Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels : A History of Graphic Narratives

This text examines comics, graphic novels, and manga with a broad, international scope that reveals their conceptual origins in antiquity. Graphic narrative art is a fascinating phenomenon that emerged centuries ago with the expansion of literacy and the publication industry. The earliest example of a repeating comic character dates back to the late 1700s. By following the growth of print technology in Europe and Asia, it is possible to understand how and why artists across cultures developed different strategies for telling stories with pictures. This book is much more than a history of graphic narrative across the globe. It examines broader conceptual developments that preceded the origins of comics and graphic novels; how those ideas have evolved over the last century and a half; how literacy, print technology, and developments in narrative art are interrelated; and the way graphic narratives communicate culturally significant stories. The work of artists such as William Hogarth, J. J. Grandville, Willhem Busch, Frans Masereel, Max Ernst, Saul Steinberg, Henry Darger, and Larry Gonick are discussed or depicted. Too Often The Popularity And Subject Matter Of Comic Books Is Perceived As A Purely Modern American Phenomenon That Only Arrived In The 20th Century And Is Virtually Nonexistent Outside The United States. This Is Certainly Untrue; In Fact, The World's First Costumed Superhero--the Golden Bat--appeared In Japan In 1931, Seven Years Before Superman Was Created. Graphic Narrative Art Is A Fascinating Phenomenon That Emerged Centuries Ago With The Expansion Of Literacy And The Publication Industry. The Earliest Example Of A Repeating Comic Character Dates Back To The Late 1700s. By Following The Growth Of Print Technology In Europe And Asia, It Is Possible To Understand How And Why Artists Across Cultures Developed Different Strategies For Telling Stories With Pictures. This Book Is Much More Than A History Of Graphic Narrative Across The Globe. It Examines Broader Conceptual Developments That Preceded The Origins Of Comics And Graphic Novels; How Those Ideas Have Evolved Over The Last Century And A Half; How Literacy, Print Technology, And Developments In Narrative Art Are Interrelated; And The Way Graphic Narratives Communicate Culturally Significant Stories. The Work Of Artists Such As William Hogarth, J.j. Grandville, Willhem Busch, Frans Masereel, Max Ernst, Saul Steinberg, Henry Darger, And Larry Gonick Are Discussed Or Depicted.--pub. Desc. The Language Of Graphic Narratives : Narrative Art Before Writing ; Literacy And Narrative Art ; Single-frame Narrative Art ; Multiple-frame Narrative Art -- Popular Prints And Caricature : Popular Prints In China ; European Medieval And Renaissance Popular Press ; The Invention Of Caricature -- Picture Stories : Graphic Narratives In Japan ; Early Graphic Narratives In Britain ; British Masters Of Caricature ; Rodolphe Töpffer's Picture Stories -- Modern Art Graphic Narratives : Blake's Illuminated Printing ; Goya's Los Caprichos ; Printmaking Becomes An Art ; Expressionist Wordless Books ; Surrealist Narratives ; Charlotte Salomon's Life? Or Theatre? -- Humor Magazines : French Caricature Magazines ; British Caricature Magazines ; Blood And Thunder ; Illustrated Children's Literature ; British Comic Magazines ; Comic Magazines In The United States --^ Comics In The Era Of Yellow Journalism : The Color Sunday Supplement ; Daily Comics And The Origins Of Continuity Strips ; The Impact Of Animation On Comics -- Graphic Narratives In Asia : The Hindu Heroes Of Indian Comics ; Populist Graphic Narratives Of Modern China ; The Chinese Communist Party And The Expansion Of Print Propaganda ; Japanese Modernization And The Invention Of Manga -- The Superhero And The Comic Book : Adventure Comics In Newspapers ; The Golden Age Of Comic Books ; American Comics And Cinema -- Mainstream American Comics, Post-world War Ii : Romance And Horror Comics ; The Anticomics Comics ; Silver Age Comics ; Direct Market Sales To Comic Shops ; The Death Of Superman -- Post-world War Ii Manga : Osamu Tezuka, The God Of Manga ; The Rise Of Girls' Manga ; Amerimanga And Scanlations -- Post-world War Ii Art Graphic Narratives : Pop Art ; Imagined Worlds ; Art Comics ; Comic Art Exhibitions --^ The Return Of Graphic Narratives For Adults : Mad, From Comic To Magazine ; The Underground Press ; The Air Pirates And Disney ; Bande Dessinée Albums For Adults ; Funny Animals And Creator's Rights ; Autobiographical Comics ; Raw Magazine And The Rise Of Alternative Comics -- Digital Comics : Digital Tools ; Digitized Comics ; Do-it-yourself Comics ; Web Comics ; Changes To Reading Cultures -- Glossary. Robert S. Petersen. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.