This month, TidalWave Comics celebrates ten years of publishing nonfiction comic books, engaging readers of all ages with a mix of information and entertainment.
The biography comic form allows TidalWave’s talented writers to delve into the history of certain newsworthy figures and explore what shaped them. Their line of biographical comic books have been featured on CNN, USA Today, NBC, ABC, CBS, Politico, Billboard, Roll Call, Vanity Fair, The Today Show, FOX News, and in People Magazine among thousands of others.
Known for fiction titles such as “10thMuse,” “The Legend of Isis,” “Vincent Price Presents,” and partnerships with Adam West and other celebrity writers, the independent publisher made a mark in comic book fandom. In 2008, TidalWave’s first foray into nonfiction told the backstories of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton, delving into a corner of the sequential art and storytelling market that was largely untapped.
“Marvel Comics produced a book about Pope John Paul the Second in the 1980’s, and that was considered somewhat groundbreaking at the time as the market was dominated by movie adaptations and superheroes,” said publisher and creative force Darren G. Davis. “As a reluctant reader, I found the form easy to access, so I always believed comics could both entertain and teach.”
To celebrate ten years of publishing nonfiction comic books, TidalWave formed a recent partnership with Ingram to print high-quality books on demand while assisting with ebook distribution and more. Ingram works across the full publishing spectrum, providing assistance to some of the largest names in the business to local indie authors.
“This is an exciting time for the future of TidalWave,” said Davis. “Our entire catalog of books are being repackaged and formatted to reach a wider audience. The quality of the books is truly amazing.”
Educators will find TidalWave’s robust catalog of graphic and literary novels now fully accessible, providing teachable moments for their students. Libraries can order books designed to educate and entertain communities, while comic book stores can capitalize on the focus of the lives of famous – and infamous – while adding credibility to the graphic form by sharing true stories that shape our lives.
Their nonfiction lines features a multitude of topics worthy of exploration.
“Female Force” offers a broad examination of the strong and influential women who are shaping modern history and culture by telling the stories of prominent and influential female authors, business executives, entertainers, journalists, politicians and activists. The lives of J.K. Rowling, Sarah Sandberg, and Elizabeth Warren join many other talented and influential people who empower women.
“Fame” focuses on culturally relevant celebrities, notable personalities, and other pop culture icons. Past issues featured such personalities as Robert Pattinson, 50 Cent, Kristin Stewart, David Beckham, and Taylor Swift.
A companion to the “Fame” series, the “Tribute” line of comic books offers a glimpse into the lives of the famous who have passed while describing their impact on our culture. Christopher Reeve, Prince Rogers Nelson, David Bowie, and Carrie Fisher have all received titles in their name.
“15 Minutes” focuses on reality television stars. These celebrities, for better or for worse, have grabbed onto the attention of millions of people around the world. Countless pairs of eyes have watched, riveted, as Kim Kardashian got married on national television, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” jet set from one lavish party to another, and the cast of “Jersey Shore” picked fights with each other on the boardwalk. ”15 Minutes” will chronicle the major players in this “celebreality” phenomenon.
The “Political Power” series of books focus on the men and women who shape the politics of our world. “Comics promote literacy,” said publisher Davis. “It’s my hope that in addition to fans of a candidate that younger readers will learn something about how our political process works.” Past subjects have included Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Marco Rubio.
“Faith Series” tells the stories you may have heard where you worship, parsing out the myths while exploring the real-life men and women who attempt to provide proof of a providential force at work in the universe. A recent comic explored the life of Pope Francis.
“Orbit” explores the influence of the famous and infamous on our society, tackling subjects like Charles Manson and Edward Snowden.
TidalWave is a multifaceted multimedia production company with the mission of delivering dynamic storytelling in a variety of forms by developing graphic and literary fiction and nonfiction, audio, film, and more. Their wide range of diverse titles is sure to delight your patrons by delivering dynamic visuals and creative and innovative storytelling available in high quality print and electronic formats.