The Power of Comics and Graphic Novels: Culture, Form, and Context

by Randy Duncan, Matthew J. Smith, Paul Levitz

Overview

After the successful and innovative first two editions, now in a new, restructured 3rd edition, this remains the most authoritative introduction for studying comic books and graphic novels, covering their place in contemporary culture, the manifestations and techniques of the art form, the evolution of the medium and how to analyze and write about them.

The new edition includes:
- A completely reworked introduction explores the comics community in the US and globally, its history, and the role of different communities in advancing the medium and its study
- Chapters reframed to get students thinking about themselves as consumers and makers of comics
- Reorganized chapters on form help to unpack encapsulation, composition and layout
- Completely new chapters on comics and how they can be used to report, document, and persuade, as well as a new Preface by Karen Green

Illustrated throughout, with discussion questions and activities for every chapter and an extensive glossary of key terms, The Power of Comics and Graphic Novels also includes further updated resources available online including additional essays, weblinks and sample syllabi.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350253902
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/19/2023
Edition description:	3rd ed.
Pages:	392
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

Randy Duncan is Professor of Communication and Director of the Comics Studies Program at Henderson State University, USA and is a co-founder of the Comic Arts Conference, the nation's first annual academic conference devoted solely to the study of comics. He also wrote the entries on Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner and other comics-related topics for the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture.

Matthew J. Smith is Professor of Communication at Wittenberg University, USA, where he regularly teaches Comics Studies courses.

Paul Levitz is a former President and Publisher of DC Comics and has written for many of DC's major comic books series, including Superman and Justice Society. His story Legion: The Great Darkness Saga was voted one of the top 20 best comic stories of the last century by readers of The Buyers' Guide.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction

Unit 1 – CULTURE
Chapter 1: Comics in Culture, Comics as Culture
Chapter 2: Making and Reading Comics

Unit 2 – FORM
Chapter 3: Encapsulation of the Narrative
Chapter 4: Composition of the Panels
Chapter 5: Layout of the Pages

Unit 3 – GENRE
Chapter 6: Genres of Comics
Chapter 7: Memoir Comics
Chapter 8: Superhero Comics
Chapter 9: Emerging Genres: Journalism, Documentary, Advocacy

Unit 4 – CONTEXT & ANALYSIS
Chapter 10: The Evolution of Comics
Chapter 11: Exploring Meanings in Comics
Chapter 12: Writing about Comics

Glossary
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Duncan, Smith, and Levitz have delivered an outstanding and much—needed volume that should be required reading in any of the growing number of comics studies classes in academia today. The Power of Comics provides historical, cultural, and literary approaches that will not only deepen students' understanding of this medium but help them develop the critical tools required to engage meaningfully with a host of other subjects and issues. Highly recommended.” —Rocco Versaci, author of This Book Contains Graphic Language: Comics as Literature

“As a textbook, it succeeds in content, scope, and execution. The chapters are well laid out, have thoughtful questions at their ends, and several chapters end with very practical examples of analysis that serve as models for students. Chapters also reference a broad range of experts . . . which further validates breadth and depth of this growing scholarship. . . . Overall . . . the book—including the theory chapters—is reasonably good for a 'first textbook on comics,' and I would imagine it will fast become a standard text for those sorts of classes.” —Neil Cohn, author of 'The Visual Language of Comics'

“Balancing its multi—angled scope, careful scholarship, and welcoming accessibility, Power of Comics remains the go—to textbook for analyzing and appreciating the ever—evolving comics medium.” —Chris Gavaler, Author of Superhero Comics and The Comics Form

“An extremely comprehensive work, The Power of Comics offers a wealth of information and engages readers with an approachable and engaging style. This edition covers important new material, including updated sections on Graphic Medicine, comics production, libraries, and web comics. I applaud the authors' research, writing, and dedication to the field.” —Dr. Susan Kirtley, Professor of English, Portland State University, USA

From the Publisher