy, though set in the present, not the future. A guard accosts burly young Bastien—head shaved except for a forelock and goatee—eating within the hallowed gallery. Conveying that he is deaf, Bastien scribbles a note explaining he has an appointment there. Humiliated, he stomps off before his story’s fully checked. But a wizened Chinese man signs to him. The old man, a guard himself and also deaf, is the person Bastien had to meet all along. He expects Bastien to succeed him in watching over the souls of the artworks, which escape canvas, stone, and metal during the odd hours of deep night. Despite misgivings and his girlfriend’s overbearing caretaking, Bastien decides the job’s the perfect fit for him. Virtuosically rendered by Liberge, who merges elegant clear-line figuration, expressionistic pastel coloration, and in the odd-hours sequences, superimposition effects, Bastien’s story powerfully expresses the frustrations of deep hearing impairment and the irrepressible life of great art. --Ray Olson

New comic book *8 Ways to be Deaf* and interview with Deaf Author Adrean Clark

I am VERY excited about this new comic book 8 Ways to be Deaf by Adrean Clark. The author/artist describes 8 Ways to be Deaf as "the story of a gas station attendant who meets a Deaf woman and takes extraordinary measures to win her. His only problem -- he's his own worst enemy". And, it is FUNNY! If you know me, I laugh a great deal but usually at myself... rarely do I laugh out loud when reading anything. Half way through this comic, I almost stopped to email Adrean because it was that funny. That being said, I am thrilled to introduce readers, young and old, to this story of a hearing guy Paul who goes through numerous attempts to win the heart of Deaf Character Linda. And not to give away too much of the plot but the ASL instructor Ms. Peterson and the interpreter are both hysterical... but maybe that's just because that's how I felt when I learned ASL. I believe this comic is appropriate for middle school up based on content and reading level; however, it will resonate with anyone who has tried to win the affection of another.



Another exciting thing about 8 Ways to be Deaf is that you can buy it online through an eBook download for as cheap as $1.99; however, if you'd rather hold the comic in your hand (and not just on your iPad), a print edition will be available in August.
****************Read my interview with Adrean Clark below**************
SP: How did you become a comic book author?
AC: Becoming a comic author didn't happen overnight. The story of 8 Ways to be Deaf started in January of this year - I had been making comics for quite a while and was tired of being too afraid to try something bigger. So I took the plunge and announced on my blog that I would be doing a full comic book and posting pages 5 days a week. It took several months but as you can see, we survived it. This technique probably isn't for everyone -- I've been working for a long time on my craft. There's still a lot more work left for me to do with improving my skills, but I enjoy learning and telling stories as I go along.
SP: What inspired you to write 8 Ways to be Deaf? Do you know anyone like Paul? Or perhaps, have you experienced what Linda experienced?
AC: 8 Ways to be Deaf actually started as an orphan title. My DeafBlind husband and I own Clerc Scar, a publishing company, and 8 Ways to be Deaf was a potential title for one of our books. Even after it was rejected it had too much promise to be abandoned and the story of a bumbling hearing man trying to be Deaf came to mind. Comic ideas can come in strange ways!
I came to ASL and Deaf Culture later in my childhood. I can remember wanting very badly to fit in with my new Deaf friends after transferring to the Central North Carolina School for the Deaf in eighth grade. I wanted ASL to drip from my awkward hands, so I could measure up to them. It took a long time before I felt confident in my signing skills. I can identify with Paul in that way.
On the other side of the counter, I've also been accosted by well-meaning hearing people. Those encounters tend to be awkward and ones I try to escape as quickly as possible. Linda probably has more courage than I do, returning to the same gas station as part of her morning routine!SP: On your website, you write, "My goal with comics is to make our community’s experiences accessible to the mainstream — visual art is powerful!" What do you hope that readers will learn or take away from the comic books?
AC: My husband John is also a writer (author of Deaf American Poetry at GU Press), and he says he keeps no expectations for the reader. I agree, but I do hope readers come away with an idea of how it feels on both sides of the gas-station counter. I hope that chuckling at Paul's misadventures will help hearing people see that approaching Deaf people with a respect for their culture and language is important, no matter what mistakes are made. The point is to keep trying and improving. Who knows what that will bring?
SP: What advice would you give to young people who are reading your comics or creating their own for the first time?
AC: My advice for young aspiring artists is to keep drawing. Making comics is hard work, and if it's something you truly enjoy and feel energized by -- you will work through all the frustrations and joys it brings. There's a saying that for every awesome drawing there's 10,000 lousy drawings. It's not so hard if you had fun doing it all.
School won't teach you that, it comes from within yourself. Think of classes as one resource out of many for your goal, and take advantage of that. Don't be afraid to keep learning in as many ways as you can - through books, experienced pros, and so on. This applies to any career, not just comics.SP: Anything you would like to add?
AC: 8 Ways to be Deaf is not my only book. I also have another book, The Census Taker and Other Deaf Humor. It's actually all text with no funny pictures, but a good read, I hope! Both 8 Ways and The Census Taker are available at http://8ways.adreanaline.com and in the Apple iBookstore. (Please do leave a review, I appreciate all feedback!)
Some other Deaf cartoonists you all might enjoy are Matt Daigle, Shawn Richardson, Maureen Klusza, Kendra Harness, Dan McClintock, and Paul Guo. Their work appears in SIGNews and in the Deaf Cartoonists Showcase book at my website. http://www.adreanaline.com/blog/archive/free-comic-book-day/

