internet resources Leslie Bussert Comic books and graphic novels Digital resources for an evolving form of art and literature “Holy Hyperlinks, Batman!“ tory, and bibliographies. Sections of particular Comic books and graphic novels are becom­ interest to librarians include commentary ing two of the most pervasive and infl uen­ and reviews, collection development tools, tial media forms of popular culture. Placed recommendations for libraries, and resources within the context of changing society, com­ for teachers. Access: http://ublib.buffalo.edu/ ic books and graphic novels entertain and libraries/asl/guides/comics.html. educate, but they have also been instrumen­ •Comic Books, New York Public tal in documenting and interpreting social, Library (NYPL), General Research Divi­ historical, and current events. sion at the Humanities and Social Sci­ Scholarship and research surrounding ences Library. In addition to describing the comic books and graphic novels are grow­ NYPL’s comic book collection, this research ing. Many in the fields of history, sociology, guide offers tips for searching the catalog and arts and literature realize the unique and for comics and links to related collections or valuable insight inherent in studying comic Internet sites. Valuable bibliographies are of­ books and graphic novels. Thus, new col­ fered for general comics research, history and lections and resources are being created and criticism, and more. Access: http://www.nypl. developed to meet the needs of fans, collec­ org/research/chss/grd/resguides/comic. tors, scholars, and researchers alike. • Yale University Library’s Comic With numerous comic book and graphic Books, Comic Strips, and Graphic Nov­ novel Internet resources today, it is chal­ els Research Guide. From Yale University lenging to identify those frequently up­ Library’s Mass Media and Popular Culture dated or professionally maintained; many research guide, this site offers suggested lack organization but contain authoritative LC Subject Headings for searching library content. While the list provided here is not catalogs, print and online research sources, comprehensive, librarians should fi nd these and links to comic book and graphic novel resources valuable in getting acquainted with publishers and distributors. International in the genres, making selections for their collec­ scope, there are over 30 research sources tions, and assisting users seeking comic book covering comic strips, comic books, graphic or graphic novel resources. novels, and more. Access: http://www.library. yale.edu/humanities/media/comics.html. Starting points: research guides • Comic Books: Internet Resources. News and reviews This research guide contains annotated online • ArtBomb. Brainchild of acclaimed writer comic book resources compiled by Michael Lavin, Arts and Sciences Librarian at the Uni­ Leslie Bussert is reference/instruction and ethics/ versity of New York at Buffalo. Categories humanities librarian at the University of Washington- include Internet portals and guides, news Bothell and Cascadia Community College library, e-mail: [email protected]. and previews, magazines and journals, his­ © 2005 Leslie Bussert February 2005 103 C&RL News Warren Ellis and Internet producer Peter Siegel, comics is also available. Access: http://www. ArtBomb aims to broaden the appeal of comic comicsworthreading.com. •Newsarama. Updated several times daily, this site offers breaking industry news, features, previews, reviews, and opinions and editorials in discussion board format so readers may directly respond to posted items. books and graphic novels through promoting Comic book and graphic novel reviews and and reviewing diverse and sophisticated titles. previews are posted by the contributing edi­ Reviews may be searched by creator, title, or tors as well as readers. Archives go back a few genre, and some include previews. This site days. Access: http://www.newsarama.com. also offers a “What is a graphic novel?” intro­ ductory tour in comic book format aimed at Organizations and associations librarians, educators, and new fans. Access: •Comic Book Legal Defense Fund http://www.artbomb.net. (CBLDF). Aimed at preserving First Amend­ • Comic Book Resources. This popular ment rights for members of the comics com­ site offers numerous resources for any level munity, the CBLDF’s Web site offers news, of comic book featured links, convention previews, and fan. Daily news reports raising awareness of censorship is­ within the com­ sues within the comic industry. Additional ic book indus­ resources include a comic censorship bib­ try regarding liography highlighting articles, books, and writers, artists, case files for which the CBLDF has helped characters, series, and corporate activities is defend over the years, and a comic censor­ covered. Featured articles include artist and ship timeline beginning in the 1750s. Access: writer interviews or full­length articles, while http://www.cbldf.org. columns feature opinion and editorial pieces, •International Comic Arts Association gossip and rumors, commentary, reviews, and (ICAA). A nonprofit organization, the ICAA satire. Archives are sparse, but they go back aims to “support, promote, and strengthen to 1998. Access: http://www.comicbookre­ the comic industry, its products, and profes­ sources.com. sionals” through a variety of programs and • Comics Continuum. A very straight­ projects. Their Web site offers industry and forward site offering up­to­date breaking organizational news, interview and article industry news including publication infor­ features (coming soon), and resources for mation, film projects, writer and artist con­ retailers, libraries, teachers, creators, collec­ tracts, sales trends, and new issue previews. tors, and fans. Access: http://www.comicarts. Archives go back about three weeks. Access: org/index.php. http://www.comicscontinuum.com. • National Association of Comic Arts • Comics Worth Reading. This site pro­ Educators (NACAE). “Committed to helping vides industry news, reviews, and extensive facilitate the teaching of comics in higher recommendations for manga, independent, education,” the NACAE site contains resources DC Comics, and Marvel Comics titles and for individuals and institutions interested in series. Reviews include publishing history, art teaching visual storytelling. Their site offers samples, plot summaries, and Web links. The a forum where educators in comic and/or author has been reviewing comics for over sequential art can get and share ideas. Re­ 10 years and highlights women’s roles within sources include articles, teaching resources the comic book and graphic novel industry, (exercises, study guides, syllabi, handouts, whether they are characters, writers, artists, etc.), message boards, and more. Access: or editors. Information about how to review http://www.teachingcomics.org. C&RL News February 2005 104 Bibliographies and collections publications. In addition to descriptions of • Comic Books, Library of Congress the collection, multiple indexes, selected im­ Popular Culture Collections, Serials & ages, the collection development statement, Government Publications Division. Both and a list of other comic research collections foreign and U.S. titles make up this largest are offered. Access: http://www.lib.msu. collection of comic books in the United States. edu/comics. The collection includes scattered issues or •Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art microforms back to the 1930s but is mostly (MOCCA). The purpose of this museum is the comprehensive from 1950 on. This site pro­ “collection, preservation, vides information for using and researching study, education, and the collection including suggested techniques display of comic and car­ and subject headings. Access: http://memory. toon art.” Genres treated loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/awser2/comic_ include animation, car­ books.html. toons, comic books and • Comics­Related Dissertations and strips, graphic novels, Theses. This site provides an international and more. MOCCA’s bibliography of doctoral, master’s, and under­ Web site offers informa­ graduate dissertations and theses going back tion and news about the to the 1970s. Many entries provide abstracts organization, but also past and present exhibit or annotations and links to tables of contents information, upcoming events, and features or the full text. Access: http://home.earthlink. including interviews and legal or educational net/%7Ecomicsresearch/ComicsDissertations. information. Access: http://www.moccany. html. org. • Comics Reporter’s Books about • New York City Comic Museum (NYC­ Comics Bibliography. International in CM). Founded in 1999, the NYCCM promotes scope, this bibliography contains numerous comic book his­ entries of books about comics, particularly tory, preserva­ those with an emphasis on criticism and tion, and liter­ history. Entries are in alphabetical order by acy through its title, and coverage goes back to the 1950s. Ac­ collections and cess: http://www.comicsreporter.com/index. Web site. The php/lists/lists_and_links/87. site offers online •Comics Scholarship Annotated exhibits with ar­ Bibliographies (SCAB). This site offers an­ chives, resource notated bibliographies covering book­length links, an education center with lesson ideas, works about comic books and strips ranging and guides for bringing comic books into the from “fannish” histories to academic publica­ curriculum. Also included are columns and tions. Bibliographies are divided by subject current museum news. Access: http://www. categories