Webcomics

**Nominated for the 2021 Eisner Award for Best Academic/Scholarly Work**The first critical guide to cover the history, form and key critical issues of the medium, Webcomics helps readers explore the diverse and increasingly popular worlds of online comics.In an accessible and easy-to-navigate format, the book covers such topics as:·The history of webcomics and how developments in technology from the 1980s onwards presented new opportunities for comics creators and audiences·Cultural contexts - from the new financial and business models allowed by digital media to social justice causes in contemporary webcomics·Key texts - from early examples of the form such as Girl Genius and Penny Arcade to popular current titles such as Questionable Content and Dumbing of Age·Important theoretical and critical approaches to studying webcomicsWebcomics includes a glossary of crucial critical terms, annotated guides to further reading, and online resources and discussion questions to help students and readers develop their understanding of the genre and pursue independent study.

Discussion questions, annotated further reading, online resource guides, and a glossary of critical terms aid independent study

IntroductionHistorical OverviewSocial and Cultural ImpactUbiquityTechnologyConflicts with Newspaper StripsAudience ParticipationEducation/Social CausesFormatsFinancingKey TextsGirl Genius by Phil and Kaja FoglioPenny Arcade by Mike Krahulik and Jerry HolkinsQuestionable Content by Jeph JacquesStand Still. Stay Silent. by Minna SundbergThe Adventures of Gyno-Star by Rebecca CohenDumbing of Age by David M. WillisEmpathize This by Tak Shiota et al.Critical UsesDiscussing WebcomicsWebcomics as a Genre?Genres in WebcomicsDefining SuccessSuccess: Easier or More Difficult?The Negative Side of Creator AccessPermanence vs. EtherialnessParatextsAppendixSolution Squad Lesson PlanGlossaryResources