Are Graphic Novels... Novels? (Feat. Princess Weekes) | It's Lit

[@lad9732]

Snobs looking down on graphic novels is the literary equivalent of people thinking animated media “is just for kids”.

[@jacuzzi.834-57]

But too much content has become more acceptable in this day and age and borderlines in being purely pornographic and the such, not saying it's wrong or should be marginalised but there is a fine line to what could be called entertainment like with most forms of accessible mass media. If you are old enough and decide to engage such material then you should be old and mature enough to be accountable for your actions...

[@ianbyrne465]

@@jacuzzi.834-57 ... I think you're having a different conversation than OP is having

[@orbatos]

It doesn't help that the industry projects itself that way on purpose.

[@matureenough34]

These are the same snobs that shelter their kids from things like “The Death of Mr Hooper” for fear of scaring them, then wonder why their offspring have such a hard time dealing with the world.

[@donovanmedieval]

It's acceptable for adults to look at live action movies; photographs that move. It's acceptable for adults to look at still photographs on the wall of a museum. It's acceptable for adults to look at drawings and paintings on the wall of a museum. But it's not acceptable for adults to look at drawings and paintings that move?

[@gabormolnar2208]

"just because its long, it doesn´t mean it´s good." - im going to sew it on a pillow!

[@raggedyanarchist]

Hopefully not a long pillow. :)

[@SidV101]

That’swhatshesaid ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@JoaoPessoa86]

@@SidV101 *That'swhatHEsaid

[@MarkFilipAnthony]

*Looks at the hobbit triollogy movies...* *Looks at the lord of the rings books...* I mean it depends...

[@internetazzhole7592]

Just because its short doesn't mean it's good.

[@dmargaret2729]

As a librarian I stand by GNs and comics as a reading form for all ages. Everytime someone says they aren't "real books" I correct them (and fight the urge to scream at them)

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

I'd argue by asking them what their favorite tv show is. (If they don't watch tv, then you can't get them with this argument.) Anyway, ask them what their favorite tv show is, then quickly retort with a question. "Well dearie, why is it okay for you to watch a mindless, controlling picture box that shows you what to see and tells you what to think, and then NOT OKAY to read a harmless, quick read with copious amounts of detailed imagery, followed by carefully chosen words of dialogue, or a quick glimpse into a characters thought process? Why, even some of these paragraphs are still needed to set the right tone or to set up a scene. It still works. Just because it's not laying down detailed descriptions of imagery, doesn't mean that you aren't able to process or glean anything less from staring at it's finely rendered pictures. A comic book is a book. A graphic novel is a novel." "While I think being able to decribe things in vivid detail is important, it's another thing to understand the point of the story or it's lessons they teach us. Either way, we become informed, whether it is a picture or a wall of text. We are informed. Do consider reading these finely crafted pieces of art in the future. They demand your attention as much as any old book." Then bow or something, I don't know, haha. Customers will probably stare at you, but a smile is as disarming as anything.

[@digitaljanus]

As another librarian, seconded. There's so much good graphic non-fiction too--the aforementioned Fun Home, Persepolis, and Maus, Joe Sacco and Guy Delisle's comic journalism, I don't know if Kate Beaton's webcomics collections count but her strips on history and literary figures are great as well.

[@deirdregibbons5609]

Thank you for your stand. I have found it delightful that every library I've visited in the USA and here in Iceland has a great collection of graphic novels, thanks to librarians. In Iceland there are comics in various languages: English, Icelandic, Danish, French and more. It's a great way to improve your skills in a language.

[@wombat4583]

Graphic novels is the main reason I even got into reading. My parents tried to pay me to read and even then I couldn't be tempted by money. I'm not good at visualizing so a lot of writing styles don't appeal to me and even then everyone has their likes so trying to find a story and writing style I like has been extremely hard (though it's lessen over the years). The stories and images helped me become invested at all and inspired me into writing.