DAREDEVIL/ECHO: VISION QUEST (PREMIERE HARDCOVER) IN STORES: September 29, 2010

I don't think I need to go on and on about this... because I always do and you know I love this character (Echo in Daredevil) and artist David Mack (as in MAD PROFESSIONAL CRUSH). But here it is!   ISBN: 978-0-7851-4521-9 Release Date: September 29, 2010 Source: Marvel.com

DAREDEVIL/ECHO: VISION QUEST (PREMIERE HARDCOVER)

COVER BY: David Mack WRITER: David Mack PENCILS: David Mack THE STORY: Maya Lopez, dubbed Echo by the press, is a young deaf woman capable of replicating any action she sees — including an individual’s fighting style. She once nearly took down Daredevil, believing him to be the one who killed her father. After learning that it was actually Wilson Fisk, her legal guardian, who was responsible, she shot him and left New York in an attempt to discover herself. Now, with her perceptions completely altered, can she make sense of the world? Echo embarks on a Native American vision quest to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Written and illustrated by acclaimed Kabuki creator David Mack. Combining innovative storytelling, painting techniques and page design, Mack has won nearly every major comic-industry award, including the prestigious Eisner Award for Best Painter, and garnered praise from such luminaries as Jim Steranko and The Washington Times. Collecting DAREDEVIL #51-55. Rated T+ …$19.99

Echo- Deaf, Biracial & Multilingual

Straight from David Mack's page.... March 2010 Marvel Solicitations
Below are solicitations for two David Mack-related Marvel projects that will debut in March 2010:
	Daredevil/Echo: Parts of a Hole Premiere HC Written by DAVID MACK, penciled by JOE QUESADA, cover by JOE QUESADA She is Echo. Though seemingly kindred souls, their secret identities are very much at odds. Maya seeks out her father's killer, a man that Kingpin fingers as Daredevil. Can Matt Murdock clear his name before his new love becomes his executioner? Acclaimed writer/painter David Mack and artist Joe Quesada weave a tale of dangerous liaisons and forbidden romance that will change the Man Without Fear forever! CollectingDAREDEVIL #9-12. 184 pages, $24.99. Release Date: March 24, 2009 Previews Product Code: JAN100661 Source: Marvel.comNew Avengers Vol. 5 Hardcover Written by Brian Michael Bendis, penciled by MICHAEL GAYDOS, DAVID MACK, JIM CHEUNG & BILLY TAN, cover by ALEKSI BRICLOT Who can you trust? Now that the shape-shifting Skrulls' plot to infiltrate Earth has begun, that question has a clear answer: Trust no one! Explore the dramatic turmoil of the Avengers roster as the slow-burning Skrull menace ratchets up and finally explodes in their faces. Featuring Luke Cage, Echo, Wolverine, Spider-Woman and other NEW AVENGERS favorites. Learn the shocking answers to these burning questions: has Captain America truly returned to again lead the Avengers? What were the Skrulls able to learn from the captive Illuminati? How did Spider-Woman and the Skrulls survive House of M? And whose side will the super-powered criminals of the Marvel Universe take as the Skrull invasion decimates New York City? These vivid stories of paranoia and suspense are brought to you by writer Brian Michael Bendis and a dream team of comics brightest art talents - including Michael Gaydos, David Mack, Jim Cheung and Billy Tan. Collecting NEW AVENGERS #38-47. 256 pages, $29.99 Release Date: June 2, 2010 (per DiamondComics.com) Previews Product Code: JAN100649 Source: ComicBookResourcs.com

