Graphic novel Summary

In the following essay, Sabin traces the growth and development of graphic narratives in England and the United States from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, noting factors for the rise and decline in... Read more

In the following review, Sabin examines a selection of graphic novels—including Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Mark Kalesniko's Mail Order Bride, and Kazuo Ko... Read more

In the following essay, Dardess examines the unique critical and academic perspectives on the graphic novel genre in several analytical works, including Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics: Th... Read more

In the following essay, Rose discusses the development of the modern graphic novel, citing the works of Frank Miller, Dave Sim, and Howard Chaykin as satirical representations of society and culture. ... Read more

[Below, the critic offers a positive assessment of Our Cancer Year.] [Joined by his wife and collaborator Joyce Brabner and illustrator Frank Stack, Harvey Pekar's] first book-length comics ... Read more

[Below, the critic lauds Gilbert Hernandez's complex plot, striking characters, and vivid dialogue in Poison River.] Along with his brother Jaime, Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets X) has ... Read more

[The following is a positive appraisal of The Cartoon History of the Universe II.] [In The Cartoon History of the Universe II Larry] Gonick has done it again with a diffuse but deep excavation into... Read more

[In the following review, Marling compares Just Who the Hell Is She, Anyway? to Japanese graphic novels and comments on its feminist themes.] SHE is the daughter of (S)mother and Dad, the latter lo... Read more

[In the positive review below, the critic remarks on the subjects covered in Stan Mack's historical book Stan Mack's Real Life American Revolution.] Longtime Village Voice cartoonist ... Read more

[In the excerpt below, Schechter contends that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's graphic novel Watchmen and Art Spiegelman's Maus are postmodern works that validate the comic form.] Criti... Read more

[In the essay below, Kennedy comments on the history of comic book publishing in the United States and discusses the distinctive qualities and appeal of several graphic novels.] By 1969, Zap Comix ... Read more

[In the essay below, McConnell remarks on the development of comics and their relationship to society and traditional literature.] The first time I assigned a comic book—Frank Miller'... Read more

[In the essay below, Plagens and Chang focus on Neon Lit's efforts to transform classic literary texts into graphic novels.] Comic books have gotten a lot less comic over the years. Today&#x... Read more

[In the following essay, Levine remarks on the revival of the Classics Illustrated series.] "Classics Illustrated"…. For millions, the name conjures up the midnight hours they ... Read more

[In the review below, Sinker remarks on the work of Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, noting their focus on strong women characters and Hispanic themes in their graphic novels and comics.] The way to ma... Read more

[Below, the critic comments on the subjects covered in Larry Gonick's The Cartoon History of the Universe, praising the volume's humor and attempts at revisionism.] Gonick's hi... Read more

[Below, Easton favorably reviews V for Vendetta.] And now! Once more! It's comics time! Warner Books keeps bringing out the "graphic novels," and some of them are pretty good. ... Read more

[Cohen is a nonfiction writer, poet, and critic. In the following review of Bone Saw and Akira, he remarks on their tone and subject matter, arguing that although both works violate cultural tabus, bo... Read more