How to Read Comics

Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.01: Defining Your Terms

"I was reading comics when they were still socially stigmatized."
(Source)

Imagine a man. He wears glasses, has a ponytail even though he's balding, smells a little bit like flat Mountain Dew, and is shaped like an egg.

Got it?

Now, what do you think that guy is into? Comic books, maybe? We figured. For decades, comics were the realm of the most despicable geeks, nerds, and other people of the dweeb variety.

And then came The Dark Knight.

Recent developments have eroded that old image of the sun-shy, salivating comic collector. Comics are blowing up in a big way and publications like Time Magazine and the New York Times have included comic reviews in their periodicals. Comics have finally arrived as serious literature... or art... or both. They even changed their name to graphic novels to appeal to the intellectual crowd. Yep, graphic novels are just comics that wear tweed.

It's safe to say comics aren't for social misfits anymore, and you should probably get to jumping on this bandwagon. Allow Shmoop to peer pressure you.

In this lesson, we'll start with your preconceived notions about the art form. We'll generate a list of words or phrases you think of when you hear the word "comics," and by the end of it all, we'll have a working definition of the term.

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.01: How to Read Comics: A Beginner's Guide

Slow your roll, champ—there's no reading yet. Don't take it for granted, though, because when it starts raining, it'll be pouring.

Although…if it's been awhile and you don't remember how to properly read a funny book, check out this refresher.

Sample Lesson - Activity

Activity 1.01: Brainstorming

What do you think of when someone says "comic books?" What about "graphic novel"? Depending on where (and when) you are, you'll probably have a lot of associations floating around.

Step 1: Generate a list of at least 15 words and phrases that come to mind when you hear the word "comics." Maybe you're disgusted by them and have an unfavorable view, or maybe you live and die by the sexual tension between Batman and Catwoman. Let us know, but be specific. Post your list on the discussion board.

With each word, write a 1-2 sentences explaining why. For example:

1. Jealousy—Betty and Veronica, my favorite comic book heroines, are always fighting over Archie in the Archie comics. Jealous, much?

Step 2: Browse around the other posts on the discussion board. Pay careful attention to the words and phrases that differ from your own.

Step Three: Write down a working definition of comics. We know you haven't done any reading yet, but we're just trying to establish some common ground. What are comics? Use 75-100 words in your definition.

Then, come up with five comics that you think are perfect examples of your definition, and include a link next to each comic you mention. If our definition listed comics as "a high-action, often violent way of funneling energy through art," would we list Archie and link to it? Nah. After your definition and next to each link you include, give another 1-2 sentences about why that is a perfect representation of your definition.

Batman: The Killing Joke: Frank Miller's take on Batman, The Killing Joke is a comic because it funnels energy though art—in this comic's case, pretty evil energy. This Joker-based comic is the basis of The Dark Knight.

Step 4: Now evaluate two other students' definitions. Is their definition too broad or too narrow? Is it unnecessarily complicated? Does it fail to address the art form adequately? Or is it just right? Respond (civilly) in 25-50 words each.