Shameless Self Promotion

http://www1.ncte.org/proposals/annual101/speakers/?pid=2160

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is pleased to announce that Sharon Pajka-West will be speaking at the 2009 NCTE Annual Convention.

Pajka-West, of Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, will be presenting during the roundtable session, "Comics, Contacts, and Conflicts: Graphic Novels In the Classroom." An excerpt from the description of this session in the Convention Program reads:

Practicing English teachers and teacher educators share experiences working with young people-adolescents and pre-service ELA teachers-as they make powerful text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections vis contact and conflict with comics and graphic novels.

The session will be held from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM on Friday, November 20, 2009.

Each year, the NCTE Annual Convention draws thousands of K-12 teachers, college faculty, administrators, and other educational professionals from around the world. They gather to hear award-winning speakers, attend idea-packed sessions, share best practices, participate in workshops, and test the latest teaching materials. The 2009 NCTE Annual Convention will be held November 19-22, in Philadelphia, PA.

For more information, or to register for the Convention, visit http://www.ncte.org/annual.

Understanding Diversity in Comics: A Look at Marvel Comics' Echo- Multilingual, Biracial and Deaf

View more presentations from Sharon Pajka-West.

Deaf Superhero Wanted

Whether it is to help students improve their reading skills or it is me discussing my favorite superhero, I have posted again and again about Deaf Characters in Comics and Graphic Novels. Thanks to Tracy from Gallaudet for passing this Call for Submissions on to me.

Call for Submissions

If you created the ultimate deaf superhero, what powers would you add? Who or what would the hero be up against? Here's the chance to send in your own comic book pages!

We are assembling an anthology of deaf superheroes. Anyone can submit from 1 to 10 pages of art, in greyscale only. Dimensions are 6 inches by 9 inches (traditional comic book size) and 300 dpi. File formats .gif and .jpg accepted. Collaborations between writers and artists are welcome. The anthology is for all ages, so no extreme imagery or dialogue, please.

DEADLINE IS 1 JULY 2009

Visit http://www.44comics.com for more information!

The International Reading Association Convention, Understanding Diversity in Comics: A Look at Marvel Comics "Echo" & Study Island

The International Reading Association Convention always brings tons of excitement. Last year, I met Myron Uhlberg. This year I met Heather Harper the Managing Editor of Study Island. I can't wait to tell you more about Study Island's Online Graphic Novel Reading Intervention for K-12. The World as You Know is "an original, online graphic novel created by Study Island and its Original Island Inks imprint. It is a three book series following the adventures of Solomon, a Native American middle school student; Lukas, a deaf, foreign exchange student from Cameroon; and Esperanza, an ambitious Hispanic girl who guides Solomon and Lukas on their adventures. The trio believes their world is only as big as their front yard. When the three are shown what awaits them just under the surface of the world they know, they call into question what they know about that world and each other. It is a visual delight mixing one part mystery, one part fantasy, and one part discovery that sends the world on its head." I'm most excited about Lukas Biya. Read his bio below.

