Are Graphic Novels... Novels? (Feat. Princess Weekes) | It's Lit

Summary

This video script explores the evolution of the graphic novel from its early roots in sequential art forms like cave paintings and comics to its recognition as a serious literary form. It discusses the first graphic novel, the impact of works like 'Maus' and 'Persepolis', and the importance of the medium in telling diverse stories, including those of the LGBTQ+ community. The script challenges the notion that graphic novels are inferior to traditional books, highlighting their educational value and their ability to engage a wide range of readers.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script clarifies that 'It’s Lit' is not just for literary elites but also for nerds, and it discusses the evolution of literature to include graphic novels.
• 🎨 Narrative art and storytelling have ancient roots, from cave paintings to Egyptian hieroglyphics, leading to the development of comics.
• 🇨🇭 Rodolphe Töpffer is considered a precursor to the graphic novel with his 1828 work 'Histoire de M. Vieux Bois', which combined sequential images with text.
• 📚 The term 'graphic novel' was coined in 1964 but gained popularity with Will Eisner's 'A Contract with God', which aimed to elevate the medium for adult audiences.
• 📖 The script highlights the distinction between comics and graphic novels, noting that the latter often features higher quality materials and a more substantial narrative.
• 🏆 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman is a landmark graphic novel, being the first to win a Pulitzer Prize and recognized for its postmodern expression and narrative innovation.
• 🌐 The script emphasizes that graphic novels are not inherently superior to other forms of literature but can be equally powerful for storytelling.
• 🏫 Graphic novels like 'Persepolis' and 'Fun Home' have been incorporated into educational curricula, offering diverse perspectives and engaging students.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The rise of independent comic publications and creators has allowed for a broader range of stories, including those from LGBTQ+ creators and protagonists.
• 👧👦 The script argues that graphic novels can cater to various readerships, from energizing disinterested students to challenging advanced readers to consider visual elements.
• 📘 The final takeaway is a critique of those who dismiss graphic novels, asserting that the value of literature is in the stories told and their resonance with the human experience, not the format alone.

Q & A

What is the misconception about 'It’s Lit' that the script addresses?

The script addresses the misconception that 'It’s Lit' is only about the 'Ivory Tower Literary Elites' with great hair, but clarifies that they are also nerds who appreciate literature in its expanded form, including graphic novels.

What is the historical significance of 'Histoire de M. Vieux Bois' in the context of graphic novels?

Histoire de M. Vieux Bois, created by Rodolphe Töpffer in 1828, is considered a significant precursor to the graphic novel due to its use of sequential imagery accompanied by text to tell a story, which is a fundamental aspect of the graphic novel format.

Who is credited with coining the term 'graphic novel'?

The term 'graphic novel' was originally coined by Richard Kyle in a 1964 comic fanzine called Capa-Alpha.

What was the first work to popularize the term 'graphic novel'?

The term 'graphic novel' was popularized by Will Eisner with his work 'A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories', which was intended for adults and sought to be published in bookstores.

Why did Will Eisner hesitate to label his work as a comic book?

Eisner was conscious of the negative implications that the comic book label carried and wanted his work to be recognized as a more serious literary form, which led him to use the term 'graphic novel'.

What impact did 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman have on the recognition of graphic novels?

'Maus' was the first and only graphic novel to win a Pulitzer Prize, which significantly elevated the status of graphic novels as a serious literary form and brought them into mainstream recognition.

How did 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi contribute to the perception of graphic novels?

'Persepolis' has been praised as a postcolonial text that offers a nuanced view of Iranian women's lives, contributing to the understanding of graphic novels as a powerful storytelling device for coming-of-age stories.

What role did 'Sandman' play in the evolution of the graphic novel market?

'Sandman' demonstrated to the industry that the future of comics lay not in monthly serials but in bound collections, influencing the market towards long-form storytelling in graphic novels.

What is the significance of 'Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic' in the context of queer graphic novels?

'Fun Home' was an important moment for queer graphic novels as it received mainstream literary, academic, and cultural recognition, and helped push the comics industry to pay more attention to LGBTQ material.

How have independent comic publications contributed to the diversity of stories in graphic novels?

Independent comic publications, such as First Second Books, have allowed for a wider range of stories to be told, including those by queer creators and stories that highlight diverse experiences, thus enriching the diversity of the graphic novel genre.

What argument does Kathryn Strong Hansen make in 'In Defense of Graphic Novels'?

Kathryn Strong Hansen argues that graphic novels can energize students with hard-to-capture interests, aid low-level and nonnative English-speaking readers through the combination of words and images, and challenge higher-level readers to expand their analytical skills to include visual elements.