[@WaltersMama]

one of my favorite things to do when I visit local libraries is ask where their graphic novels are, one time I went into (redacted) public library and asked and the young librarian behind the desk sighed and said they don't have them, I just stared at her and stammered "but they circulate, like a lot!" she sighed again and said that the older librarians who bought materials for the library didn't see the value in getting graphic novels...so yeah, it's still a vibe that's out there.

[@Videokind]

I genuinely love the fact that you never once mentioned 'Watchmen' or 'The Dark Knight Returns'. As good as they both are, they tend to dominate the 'Graphic Novels' conversation.

[@cha5]

Watchmen’s writer Alan Moore had mentioned that he was annoyed that the Time Magazine article on the 100 greatest works of English fiction which listed Watchmen had made no mention of any other graphic novels such as Chris Ware’s Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth, Brian K. Vaughn’s Saga, Art Spiegleman’s Maus and quite a fair number of other works.

[@shelliupshaw3405]

I was surprised too

[@andrescardenas2737]

It was weird. If you are making a video about "graphic novels" it feels strange excluding at least a mention of watchmen that was a major drive in the graphic novel market, and still is. I think it was omited for other reasons.

[@VeryDryBones]

Dark Knight Returns is just okay so I get it not being mentioned. but Watchman is legitimately the best graphic novel ever written.

[@TheEnigmaticBM39]

@@VeryDryBones the Dark Knight returns revitalized a character that was more known for his campy 60s show.

[@illuminutty9723]

I still remember how Sandman and Fables lured me to being a Graphic Novel geek.

[@rorysyers8457]

I'm Dyslexic Graphic Novels and Comics (Maus, Watchmen and Strangers in Paradise manly) helped me read.

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

I'm very happy for you! That's awesome! Reading really should be fun, not a struggle. I have a cousin who struggled heavily with dyslexia. It's still a struggle for her on some things, like reflections and such, but she's a fast reader now.

[@janehowlett5158]

props to you - also big whoop to neurological diversity

[@rorysyers8457]

@@janehowlett5158 Thank you. :)

[@felisd]

Awesome! :) My cousin's step-kid also had dyslexia and hated reading... until I introduced him to a couple of manga series I enjoyed. And suddenly, he was reading at least a book a week. His mom said that if it wasn't for graphic novels, her son probably still wouldn't be reading to this day.

[@rorysyers8457]

@@felisd I can't think anything better for helping a kid to read, and not just Dyslexic kids like me or your cousin's step-kid.

[@eepmeep8550]

The first comic book had an illegal scanlation. That's too good.

[@Radioknock]

Princess praising All Star Superman was exactly what I needed today.

[@youremakingprogress144]

My ex-girlfriend told me that she considered "comic books" to be less intellectually valid because most of the page was taken up by pictures and there weren't as many words as a typical book. Then she sat down and watched TV.

[@cindymora6714]

Ex-girlfriend ... good good

[@victoriap1561]

Emm aren't you been a snob too?

[@rloach067]

@@victoriap1561 i don't think op meant to look down upon tv, rather i think they juxtaposed the ridiculousness of dismissing the comic book and graphic novel medium as intellectually valid, while the ex clearly considers tv at least worth their time and attention, while giving her reasons, tv is a worse offender than the comics, and as such through her logic, should consider tv not intellectually valid at all. Makes you wonder if she thinks that why would she watch it at all. Basically, hypocritical logic. Probably unintentional on her part tho haha we all have leaps of logic sometimes

[@tac-floor1330]

As a comicbook artist. It's not wrong but compare to TV? Eeeesh!

[@DrewLSsix]

@@tac-floor1330 it's a literal direct comparison though, comics are less valid because they are mostly pictures, tv is pretty well defined as mostly pictures.

[@fenrirumbra3772]

As a history teacher, Maus is a staple.

[@curiousworld7912]

It's an amazing book - I'll never forget the first time I read it. By use of its illustrations combined with text, it had an almost visceral impact.

