“We’re sold out of Pop Gun War,” the comics retailer told me. “They’re teaching it at Portland State University.” 

“Teaching it?” 

 ”They’re using it in a graphic novel class.” 

I went to the fourth floor of Neuberger Hall and stepped into the English department office. The guy at the desk and a middle-aged woman were laughing about Moby Dick. My presence must have signaled back-to-work because she stepped out and the guy looked up brightly and supplied all the information about contacting Michael Ward, the teacher who had chosen Farel Dalrymple’s book, Pop Gun War. 

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