comics
A Case for Comics in College by Shaun Huston
I frequently use comics as part of the assigned reading in my courses. I use them primarily as a way of engaging students in discussions of class themes, but because geography is a strongly visual field of study, I also get some opportunity to talk about form, too.
Lone Wolf and Cub Part 2: Revenge in the Epic Narrative Tradition by Shawn O'Rourke
When one reflects on the epic genre of literature they might think of Homer’s wine-dark sea, the ferocity of Grendel, or maybe Dante’s vision of Heaven and Hell. Epics are large works that force their way into their restricted genre, not just by their size and scope, but on the impact and influence they have on the society in which they are created. For something to be called an epic, it must be replete with cultural significance and deal with important themes on a grand scale.
Lone Wolf and Cub Part 1: History and Influences by Shawn O'Rourke
What makes a good story great is its ability to be examined and enjoyed on a multitude of levels. Whether The Watchmen or Dante’s Inferno, amazing pieces of literature do not stand out because of a singular theme necessarily; there are several different aspects of the stories that provide multiple dimensions of enjoyment and interest. As with any great tale, the more developed and nuanced the more it engages the reader. Consequently the more beautiful and powerful it ultimately becomes.
Are Comics Like Reading with Training Wheels? by Shawn Huston
About a week before the deadline for this column, I had a particularly eventful and stressful day, one that emotionally crystallized what had been an eventful and stressful month. In the evening, I got a chance to unwind with many of my usual choices—making dinner, watching TV, reading.
Comics, Art for the Idiosyncratic by Shaun Huston
One of the best books I’ve read this year is Jason Shiga’s Bookhunter (Sparkplug Comics, 2007). The joy and pleasure I get from this work starts with the art; perfectly expressive cartoon figures, richly detailed backgrounds, and shades of brown for color that give the book a vintage feel, like sepia or black and white in film.
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