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

And the subtle details clueing us in to race and trauma, as well as the blatant, more direct clues of the holocaust. It's a great read because of the range of emotions I felt while reading it. It's surreal in many ways, but all too real when you consider the historical comparisons. I just, I enjoyed the honesty, despite the analogies.

[@shreshthadavi141]

Despite the use of animals in that book, it always struck me how deeply deeply human it felt. It’s really a masterpiece.

[@phantomflower6749]

Loved Maus...my school banned it though 😭

[@curiousworld7912]

@@phantomflower6749 Really? I wonder why. To me, it seems an excellent educational device for introducing students to the experience of the Holocaust - and in a way that high school students, in particular, could relate to. But sadly, banning certain books is not an uncommon practice in some school districts.

[@marioo5462]

Doubling down on this, check out Scott McCloud's book "Understanding Comics!" It is one of the essentials and it personally taught me a lot about all comics/graphic novels have to offer!

[@Kilroyan]

agreed. not to mention it's in graphic novel format itself! and to my knowledge, the .pdf is available freely and legally online.

[@roros9422]

We had to read it for my AP Lang class lol

[@Beryllahawk]

This was a GREAT book

[@ikeekieeki]

yes!

[@athomassen3980]

Agreed, it's very good!

[@gianb2585]

I was a massive bookworm as a kid, but the habit petered out in my late high school and early undergrad years. It was Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie's The Wicked + The Divine that got me back into the habit of reading in general.

[@lykkel5387]

Its so good!!

[@RawSpirited]

I just started reading that this morning!! Love it

[@agdamaster]

For me, personally, graphic novels eventually led me to finally pick up an "actual" book, after neglecting them for multiple years. There's undeniably an underrated power to this medium.

[@INDIG0MAR]

This is so true. Comics made me read faster and read deeper, so much so, that I now find myself comfortable and not intimidated by big blocks of text.

[@grapeshot]

My dad served two tours of Duty in Vietnam and he collected Nam comic books and he said there was some pretty realistic depictions in that comic book.

[@youremakingprogress144]

Punisher: Born might be of interest to him. One of the best graphic novels I've read, and one of the best war stories.

[@federicomunoz1842]

Yaaay Princess talking about comics/graphic novels! ❤️ this reminds me that I should definitely get around on reading Sandman and Persepolis

[@niles2150]

PBS, y'all need to keep Princess Weekes (and Lindsay Ellis, for that matter) on payroll forever. They're your franchise players. Top quality work right here.

[@0neBadMonkey]

'The only people dismissing graphic novels are frankly, out of touch' Amen, Sister. I'm quoting you from now on.

[@WaltersMama]

I was at a party once and this guy (Gen Xer, college professor) totally dismissed graphic novels / comics and I said "oh hello 1950's? ah yes, you'd like your high school principal back?" (anyway, we're not friends, LOL)

[@Pingwn]

Dose It tell a story? Yes Is it in a book? Yes It is a novel.

[@Always8Baka]

Then the meaning of the word "comic" is invalid?

[@Pingwn]

@@Always8Baka not really, I just consider comics to be shorter than graphic novels, as novella is shorter than a novel and a short story is shorter than that so are comic books shorter than graphic novels.

[@Sch0lar4h1re]

Some personal favorites: Usagi Yojimbo , Swamp Thing saga, Kingdom Come and Rat Queens. Great Episode

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

Rat Queens, baby! Yeah! 🤘🖤❤

[@Sch0lar4h1re]

@@KitKatWiffleBallBat I've read up to Vol 7 but Vol 2 is my favorite so far

[@senefelder]

Persepolis and Maus are brilliant masterpieces

[@bella-tt9hk]

one of the first books i read in college was “The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui which is about Bui surviving the Vietnam War. it’s so moving and such a painful read. it’s pretty new, but i hope it joins the ranks of Maus and Persepolis one day

[@christopherb501]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ3GYayQltt2gZY

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

I didn't realize Maus came out in 1992. It must have been brand new when I read it. I picked up a copy in Hebrew School when I was about 12. It was eye opening. I am looking forward to sharing that with my children. They need a couple more years first. They are slowly learning about the extent of human cruelty. They're still a couple of levels below Maus. They know that things like the holocaust and slavery happened, but they don't know the graphic horror of it just yet.

