DOING THE ISLANDS WITH KIKUO
By Leroy Douresseaux
October 7, 2005 - 15:13
Fantagraphics Books PR man, Eric Reynolds sent the following press notice, "For Immediate Release." It concerns Night Fisher, a much talked about graphic novel by R. Kikuo Johnson, and Johnson's tour of Hawaii in support of the book:
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“A gritty coming-of-age story… Johnson delivers strong plot and dialogue like a fistful of poi.” — GIANT ROBOT
R. KIKUO JOHNSON TOURS HAWAII BEHIND NIGHT FISHER;
MAUI NATIVE RETURNS FOR 1st TIME TO PROMOTE ACCLAIMED GRAPHIC NOVEL
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 17, 7PM
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Kahala Mall
4211 Waialae Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96816
808.737.3323
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 18, 7PM
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 1272
Honolulu, HI 96814
808.944.3135
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19, 12PM (NOON)
WHERE: Borders Books & Music
270 Dairy Road, Suite 190
Kahului, Maui, HI 96732
808.877.6160
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“Johnson’s debut is not only remarkably assured but astonishingly fresh, one that refuses to trade in the usual hoary high-school clichés… The artwork is truly something to behold, its dramatic and transformative lines recreating the island’s lush modernity with a sensual power… A dark, grand, sweeping dream of a book.” — KIRKUS REVIEWS [Starred Review]
NIGHT FISHER is the debut graphic novel from an exciting young talent. R. Kikuo Johnson has created an intimate and compelling graphic novel of young men on the cusp of adulthood. Loren Fosteer was handed an island paradise when he moved to Hawaii with his father six years ago. Now, with the end of high school right around the corner, his best friend, Shane, has grown distant. Their friendship is stretched to its breaking point when they get mixed up in a frivolous crime.
Kikuo Johnson’s debut graphic novel is a compassionate, hard-nosed coming of age story, an unsentimental portrait of that most awkward period between adolescence and adulthood, and that rarest of things—a mature depiction of immature lives.