Handbook of Comics and Graphic Narratives (Handbooks of English and American Studies, 11)

Whether one describes them as sequential art, graphic narratives or graphic novels, comics have become a vital part of contemporary culture. Their range of expression contains a tremendous variety of forms, genres and modes − from high to low, from serial entertainment for children to complex works of art. This has led to a growing interest in comics as a field of scholarly analysis, as comics studies has established itself as a major branch of criticism. This handbook combines a systematic survey of theories and concepts developed in the field alongside an overview of the most important contexts and themes and a wealth of close readings of seminal works and authors. It will prove to be an indispensable handbook for a large readership, ranging from researchers and instructors to students and anyone else with a general interest in this fascinating medium. * First handbook of its kind * Systematic approach to the subject * Internationally acclaimed contributors Editors’ Preface Contents Comics Studies: Survey of the Field Part I: Systematic Aspects 1 Comics Terminology and Definitions 2 History, Formats, Genres 3 Text-Image Relations 4 Comics Narratology 5 Seriality 6 Adaptation Part II: Contexts and Themes 7 Politics 8 World-Building 9 Life Writing 10 Gender 11 Queerness 12 Science Comics 13 Postcolonial Perspectives 14 DocuComics in the Classroom 15 Superheroes 15.1 Historical Overview The Golden Age: Batman 15.3 The Silver Age: Nick Fury 15.4 The Dark Age: Superheroes in the 1980s Part III: Close Readings 16 Richard F. Outcault: The Yellow Kid 17 George Herriman: Krazy Kat 18 Winsor McCay: Little Nemo in Slumberland 19 Dave Sim: Cerebus 20 Will Eisner: A Contract with God 21 Raymond Briggs: When the Wind Blows 22 Art Spiegelman: Maus 23 Robert Crumb 24 Alan Moore: From Hell 25 Neil Gaiman: The Sandman 26 Alison Bechdel: Dykes to Watch Out For 27 Chris Ware: Jimmy Corrigan – The Smartest Kid on Earth 28 Daniel Clowes: Ghost World 29 Martin Rowson: The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman 30 Marjane Satrapi: Persepolis 31 Grant Morrison: Flex Mentallo Index of Subjects Index of Names List of Contributors This Is The First Systematic And Exhaustive Overview Of Comics And Graphic Narratives And Will Be An Indispensable Guide For Anyone Studying This Subject, From Students To Instructors. It Covers A Wide Range Of General Topics With Theoretical Chapters That Provide Surveys Of Terminological, Historical, Or Medial Aspects, Genres And Themes, As Well As The Wider Contexts In Which Comics Have Engaged Contemporary Culture.