[@lindafreeman7030]

Maus won a Pulitzer in 1992; it came out much earlier. It was first released in installments in the cmics anthology Raw; it was then released collected into volumes starting in 1986.

[@kostajovanovic3711]

The first chapter came out in 1978

[@CheyenneLin]

I didn't read Maus until college, but I'm so glad my teacher brought it into the classroom

[@laexploradoraaaXD]

I read Maus, Persepolis, and Fun Home in a class in college

[@SalemYbor]

I read them by myself but i'm a bit jealous.

[@Beryllahawk]

One of the most engaging literature classes I've ever taken tackled comics and graphic novels, and it was glorious.

[@cristinamartinez7164]

"What are you going to do? Tell students not to read Maus?" Princess out here predicting the Tennesse school board banning Maus almost two years prior

[@tiltiktekwani7562]

If the snobs want to keep the novel title for them, let them have it. Comics can be and in fact are a great vehicle for literature with or without a dumb tag.

[@s.c7105]

Valid, I guess. It's such a circus.

[@MrMman30]

It's Lit is quickly becoming my favourite program on this channel! Like everyone else I came from Prof. Z's channel for the scary folklore and history. I never the less find Princess Weeks's & Lindsay Ellis's delivery to be very on point and both presenters are very articulate making these topics seem effortless if not outright intuitive. Keep the good work.👍

[@WhisperingNostrils]

I’m a children’s librarian, and I wish I had the amount and variety of today’s kid-focused comics back when I was young. This was a great video.

[@willhouse]

If any of y'all ever have a chance to meet Art Spiegelman at a signing, be sure to go... It's like getting your most treasured spellbook autographed by Gandalf.

[@danyramos8139]

On one hand, YESS IM SO HAPPY TO SEE Princess Weekes HERE! On the other, thank you for so many good recommendations!

[@williamanderson3402]

Princess! You're the one who recommended that I read All-Star Superman forever ago! It is still one of my favorites.

[@NMiller_]

Masamune Shirow (Ghost in the Shell creator) works commonly feature notes in the margins explaining scientific concepts (as well as just random notes about stuff). Truly absorbing any of his work is a mentally stimulating, if not challenging, task. I highly recommend some of his older works such as Orion and Black Magic M-66.

[@darthbee18]

Why, in french-speaking countries comics/graphic novels are called "9eme art" (the ninth art), so not only they have artistic merit they also have literary merit. I mean, of course there are also comics with material with a clear commercial angle in it but what I mean is, people would certainly not look down upon graphic novels (or comics) the way they do in the USA.

[@uhorne]

I was about to write something similar. In some European countries comics have always been a respected medium of its own. There's lot of mature stories aimed at adults

[@anne12876]

The French speaking world (mainly Belgium, France and Quebec) has a long standing love for BDs (bandes dessinées, what you call comic books) and graphic novels. For us, comics only refer to the US comic versions (superheroes comics or 4 panels newspapers comics). For us, a BD is anything that combines images and text on a paper support. Graphic novels (romans graphiques) is defined as a looser form of BD, one that is not confined to panels and bubbles format and they are generally longer. Whatever you call them, you'll find them at your nearest bookstore or library. BDs are viewed as a serious literary art form. There are festivals for them and general medias (TV, radio and newspapers) talk about the newest publications. Comics artists and writers are invited at literary shows and festivals. Most of my adult friends (and they are far from comic book fans) have at least one BD aimed for adults in their bookshelf.

