Comics Related: Hereville is a “witty little gem” of a book

Chuck Moore of Comics Related reviews Hereville:

I’ve always been excited by stories that take me into another culture or community that’s a bit outside my normal zone of experience. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword (subtitled “Yet Another Troll-Fighting 11-Year-Old Orthodox Jewish Girl”) may be written with a younger target audience in mind, but its wistful, relaxed air transports the reader into a very realistic world filled with Orthodox Jewish life and culture. I found it to be a welcome place to visit.

The story and art is by Barry Deutsch who has won the national Charles M. Schulz award for best college cartoonist (2000) and is part of the Portland creator community. The book is colored by Jake Richmond. The art and visual impact of the story is quite impressive. From the way this story is laid out to the use of detail as narrative cues, there is a simple quality here that I really respect. The more I look back through the book, the more detail and creativity I find to catch my eye. Visually, from the moment I saw it, I know it would be my next review as it’s a beautiful book to read. I can understand why Deutsch is award winning in his work.

Thanks, Chuck! Go over there to read the entire review.

The Official Hereville Premiere Event! November 4th, 7:30pm

When: Thursday, November 4th, 7:30pm
What: The official premiere of the Hereville graphic novel. Cartoonist Barry Deutsch will narrate a slideshow about Hereville, to be followed by a book signing. Colorist Jake Richmond will also attend.
Where: Powell’s on Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon.

“What do you get when you cross Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Isaac Bashevis Singer?”

—The Washington Post on Hereville

Hereville, a new hardcover, color graphic novel is officially being released by Abrams on November 1st. The official premier event will take place at Powell’s on Hawthorne on November 4th.

Hereville is the story of Mirka, an 11-year-old girl being raised in an extremely traditional Jewish community. But all Mirka wants to do is fight monsters — which isn’t so traditional for a girl in her community. Hereville is about Mirka’s magical adventures (she meets a witch, a troll, and an extremely grumpy pig), and also about Mirka’s family and community. And reviewers are saying that Hereville is one of the best graphic novels of the year.

Hereville was originally a webcomic, and then a self-published floppy comic, with a first run of 100 copies. When the self-published comic was premiered at Stumptown Comics Fest, Hereville received serious interest from two different publishers and an agent. Two years later, the graphic novel of Hereville — much expanded and redrawn from the earlier comic — is finally in stores.

FOUR STARS for Hereville:

“Mirka is the heroine that girlhood dreams are made of… Hereville is pure enchantment.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Undoubtedly one of the cleverest graphic novels of the year.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A terrific story, told with skill and lots of heart, that readers of all ages will enjoy.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An elegant, subtle examination into the gender roles, deep religious roots, and everyday cultural elements of an Orthodox Jewish society, while also being a witty, enormously clever adventure quest featuring a girl who will happily and firmly inform you that she is, indeed, hero material.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

For further information about Hereville… please explore this website.