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CORRECTION: Graphic Literature - Definitions? Subsets?
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From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:54:39 -0500
On 4/14/04 Karen wrote - in part: "On a different note, do most of you all consider a comic book to be a graphic novel per se? A subset therein? Frankly, I think that the two concepts are different forms of communication/expression. And it is a disserve to not recognize the separate and distinct formats..."
Two days ago Robin asked about a definition of "graphic novel." I've also been wondering about subset definitions, if they even exist. The various lists and recommendations - all welcome, to be sure - represent a mix of typical literary genres. Are they subsets, as Karen asks?
It'll be helpful if anyone suggesting definitions can use examples to define "graphic novels" or to make a distinction between genres - if genre distinctions matter at all. Some of the examples might be Avi's
"City of Light, City of Dark: A Comic Book Novel" (notice the subtitle there); Raymond Briggs's "Ethel & Ernest: A True Story;" the Tintin or Asterix books; Spiegelman's "Maus," or Winick's "Pedro & Me." Or others... There are plenty!
When I wrote about Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" yesterday, I made up the phrase "graphic memoir." I was trying to clarify what this book seems to be within the "graphic literature" being discussed energetically this month. So don't worry about making up a definition. Somehow that seems to go along with the whole idea, doesn't it?
Cheers, Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 14 Apr 2004 09:54:39 PM CDT
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 21:54:39 -0500
On 4/14/04 Karen wrote - in part: "On a different note, do most of you all consider a comic book to be a graphic novel per se? A subset therein? Frankly, I think that the two concepts are different forms of communication/expression. And it is a disserve to not recognize the separate and distinct formats..."
Two days ago Robin asked about a definition of "graphic novel." I've also been wondering about subset definitions, if they even exist. The various lists and recommendations - all welcome, to be sure - represent a mix of typical literary genres. Are they subsets, as Karen asks?
It'll be helpful if anyone suggesting definitions can use examples to define "graphic novels" or to make a distinction between genres - if genre distinctions matter at all. Some of the examples might be Avi's
"City of Light, City of Dark: A Comic Book Novel" (notice the subtitle there); Raymond Briggs's "Ethel & Ernest: A True Story;" the Tintin or Asterix books; Spiegelman's "Maus," or Winick's "Pedro & Me." Or others... There are plenty!
When I wrote about Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis" yesterday, I made up the phrase "graphic memoir." I was trying to clarify what this book seems to be within the "graphic literature" being discussed energetically this month. So don't worry about making up a definition. Somehow that seems to go along with the whole idea, doesn't it?
Cheers, Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkruse at education.wisc.edu
Received on Wed 14 Apr 2004 09:54:39 PM CDT