Lukas is from Cameroon. He is deaf, which automatically carries its own challenges. However, add to this that he, much like Solomon, is an outcast, and Lukas' life seems even more different than the lives of his classmates. His father is an important diplomat who makes little time for Lukas, but this does little to bring down Lukas and his fiercely independent streak. Lukas is similar to Solomon in that he is a pleasant kid, but he is also very skeptical. These traits are an advantage within the unit of the trio; however, alone, these qualities make Lukas vulnerable to dealing with others. Lukas soon learns that he is the central figure in a situation that is out of his control. It affects his relationships with his friends and family, and just when he thinks that he has come to grips with his place in this world, his world is turned upside down, putting him back at square one. (Study Island)

This will be out in March. I've already seen some of the panels and I'm very excited. I'll keep you posted!

Below is my Poster from the Presentation on Marvel Comics Echo- Deaf, Female and Biracial.

Understanding Diversity in Comics: A Look at Marvel Comics' Echo- Multilingual, Biracial and Deaf

View more presentations from Sharon Pajka-west. (tags: presentation)

Keep in mind that the International Reading Association does have a Special Interest Group for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Readers. Click on the link for more information.

Presentation: Deaf Comic Book Characters

This presentation is for the students in Gallaudet's Art Department in preparation for my presentation at the International Reading Association Convention in February.

Presentation Deaf Comic Book Characters

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Maya, Clinton, and now Gustav??? Deaf Characters in Comics

Tonight on Marvel Database, I came across a category listing of Deaf Characters including Maya Lopez (whom we know and love... or at least I do), Clinton Barton (yeah, yeah, yeah... I know) and then Gustav Krueger a.k.a. The Rattler. I was pretty excited that 1.) there is a category and 2.) there was a character whom I didn't recognize and 3.)I'm actually able to list a few more deaf and/or hard of hearing characters. I read Gustav/The Rattler's bio (which actually cracked me up)...he has a bionic tail that generates sonic vibrations used to create shock waves and/or disorient others.... but there isn't any explicit mention of him being Deaf.... Someone obviously has placed him in the category for a reason. Anyone familiar with this character?

I think my favorite line from the biography is this one.

"He was very popular with the ladies...." (you're welcome to follow the link to read the full description)

Finally the Secret Invasion is Here! So I ask: Is Deaf Character Echo a Skrull?

I really enjoy all of this skrull business because it reminds me of my childhood and watching classics such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) that was based on the Jack Finney novel (1955). So if some of y'all are going to keep getting uptight about David Mack and his art, perhaps you should consider the larger picture: pod people vs. skrulls; mass hysteria vs mass hysteria; loved ones accusing loved ones of being impostors vs. (opening scene) Wolverine saying, "I ain't a skrull, Maya". Hmmm, yep, you're right... there are no similarities!

You guessed it. The New Avengers #39 finally came out today. And if you haven't read the issue, you might want to stop reading here.

****I promise not to give way TOO MUCH in ****SPOILERS**** but I do plan to discuss the issue.***

If you were confused before... well, I hope this will confuse you some more.

Can an echo have an echo?....or better yet, Can Echo have an Echo?

I didn't see that happening but that Bendis is clever. And don't we all fight ourselves just a bit? I guess we don't usually end up with so many bandages but then again we don't live in Marvel's Universe. And WHAT? Daredevil is in this issue???? Or is he?

So in Marvel's preview, they asked: Have the Skrulls infiltrated the Avengers? Readers still won't know after this issue but we sort of know who is not a skrull....sort of, maybe?;

Is Maya Lopez the only one with proof? Well, no because someone was with her... but then again maybe that individual is a skrull;

Will she live to tell the tale? sort of;

All this and a major Avengers hook up! We didn't see that one coming.... or did we? I kind of like the connection. One deaf character... one sort of (used to be?) deaf character. Clint Barton aka Hawkeye was deaf and used to wear a hearing aid.... (but then there is something about his hearing getting restored in a later issue).

