Graphic Novels and Comics

From the publisher: "Carter and his contributors tap into the growing popularity of graphic novels in this one-of-a-kind guidebook. Each chapter presents practical suggestions for the classroom as it pairs a graphic novel with a more traditional text or examines connections between multiple sources. Some of the pairings include The Scarlet Letter and Katherine Arnoldi's The Amazing "True" Story of a Teenage Single Mom; Oliver Twist and Will Eisner's Fagin the Jew; Young adult literature and Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis; Dante's Inferno and an X-Men story; classic fantasies (Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland) and Farel Dalrymple's Pop Gun War; traditional and graphic novel versions of Beowulf.

These creative pairings open up a double world of possibilities--in words and images--to all kinds of learners, from reluctant readers and English language learners to gifted students and those who are critically exploring relevant social issues. A valuable appendix recommends additional graphic novels for use in middle and high school classrooms."

Unlike other books in the market, this one concentrates on best practices that expert teachers have used to teach comics in various college settings. Organized in six sections, the book begins with basic advice for beginners and moves to explain more advanced ways to use comics in courses. Teachers who have struggled with weak visual literacy skills among students will learn strategies to overcome those problems. One method that will be covered is the creation of student-generated comics. The book actually has several student examples. Multimodal composition is explained in the book, including the basics of how comics meet these exciting new methods of writing. Additionally, postmodernism, an often-used subject around comics, is explained through graphic novels. Teachers cover the best ways to explain postmodern theories and practices through comics. Everyone who reads the book will see the amazing potential of comics. Several writers illuminate the need for teachers in the twenty-first century to embrace graphic novels in their courses. To better everyone's use of comics, there is an appendix that contains assignment sheets for teachers to jump right into the classroom with proven exercise that work.

Comic Books and American Cultural History is an anthology that examines the ways in which comic books can be used to understand the history of the United States. Over the last twenty years, there has been a proliferation of book-length works focusing on the history of comic books, but few have investigated how comics can be used as sources for doing American cultural history. These original essays illustrate ways in which comic books can be used as resources for scholars and teachers. Part 1 of the book examines comics and graphic novels that demonstrate the techniques of cultural history; the essays in Part 2 use comics and graphic novels as cultural artifacts; the third part of the book studies the concept of historical identity through the 20th century; and the final section focuses on different treatments of contemporary American history. Discussing topics that range from romance comics and Superman to American Flagg! and Ex Machina, this is a vivid collection that will be useful to anyone studying comic books or teaching American history.

Here is the essential guide for librarians and teachers who want to develop a quality, curriculum-based graphic novel collection--and use its power to engage and inform middle and high school students. * Photos of school libraries, classrooms, and students * Model template lesson plans by subject area * A list of recommended resources, such as professional books, websites and blogs * A glossary of common graphic novel terms * Bibliographies of quality classic and contemporary graphic novel titles for libraries and classrooms, broken down into middle school and high school curricular areas

In this book, teachers will find a comprehensive guide to embracing comics and effectively using them in any multilingual classroom.Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Sequential art combines the visual and the narrative in a way that readers have to interpret the images with the writing. Comics make a good fit with education because students are using a format that provides active engagement. This collection of essays is a wide-ranging look at current practices using comics and graphic novels in educational settings, from elementary schools through college. The contributors cover history, gender, the use of specific graphic novels, practical application and educational theory.

Focusing on the storytelling aspects of comics, McCloud offers advice on choosing which moments to draw, the right distance and angle to view those moments, image style, words that add information, and flow layout. Comic frames illustrate character design, facial expressions, body language, environments, pencil and brush variations, and drawing techniques. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Today's students live in an increasingly visual world where they are engaged not only by words but also by images. This collection of innovative articles shows classroom teachers and literacy specialists how to use students' interest in picture books, comics, graphic novels, film, anime, and other visual media to motivate and engage readers in Grades K-12. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

This title shows secondary school teachers how to incorporate graphic novels into content area instruction as a tool for meeting the needs of diverse learners and achieving the goals of the Common Core State Standards.

