PSCC Libraries: Graphic Novels and Comics: How to Study

Researching Graphic Novels

How to Study

There are many ways to read and write about a graphic novel:

historically,
critically,
looking at types or themes,
debating the educational value,
and much more

After choosing a topic, explore the library's print and electronic resources about graphic novels.

Still Don't Understand the Graphic Novel?

Reading & Understanding Graphic Novels

Golsmith, Francisca. "Picture it: the diverse possibilities of graphic novel literature." Young Adult Library Services 9.4 (2011): 24+. Academic OneFile. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
Petrucha, Stefan. "On writing (and reading), the graphic novel." Knowledge Quest 36.3 (2008): 60+. Academic OneFile. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.
White, Britt. "The world in words & pictures: how graphic novels can help to increase reaping comprehension for students with hearing loss." Knowledge Quest 39.3 (2011): 18+. Academic OneFile. Web. 30 Oct. 2015.

Graphic Novels & the Classroom

Interviews with Graphic Novelists & Illustrators

Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels by Robert Petersen
Call Number: PN6710 .P415 2011
ISBN: 9780313363306
Publication Date: 2011-02-01
This text examines comics, graphic novels, and manga with a broad, international scope that reveals their conceptual origins in antiquity.
From Comic Strips to Graphic Novels by Daniel Stein (Editor); Jan-Noel Thon (Editor); Jan-Noël Thon (Editor)
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9783110281811
Publication Date: 2013-06-18
This essay collection examines the theory and history of graphic narrative as one of the most interesting and versatile forms of narrative beyond traditional literary texts.
Graphic Novels: a genre guide to comic books, manga, and more by Michael Pawuk; Brian K. Vaughan (Foreword by)
Call Number: PN6710 .P38 2007
ISBN: 9781591581321
Publication Date: 2006
This guide is intended to help you start, update, or maintain a graphic novel collection and advise readers about the genre. It covers more than 2,400 titles, including series titles, and organizes them according to genre, subgenre, and theme-from super-heroes and adventure to crime, humor, and nonfiction.
The Graphic Novel by Salem Press (Editor); Gary Hoppenstand (General Editor)
Call Number: Online
ISBN: 9781619252622
Publication Date: 2014-01-01
This volume offers an examination and analysis of the contemporary graphic novel as literature. Specific attention is paid to the use of narrative genre in the graphic novel (e.g. superhero, crime, horror, realistic/fantastic).
Heroes and Superheroes by Bart Beaty; Stephen Weiner; Salem Press Staff
Call Number: PN6725 .C753 2012
ISBN: 9781587658655
Publication Date: 2012-04-01
The first title in this series, Critical Survey of Graphic Novels: Heroes and Superheroes, provides in-depth insight into over 130 of the most popular and studied graphic novels.
This Book Contains Graphic Language by Rocco Versaci; Versaci
Call Number: PN6714 .V47 2007
ISBN: 9780826428783
Publication Date: 2007-12-15
This Book Contains Graphic Language looks at different literary forms and genres--including journalism, fiction, memoirs, and film--in relation to their comic book counterparts.
Words for Pictures: the art and business of writing comics and graphic novels by Brian Michael Bendis; Joe Quesada (Foreword by)
Call Number: PN6710 .B46 2014
ISBN: 9780770434359
Publication Date: 2014-07-22
Best-selling Marvel Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis reveals the comic book writing secrets behind his work on The Avengers, Ultimate Spider-Man, All-New X-Men, and more. Arguably the most popular writer in modern comics, Brian Michael Bendis shares the tools and techniques he uses to create some of the most popular comic book and graphic novel stories of all time.

What is a Database?
A library database is a collection of pre-paid articles, ebooks, reports, statistics, images, videos, etc. that you can search by title, author, subject, keyword, and more. You can limit your results to a specific source (like articles), full-text, and scholarly sources.

Academic OneFile This link opens in a new window
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Some full-text of journals, magazines, ebooks, and reference articles 1980 to present. Includes images, videos, and podcasts.
Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
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Full-text reference articles. Includes images, audio files, animations, maps, and videos.
Research Library This link opens in a new window
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Some full-text of journals, magazines, news, and reports 1908 to present. Includes images.
Education Full Text This link opens in a new window
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Some full-text of journals, ebooks, magazines, biographies of educators 1983 to present. Includes images and maps.
Humanities Full Text This link opens in a new window
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Some full-text of journals, magazines, biographies, interviews, literary criticism, and art reproductions 1980 to present. Includes images and maps.
Nexis Uni This link opens in a new window
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Some full-text of news, magazines, company profiles, market reports, SEC filings, country information, biographies, and legal cases. Includes Shepard's Supreme Court citation service, tax materials, and patents.
Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new window
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Some full text of journals, magazines, primary sources, news, biographies, literature criticism and analysis. Includes audio.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new window
Full-text journals, magazines, news, primary sources, biographies, interviews, and reference articles 1787 to present. Includes Lexile reading levels, audio, images, and videos.
Pop Culture Studies This link opens in a new window
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Some full-text of journals, magazines, news 1980 to present. Includes images and audio.

Graphic Novels and Comics: How to Study

Researching Graphic Novels

How to Study

Still Don't Understand the Graphic Novel?

Reading & Understanding Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels & the Classroom

Interviews with Graphic Novelists & Illustrators

Alternate Literary Voices and Vehicles: Graphic Novels

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