[@darthbee18]

@@anne12876 exactly! 👆

[@cbpd89]

I've never really read graphic novels or comics, but I think my kids will really be into them, given that Dog Man is their all time favorite thing to read. And what could be better? They love to read the stories, then they like to draw and write their own comics. Practicing art, reading, writing and storytelling, loving every bit of it.

[@princessjellyfish98]

first of all, this SHIRT!

[@normandecaesen286]

I've collected Batman Comics since 1971. This is the BEST graphic novel historical explanation I've ever seen. I learned so much. THANK YOU!!!

[@celestialdusk]

Great topic! You guys should cover light novels and visual novels too!

[@LJSkipper]

Tillie Walden's graphic novel On a Sunbeam is one of my favorite pieces of media ever, I've always been a graphic novel and comics fan, but that book elevated my love for the medium even more.

[@klzylcy]

First, it’s great to see Princess! This is a really great video that I’ll be sharing with my students. I teach composition at the college level, and every semester the one book that I never take out of our rotation is John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell’s March: Book One. It never fails to resonate with my students, no matter their age, and it’s great for teaching generic conventions and disruptions. Thanks for this🖤🖤

[@emilysanchez4584]

I always compare graphic novels to movies and comic books to tv show because graphic novels are longer and can take place in three to eight books while comic books are more episodic. That doesn't mean that graphic novels can't BECOME movies, tv shows, or plays and vise versa with comic books.

[@rachaelbao]

The way these videos light up quotes as they’re read (like spectator karaoke) is the best way to present them. Thanks to PBS and the decision to do this for those of us who always get distracted reading ahead.

[@katieeshaw]

One important point that I hoped would be made, but was missing, is that this mostly pertains to sequential art created in the USA. The whole history surrounding the Comic Code made mainstream comics a medium that by definition had to be made for kids. Things like the underground comics movement played around with other and often more serious plots and characters, but it wasn’t until Manga started proving to the American audience that people would actually happily buy comics in collected books that the American mainstream in comics caught wind and started collecting comics into larger books. Graphic Novel as a term is totally the industry in the US trying to sound legitimate to itself, given how the pains of the Comic Code still has the same sting, even though it is long gone, as a medium that isn’t to be taken seriously. In other parts of the world, mainly Asia and Europe, comics didn’t suffer the same fate that they did in the US, and as a result don’t carry the same stigma in those cultures.

[@rami_ungar_writer]

I first read Maus in college. I still have my copy on my bookshelves six or seven years later.

[@kokuinomusume]

"Subject matter previously deemed unsuitable for the comics medium" Nakazawa Keiji's _Barefoot Gen_ (which fictionalises the author's experience surviving the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima as a child) and Mizuki Shigeru's _Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths_ (based on Mizuki's own WW2 time as a soldier in New Guinea) both started publication in 1973.

[@princessjellyfish98]

so glad you shouted out first second! I've loved so many of their books and they also published one of my fave online webcomics so now even more people can read it!

[@rickriffel6246]

The first store that specialized in comics, that I found near my home town circa 1980, had a rack placed before the entrance, and proudly displayed all the then-available issues of First Kingdom and Elfquest, with nearby prominent displays of independent comics and small-press items. That store stocked all the familiar Marvel, DC and Warren comics, but that was just the tip of a wonderful underground of stuff that was not merely for the kids.

[@austinsweatman643]

SANDMAN!!! 🖤🖤🖤 First time I read it was life-changing. Low key, one's favorite member of the Endless says more about oneself than one's horoscope, don't @ me.

[@eliscanfield3913]

I won't disagree about that!

[@MrIrrationalSmith]

Shout out to Asterios Polyp too! My all-time favorite book. It's about a jaded Ivy League professor reflecting on his failed marriage.

[@BRENDONPEACOCK]

Love "It's Lit" which brings so much great literature content in a clear and engaging way. I also think this specific video is very helpful to understand the evolution of comics and graphic novels; I am a high school English teacher, and I plan to make use of this video! I, and a few other teachers, currently teach "Persepolis" at our school, and I think there is so much depth, emotion, and possibility in using graphic novels. A few of us also teach "American Born Chinese" which I think is another wonderful graphic novel that deserves mention. Thank you again for these videos!

