Mini-Metadata Project: Graphic Novels Using Dublin Core

Stephanie Felice

San Jose State University

July 13, 2017

Introduction

During this project, I generate records for a selection of graphic novels and comic books using the Dublin Core schema. Due to their dual focus on textual and visual elements, graphic novels pose unique cataloging challenges. Although Dublin Core can be used to describe both text-based and visual objects, it is generally not regarded as the optimal choice for graphic novels. In an attempt to better describe graphic novels, both user-created and institution-created schemas have been developed in the past fifteen years. I will examine how Dublin Core captures and does not capture the peculiarities present in graphic novels and comic books.

The intended environment for this project is a library with a standalone graphic novel collection or a graphic novel collection in a special collections setting. The targeted user groups are graphic novel readers and graphic novel scholars. In real-world settings, this specialized user group and environment has a higher metadata need than the general public.

In this paper I will describe graphic novel metadata, explain my schema choice, provide a link to my metadata generator, include ten generated item records and discuss my experiences using DC for graphic novels.

Graphic novel metadata

Graphic novels can be described as ‘juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence, intended to convey information and/or produce an aesthetic response in the reader,’ or more succinctly as ‘sequential art’ (McCloud, 1993, pp. 27). These definitions reflect competing emphases on text and art, depending on the narrative’s requirements. Graphic novels pose several cataloging challenges. Comics are an interactive medium, relying on visual techniques that immerse the reader in the narrative and invite them to participate in interpreting the story. As such, ‘the material properties of the book – the codex form, the leaves and pages, the physical properties of the paper – are inseparable from the structure, pacing and design of the narrative’ (Walsh, 2014).

Comics often include paratextual components such as fan mail, editorial notes, celebrations of publication milestones, news and advertisements. These features are not always easy to reflect within traditional schemas and metadata vocabularies. Further, serial comics are published in small monthly issues and then published in volumes that include several issues in one bound book. Volumes are rebound and reissued to celebrate publication anniversaries and film adaptations. Different volumes will include further features such as forewards and alternative cover art.

Comics also frequently have a large number of contributors involved. Writers create the narrative; artists can be credited for artwork, letters, coloring, issue cover art or volume cover art.

Some artists specialize solely in cover art, which may not be included in every reprinting of an issue. While traditional schemas provide access points to an item’s creators and contibutors, they usually cannot adequately express what each person contributed to the final product.

Graphic novels and schemas

For most institutions and environments, traditional schema choices such as Dublin Core or cataloging formats such as MARC do an adequate job of describing graphic novels. The core elements present in a graphic novel are captured just as they are for a general collection item.

Many institutions will never need or want to pursue any specialized schema. However, the medium is actively collected and curated. Both private and public collections have pursued digitization projects and cataloging efforts to preserve and share their holdings. User-created schemas based on XML and Dublin Core have expanded metadata offerings that reflect contributor roles, issue variations, compilations and paratextual features

(Wright, 2014, pp. 3). Schemas like the Comic Book Schema address graphic novels on an item level using the Comic Book Ontology (CBO), a metadata vocabulary for describing comic books and collections (Petiya, 2017). Using the Comic Book Schema, comic book volumes are treated as compilations and each issue is cataloged with separate metadata elements within a single volume. Once metadata is created for an issue, it can combined with any other issue(s) for any compilation.

For fully digitized objects, Comic Book Markup Language (CBML) is a model based in

TEI describes the contents within a graphic novel. CBML allows for the addition of metadata for text and graphics and also offers the ability to address paratextual elements within the item

(Wright, 2014, pp. 4). The extensive language includes fields and controlled vocabularies for features such as transition type between panels, speech bubble styling and diegetic elements

(words that both the character and reader see, such as street signs) (Walsh, 2014).

Schema choice

For this project, I chose to create the records using Dublin Core. DC is a standard choice for text-based items. Although it is not preferred graphic novel metadata, I decided to use DC as my first exploration into graphic novel metadata. By describing my items using DC, I will be able to make observation about how adequately or inadequately it fits the medium. With that knowledge, I can make a more informed decision regarding which schema is most appropriate for graphic novels.

Dublin Core metadata generator and template

The records created for this project were generated using the Advanced Dublin Core

Generator accessed via http://www.dublincoregenerator.com/generator.html. The advanced version of the generator provides opportunities for precision not present in the simple generator.

A basic template derived from the Advanced Dublin Core Generator is included below.

In cases where more than one entry exists for one element, separate iterations of the element will be used.

Title Creator Library of Congress Subject Heading Description Publisher Contributor Copyright date Image Text Graphic novel ISBN Library of Congress call number Language Temporal coverage Spatial coverage Rights statement Audience Provenance Rights holder Accrual method Accrual periodicity Accrual policy

Created metadata records

The following ten item records were created using the Dublin Core Advanced Generator.