Ahh, the issue was an enigma but Mr. Mack was correct, I did enjoy it. Can't wait until next month to read: Skrulls SECRET INVASION TIE-IN!

Insider Tips about Deaf Character Echo in New Avengers #39

(Note: I've included this Daredevil picture of Echo because she is holding her head and nearly covering her eyes. That is the way I'm feeling over Issue #39)

On Friday, I emailed David Mack explaining that I know he is a super busy guy but that I just wanted to share the excitement my students, some blog readers and I are all experiencing over the release of The New Avengers Issue #39. While we're all freaking out in anticipation and in fear that Echo may be a skrull, this experience is creating quite a dialogue between readers. As an English professor, I can't ask for anything more. So rather our fears are warranted or not, I just wanted to thank him.... this is what literature (and I do consider Comics and Graphic Novels a part of the new canon of literature) is all about.

Below is the email response from him. Okay, I don't REALLY have any insider tips but I always feel pretty cool when authors, including the talented David Mack reply to my emails.

In an email from Friday, David Mack wrote:

"I did try to post, but for some reason it is not working (probably my ancient laptop). I'll try to post from another computer when I get a chance. In the meantime, feel welcome to post my regards, and that I think they will enjoy this issue:)

Please give them my thanks for reading. There are skrulls in the issue, but I can't say who :) But I think the students will enjoy Echo and the Avengers in this story."

Here is my close analysis of the email.
Premise: David writes that he believes that we will enjoy the issue and he particularly states that we will enjoy Echo in this issue.
Premise: Hmmm, I don't think I would enjoy it at all if Echo becomes a hearing skrull
Conclusion: Echo won't be a skrull...

Okay, that isn't my finest Critical Thinking analysis and I don't really have any insider tips but the good news is that in just three more days, we'll know.

Deaf Character in Comics: Echo in New Avengers #39... released in 6 days

Here is an alternative cover for New Avengers issue #39 featuring Deaf Character Echo. I've been talking about this issue for a few months now. In 6 days, our wait will be over.
Eeeekkkk! My big concern is that Echo/Maya Lopez will be a Skrull and end up hearing (a very uncool ending for such a cool character)... but because David Mack is on board this project and I believe that he has a great deal of respect for Echo (considering he created her and all), I don't think that will happen.

Upcoming New Avengers issue features artist David Mack and a major story line for Deaf Character, Echo

I start off most Saturday mornings the same way... I make coffee and then sit down to the computer to search for new publications with Deaf Characters and read literary journals. This morning was no different. After reading James Bucky Carter's "Transforming English with Graphic Novels: Moving toward our 'Optimus Prime'" in the English Journal, I decided to visit Marvel Comics' website to see what the next exciting issue of The New Avengers would hold. During my interview with David Mack in September, Mack alluded to a future for his creation Echo (the Deaf Character who originated in Marvel's Daredevil comics), "There is something else cooking with her that I am involved in but I have to wait and let Marvel announce that!"

That comment has certainly been in the back of my mind for months. Alas, the wait is over!... (sort of). Straight from Marvel Comics! The New Avengers Issue #39 will include a major story line for Echo (aka Maya Lopez). I quickly poured my coffee into a travel mug and headed for Velocity Comics... so excited that I missed the originial release date. It isn't out just yet. Look for this issue in stores in March 2008! But I did have a great chat with a guy in the comic book store and picked up a few comics... so the excursion wasn't a total loss.


COVER BY: DAVID MACK
WRITER: BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
PENCILS: DAVID MACK

The Secret Invasion is here! Award-winning artist David Mack brings his amazing talent to NEW AVENGERS to illustrate a major story in the life of Echo! Have the Skrulls infiltrated the Avengers? Is Maya Lopez the only one with proof? Will she live to tell the tale? All this and a major Avengers hook up!
Visit http://www.marvel.com/ for details.

