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The astonishing story of the incomparable Rex Libris, Head Librarian at Middleton Public Library. From ancient Egypt, where his beloved Hypatia was murdered, to the farthest reaches of the galaxy in search of overdue books, Rex upholds his vow to fight the forces of ignorance and darkness. Wearing his super thick bottle glasses and armed with an arsenal of high technology weapons, he strikes fear into recalcitrant borrowers, and can take on virtually any foe from zombies to renegade literary show more characters. show lessTags
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Member Recommendations
by Othemts
Member Reviews
Look, I am going to be a sucker for any story about the secret society of super-powered librarians who patrol the interdimensional worlds deep in the stacks (and also enforce overdue fines). I just am. This one actually does live up to the premise, too!
Let's put it this way: I read it depsite the fact that I despise the art. And it takes a *lot* to get me to read a comic when I despise the art. (It is very blocky, obviously computer-generated vector art. Comics art should not be vector-based. Or computer generated. Just shouldn't.)
Let's put it this way: I read it depsite the fact that I despise the art. And it takes a *lot* to get me to read a comic when I despise the art. (It is very blocky, obviously computer-generated vector art. Comics art should not be vector-based. Or computer generated. Just shouldn't.)
The over use of da for the and dis for this almost made me hate this graphic novel. But the story line is rediculously funny and don't we all want to turn the annoying patrons into a pig sometimes.... Includes everything from space monsters to Circe, the original witch (of Odyssey fame), now working as a librarian.
I have no idea how funny this comic book would be to non-library folks, but it was mighty amusing to me. How could any librarian resist a comic book that begins with Ranganathan's Five Laws? Not to mention all the literary characters popping up in the stacks as "physical manifestations of paranormal emanations extruded from the mental energy captured in the literature on the shelves". Though, as Rex warns one patron, "never ever mention characters you meet who are not yet in the public domain. We live in a very litigious age". Wry humor abounds. Most enjoyable to me were the constant digressions into Rex's past, as well as his conversations with Barry, the comic book publisher who keeps wanting to add Amazons to the stories. Like show more Laurence Sterne, James Turner makes his book even funnier by frequently pulling back the curtains and exposing it as a book. show less
This graphic novel collects the first five issues of the comic. Rex, a “two-fisted librarian”, will stop at nothing to maintain order in the library and get people to return overdue books. Along the way he must deal with fictional characters that come to life, old ladies lost in the aisles, and a Larry King-like publisher who likes to put his two-cents in at the beginning of every chapter.
When I first heard of REX LIBRIS being a book about a librarian who traveled to other galaxies to retrieve overdue books, I knew I had to have it.
I love the fact that Rex is single-minded in his mission, with a bit of a superhero attitude. Although Rex sometimes speaks like a good ol’ boy, his knowledge is unceasing, so his voice every so often show more contradicts his intelligence.
Rex is a fabulous, fearless enforcer of library rules, but my favorite character is Rex’s sidekick Simon. He’s a talking bird bent on world domination. He’s funny and a perfect foil in response to Rex’s quibbles.
“Your own librarian commando training has surely informed you of the merits of armed back-up!”
“Well, damn, you’re right, I shoulda brought Hypatia.”
“HYPATIA?! Forget about Hypatia! What about me? I’m here, after all. What about my right to bear arms?”
“Dat doesn’t apply to BIRDS.”
“That’s just outright anti-bird prejudice!”
Who would have thought that a librarian would have such outrageous adventures and be so entertaining?
Don’t pass over “The Ordo Bibliotheca” near the end of the book. It’s an amusing history of the secret International Order of Librarians, of which Rex has been a member since at least the Dark Ages.
What I didn’t like was the really small print of this edition. They should have gone for better readability instead of cutting costs with a smaller book. Also, the addition in the back of other artists’ interpretations of Rex didn’t thrill me.
I’ve not read any other works by James Turner, such as NIL, but this volume will definitely get me to buy the next volume of REX LIBRIS. Ok, here’s the thing, even though I personally love the book, I don’t know that I would recommend it to more than a very select group of people. If you like libraries, sci-fi, cute birds, humor, intergalactic travel, and warriors that look like snowmen, then this is categorically the right book for you. show less
When I first heard of REX LIBRIS being a book about a librarian who traveled to other galaxies to retrieve overdue books, I knew I had to have it.
I love the fact that Rex is single-minded in his mission, with a bit of a superhero attitude. Although Rex sometimes speaks like a good ol’ boy, his knowledge is unceasing, so his voice every so often show more contradicts his intelligence.