Where possible, the records’ contents come from the front matter of the book itself, with Library of Congress Subject Headings taken from the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Terms are either drawn from a controlled vocabulary or used uniformly to maintain record consistency.

Both serial comic books and standalone graphic novels are included in this selection of items. To examine the differences in records for related items, I used three Batman volumes

(Records 3, 4 and 5) and two sequential volumes of Y: The Last Man (Records 7 and 8).

Record 1: Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan, https://lccn.loc.gov/2017218528

Paper Girls, Volume 1 Brian K. Vaughan Papergirls--Comic books, strips, etc. Girls--Comic books, strips, etc. In the early hours after Halloween on 1988, four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls uncover the most important story of all time. Suburban drama and supernatural mysteries collide in this series about nostalgia, first jobs, and the last days of childhood. Originally published in single magazine as Paper Girls #1-5. Image Comics Cliff Chiang Matt Wilson Jared K. Fletcher 2016-03 Image Text Graphic novel 9781632156747 PN6728.P36 V38 en 1988 Cleveland, Ohio "Paper Girls," its logos, and the likeness of all characters therein are trademarks of Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang. Young adults Property of American University Library Brian K. Vaughan Cliff Chiang Purchase Biannual Active

Record 2: Saga of the Swamp Thing Book One by Alan Moore, https://lccn.loc.gov/2012374624

Saga of the Swamp Thing. Book One Alan Moore Swamp Thing (Fictitious character)--Comic books, strips, etc. Swamp Thing, an elemental creature, fights to protect his home, the environment, and humanity from various threats.kl Originally published in magazine form as The saga of the Swamp Thing #20- 27. DC Comics Stephen Bissette John Totleben Dan Day Rick Veitch Tatjana Wood John Costanza Todd Klein 1984-01 to 1984-08 2009 Image Text Graphic novel 9781401220822 PN6728.S93 M6431 2009 en Swamp Thing, created by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson 1970s All characters, their distinctive likeness and related elements featured in this publication are trademarks of DC Comics Adults Property of American University Library DC Comics Purchase Inactive

Record 3: Batman: Hush by Jeph Loeb, https://lccn.loc.gov/2012372383

Batman: Hush Jeph Loeb Jim Lee Scott Williams Batman (Fictitious character)--Comic books, strips, etc. Batman’s relationship with Catwoman becomes more intense as an unknown foe, known only as Hush, continues to train the Dark Knight’s adversaries, such as the Joker and Harley Quinn, while inflicting torturous mental and physical terror upon Batman, Robin, and Nightwing. Originally published in single magazine form in Batman 608-619, Wizard 0. DC Comics Richard Starkings Alex Sinclair 2002-2003 2009 Image Text Graphic novel 9781401223175 PN6728.B36 L637 2009 en Batman, created by Bob Kane Gotham City All characters, their distinctive likeness and related elements featured in this publication are trademarks of DC Comics Young Adults Property of American University Library DC Comics Purchase Inactive

Record 4: Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb, https://lccn.loc.gov/99218572

Batman: The Long Halloween Jeph Loeb Tim Sale Batman (Fictitious character)--Comic books, strips, etc. A collection of Batman comics, originally published in thirteen monthly installments, following the efforts of the costumed crime fighter to save Gotham from a serial killer, a crime lord, and assorted gangsters and freaks. Originally published in single magazine form as Batman : the long Halloween 1- 13. DC Comics Gregory Wright Richard Starkings 1996-1997 1998 Image Text Graphic novel 9781563894270 PN6728.B36 L647 1998 en Batman, created by Bob Kane Gotham City All characters, their distinctive likeness and related elements featured in this publication are trademarks of DC Comics Young Adults Property of American University Library DC Comics Purchase Inactive

Record 5: Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin by Grant Morrison, https://lccn.loc.gov/2010525575

Batman & Robin: Batman vs. Robin Grant Morrison Cameron Stewart Andy Clarke Batman (Fictitious character)--Comic books, strips, etc. Robin, the Boy Wonder (Fictitious character)--Comic books, strips, etc. The new Batman and Robin uncover clues involving the mysterious death of Bruce Wayne before facing off against each other in a heated battle instigated by Talia al Ghul, Robin’s mother. Originally published as Batman & Robin 7-12. DC Comics Scott Hana Dustin Nguyen Alex Sinclair Tony Avina Patrick Brosseau Jared K. Fletcher Frank Quitely 2010 Image Text Graphic novel 9781401232719 PN6728.B36 M67265 2011 en Batman, created by Bob Kane Gotham City All characters, their distinctive likeness and related elements featured in this publication are trademarks of DC Comics. Young Adults Property of American University Library DC Comics Purchase Inactive

