The Power of Comics

Fully revised and updated for its second edition, The Power of Comics remains the most authoritative introduction to comic books and graphic novels - the history of the medium, its many forms and manifestations and their place in contemporary culture.The new edition includes:An expanded historical section bringing the story of comic books up to the present and covering the rise of the graphic novel and the advent of digital comicsA new chapter on the memoir genre and a thoroughly revised chapter on the superhero genreA revised chapter - "Exploring Meanings in Comic Book Texts" - introduces students to the theoretical tools they need to read comics criticallyStudy objectives, discussion points, activities and annotated further reading guides in each chapter, helping students master the topics coveredIllustrated throughout, with an extensive glossary of key terms, The Power of Comics also includes further updated resources available online at powerofcomics.com, including additional essays, weblinks and sample syllabi.

Study objectives, discussion questions, activities and annotated reading guides throughout help students master the material. Additional essays, sample syllabi and further resources at powerofcomics.com encourage students to explore the genre.

Preface Introduction Chapter 1: History of Comic Books, Part I: Developing a Medium Chapter 2: History of Comic Books, Part II: The Maturation of a Medium Chapter 3: History of Comic Books, Part III: The Diversification of a Medium Chapter 4: Creating the Story Chapter 5: Experiencing the Story Chapter 6: Comic Book Genres: Classifying Comics Chapter 7: Comic Book Genres: The Superhero Chapter 8: Comic Book Genres: The Memoir Chapter 9: The Business of Comic Books Chapter 10: The Comic Book Readers Chapter 11: Exploring Meanings in Comic Book Texts Chapter 12: Comics Culture Around the World Glossary Bibliography