An interview with the Creator (David Mack) of one of my favorite Deaf Characters (Echo)

(Character Echo pictured from Marvel Comics' Daredevil-- note the ASL handshapes in the background)

I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert…. And I don’t try to play one on this blog. I know very little about comic books and graphic novels… whenever I write about them I have to look up the vocabulary terms to describe the little speech bubbles and panels. Yet, I do know what makes my students happy and what makes me excited about teaching.

When I first began researching the topic of Deaf Characters in Comics and Graphic Novels, I hadn’t picked up a comic book since I was in high school… in those days I was reading Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman comics as they were published. I also loved the illustrations of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles and some of the early comic book illustrations of Edgar Allan Poe stories. In fact, I still own all of those original comics and they have never made their way into my classroom. Why? Well, I guess I was afraid that they would get ruined or not be appreciated… and frankly there are so many memories and emotions tied up in those books. From where I’m typing, I can look over to my overstuffed bookshelves and spy them in the corner.

With all that love and passion, why did I not think about simply buying copies of these collections and putting them in my classroom? My students were the ones who urged me, after a decade of neglect, to examine comics with older, more experienced eyes…. And oh, yeah, if I could find some cool Deaf Characters along the way that would be great too. I tried but as much as I tried I didn’t find many cool Deaf Characters…. I found only one whom I liked and felt comfortable recommending. That character’s name is Maya Lopez, (also known as) Echo.

I originally liked Echo because she broke away from prior researchers’ typecasts of Deaf Characters in literature. She wasn’t a white male who was a victim of her deafness. She wasn’t isolated because she was unable to communicate with her peers. Echo is strong and confident... but that doesn’t mean she is without flaws—probably the reason I like her so much now. The character goes through various levels of growth.

If you’ve glanced through this blog you know that I adore this character who first debuted as a love interest for Matt Murdock in Daredevil in the late 1990s. A man of many talents (artist, writer, illustrator, etc.) named David Mack created her and the incredible storyline about her life as a multilingual, biracial, strong-willed woman. I could go on and on about the multi-media artwork and how incredible the inclusions of both American Sign Language and Native American’s Indian Sign Language (Wow, David Mack did his research) added to the depth of the character but I’ll save that for academic publications and let you enjoy my recent interview with David Mack (pictured below).

After reading his release schedule, I feel a bit guilty for even taking the time to interrupt his busy life…. For instance, his children’s book The Shy Creatures just hit bookstores. The book is a charming story of a shy girl (with a ton of books that she sort of hides behind-- so how can you not love a girl with books???) who decides that when she grows up, she wants to be a doctor of shy creatures (like Big Foot, a unicorn, some alien-looking creature and so on). Precious! Okay, so I'm a little star-struck!

Without further ado, my interview with David Mack. *********************************************************************************
SPW: How did you come up with Echo's storyline? (Mack pictured in his "studio" i.e. porch)

DM: I began working for Marvel as a writer, writing the Daredevil series right after director Kevin Smith. One of the things that the editor (and artist of the Daredevil series) Joe Quesada asked me to do was create a brand new character in this Daredevil story. The Daredevil character is blind and deciphers his world in a unique way. I thought he would have a unique connection with a character that also views their world through her own unique perspective. In a way different from Daredevil’s but in a way that was somewhat complimentary.

Daredevil deciphers much of his world from sound instead of sight. Echo grew up not having access or understanding of this “audible world” and therefore learned to decipher all of the visual cues of the world as a language that she pieced together by an acute pattern recognition. As a child, she began to realize the rhythms of body language, and facial expression and lip movement, and eventually began to see all movement as a kind of language. I began with these characters, their unique histories and childhoods, and motivations, and let them interact with each other.

SPW: What kind of research did you do in preparation to write from the perspective of an empowered Deaf, Latina Native American female?

DM: I read various autobiographies and biographies of people who had grown up deaf from childhood. This opened up an entire new world to me. I was fascinated to see things from that perspective and that influenced many of the details of the story.

I remember an autobiography where a boy was stunned to learn that rain made a noise. So if that visual element had a corresponding noise, he wondered what sound snow made. Or what sound a rainbow would make.

