In the Spotlight

I, Paparazzi

Pat McGreal, Stephen John Phillips and Steven Parke

Vertigo with D.C. Comics

www.dccomics.com

The 96-page hardcover teases, "every picture tells a story." The illustrated novel is anything but conventional. The intense graphics are created using traditional illustration with state-of-the-art digital design tools. The graphic novel also uses stop-action photography and digital page layout programs to simulate urban-based sequences chronicling the deeds of the zealous main character in this adult comic. In fact, the division of Vertigo, according to D.C. Comics, "was launched in 1993 to offer innovative graphic stories to adult readers of non-traditional comics." The company is also among the most respected publishers in alternative comics today, no doubt due to the expert detail paid when mass-producing original art in print and online.

The Rabbi Who Flew: A Grandma Hanne Sheyne Story

Renate Dollinger

Booksmythe

www.booksmythe.com

To capture the fullness of Renate Dollinger's illustrations, a gouache process was used to reproduce intaglio prints, preserving the original pigments of oil paintings created specifically for this year's Independent Publishers Book Awards finalist. According to Hazel Rochman of Booklist, "Dollinger's vibrant expressionist paintings are rich in gouache colors, highlighted with thick black lines." The reproductions, output on heavy coated stock, showcase matching end products that feature a collection of hues.

Tomb Raider

Andy Park

Top Cow Comics

www.topcow.com

Before the major motion picture, the character of Lara Croft was first born on the printed page. Since then, the publishers of Tomb Raider comics have released several special edition books, featuring foiled covers in gold, ruby red and millennium styles. The trade paperbacks selectively feature stamping and lush illustrations by Andy Park, who has also signed select issues of the series. Top Cow Comics is banking on the demand for multi-media publishing projects, exporting plenty of its award-winning art and designs online for free digital sampling—without losing the original details found in print versions. Finding new ways of using unusual, flashy substrates, holograms and textures also contributes to a greater return on second and third edition print runs. The publisher admits that loyal readers welcome a series of the same book produced using a variety of tones and foils.