Description: "The most authoritative introduction to studying comic books available, covering the evolution of the medium, its forms and manifestations, its place in contemporary culture and context and analysis. This edition has been restructured around four parts, and includes new content on the role of women, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creators and scholars, as well as emerging genres and writing about comics. Online resources, discussion points, activities and a glossary support students' learning"--
Brief description: Randy Duncan is Professor of Communication and Director of the Comics Studies Program at Henderson State University, USA and is a co-founder of the Comic Arts Conference, the nation's first annual academic conference devoted solely to the study of comics. He also wrote the entries on Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner and other comics-related topics for the St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture.
Review Quotes:
"Duncan, Smith, and Levitz have delivered an outstanding and much-needed volume that should be required reading in any of the growing number of comics studies classes in academia today. The Power of Comics provides historical, cultural, and literary approaches that will not only deepen students' understanding of this medium but help them develop the critical tools required to engage meaningfully with a host of other subjects and issues. Highly recommended." --Rocco Versaci, author of This Book Contains Graphic Language: Comics as Literature
"As a textbook, it succeeds in content, scope, and execution. The chapters are well laid out, have thoughtful questions at their ends, and several chapters end with very practical examples of analysis that serve as models for students. Chapters also reference a broad range of experts . . . which further validates breadth and depth of this growing scholarship. . . . Overall . . . the book-including the theory chapters-is reasonably good for a 'first textbook on comics, ' and I would imagine it will fast become a standard text for those sorts of classes." --Neil Cohn, author of 'The Visual Language of Comics' "Balancing its multi-angled scope, careful scholarship, and welcoming accessibility, Power of Comics remains the go-to textbook for analyzing and appreciating the ever-evolving comics medium." --Chris Gavaler, Author of Superhero Comics and The Comics Form "An extremely comprehensive work, The Power of Comics offers a wealth of information and engages readers with an approachable and engaging style. This edition covers important new material, including updated sections on Graphic Medicine, comics production, libraries, and web comics. I applaud the authors' research, writing, and dedication to the field." --Dr. Susan Kirtley, Professor of English, Portland State University, USA