About the Book
"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. By demonstrating the ways in which comic books (and graphic novels) both reflect upon, and expand the boundaries of literature, Rocco Versaci demonstrates that comics have earned the right to be taken just as seriously as any other literary form.
Table of Contents:
Chapter One: Why Comics?; Chapter Two: Creating a 'Special Reality; Chapter Three: ReMaustering the Past; Chapter Four: The 'New Journalism' Revisited; Chapter Five: Guerilla Warfare and Sneak Attacks; Chapter Six: Illustrating the Classics.
About the Author :
Rocco Versaci, PhD is Associate Professor of English at Paolmar Community College in San Marcos, California, where he developed what is now one of the department's most popular classes: English 290 - Comic Books as Literature.
Review :
"Versaci believes this awakened interest [in graphic novels] among the literati is in order...[and} he accomplishes this in exemplary fashion...the result is a well-researched, easy-to-read volume that will appeal to fans, students, and researchers...Summing Up: Recommended. Lower division undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers." -CHOICE --Sanford Lakoff
"What makes the book even more appealing is that Versaci never falls into the trap of overcompensating by writing about comics in dense, theory-driven, jargon-filled academic prose. On the contrary, his arguments are crystal clear, well formed, and substantiated with reference to 100 black-and-white panels and strips from well known comic artists like Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry, and Sue Coe. Even the footnotes are interesting and relevant." - Mikita Brottman, Pop Matters, March 21, 2008, http: //www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/55603--Sanford Lakoff
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"Versaci avoids the contrarian stance-taking and overcompensatory justification of childhood dreck that plagues most writing about comics, bringing instead a big-hearted, clear-minded rigor to a subject which clearly obsesses him."-Dan Clowes, Academy-Award nominated screenwriter and author of Ghost World, David Boring, and Ice Haven.
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Normal0falsefalsefalseMicrosoftInternetExplorer4/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name: "Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow: yes;mso-style-parent: "";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom: .0001pt;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language: #0400;mso-fareast-language: #0400;mso-bidi-language: #0400;}"Written in a clear, mostly engaging style, Versaci's workshould serve as a cogent and welcoming introduction of comics to manyacademics, as well as the curious reader." -Skyscraper magazine
"This book initially seems to be an earnest attempt to justify comics (and graphic novels) as a sophisticated literary art form. But once Versaci (English, Palomar Community Coll., San Marcos, CA) frames the literary merit debate which at book length would be unnecessary given the critical acceptance of graphic novels like Art Spiegelman's "Maus: A Survivor's Tale" he settles down to create a worthy text for anyone interested in the genre. Versaci gives readers a new arsenal of tools with which to examine comics and graphic novels, and he offers 100 black-and-white illustrations from artists including Harvey Pekar, Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry, and Sue Coe. Using a few carefully chosen topics, he explores his central argument in depth by providing historical context and analyzing layout, pacing, and style. He further offers a framework and vocabulary for discussion and convincingly argues that the medium can communicate as effectively, if not more effectively, than prose and film. While scholarly, this work is highly engaging, lively, and accessible. It will appeal to students, fans, and casual readers alike and deserves to be widely read. Recommended for all public, academic, and high school collections." Library Journal
"A well-researched, easy-to-read volume that will appeal to fans, students, and researchers."
-Choice, 2008
"Versaci's text is effective."
-Aaron Kashtan, American Studies, Vol. 48