For the Echo- Vision Quest story, I also researched quite a bit on Indian sign language which fit into the language and symbology of the story. Much of this story was inspired my an uncle of mine who is Native American and had me draw Native American stories and symbology that he told me as a kid.

Much of the story was about the power of story telling, and storytellers as the shamans or cultural guides of our world. I also read autobiographies of Native American storytellers and artists, including those in which the storytellers describe themselves as shamans or medicine men that pass on their medicine through their stories. And I felt like the Echo story was a continuation of that.

SPW: Could you explain how you collaborated with the artists on your Daredevil issues? Did you give the artist a layout of what you wanted since some of your writing was immersed in the art itself? (I'm explicitly interested in the art which includes Indian Sign Language and American Sign Language)

DM: For the first Daredevil story, Marvel Editor In Chief, Joe Quesada was the artist. I gave him layouts to go with my script. This was just to make the script more clear to him as some of it was designed in an unconventional way. And I was writing specifically with his artistic talents in mind. Joe took the best parts of my layouts and fused that with his own dynamic approach to the art. For the story with the Indian Sign Language, and American Sign Language, I did the art to that series myself. So I went through a series of sketches and layouts to get it just right. And then worked bigger from that.

SPW: How did the character get picked up by The New Avengers? (sorry if this is clearly a novice reader's type of question…I guess I'm asking more about who "controls" the character—do you now collaborate on Maya's plot or are you disconnected from the character?)

DM: Brian Michael Bendis writes The New Avengers and he chose her as a character for his series. He was kind enough to mention this idea to me ahead of time to see what I thought about it, but he did not have to. And I thoroughly enjoy his writing and his additions to the life of the character. While I created the character of Echo, Marvel owns the character. They have been kind enough to let me establish the character a bit and flesh out her history, but it is a joy to give something back to the Marvel Universe. I’ve written other Marvel characters that talented writers created long ago, and it is nice to feel like I have contributed back to Marvel with characters that now have a life of their own.

SPW: What are you future plans for Maya/Echo?

DM: I certainly do have some! Marvel has suggested I write a future Echo series, so that would be fun, and the story builds on her talent at pattern recognition, in the form of her basically being a walking Rosetta stone of language. And there is something else cooking with her that I am involved in but I have to wait and let Marvel announce that!

[SPW Note to Readers: Here’s what I think he is talking about… in an August 24 interview with ComicBookResources.com (http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11698) he mentioned that several of Daredevil’s girlfriends will be making appearances in Daredevil: End of Days…. Echo is a pretty popular character so it is likely she’ll show up… but this is just my prediction:)]

SPW: What advice would you give to young people who are reading your books for the first time today?

DM: My main advice for students who want to pursue their own creative endeavors- writing, art, music, etc., is to just do it. You start it and keep doing it and figure out the details of what you want from it only from the sheer act of doing it on a regular basis. And then you find ways to make it grow and find a delivery system for it. My current Kabuki series from Marvel: KABUKI-The Alchemy is all about this. The story is basically a blueprint for turning your dreams and ideas into reality. But not in an abstract way. In a concrete, step by step practical way, that is applicable for just about anything. The story includes principals that I have developed in my professional work in the last 15 years, and illustrates those principles in very practical and hands on ways of immediately turning your 2D ideas into 3D reality. The #1 rule is to start it now, and do exactly what you want to do. Everything else grows organically through the practice of that.
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Thanks David Mack! It is always exciting to meet someone who loves his job as much as I love mine. How refreshing to know that we don't have to grow up!

Be sure to visit David Mack’s website http://davidmackguide.com/ for more information about appearances, his artwork etc. There is even an interesting DVD The Alchemy of Art: David Mack…. Viewers can watch a trailer that includes various art pieces and an interview [sorry the trailer is not closed-captioned].

Don’t forget! Pick up Marvel Comics' Daredevil: Parts of a Hole (Reprints DAREDEVIL (Vol. 2) #9-15), Daredevil issues #51, 52, 53, 54, 55 for your bookshelves or classroom... and for younger children or adults who have never quite grown up (and that is perfectly OKAY!), check out Mack's latest book The Shy Creatures.