Record 6: Chew, Volume 1: Taster’s Choice by John Layman, https://lccn.loc.gov/2016590240

Chew, Volume One: Taster's Choice John Layman Rob Guillory United States. Food and Drug Administration--Comic books, strips, etc. Police--Comic books, strips, etc. Psychics--Comic books, strips, etc. Food law and legislation--United States--Comic books, strips, etc. Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is Cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he’s a hell of a detective, as long as he doesn’t mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit, and why. He’s been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest, and most bizarre cases. Originally published in single magazine format as Chew #1-5. Image Comics 2009 Image Text Graphic novel 9781607061595 PN6728.C48 L388 2009 en Chew series Philadelphia, PA CHEW (including all prominent characters featured herein are trademarks of John Layman. Adults Property of American University Library John Layman Purchase Biannual Inactive

Record 7: Y: The Last Man – Cycles by Brian K. Vaughan, https://lccn.loc.gov/2004296756

Y: The Last Man - Cycles Brian K. Vaughan Pia Guerra Jose Marzan, Jr. Heroes--Comic books, strips, etc. Science fiction comic books, strips, etc. It’s 2002, and a plague of unknown origin has killed all of the male mammals on Earth-all except an amateur escape artist named Yorick Brown and his surly helper monkey, Ampersand. As the last remaining Y-chromosome carriers on the planet, Yorick and his pet hold the fate of humanity in their hands. To ensure the survival of the species, they’ve teamed up with a gun-toting government agent and the world’s premier bioengineer to discover the secret behind the plague. But while they ride the rails across a radically transformed America, the man-hating Daughters of the Amazon are right behind them-and an unplanned stopover in the seemingly utopian town of Marrisville, Ohio may mean the end of the line for the Last Man. Originally published in single magazine form as Y: the last man 6-10. DC Comics Pamela Rambo Clem Robins J.G. Jones 2003 Image Text Graphic novel 9781401200763 PN6728.Y2 V38 2003 en Y: The Last Man series Marrisville, OH 2002 All characters, their distinctive likeness and related indicia featured in this publication are trademarks of Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Young Adults Property of American University Library Brian K. Vaughan Pia Guerra Purchase Biannual Inactive

Record 8: Y: The Last Man – One Small Step by Brian K. Vaughan, https://lccn.loc.gov/2004296756

Y: The Last Man - One Small Step Brian K. Vaughan Pia Guerra Heroes--Comic books, strips, etc. Science fiction comic books, strips, etc. It’s 2002, and a plague of unknown origin has killed all of the male mammals on Earth-all except an amateur escape artist named Yorick Brown and his surly helper monkey, Ampersand. As the last remaining Y-chromosome carriers on the planet, Yorick and his pet hold the fate of humanity in their hands. To ensure the survival of the species, they’ve teamed up with a gun-toting government agent and the world’s premier bioengineer to discover the secret behind the plague. But while they ride the rails across a radically transformed America, the man-hating Daughters of the Amazon are right behind them-and an unplanned stopover in the seemingly utopian town of Marrisville, Ohio may mean the end of the line for the Last Man. Originally published in single magazine form as: Y: the last man 11-17. DC Comics Paul Chadwick Jose Marzan, Jr. Pamela Rambo Clem Robins J.G. Jones 2003-2004 2004 Image Text Graphic novel 9781401202019 PN6728.Y2 V381 2004 en Y: The Last Man series Oldenbrook, KS 2002 All characters, their distinctive likeness and related indicia featured in this publication are trademarks of Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. Young Adults Property of American University Library Brian K. Vaughan Pia Guerra Purchase Biannual Inactive

Record 9: Che: A Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon, https://lccn.loc.gov/2009004410

Che: A Graphic Biography Sid Jacobson Ernie Colon Guevara, Che, 1928-1967--Comic books, strips, etc. Guevara, Che, 1928-1967--Pictoral works. Guerrillas--Latin America--Biography--Comic books, strips, etc. Guerrillas--Latin America--Pictoral works. During his life, and perhaps even more since his death, Che has elicited controversy and wildly divergent opinions as to who he was and what he represented. In Che: A Graphic Biography, Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colón -- the graphic duo who made the 9/11 Commission Report understandable in their bestselling The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation and who most recently explained the ongoing war on terror in After 9/11 -- have come together again to give a real portrait of Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. Following Che from his fabled motorcycle journeys with Alberto Granado as a young medical student to his eventual execution at the hands of Bolivian soldiers and CIA operatives, Che: A Graphic Biography not only provides a concrete time line of his life but also gives a broader understanding of his beliefs, his legacy, and Latin American politics during the mid-twentieth century. The motorcycle diarist -- The plight of Latin America, 1953 -- Back on the road -- Cuba -- Victory -- Crisis after crisis -- The revolutionary -- The Congo misadventure -- The last chapter. Hill and Wang 2009 Image Text Graphic novel 9780809094929 F2849.22.G85 J27 2009 en Che Guevera, Argentine revolutionary and major figure in the Cuban Revolution Argentina Cuba 1928-1967 The Cuban Revolution Young Adults Adults Property of American University Library Sid Jacobson Ernie Colon Purchase Inactive

