comic books, graphic novels, internet, online, web comics
Peruse any one of the major or comparatively minor comic book and graphic novel publishers’ websites – such as Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse and others – and you might notice something that you will likely find surprising if you are not a voracious reader of these fine publications.
One of the major obvious changes in comic books and most noticeably graphic novels is the ever-expanding list of titles in which you will not find even one caped crusader or skin-tight-costumed, unfathomably muscular males, or skin-tight-costumed, monumentally well-endowed females flying around and saving the world from unspeakably grotesque and psychotic evil villains.
Those of us who are voracious readers of comic books and graphic novels might find ourselves compelled to explain this to uninformed people who don’t realize that just like the many other forms of literature, comics have grown, matured and changed to match the demands of their readers and to take advantage of the emerging technology of the times.
It is not that some of these mostly well-intentioned folks lack brainpower; they just lack the interest, knowledge and familiarity with the genre necessary to converse intelligently on the subject.
Legitimately Classic Literature
Many people in today’s world who consider their book knowledge to be extensive and current have no doubt at least heard of trendy and popular non-superhero-inhabited graphic novel titles available at the moment, such as “Habibi” by Craig Thompson, “Hark! A Vagrant” by Kate Beaton, “Persepolis” by Mariane Satrapi and “The Walking Dead” series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. However, they may not be aware of the fact that this type of comic book and graphic novel is not a new phenomenon.
Perhaps the best example of the longevity and brilliance inherent to this genre of literature is Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel “Maus.” Published for the first time in 1971, “Maus” details the incredible, true-to-life tale of the author’s father, Vladek Spiegelman – a Jewish man who endured unimaginable horror in Adolf Hitler’s Europe.
“Maus” is told through the eyes of somewhat stereotypical cartoon characters: the Jews are portrayed as mice, and the Nazis are portrayed as rats. It essentially uses this primarily visual medium to bring the stark and dreary atmosphere of those times to life in a way that is arguably impossible via the traditional, words-only novel.
Some of the other comics books online and graphic novels, sans superheroes, for you to check out are:
“Fables” by Bill Willingham
“Y: The Last Man” by Brian K. Vaughan
“Casanova” by Matt Fraction
“Criminal” by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
“Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel
“Asterios Polyp” by David Mazzucchelli
“100 Bullets” by Brian Azzarello
“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” by Bryan Lee O’Malley
“Blankets” by Craig Thompson
“Luna Park” by Kevin Baker
“Bone” by Jeff Smith
“American Splendor” by Harvey Pekar
Never Fear, Superheroes are Here!
Comics and graphic novels will probably always be stereotyped as superhero stories aimed mainly toward adolescent boys and nerdy, 40-year-olds who still live in their parents’ basements. However, for those who like comics and want a little more variety from which to choose, the outlook is as colorful as the pages in one of those aforementioned superhero comics.