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WORDS: MISS M ISSUE 8 DESIGN: MISS M

Dear Students, THEME OF Graphic novels have a long and illustrious history, particularly in countries such as Japan and France! In the past few decades, they’ve also become more popular in Comics & More English-speaking countries, with higher sales, more recognition and greater acclaim. Most people are familiar with superhero comics or magazines like The Beano, but THE WEEK graphic novels are so much more! Today we’re celebrating the richness and diversity of the medium, plus recommending some brilliant reads. THE WEEK THEWHAT WEEK ARE COMICS? WHAT IS MANGA? WHAT ARE ATHE comic WEEKis a publication that uses art to Manga is the umbrella term for comics or GRAPHIC NOVELS? tell a story, usually in the form of panels. graphic novels originating in Japan. Unlike The phrase ‘graphic novel’ has been The earliest example of comic books in western comics, manga is read right-to- contentious since its first use in the the Western world date back to the 1920’s left instead of left-to-right. That’s because 1960’s! The term in its most basic sense and 30’s, when the medium became Japanese writing is read this way! Most refers simply to a book written in the popular in Britain and the US. Incredibly, publishers choose not to ‘flip’ illustrations style of a comic, where the story or some of those early publications are still to preserve the integrity of the art. This can narrative THEis expressed WEEK through a running: The Beano’s first issue was take some practice to get used to but combination of images and text. As released in 1938 and is still being enjoyed becomes easier over time. In Japan, comics became more adventurous in by people today! Since the introduction of manga is often serialised in magazines. If a the 1970’s, some illustrators and Superman in 1938, superheroes have series is popular, its chapters are then publishers employed the term to been one of the most popular comic collated and published in books known as distinguish between their more genres – but don’t make the mistake of tankōbon. These tankōbon are the experimental projects and the cartoons believing that’s all comics are about! volumes of manga we read in the UK! published in periodicals. As the comics medium was often looked down upon, RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED some felt that the phrase ‘graphic novel’ added credibility and prestige. COMICS MANGA The term became popular when Will Eisner, an American cartoonist, What would you do with a released A Contract With God, an The Tiny Titans series notebook with the power ambitious literary comic. Eisner wanted features funny short stories to kill anyone whose name the book to be published by a andTHE comic WEEK strips about DC THE WEEK is written on the pages? mainstream company sold in superheroes as kids! They’re Death Note is a twisty bookshops rather than comic stores; his not only hilarious, but serve THE WEEK THEpsychological WEEK thriller publisher therefore promoted the book as a brilliant introduction to about morality that follows the battle of as a “graphic novel”. From then on, it The DC universe. If you’re already a wits between teenage genius Light became the accepted term for a comics fan, you’ll also appreciate in- Yagami and the enigmatic detective L. book-length comic. Today, the phrase jokes from classic series. For something For something a little lighter, try the is generally used to refer to longer more educational, try Corpse Talk, which fantastical Witch Hat Atelier, which was stories, published as bound volumes, looks at famous figures from history. shortlisted for the 2020 Excelsior Award. with definite endings.

. LIBRARIAN’S CORNER RESOURCES RECOMMENDED This week, we’re recommending our If you’re interested in comics, there’s GRAPHIC NOVELS favourite comic reads! plenty of resources out there! Comichaus, an indie comics app, is giving away a Award -winning author Mrs P enjoys Raina Telgemeier’s Ghosts. free month of access to its entire library of Raina Telgemeier is known She thought the landscape illustrations comics until the end of lockdown. forTHE her WEEKwarm, funny stories were beautiful and enjoyed the kidscomics.com publishes daily updates about life as a teenager. In relationship between the sisters! on the latest comic releases aimed at Drama, theatre-loving THE WEEK young people. If you’d rather create your CallieTHE WEEKbecomes involved Mrs B loved Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona. own comics, BBC Bitesize has a wonderful in her school’s production crew, with which tells the story of a shape-shifting series of tutorials for creating graphic drama ensuing both on-stage and off! If girl who wants to be a villain’s sidekick. novels. Finally, for inspiring comic art, why you prefer more romance, try Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper, an LGBT+ love Miss M loved the fantasy manga Fushigi not check out comicartfans.com? With story about friendship, loyalty and Yugi so much when she was a teenager, over 450,000 pieces of original art in its mental illness. she even wrote an essay about it! gallery, it’s a wonderful place to start!