Rex is a fabulous, fearless enforcer of library rules, but my favorite character is Rex’s sidekick Simon. He’s a talking bird bent on world domination. He’s funny and a perfect foil in response to Rex’s quibbles.
“Your own librarian commando training has surely informed you of the merits of armed back-up!”
“Well, damn, you’re right, I shoulda brought Hypatia.”
“HYPATIA?! Forget about Hypatia! What about me? I’m here, after all. What about my right to bear arms?”
“Dat doesn’t apply to BIRDS.”
“That’s just outright anti-bird prejudice!”
Who would have thought that a librarian would have such outrageous adventures and be so entertaining?
Don’t pass over “The Ordo Bibliotheca” near the end of the book. It’s an amusing history of the secret International Order of Librarians, of which Rex has been a member since at least the Dark Ages.
What I didn’t like was the really small print of this edition. They should have gone for better readability instead of cutting costs with a smaller book. Also, the addition in the back of other artists’ interpretations of Rex didn’t thrill me.
I’ve not read any other works by James Turner, such as NIL, but this volume will definitely get me to buy the next volume of REX LIBRIS. Ok, here’s the thing, even though I personally love the book, I don’t know that I would recommend it to more than a very select group of people. If you like libraries, sci-fi, cute birds, humor, intergalactic travel, and warriors that look like snowmen, then this is categorically the right book for you. show less
This graphic novel collects the first five issues of the comic. Rex, a “two-fisted librarian”, will stop at nothing to maintain order in the library and get people to return overdue books. Along the way he must deal with fictional characters that come to life, old ladies lost in the aisles, and a Larry King-like publisher who likes to put his two-cents in at the beginning of every chapter.
When I first heard of REX LIBRIS being a book about a librarian who traveled to other galaxies to retrieve overdue books, I knew I had to have it.
I love the fact that Rex is single-minded in his mission, with a bit of a superhero attitude. Although Rex sometimes speaks like a good ol’ boy, his knowledge is unceasing, so his voice every so often show more contradicts his intelligence.
Rex is a fabulous, fearless enforcer of library rules, but my favorite character is Rex’s sidekick Simon. He’s a talking bird bent on world domination. He’s funny and a perfect foil in response to Rex’s quibbles.
“Your own librarian commando training has surely informed you of the merits of armed back-up!”
“Well, damn, you’re right, I shoulda brought Hypatia.”
“HYPATIA?! Forget about Hypatia! What about me? I’m here, after all. What about my right to bear arms?”
“Dat doesn’t apply to BIRDS.”
“That’s just outright anti-bird prejudice!”
Who would have thought that a librarian would have such outrageous adventures and be so entertaining?
Don’t pass over “The Ordo Bibliotheca” near the end of the book. It’s an amusing history of the secret International Order of Librarians, of which Rex has been a member since at least the Dark Ages.
What I didn’t like was the really small print of this edition. They should have gone for better readability instead of cutting costs with a smaller book. Also, the addition in the back of other artists’ interpretations of Rex didn’t thrill me.
I’ve not read any other works by James Turner, such as NIL, but this volume will definitely get me to buy the next volume of REX LIBRIS. Ok, here’s the thing, even though I personally love the book, I don’t know that I would recommend it to more than a very select group of people. If you like libraries, sci-fi, cute birds, humor, intergalactic travel, and warriors that look like snowmen, then this is categorically the right book for you. show less
When I first heard of REX LIBRIS being a book about a librarian who traveled to other galaxies to retrieve overdue books, I knew I had to have it.
I love the fact that Rex is single-minded in his mission, with a bit of a superhero attitude. Although Rex sometimes speaks like a good ol’ boy, his knowledge is unceasing, so his voice every so often show more contradicts his intelligence.
Rex is a fabulous, fearless enforcer of library rules, but my favorite character is Rex’s sidekick Simon. He’s a talking bird bent on world domination. He’s funny and a perfect foil in response to Rex’s quibbles.
“Your own librarian commando training has surely informed you of the merits of armed back-up!”
“Well, damn, you’re right, I shoulda brought Hypatia.”
“HYPATIA?! Forget about Hypatia! What about me? I’m here, after all. What about my right to bear arms?”
“Dat doesn’t apply to BIRDS.”
“That’s just outright anti-bird prejudice!”
Who would have thought that a librarian would have such outrageous adventures and be so entertaining?
Don’t pass over “The Ordo Bibliotheca” near the end of the book. It’s an amusing history of the secret International Order of Librarians, of which Rex has been a member since at least the Dark Ages.