[@the_epicfangirl]

I love Sandman! It was the first graphic novel series that I read, and I was so excited when they expanded the universe. Now I want you to do a video about manga, because I feel that people judge you more when they find out you like manga than if you say you like comics or graphic novels.

[@reed1159]

love whenever i get a surprise new episode of it's lit.

[@kennethhymes9734]

"Just because it's long doesn't mean it's good." All innuendo aside, such excellent advice to highlight. Everything I Do I Do It For You clocks in at over five minutes I believe. My Girl is a little over two. QED.

[@dustybunny6716]

I grew up collecting manga but always called them 'comic books' as a kid. When a friend showed me his comic book collection I always thought it was weird his stories were in such bite sized skinny bits unless you counted his Collected editions that had entire storylines. Now we encountered 'lite novels' and have another thing to start collecting.

[@kid14346]

Manga usually is a chapter by chapter experience in Japan. Imagine only getting to read a single chapter of manga every week/month. That is all that comic books are doing here but instead of calling them chapters they are called issues. Manga outside of japan usually is in the 'collected editions' or volumes. And the term in the comic book community for a bunch of issues put together is a Trade, derived from Trade Paperback Books.

[@dustybunny6716]

@@kid14346 A friend just informed me of the 'Tankobons' that are apparently what I have been getting. He showed me a Shonen Jump collection of his that had many different comic stories, but one or two chapters at a time. And I thought a season of Dragon Ball Z dragged on. ^_^; Now I see why they have those filler episodes.

[@eliscanfield3913]

My first thought on seeing that title was that graphic novels are more like graphic short stories than novels. (They are often pretty brief and to the point, though since you need far fewer descriptions if you have a drawing showing them, so I won't belabor the point. Not important anyway. :) ) Apparently I already accept them as proper literature, lol. But then _Maus_ won the Pulitzer when I was in a young teen, so that probably had something to do with it.

[@TheRandist]

I'm fully behind the idea of learning language through twinning words with images. My parents are deaf and lacking in the grammar and vocalization department, so I already had a wonky start when it came to just learning my own native language (Dutch). But we had this collection of Disney Book Club picture books and I basically learned to read on my own by recognizing words by associating them with what's happening in the pictures and remembering how my mom read them to me, and it went from picture books to comics to full on novels. It's also how I learned English by reading Prima guide books for games :P (of course, school was also a thing but they were more focused on punishing you for not reading well than to actually... you know... teach kids to read...)

[@OtakuHanzo]

I'm just here to answer the question. Yes. The answer is yes. That is all.

[@zoedukach]

I’m currently in a class at northeastern university all about graphic novels which discusses some of the comics you mentioned (including Maus, Persepolis, and Fun Home) and a lot of others as well. It’s really good, and I highly recommend it to any other northeastern students. The course is ARTF/ENGL2220: The Graphic Novel Art with professor Hillary Chute.

[@s.beccari4678]

That's awesome. She is a published author on the subject

[@ChrisConnolly-Mr.C-Dives-In]

This generation of PBS has serious chops! Good show.

[@johannacaulfield7840]

Loved the shout-out to Blankets (even if it was brief). That's my favorite graphic novel memoir.

[@ladybug0211]

Maus is one of my favorite graphic novels. I had to read it in school and I fell in love

[@Shazistic]

Be somebody,nobody thought you could be -Shazistic

[@janehowlett5158]

I freaking love this series and this episode. When you mentioned Lumberjanes, it reminded me of Noelle Steveonson's "The Fire Never Goes Out" as tears came to my eyes. This video illustrated beautifully why the graphic novel MATTERS (at least to me).

[@TheFaintdreams]

I think the Magestic Princess, made the entire video and never said the name Alan Moore, not even once. I am impressed and very thankful for this !

