The Rise of the Graphic Novel

PART: 1

Graphic Novels Graphic

Novels use sequential art to convey a narrative: There must be a plot The art must occur in an

order that conveys the story line

The Graphic Novel Exposed

GRAPHIC NOVEL• Is prone to having

more adult subject-matter

• Always had a beginning, middle and end

• Is a complete story within itself though may be part of a series.

• Tend to be more dramatic in nature

COMIC BOOK• Generally has

themes meant for children

• Tend to be of a comical nature

• Is often part of a series or an ongoing story line.

History’s first graphic novels…PALEOLITHIC CAVE PAINTINGS VALLON-PONT-D'ARC, FRANCE 15,000-18,000 BC

Egyptian Hieroglyphs3200 b.c.

EGYPTIANS USED SYMBOLS AND VISUAL CLUES TO CONVEY NARRATIVE

Narrative through sculpture

PARTHENON FRIEZEATHENS, GREECE432 B.C.

Medieval Tapestries

13TH AND 14TH CENTURY

William Blake and the first Graphic Novel:

1757-1827 English poet, painter,

printmaker and philosopher

Considered the father of anarchy

“I must create a system, or be enslav’d by another man’s. I will not reason and compare: my business is to create”

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell1790-1793

The Argument. Rintrah roars & shakes his fires in the

burden'd air;Hungry clouds swag on the deep Once meek, and in a perilous path,The just man kept his course alongThe vale of death.Roses are planted where thorns grow.And on the barren heathSing the honey bees.

Then the perilous path was planted:And a river, and a springOn every cliff and tomb;And on the bleached bonesRed clay brought forth.

Till the villain left the paths of ease,To walk in perilous paths, and driveThe just man into barren climes.

Now the sneaking serpent walksIn mild humility.And the just man rages in the wildsWhere lions roam.

Rintrah roars & shakes his fires in the burden'd air;Hungry clouds swag on the deep.

Classics Illustrated 1941-1971

The Watchmen September 1986-October 1987

DC COMICSWRITER: ALAN MOOREARTIST: DAVE GIBBONS

The watchmen takes place in an alternate history, where superheroes emerge in the 1940’s and 50’s to help America during the Vietnam War.

It uses a non-linear narrative

There were 12 issues in the series, each one a story all in itself.

Many of the characters were left unusable after the series was over

Persepolis 2000

French Graphic Novel

The title is a reference to the historic city of Persepolis.

Is considered a Memoir.

The story follows a young girl as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The story ends with Marjane as a 22-year-old ex-patriot

Anime and Manga

Anime in English refers to a style of animation originating in Japan

It is heavily influenced by Manga, a

style of Japanese Comic.

Style charasteristics:▪ large eyes▪ big hair ▪ elongated limbs▪ exaggerated facial

expressions ▪ brush-stroked outlines

limited motion

Anime and Manga

Manga has had a much longer history of both novel-like publishing and production of comics for adult audiences,

Whether they should be considered comic books or graphic novels is not always agreed upon.

One Piece

IS CREDITED FOR BEING THE LONGEST-RUNNING MANGA IN PRINT, WITH 57 ISSUES

One Piece is about a 17-year-old boy who gained supernatural abilities by eating a magical fruit.

He and his crew of pirates want to obtain the world's ultimate treasure, One Piece, to become the next Pirate King.

The Intricacies of Comic IllustrationPART: 2

The Comic Style

The style Comic Illustration we know of today came about in the 1950’s with pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein

The Comic Style

The style is characterized by: flat figures, highly contrasting

colors, limited color

palette limited value scale dark outlines dramatic

themes/dramatic expressions

A Picture is worth a thousand words… The graphic Novelist

must be adept at knowing when to use or not use text to convey a theme:

Words should be used to reinforce what the illustration conveys

A graphic novel is a story first, and foremost…

Setting the scene and developing characters is important

The ProjectPART: 3

First things, first…

1) Develop your plot

2) Decide on characters

3) Develop Characters

4) Write dialogue

5. Practice drawing your characters in different situations

6. Decide on a layout

7. Get Drawing!!

Getting your story started:

You must develop a story line: A Plot line that works:

a character in a context has a problem s/he tries to solve the

problem and fails — tries and

fails twice more, stakes escalating

victory or death validation

(denouement)

Developing Characters:

S TA RT BY A S K I N G Q U E S T I O N S : Name:

Age:Nationality:Socioeconomic Level as a child:Socioeconomic Level as an adult:Hometown:Current Residence:Occupation:Income:Talents/Skills:Salary:Birth order:Siblings (describe relationship):Spouse (describe relationship):Children (describe relationship):Grandparents (describe relationship):Grandchildren (describe relationship):Significant Others (describe relationship):Relationship skills:

Height:Weight:Race:Eye Color:Hair Color:Glasses or contact lenses?Skin color:Shape of Face:Distinguishing features:How does he/she dress?Mannerisms:Habits: (smoking, drinking etc.)Health:Hobbies:Favorite Sayings:Speech patterns:Disabilities:Style (Elegant, shabby etc.):Greatest flaw:Best quality:

Archetypal plots and characters: Characters:

THE HERO THE SCAPEGOAT THE OUTCAST THE DEVIL FIGURE THE EARTH

MOTHER THE TEMPTRESS THE PLATONIC IDEA THE UNFAITHFUL

WIFE

Plots

THE STAR-CROSSED LOVERS

THE QUEST THE TASK THE INITIATION THE JOURNEY THE FALL

Dialogue:

Once you’ve developed your characters, dialogue should be the easy part Use dialogue

that YOUR

CHARACTER WOULD USE

So, like, which way to the mall and

stuff…

Drawing:

Research common graphic novel styles to choose a style that fits you, or create a style of your own Design your protagonist and

practice drawing them in different poses and with different expressions.

drawing your

Drawing Characters

Plan your Layout

Decide how each cell will be set up

Comic Book Layouts

Requirements:

Your graphic novel must be at least four pages, front and back

Your story line must have a beginning, middle and end

Your book must be bound or held together in some way

There must be a front and back cover

Materials:

Your graphic novel may be in full color or black and white

You may use Marker, pen, colored pencil, or you may make your comics in Adobe Illustrator and print them off.

Your text and outlined must all be in ink

Ways to bind your book:

Ribbons Rings Accordion style

book-folding Sewing the binding