What I didn’t like was the really small print of this edition. They should have gone for better readability instead of cutting costs with a smaller book. Also, the addition in the back of other artists’ interpretations of Rex didn’t thrill me.
I’ve not read any other works by James Turner, such as NIL, but this volume will definitely get me to buy the next volume of REX LIBRIS. Ok, here’s the thing, even though I personally love the book, I don’t know that I would recommend it to more than a very select group of people. If you like libraries, sci-fi, cute birds, humor, intergalactic travel, and warriors that look like snowmen, then this is categorically the right book for you. show less
Rex is the Head Librarian at Middleton Public library. But Middleton...isn't your average library. And Rex isn't your average librarian. Rex is an immortal librarian, beginning his training back in the great ancient Library of Alexandria. And Middleton serves patrons from all over the universe and all manner of creatures. Rex uses every resource at his disposal to get Warlords to return their overdue books and pay their fines. Joining him in his adventures are the Head of the Library Thoth (the ancient god), Quagis, and Circe.
It isn't too often that you get to see a book that features a librarian as a hero (yes there are a few, but there far and few in between.) So as a librarian I was glad to stumble across Rex and his merry band and show more see how they dealt with patrons from across the universe (I made sure to take notes on how to defeat demon spirits.) The story is great fun, easy to read, and easy to get into (and you don't have to be a librarian to enjoy it.) There's a little bit of something for everyone in this book. My one complaint is the lettering gets a bit tiring to read after a while. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the adventure. show less
It isn't too often that you get to see a book that features a librarian as a hero (yes there are a few, but there far and few in between.) So as a librarian I was glad to stumble across Rex and his merry band and show more see how they dealt with patrons from across the universe (I made sure to take notes on how to defeat demon spirits.) The story is great fun, easy to read, and easy to get into (and you don't have to be a librarian to enjoy it.) There's a little bit of something for everyone in this book. My one complaint is the lettering gets a bit tiring to read after a while. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the adventure. show less
Rex Libris is a tough-as-nail librarian now several eons old fighting to protect knowledge and make sure books are returned on time, even when they're held by intergalactic space creatures. This comic book/graphic novel is funny and intelligent and lets you on what life is really like for a librarian. I just wish Turner didn't give away so many of our secrets.
Rex Libris succeeds at being witty whereas the Noah Wyle Librarian movies are just goofy (although the latter has Bob Newhart, so a point scored to them). I found the writing to be similar to the creative vein of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels.
Rex Libris succeeds at being witty whereas the Noah Wyle Librarian movies are just goofy (although the latter has Bob Newhart, so a point scored to them). I found the writing to be similar to the creative vein of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels.
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Fantastic Librarians
11 works; 3 members
fictional librarians
53 works; 19 members
Author Information
21 Works 722 Members
Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Rex Libris, Vol. 1: I, Librarian
- Original publication date
- 2007-07-11
- People/Characters
- Rex Libris; Circe; B. Barry Horst; Thoth; Simonides; Hypatia Krupskaya (show all 7); Supreme Warlord Vaglox
- Important places
- Middleton Public Library; Benzine V
- First words
- Welcome, adventurous reader, to the first issue of Rex Libris, public librarian. Here you will find, for the first time in print ever, the tumultous tales of the public library system and its unending battle against the forc... (show all)es of evil.
- Quotations
- Thoth shall have a muffin and it shall be blueberry! So Thoth commands!
You boys are welcome to stay and read quietly until you dissipate. But no trying to burn down the library after I leave!
Oh, thank St. Laurence! A librarian!
"So . . . how do you like the new circulation desk? [...] and it's got smoke dispensers"
"What?"
"Smoke dispensers".
"Uh . . . why?"
In case the patrons get rowdy. Gives us a sc... (show all)reen. Buys us enough time to reach the tasers."
"Wait! Shouldn't I back you up? Article 1, subsection A of the combat guideline clearly states . . ."
"Nonsense!
"Can't abandon the information desk, Hypatia. What if someone wanted to take out a b... (show all)ook? Remember your priorities!."
"Just hand over the book ya borrowed, The Principia Mathematica, and the late fee [...]
"oh, I . . . uh . . .returned it." - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I'll be right back.
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Graphic Novels & Comics, Teen
- DDC/MDS
- 741.5 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips
- LCC
- PN6727 .T865 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Collections of general literature Comic books, strips, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 369
- Popularity
- 85,255
- Reviews
- 27
- Rating
- (3.62)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 1
