Comics

by Harriet E.H. Earle

Comics: An Introduction provides a clear and detailed introduction to the Comics form - including graphic narratives and a range of other genres - explaining key terms, history, theories, and major themes. The book uses a variety of examples to show the rich history as well as the current cultural relevance and significance of Comics.

Taking a broadly global approach, Harriet Earle discusses the history and development of the form internationally, as well as how to navigate comics as a new way of reading. Earle also pushes beyond the book to lay out the ways that fans engage with their comics of choice - and how this can impact the industry. She also analyses how Comics can work for social change and political comment. Discussing journalism and life writing, she examines how the coming together of word and image gives us new ways to discuss our world and ourselves.

A glossary and further reading section help those new to Comics solidify their understanding and further their exploration of this dynamic and growing field.

Genres: Criticism, Comics

214 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2020

Reviews

[Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book aimed at those relatively new to or unversed in the history of comics, rather than at those already immersed in the field. This, of course, is exactly what its title suggests, and as an introduction, it offers impressive range and scope. One strength is the extent to which it decenters comics studies by devoting a considerable amount of attention (though I am sure some would argue still not enough) to non-Eurocentric, non-English comics, as well as to comics by creators other than heterosexual white men. The style is also sufficiently clear and direct to be comprehensible to non-scholarly readers, but this does not mean that Earle skimps on secondary research or on theoretical frameworks; she just (generally) avoids jargon and clotted language. I might have liked to see more illustrations, and I definitely would have liked to see more focus on the nuts and bolts of comics semiotics, rather than the amount of space devoted to what are (for me, anyway) rather tangential aspects of comics themselves, such as fandom. However, anyone looking for a good primer on comics would do well to consider this book.

[Jared Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best intro to comics you could get