The comic strip was created by rival newspapers of the Hearst and the Pulitzer organizations as a device for increasing circulation. In the United States it quickly became an institution that soon spread worldwide as a favorite form of popular culture. What made the comic strip so enduring? This fascinating study by one of the few comics critics to develop sound critical principles by which to evaluate the comics as works of art and literature unfolds the history of the funnies and reveals the subtle art of how the comic strip blends words and pictures to make its impact. Together, these create meaning that neither conveys by itself. The Art of The Funnies offers a critical vocabulary for the appreciation of the newspaper comic strip as an art form and shows that full awareness of the artistry comes from considering both the verbal and the visual elements of the medium. The techniques of creating a comic strip - breaking down the narrative, composition of the panel, planning the layout - have remained constant since comic strips were originated. Since 1900 with Winsor McCay's Little Nemo in Slumberland key cartoonists have relied on the union of words and pictures to give the funnies their continuing appeal. This art has persisted in such milestone achievements as Bud Fisher's Mutt and Jeff, George McManus's Bringing Up Father, Sidney Smith's The Gumps, Roy Crane's Wash Tubbs and Captain Easy, Harold Gray's Little Orphan Annie, Chester Gould's Dick Tracy, Zack Mosley's Smilin' Jack, Harold Foster's Tarzan, Alex Raymond's Secret Agent X-9, Jungle Jim, and Flash Gordon, Milton Caniff's Terry and the Pirates, E. C. Segar's Popeye, George Herriman's Krazy Kat, and Walt Kelly's Pogo. In morerecent times with Mort Walker's Beetle Bailey, Charles Schulz's Peanuts. Johnny Hart's B.C., T.K. Ryan's Tumbleweeds, Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury, and Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes, the artform has evolved with new deve

For more than a century the comic book has been a familiar and popularrtform. As vehemently criticized as it is passionately defended, it hasvolved from humble beginnings into a graphically sophisticated andulturally revealing medium. Encompassing traditions from the USA, Britain,urope and Japan, this work presents a comprehensive survey of comic art. Itraces the history of the medium from "comic papers" for kids, through thenderground "comix" movements of the 1960s and 1970s, to the glossyook-format "graphic novels" of today. Organized thematically, itnvestigates comic art's varied genres - including humour, adventure,nderground and alternative - and charts the rise, fall and rise of theedium.
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An exciting journey into the world of the graphic novel is seen through 100 of the best works in the genre. This highly illustrated guide features graphics and extracts from a wide range of books and examines the specific language of the medium, the history and pioneers of the form, and recent masterpieces from Art Spiegelman's "Maus" to Chris Ware's "Jimmy Corrigan."Collins Design
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In 1993, Scott McCloud tore down the wall between high and low culture with the acclaimed international hit Understanding Comics , a massive comic book that explored the inner workings of the worlds most misunderstood art form. Now, McCloud takes comics to te next leavle, charting twelve different revolutions in how comics are created, read, and preceived today, and how they're poised to conquer the new millennium. Part One of this fascinating and in-depth book includes: The life of comics as an art form and as literture The battle for creators' rights Reinventing the business of comics The volatile and shifting public percptions of comics Sexual and ethnic representation on comics Then in Part Two, McCloud paints a brethtaling picture of comics' digital revolutions, including: The intricacies of digital production The exploding world of online delivery The ultimate challenges of the infinite digital canvas
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SHE CHANGED COMICS celebrates the women who changed free expression incomics, with profiles of more than sixty groundbreaking female professionals andinterviews with the women who are changing today's medium, including RAINATELGEMEIER, NOELLE STEVENSON, G. WILLOW WILSON, and more! SHE CHANGED COMICSalso examines the plights of women imprisoned and threatened for making comicsand explores the work of women whose work is being banned here in the UnitedStates. A must for readers of all ages, students, and educators.

In the less than eight decades since Superman's debut in 1938, comic book superheroes have become an indispensible part of American society and the nation's dominant mythology. They quickly expanded from their sequential art origins to become a part of nearly every portion of society, from film and television to art and academia. They represent America's hopes, dreams, fears, and needs and have become ingrained in the nation's social and cultural fabric. As a form of popular literature, superhero narratives have closely mirrored and molded social trends and changes, influencing and reflecting political, social, and cultural events. This study provides a decade by decade chronicle of American history from 1938 to 2010 through the lens of superhero comics, revealing the spandex-clad guardians to be not only fictional characters but barometers of the place and time in which they reside.

