Science and Scientists

      Jim Ottaviani has persevered in the presentation of science in comic books and graphic novels. I picked up a comic on scientist Richard Feynman which led me to Jim's Two-Fisted Science published by his own GT Labs imprint. I loved the safe cracking anecdote. Another early effort featured women scientists Marie Curie (nee Sklodovska), Hedy Lamarr, Lise Meithner, Rosalind Franklin, Barbara McClintock, and Birute Galdikas depicted by women artist contributors Marie Severin, Carla Speed McNeil, Jen Sorensen, Stephanie Gladden, Donna Barr, Roberta Gregory, Linda Medley, Lea Hernandez (Lea H. Seidman now), and Anne Timmons. Steve Lieber has contributed to several of Jim's projects. I love Steve's indie projects like Whiteout and Underground. Whenever I see him at a con, he's pointing out talented newcomers to me. Steve also offers advice to young artists at the SDCC Toucan Blog.
      Recently, Jim found a good home at First Second Books for the new age of the graphic novel. Look for Feynman with Leland Myrick, Primates with Maris Wicks, and the upcoming Hawking with Leland Myrick. After I finished reading Primates, I passed it along to my sister-in-law Amy and my niece.
      First Second Books published Human Body Theater written and drawn by Maris Wicks. This entertaining tutorial on the functions of our various organs is a triumph. I passed the book along to my cousin Steph who found her two toddler sons love it. First Second publishers a series of Science Comics now.