Narrative
Comic Book Culture
Introduction
Despite the significant role that comic books play helping shape identity and explore culture, generations of elitist bias have led to the under-appreciation of this medium by academia and general consumers alike. While there are comics that encourage textual and visual literacy, the act of reading comics should not need to be legitimized by an educational system. Rather than evaluating comics in terms of academic value, our project's approach dictates that we focus on the proliferation of comics in popular culture, taking the perspective of an ordinary reader. Comics have earned our thoughtful consideration by the very fact that people are reading them; what people read inevitably influences how they make meaning in their lives. By investigating comic culture, the function of print in communication and community formation can be better understood in the context of our society.
The research consists largely of fieldwork in Edmonton, specifically collecting and describing materials, attending events, visiting stores, and conducting interviews in person and via email. In the reports that follow, we examine comics in the context of sellers and cultural consumers; what they read, why they read it, where it comes from, how it circulates in the community, and how comics as a culture transcend the confines of locality and the print medium to encompass a much broader dimension of popular culture.
Reports
Conclusion
What makes comics so popular, and how have they maintained their popular status across generations of readerships? One answer may be that writers and publishers adapt material to evolving circumstances--comics are not timeless classics, but flexible forms that seem to always remain contemporary, relevant, issue-oriented, and interesting to readers.
As an individual, I may not be able to speak for every member of the comic community, but a central point of this research is recognizing and respecting that readers are not homogenous population; comic readers vary drastically in terms of when they read (before bed or during class), where they read (on the LRT or a library), why they read (to feel a part of something or enjoy a great story), and how they read (by engaging with the artwork or sharing with friends) as well as the role that comics play in shaping their daily lives, both individually and as members of a larger community.
Last Updated: Aug 23, 2017
Despite the significant role that comic books play helping shape identity and explore culture, generations of elitist bias have led...
