Cultural Excavation and Formal Expression in the Graphic Novel

Book excerpt: This volume was first published by Inter-Disciplinary Press in 2013. The graphic novel is an artefact of visual images and written words; a complex and expressive form tackling a multitude of issues and themes across the globe. The graphic novel is a tool: of self-expression and personal identity; of cultural understanding and philosophical exploration; of history and hope. Comics and graphic novels traverse themes such as heroism, identity, philosophy, gender, history, and colonialism—and these are just some of the topics encountered on the pages of this diverse collection of perspectives and analyses. Incorporating chapters from authors all over the world, this volume examines and expounds the rich tapestry of meanings, expressions, and cultural insights found in the medium of graphic fiction. From concerns with comics’ definition and history, to examinations of both seminal and neglected works as well as the medium’s future, Cultural Excavation and Formal Expression in the Graphic Novel demonstrates the deeply ingrained relevance of comics to contemporary culture.