Record 10: This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki, https://lccn.loc.gov/2012278152

This One Summer Jillian Tamaki Mariko Tamaki Teenage girls--Comic books, strips, etc. Teenagers--Conduct of life--Comic books, strips, etc. Adolescence--Comic books, strips, etc. Interpersonal relations--Comic books, strips, etc. Friendship--Comic books, strips, etc. Love in adolescence--Comic books, strips, etc. Coming of age--Comic books, strips, etc. Summer--Comic books, strips, etc. Vacations--Comic books, strips, etc. Cartoons and comics Rose and her parents have been going to Awago Beach since she was a little girl. It’s her summer getaway, her refuge. Her friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had, completing her summer family. But this summer is different. Rose’s mom and dad won’t stop fighting, and Rose and Windy have gotten tangled up in a tragedy-in-the- making in the small town of Awago Beach. It’s a summer of secrets and heartache, and it’s a good thing Rose and Windy have each other. First Second 2014 Image Text Graphic novel 9781626720947 PZ7.7.T355 Thi 2014 en Awago, Canada Children Young Adults Property of American University Library Jillian Tamaki Mariko Tamaki Purchase Inactive

Discussion

These records highlight the shortcomings Dublin Core has for describing graphic novels.

There were a number of instances in which I felt the created record did not adequately reflect the item. For most of the items, it was difficult to decide which contributors to designate as creators and which to include as contributors. Catalog records are not in uniform in assigning authorship of a graphic novel. I tended to use the item’s cover to credit creators, and all other contributors were left as such in the record. Some items have as many as five contributors, but DC has no option to identify their role.

Almost every item was composed of several issues republished in a single volume. I chose to include a description of the original issues in the ‘Description’ field. To further specify the issues, I could have used the ‘Description’ field to list the issue titles as a ‘Table of

Contents.’

The only thing linking the records for the three Batman volumes is the ‘Related’ field, which references the fictitious character. Two of the Batman volumes feature the Joker, and one features Catwoman, but there were no convenient places to note that in the record. For analysis purposes, a field denoting character appearances would be beneficial. Similarly, the only thing linking the records for Y: The Last Man, Volumes 2 and 3 is the ‘Related’ field.

I like the Dublin Core fields relating to accrual. For comics that are acquired at regular intervals, it is important to note that length of time. The ‘Accrual Periodicity’ field lists how often volumes are published, and ‘Accrual Policy’ field captures whether or not the serial is ongoing.

Conclusion Dublin Core is simple to use and simple to understand. The generator I used also provided explanations of each field and options available with the advanced version. This project showed me that schemas and metadata vocabularies dictate the information collected – and that is therefore searchable – from an item. DC sufficiently expresses the major publication details of a graphic novel but misses medium-specific characteristics.

There are several features of comics schemas that would greatly increase the description of graphic novels. Firstly, cataloging issues as separate items creates adequate metadata for issues, which can have different copyright dates, contributors and titles. The individual issues can then be combined into collections with additional forewards and components, allowing for both issue-specific metadata and volume-specific metadata. This is the case in the Comic Book

Schema. Comic books also benefit from metadata fields for characters that appear within the book, as characters exist in expansive universes. References Dublincoregenerator.com – A better Dublin Core generator. (n.d). Retrieved from

http://www.dublincoregenerator.com/generator.html.

Library of Congress Online Catalog. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://catalog.loc.gov/index.html.

McCloud, S. (1993). Understanding comics. New York: HarperPerennial.

Metadata for comic books and graphic novels. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://comicmeta.org.

Petiya, S. (2017). Comic Book Ontology. Retrieved from https://comicmeta.org/cbo/.

Walsh, J. (2012). Comic Book Markup Language: An introduction and rationale. Digital

Humanities Quarterly, 6(1). Retrieved from

http://www.digitalhumanities.org/dhq/vol/6/1/000117/000117.html.

What is CBML? (2012). Retrieved from http://dcl.slis.indiana.edu/cbml/.

Wright, V. (2014). Metadata for graphic novels and comic books: Comic Book Markup

Language and advanced comic book format. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1230, 1-

23. Retrieved from

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3168&context=libphilprac.