Graphic Novels and Comics at Chatt State   Tags: comics, graphic novel, graphic novels  

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In the novel-driven world of popular fiction, graphic novels and short-short stories haven’t had much of a place—until recently. Topics range from the influence of manga on the rise in popularity of graphic novels to a growing respect in literary circles for compressed forms of fiction. Portions of graphic novels by Spiegelman and others and readings by Gould are included. (29 minutes)

Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman talks about his life history and his creative process using New York City as a backdrop and family photos, clips from home movies, and panels from comic creations such as Maus, Raw magazine, and In the Shadow of No Towers as props. Françoise Mouly, Spiegelman’s wife and cover editor at The New Yorker, is interviewed as well. Contains instances of explicit language and imagery. (43 minutes)

If not for Scott McCloud, graphic novels and webcomics might be enjoying a more modest Renaissance. The flourishing of cartooning in the '90s and '00s, particularly comic-smithing on the Web, can be traced back to his major writings on the comics form. His book Understanding Comics, a comic book about comics, has been translated into 13 languages and has made him an evangelist for comics as a valid literary form. McCloud coined the term "infinite canvas" for the new comics medium made possible with Web browsers. In this fun TEDTalk, McCloud bends the presentation format into a cartoon-like experience, where colorful diversions whiz through childhood fascinations and imagined futures. This captivating look at the magic of comics will prove to viewers why McCloud's admiring fans include a laundry list of superstar cartoonists. (18 min.)