Study Notes on Comics and Graphic Novels

Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels

  • Comic as a Sequential Art Form

    • Defined as an art form based on drawing.

    • Represents a culmination of artistic development since ancient times.

    • Historical origins trace back to:

    • Ancient Egyptian murals.

    • Medieval tapestries.

    • Print series from the 1730s.

    • Has been featured prominently in newspapers for over 100 years.

Historical Context of Comics

  • Early Newspaper Comics

    • Example: Little Nemo in Slumberland (Figure 6.26)

    • Created by Windsor McKay.

    • Narrated and illustrated a child's fantastic dreams.

    • Illustrative Detail: A tuba player loses control of his instrument, which elongates with every note played.

    • Source: New York Herald, April '6.

Evolving Nature of Comics

  • Seriousness in Comic Creation

    • Over time, creators of comics have embraced unusual or serious subjects.

    • Shift from children's entertainment to significant storytelling medium.

Notable Comic Series

  • Love and Rockets

    • Created by Gilbert Hernandez and his brothers Jamie and Mario in the 1980s.

    • Noteworthy for its exploration of:

    • Street life.

    • Love and romance.

    • Social issues faced by the Southern California Mexican American community.

    • Upon concluding in 1996, Hernandez produced short stories collected in the volume Fear of Comics (Figure 6.27), published in 2000.

    • Known for imaginative storytelling and wide range of characters and themes.

    • Example: A six-frame adaptation of Herman Melville's Moby Dick.

Graphic Novels

  • Definition and Characteristics

    • Graphic novels are akin to comic books but feature book-length storylines.

    • Increasing acceptance has prompted major publishers to seek graphic novel artists for national distribution.

Notable Graphic Novels

  • After the Rain (Figure 6.28)

    • A graphic adaptation by Nidi Orkur.

    • Centers on a Chicago police detective returning to her ancestral home in rural Nigeria.

    • Blends urban street savvy with ancient African wisdom in confronting challenges.

    • Illustrative Style: Dramatic use of color and form, characters erupting from page confines.

  • Hedra (Figure 6.29)

    • Created by Jesse Lonergan.

    • Depicts space travel following a nuclear holocaust.

    • A distinctive feature: Wordless storytelling, relying entirely on images.

    • Story incorporates exploration of extraterrestrial worlds, stretching the limits of comic panels and page structures.

Contemporary Approaches in Comics

  • Introduction to Contemporary Drawing Techniques and Technologies

    • Discussion to include advancements in artistic methods allowing for creative expression in comics and graphic novels.