Praised throughout the cartoon industry by such luminaries as Art Spiegelman, Matt Groening, and Will Eisner, this innovative comic book provides a detailed look at the history, meaning, and art of comics and cartooning.
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First, they are always "graphic novels" and never "comic books." For one thing, not many of them are comical, not counting biting irony and sarcasm. Second, they appeal greatly to a wide range of the very people you have been trying to get into the library, including youth and reluctant readers. Goldsmith, collection management and promotion librarian at the Berkeley, California Public Library, speaks from her experience as an early collector. She covers the various definitions of graphic novels, the means of finding reviews and developing collections, the challenges of maintenance and how to overcome them, marketing and promotion, and advice on the politics surrounding graphic novels, which could create their very own interesting moments. Goldsmith includes a list of selected graphic novels by category, resources, and collection development policies. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Get a little graphic in your library! Jumpstart a literary adventure for your young adult audience and watch reading enthusiasm soar! An introductory guide to graphic novels for both school and public librarians. Learn how to entice your students into the library for a literary adventure that will awaken their passion for reading.
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Lyga, an elementary school teacher and media specialist, shows teachers and librarians how they can use graphic novels to encourage reading and support the curriculum. Her guide contains lesson plans linked to curriculums for all ages and includes lists for collection development. The guide also provides information on reviews, jobbers, Web sites, and publishers; tips for partnering with comic book stores; and interviews with librarians who use graphic novels. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Miller addresses his fellow public and school librarians on how to develop a quality collection of graphic novels and how to market and program with such materials. After explaining the graphic novel format, he offers advice on collection development, acquisition, cataloging, and collection maintenance and defense. He then explores how to implement programs involving discussion groups, book talks, contests and activities, and speakers and presenters. A core titles listing aimed at younger readers and a description of further resources conclude the volume. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Library practitioner Serchay, whose personal collection numbers more than 25,000 titles, gives youth librarians the inside scoop on graphic novels so they can make informed choices and attract readership. He describes the most common genres, reasons for purchasing graphic novels and means of their purchase, choosing between mainstream and independent publishers (with a long annotated list), managing the collection, marketing and working with it, and dealing with potential problems, including parental complaints that these are "just comic books." Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Featuring full-color images from the best moments in graphic novel history, this comprehensive reference explores everything from dragons, cow races, and monstrous rats to insider secrets from Casanova himself. Includes top ten must-reads for every popular genre.
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Pawuk (teen services librarian, Cuyahoga County Public Library system, Ohio) presents a bibliographic guide to graphic novels (and trade paperbacks) for librarians wishing to add ot their collection. Some 2,400 titles are listed by genre (super-heroes, action and adventure, fantasy, crime and mysteries, horror, contemporary life, humor, and nonfiction) and sub-genres and annotated with summary descriptions, basic publishing information, and age ratings. The listings have been chosen according to the following criteria: popularity, suitability, age level, genre, writing quality, artistic quality, artistic style, format, reputation, and awards and recognition. Also listed are publisher addresses, web sites, and other resources. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Arranged alphabetically by artist, this reference recommends 101 currently available graphic novels that public libraries can buy for their collection, and provides a one paragraph description of each novel along with a black and white shot of the cover. Originally published by Kitchen Sink Press in 1996, the second edition replaces half of the entries. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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"It's the perfect book to pick up to restore your faith in comics or help show infinite diversity in infinite combinations on display on paper using the world's greatest artform." -- Comics Bulletin The Best American Comics showcases the work of both established and up-and-coming contributors and highlights both fiction and nonfiction -- from graphic novels, pamphlet comics, newspapers, magazines, minicomics, and the Web -- to make a unique, stunning collection. Frank Miller ( Sin City, 300 ) called guest editor Scott McCloud "just about the smartest guy in comics."