[@dylansearcy3966]

4:53 they just predicted 2020

[@deeplydeepali]

When she mentioned saga my heart sank.. still in shock

[@BaldingClamydia]

:05 Oh good you heard me say I love your hair as soon as the picture came up 🤣💜

[@shockingheaven]

Graphic novels made me read more about other issues. Nimona really marked me, those characters and their dynamics left me searching for something similar.

[@TheSrawsome]

It was sad to see recently, when asked, S.E. Hinton not only claim that The Outsiders shouldn't be turned into a graphic novel but that kids should just read books. 2020 and we're still not willing to give children every avenue possible to learn to love reading.

[@WeirdChen]

What a shame, The Outsiders would make a great graphic novel

[@TurquoiseInk]

Love It's Lit/ Storied for it's nerd-positivity and literary breakdown. Would you please do an episode on webcomics? So much cutting edge writing is done in this format. By it's nature, diverse voices can find their audiences. From webcomic collectives to Webtoons, Tapas er all, there is some incredible writing out there.

[@bucketofbarnacles]

While short, this is a great introductory survey of the graphic novel. I’m sharing it with my colleagues.

[@abdirahmanadena201]

I’m so glad they didn’t bring up the killing joke or watchman

[@mrvrydapperferret1779]

Yet another well done video, it was super interesting and informative, also I definitely didn’t spend half the video trying to figure out what your shirt said with my bad eyesight(while ofc listening to the amazing video)

[@hardbargains]

ok wow i was JUST in a debate with a friend about this. guess i'll watch this to make sure i'm winning. edit: i dont want to admit i'm losing 🙃

[@vulpixluver]

But super proud of you for being able to. A big issue these days lol

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

That's hilarious, but more people should be vulnerable and brave in the face of facts, or be ignorant to them forever by living a deception or lie. I hope you are choosing the former.

[@hardbargains]

@@KitKatWiffleBallBat i chose the former and owe my friend boba tea

[@hive_indicator318]

Please say you hadn't read Maus. Then read it. And prepare to feel lots of feelings.

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

@@hardbargains Hey, we win some and we lose some. I've been there lots of times. Never got a boba tea though. 😞

[@SlapadelicMusic]

People try to dismiss video games and sometimes even music as "not real art" Traditional novels were once considered lowbrow, and not art nothing is ever art until it is, I suppose

[@scifikoala]

I was lucky enough to take a Comics and Graphic Novels as Literature class in college and, while I was never snobbish about it before I never really sought out graphic novels, but many of the books I read for that class made a serious impact on me

[@drealloyd5911]

Yes 100% Yes. Side note dad used graphic novels/comics as a teaching tool in his Art History lectures. His love for comics and other foreign of sequence art was passed down to me

[@LoolaFoos]

4:53 "Great" - I laughed louder than I should have

[@wrenmitchell1566]

excellent work!! this makes me want to revisit persepolis since it’s been a while since i last read it 🥰

[@sapphic.flower]

Great story telling can be done through any medium. Books, movies, music, dance, comics, even games are all devices for story telling. The medium doesn't weaken story telling, it all really comes down to the creator. To look down on comics as a legitimate way to telling stories is close minded and purist.

[@snowballeffect7812]

10:08 SAME Also I WISH we had graphic novels when I was in high school. I hate reading because I suck at it and having the visual aids would have made it so much more tolerable.

[@datafoxy]

Great video on the history and breadth of graphic novels. Also your hair is awesome.

[@skellymom]

Ah, memories of being introduced to graphic novels in the 1990's: Sandman series, Black Kiss, Black Orchid, Stray Toasters, Miracleman, Hard Boiled, Grendal, V for Vendetta, The Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum, Give Me Liberty, Alan Moore's Swamp Thing.

[@BallotBoxer]

So many "required reading" recommendations!