Can't get enough of Echo? Pick up Marvel Comics' The New Avengers issues 30-33.

Can't get enough of David Mack? Check out his action figure?!?

Don't miss the Comments from Readers!

From time to time, you may want to revisit my posts to see comments that readers add. Here are two referencing Deaf Characters in Comics... or actually a character who was supposed to be deaf. Pretty interesting stuff! Thanks Bucky and Franny!

(Read their comments below)

Bucky wrote "Here's a tidit about a character that was supposed to be written as deaf -- was supposed to be Marvel's first deaf mutant character, apparently -- but had her origins changed. Just look for the last "urban legend" entry. http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/08/16/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-116/ " (comment posted today under Deaf Characters in Comics and Graphic Novels)



Franny wrote "One of my research interests is superheroes and disability--in the research I've done to date it's seemed like there are some disabilities that are frequently represented and others that rarely are. Deaf characters are few and far between, which is suprising to me in such a visually oriented medium. (Comparatively, there are very many characters who have visual impairments including quite a few blind characters whose superpower is...to be able to see. Seriously.) Anyway I see you have Echo on your list but you might be interested to know that the character Penance from the Generation X comics in the early 90's was originally supposed to be deaf but the series changed writers and things got really wacky after that. " (comment posted July 30th)

Want more Deaf Characters?

Wikipedia includes a category of Fictional deaf characters.

Some of the characters include: comic books characters such as Professor Calculus (The Adventures of Tintin--SHOWN BELOW RIGHT) and Maya Lopez aka Echo (Daredevil and The New Avengers); television series characters such as Gordon Cole (Twin Peeks) and Rosemary Gavin (Rescue Me); characters from novels such as Drury Lane (by author Ellery Queen); soap opera character Thomas Henry Edward Sinbad Sweeney (on Brookside); and a fighting game character named Voldo (in the Soul series--SHOWN LEFT).

Hawkeye-- superhero who becomes deaf

Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, joins Avengers. In Avengers #239, he explains how he has become deaf.







I'm now in the possession of Daredevil Vol. 11 #9-15 and Daredevil #51, 53, 54, and 55 featuring the deaf character Echo thanks to the Velocity Comics. They were super friendly and helpful in assisting me. I read through all the issues and Echo is even cooler than I could have imagined! I'll discuss what I like (and what I don't like) about her in future posts.
Am I becoming hooked on comics? Maybe.

More on Deaf Characters in Comics and Graphic Novels

Hear-Say by Greg Cook (mini-comics format)

Hear-Say follows a nearly-deaf gentleman through a seemingly average day, including friendly interactions over a gaming table and a restaurant meal. When the man ends up on the shore, he pulls out a hornhorn to use as a hearing aid. Readers gets to view the added "sound elements" through the use of empty word balloons. Cook plays with white space and incomplete drawing emphasizing our own incomplete worlds that we try to piece together.

Dan Slott's She-Hulk comics character Awesome Andy is "mute" and communicates with other characters via a chalkboard... but isn't a "deaf" character.
http://www.marvel.com/universe/Awesome_Andy

Batman Beyond: Hear No Evil (2002)

The deaf villain Shriek, who uses sound as his weapon, is wreaking havoc on Gotham City. When Shriek’s stone-splitting sound vibrations. Batman has to save a young deaf boy from a falling rock.

Deaf Characters in Comics

I found a website that discusses the portrayals of Deaf Characters in comics. The Vidarland site explains, "main characters in comics are usually flawless". The site then discribes different artists' portrayals of deaf and hard of hearing characters including Donal Duck, Professor Calculus, and Gaston Lagaffe. This site shows the use of lipreading and sign language, including the sign language used by American Indians, in comics. The author of this site also explains Norwegian for those of us who don't know the language. To print out the article: http://www.vidarland.com/artikler/deafness_in_comics.pdf