The Graphic Novel
W HAT IS A GRAPHIC NOVEL ? “A graphic novel is simply a description of the format in which comics material is presented. Which is to say – it’s a book available in a paperback (softcover) or hardcover binding. In other words, a graphic novel is a comic book that looks like, feels like, tastes like, a book.” ~ Jeff Bogumil graphicnovelarchive.com
How do I read this thing?!
Begin Here!
W HAT ’ S SO SPECIAL ABOUT GRAPHIC NOVELS ? Current trends Manga – Japanese comics Staple comic book heroes Naruto Bleach Batman X-Men
W HAT ’ S SO SPECIAL ABOUT GRAPHIC NOVELS ? Boys LOVE them Fast-paced Action packed Graphics Relatable
W HAT ’ S SO SPECIAL ABOUT GRAPHIC NOVELS ? Movies adapted from graphic novels: The Watchmen, Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Persepolis and so on. Integrates visuals and literacy
H OW CAN WE USE GRAPHIC NOVELS ? Spruce up your lessons! Incorporate graphic novels with textbooks. Examples: Doing a lesson on the Montgomery Bus Boycott? Try this: O’Hern, Kerri. The Montgomery Bus Boycott. Milwaukee: World Almanac Library, What about the Holocaust? Spiegelman, Art. Maus: A Survior’s Tale. New York: Patheon Books,
H OW CAN WE USE GRAPHIC NOVELS ? Reluctant readers Graphic novel versions of classic literature are becoming more available. Why not use it in conjunction with reading the actual text? Teach students how to tell a story
H OW TO TELL A STORY F RAME BY FRAME Comic Life: an introduction How can this help my students?
R ESOURCES About Graphic novels: McCloud, Scott. Understanding Comics. New York: Paradox Press, McCloud, Scott. Reinventing Comics: how imagination and technology are revolutionizing an art form. New York: Perennial, Comic Life this is where you can buy or download the trial. this has LOTS of information about Comics, Comic Life, and including them in the classroom.
A DDITIONAL R ESOURCES Royalty Free Images Most of these websites require you to create an account, but they are free and have lots of stock images you could use.
Q UESTIONS ?
W ORKS C ITED Bogumil, Jeff. The Graphic Novel Archive: trade paperbacks, manga, comic strip collections, original graphic novels Feb Comic Life Introduction. Dir. Dianne Krausse. Youtube. 3 Mar Feb Pearson, Cris. "Comic Life." Plasq. 20 Feb