[@loyaultemelie7909]

Amazing video! I think the implication that graphic novels is inherently “lesser” is insidious. My parents growing up often put me down when I was reading them, and though I continue to read, that long term put down gives me a sense of shame when reading graphic novels that I simply don’t have otherwise. It can really put people off reading or give people a sense of shame that carries wayyy longer than the shaming.

[@peterxyz3541]

Reading is a SKILL & reading FAST is SURVIVAL. Never begrudge anyone for READING. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

Short answer: YES. My daughter loves them. She is 9 now and it is hard to find ones that are age appropriate. Most are either too young or too old for her. She loves manga, but if it isn't written for a 6 year old, it is usually VERY R rated. Thank god for Raina Telgemeier. She has written probably more than half the age appropriate graphic novels for that age. Any recommendations? My daughter's reading buddy (a 4th grader) started reading Smile to her in Kindergarten, not knowing much about it. She stopped when it got bloody and my daughter had a nightmare. But she loved it. She got it from the school library and we read it to her. I didn't realize when we started that the subject matter ages as the character goes from about 6th to 9th grade. I wasn't PLANNING to explain spin the bottle to my kindergarteners, but... well... it happened. Regardless, she loves the book. Now in 3rd grade, it is still her favorite and she has read most of Telgemeiers works by this point.

[@eliscanfield3913]

I liked Fruits Basket. Its geared to teens, with a pretty innocent love triangle/romance and a guy who's a bit of a ladies' man, but I would totally let my kids pick up my copies once they're old enough to actually read the words. Right now my 7yo still prefers Thomas the Tank Engine and my 4yo Llama Llama. Of course your mileage may vary.

[@julphines]

Great episode! I'd be really interested in seeing a discussion on comics/graphic novels and manga

[@muddi900]

Also 👍🏼 for the Fables shoutout. It lost it's way later, but it was fantastic in the beginning.

[@kostajovanovic3711]

Oh no...

[@kennethhymes9734]

Great survey of the literary history of graphic novels. The technical side is its own story of course. It has become, and maybe always was, like pop music. As distinct from all but a few text novels, a graphic novel can be at its core a team effort, many ways of collaborating are possible, and that can be obscured by the sense of an overall auteur. Examples: Herge's work was mostly done by his studio team whose names very few know, though it was telling his story. We all know who Prince was, but how many know the name Sylvia Massey, though she was a critical technical partner?

[@deirdregibbons5609]

I am a big fan of graphic novels, and this was really enjoyable. I liked the historical background and the arguments for why graphic novels are literature. Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey's "A Comic Book History of Comics" is an excellent read. It gives a nice perspective through history in a clever way, and it covers comics around the world.

[@charleslamb4239]

I love comics and to me the graphic novel is just a big comic

[@ericthompson3982]

I hit the like button before I even watched. I was not wrong.

[@jimbrittain402]

Great. Just great. Now I gotta add a bunch of MORE stuff to my "must read before I die" list. I'm not gettin' any younger, youse-all!

[@Scalesthelizardwizard]

I find say saying Manga, Graphic, Comics and audiobooks aren't books or reading to be stupid and disrespectful to the people who work hard to make them expsely Manga just research what it's like to be a Mangaka

[@daveh3997]

"expsely?"

[@Scalesthelizardwizard]

@@daveh3997 My bad

[@faeryyy1773]

Damn these people are fast as hell- this was just posted a few seconds ago..

[@aaronlazaro7226]

Yes, graphic novels are sources of literature. My favorite graphic novels to date are The Sandman, Maus, Persepolis, the 2019 authorized adaptation of Anne Frank's Diary, Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons, and George O'Connor's Olympians series which I use as a reference when discussing Greek mythology with my students.

[@danatrick4868]

Yes!!! I was waiting for this episode!!!!!

[@Rugoll]

What a great video essay! P.s. I love the bloopers in the end

[@troygaspard6732]

Art Spieglman's Maus was the first graphic novel I bought. It still is a powerful book. Hats off to Max Ernest.