Einstein

Maier and Simon previously took on Freud and Marx, and they’re back with a third graphic novel biography of one of the 20th century’s greatest thinkers, originally published in France (like the first two). In a deft translation, Maier’s sharp, clever dialogue gives this portrayal a rapid pace, matched by Simon’s energetic and spirited art. Though her figures are drawn in a relatively simple cartoon style, Simon’s adroit panel and page composition illustrate not only Einstein’s life but the wonders of the cosmos. She often expands the visuals to encompass a full-page vista of Einstein’s imagination, his ambitious discoveries portrayed as figurative journeys across lushly colored woods, a Möbius strip, and a maze-like giant brain. The savvy script and illustration celebrate Einstein’s life and work in a memorably imaginative visual saga. (July)