Metuchen Native Brian Ralph Hits the New York Times Best Sellers List

SAVANNAH, GA (10/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Metuchen native and Savannah College of Art and Design sequential art professor Brian Ralph's latest graphic novel, "Daybreak," debuted at the No. 6 spot on the The New York Times Best Sellers list for hardcover graphic books.

Brian graduated from Metuchen High School in 1992. His entire family – mother, sister and brother – still live in Metuchen.

"I've always been an alternative cartoonist so I never imagined my book would be on The New York Times Best Sellers list," says Brian. "I'm thrilled that 'Daybreak' is reaching an audience."

"Daybreak" is the latest addition to the classic zombie genre, except with a unique twist. The story is seen through the eyes of the reader. At the beginning the reader is abruptly dropped in the middle of a garbage-strewn wasteland. The reader has no idea why the world is a wreck, but there's a nameless one-armed man who guides the reader through the ruin. What transpires is a moment-to-moment struggle for survival-as a silent observer, the reader follows their protector as they run together from the shadows of the imminent zombie threat.

"'Daybreak' is more than the typical zombie fare," says Brian. "I tried to explore the horror and zombie genre in an unexpected way. People will buy it for the zombies, but finish it finding it's more than that."

The Comics Reporter said that the book "puts you in the middle of the action like no other comic from the zombie craze." The popular blog Read About Comics said "'Daybreak' is the sort of book for which I'm able to appreciate it both for an admiration of craft as well as just fun as a reader ... highly recommended, without a doubt." Omnivoracious, a blog run by the book editors at Amazon.com, said that "'Daybreak' is fantastic...The last two pages will leave you checking the locks on your bedroom door."

Published by Drawn & Quarterly, "Daybreak" is Ralph's third graphic novel.

His debut graphic novel "Cave-In" was nominated for an Eisner Award, considered the Academy Awards of graphic novels, and listed as one of Comics Journal's "five best comics of 1999. His second graphic novel "Climbing Out" was awarded a prestigious Xeric Grant in 2001.

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