Graphic novels

Maus
(C) Art Spiegleman,
1973

Graphic novels represent a unique partnership between words and art. They are especially appealing to reluctant readers.

Definition

• Sturdy, lengthy comic book
• Single story OR
• Told through sequential art
• Series of inter-related stories

Other terms

• Trade comics
• Commix
• Graphic album
• Illu-novel
• Gekiga
• Anime

Characteristics

• More expensive than regular comics
  o Do not sell as well
• Less familiar to traditional comic buyers
  o Considered less collectable
• But ... sturdier, easier to handle
• Add interest and depth to your collection
• Preferred reading choice of many intermediate/young adult readers
• Have their own language
  o Creators juxtapose pictures and words to create new images
  o Use words and pictures in a new way
  o Represent a unique partnership between art and words

The Role of the artist

• Like a movie director
  o Breaks down the action into individual panels
  o Composes each panel
  o Controls timing of story
• Supplies settings and descriptions: visually
  o Uses shadow, angle, setting and costume
  o Not a series of separate illustrations
  o Must flow seamlessly

The Role of the writer

• Creates the original story
  o Like writing a (screen)play
• Must understand the interplay between art and text
  o Text should not distract from the art or vice versa
• Good writing is essential: strong story line
  o Create a seamless whole
• One cannot exist without the other

Evaluation criteria: the art

• Must balance text against the art
• Style of art
• Art appropriate to the story?
• Things mentioned in text that should have been illustrated?
• Does the art distract from the story?
• OR does the text distract from the art?
• Words and art
  o Are interdependent?
• How does the artist handle the “talky bits”?
• Do the illustrations ...
  o Provide subtle commentary on words?
  o Move the story forward?
• Elements in text that should have been illustrated?
• Look for a balance between the art and the words
  o Should not distract from one another
• Illustrations should reflect a high standard
  o Technically, artistically
• Cover illustration
  o Appropriate for content?

Evaluation: overall

• Book itself
  o Physically well produced and attractive?
• Story line
  o Coherent, imaginative, interesting, well written?
• Language
  o Accessible and appropriate?
• Treatment of race, gender, social class?
  o Problem with older books
• Violence
  o Natural or gratuitous?
• Text
  o Legible or obscured by pictures?

Younger readers: Tintin

• Created in 1929 by Georges Remi, started as PamPam
  o Nazi sympathizer
  o Didn’t like kids
• Signed his work: Herge
• Began life as a newspaper supplement
  o For children
  o The stories sold
• Adventures: investigate reporter
  o Timeless
• Precise drawing style
  o Clear line rendering with few shadows
  o Very detailed drawings
• Well plotted stories
  o Combine both dramatic action and humour
• Sells about 3 million books a year
  o 36 different languages
  o Merchandising
  * Montréal
  o Movies and animated television stories

Some cautions

• Portrayal of women
  o Purpose to serve men
  o It was the era
• Depiction of racial minorities
• Right-wing politics
  o Behind the story
  o Kids won’t remember
• Captain Haddock
  o Drinks
  o Smokes

Younger readers: Asterix

• Originally French
• Most famous Gaul in history
  o With companion Obelix
• Second most famous comic in Europe
• Creators were influenced by MAD magazine
• Rewrites ancient history
  o Focus mainly on run-ins with the Romans around 50 B.C.
• Many visual and verbal puns
  o Might need explaining
• Satire, parodies of classics
  o References to other stories

Cautions

• Has endured the same criticism as Tintin
• Judge for yourself

Younger readers: Marcia Williams

• Retells hero tales and legends through graphic novels
• Very distinctive cartooning style
• Very bright, colourful books
• Painless introduction to classics

Intermediate readers: Elfquest

• Best selling independent comic
  o Winner of every major comics award
• First published in black and white
  o Now collected and printed in colour
  o Beautifully detailed illustrations
• Tells the story of the Wolfriders
  o Conflict with humans
• Follows pattern of traditional quest

For young adults: Maus

• Pulitzer Prize winner
  o Unusual
  o First – and only – graphic novel winner
• Shows persecution of Jews during World War II
• Distinctive characters
  o Jews are mice, Nazis are cats, etc.
• Story is framed in present-day New York
• Artist’s father tells his story of survival in concentration camps
• Black and white illustrations
• Unusual perspective
  o With angles

Reasons for including

• Appeal to all ages
• Especially intermediate and young adult
• Assist poor readers
  o Offer fast-paced action, dramatic conflict, heroic adventure
• Encourage unmotivated readers
• Special appeal for gifted students
• Connect with visual learners
  o Use powerful images with strong emotional appeal
• Develop strong language arts skills
• Stimulate readers to explore other literature
  o Link modern superheroes with other culture heroes
• Promote visual literacy
  o Develop critical eye for art and artistic styles

Objections

• Fear challenges
  o Unfound
  o BUT age appropriate
  * Watch what titles are brought
• Generate favourable publicity
  o Provide focal point for young adult programming
• Junk literature
  o Meet needs of community
  o Many serious works
  o Unique form of popular culture
  o Different ways of storytelling
• Inappropriate messages
  o Violence, sexism, anti-social behaviour, hatred, etc.
  o Identify comics and graphic novels that are appropriate for users
  o Many positive role models
  * Superman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman
• Using one’s abilities to help others
• The value of perseverance, striving to be your best
• Won’t hold up to library use
  o Treat as current browsing collection
  o Collect trade paperback collections
  o Extend shelf life
  * Plastic magazine covers
• Fear of theft
  o Deface slightly
  * Stamp library name on margin or inside cover
  * Punch small hole in cover
  * Valueless to collectors
• May bring about an increase in holdings
  o Patrons donate unwanted comics

Selection concerns

• Age appropriate
  o Comics Code Authority
• Educate yourself
  o Seek guidance/preview all comics
  o Reviews, websites, journals, retailers, patrons
  o Reference catalogues
• Recognize authors, publishers who use mature themes

Selection criteria

• Popularity
• Tie ins
  o Television
  o Movies
  o Video games
  o Toys
• Age level
• Genres
• Writing quality
  o Originality of plot and characters
  o Character development
  o Dialogue
• Artistic quality
  o Layout
  o Storytelling flow
  o Drawing skill
  o Lettering
  o Colouring
  o Artistic style
• Reputation of writer and artist
• Reputation of publisher
• Awards
• Colour vs black and white
• Develop statement for collection policy

Conclusion

• Once scorned
• Now accepted
• Significant genre
• Expand your collection
• Appeal to all your patrons

Brenner, Robin. The Real Deal. 2002. http://noflyingnotights.com/realdeal.html