Ha! Ha! "Deja-vu, already seen, all over, again." In 1941 Albert Canter created a well-illustrated comic book version of the Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Other classical stories/wisdom followed until 1961. They were affordably priced, illustrated, in the format but not comic, and printed on the paper of popular comics. They introduced young children, foreign-speakers, and unlearned Americans to books considered classical: timeless in their stories and human value. They stimulated youngsters and adults to use the illustrated lessons in their lives, as well as pursue their self-education. They were the same as the Greek/Roman/Shakespeare/passion play dramas presented to their societies during similar "dark ages." Also, after WWII, popular authors were serialized weekly in adult and young adult magazines, All of which, just like now, were needed to bridge the gaps of knowledge, civility, and hope. They were times of ignorance, depressions, pandemics, violence, wars, and natural/human destruction of our planet and societies. Unfortunately, these new "adult comics," even if well-intentioned and needed during these times of "educated ignorance," their format and price is not for mass disemination. If the authors are interested, there are ways to cut costs and increase distribution and readership: during the 1960's in Asia, American hard-cover best-sellers were pirated and published at a fraction of their U.S. hard-cover prices. They were printed as "magazines" with a glossy cover and back, but a newsprint paper interior. They introduced millions of Asians to the English language, our way of living, our concerns, and our societies' similarities. The comments of Donna Taylor are "spot-on." Ha! Ha! I am glad that you are out there, Donna. Your comments are welcomed, practical, and necessary during this time of parochial fear and ignorance.
You can understand anything with graphic novels. They are simply another medium by which to absorb information. A lot of people have a hard time with history pre-photography. Taking that extra leap to visualize something so alien is hard for people. And understanding that people in the past were just like us, not some unknowable pre-human. Graphic novels and comics can help bridge that gap. Plus, everyone learns differently. A graphic novel is simply a different learning tool people can use to help them. This is why we have such an education issue in the US (among many other things), is because we try to teach one way to all children, assuming they all learn the same way. They don’t. There’s a reason why Maus by Art Spiegelman is so impactful (and so challenged). The people who dismiss graphic novels and comics outright are the same people who think young adult novels are childish or find no value in reading a picture book as an adult because there’s nothing of value in it for them. And because there’s nothing of value in it FOR THEM, then it must not have value at all. Which is wrong. There is value in all manner of reading, whether that medium has pictures or not, whether it’s in print or digital, whether it’s an article or a blog post. It may not be YOUR preferred method of reading, but it’s very enjoyable for other people, and beneficial for them as well. We want more people learning, not less. And if that means meeting them where they are, then so be it.
One should read history from as many angles --- using as many ways -- as possible...
Many people are VISUALLY INCLINED, and reading history in a 'comic' format, basically, is a treat for them (if it's an interest of them).
Other people are EAR LEARNERS and in need of an AUDIO representation...
However, nothing is as bad as trying to memorise FACTS from a BULLETED LIST, like history is being taught at school, making it one of the most-hated subjects in a formal-educational setting...
If one is visually inclined than pictures will provide a much better method to learn FACTS with...
And, if one is an EAR LEARNER than listening to history in a storybook form will also be a better way than a BULLETED LIST...
People are being taught by idiots at school and then they are thinking that they are idiots, later on...
I am not a fan of comic books. If it takes a graphic to understand they are too young.
Ha! Ha! "Deja-vu, already seen, all over, again." In 1941 Albert Canter created a well-illustrated comic book version of the Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Other classical stories/wisdom followed until 1961. They were affordably priced, illustrated, in the format but not comic, and printed on the paper of popular comics. They introduced young children, foreign-speakers, and unlearned Americans to books considered classical: timeless in their stories and human value. They stimulated youngsters and adults to use the illustrated lessons in their lives, as well as pursue their self-education. They were the same as the Greek/Roman/Shakespeare/passion play dramas presented to their societies during similar "dark ages." Also, after WWII, popular authors were serialized weekly in adult and young adult magazines, All of which, just like now, were needed to bridge the gaps of knowledge, civility, and hope. They were times of ignorance, depressions, pandemics, violence, wars, and natural/human destruction of our planet and societies. Unfortunately, these new "adult comics," even if well-intentioned and needed during these times of "educated ignorance," their format and price is not for mass disemination. If the authors are interested, there are ways to cut costs and increase distribution and readership: during the 1960's in Asia, American hard-cover best-sellers were pirated and published at a fraction of their U.S. hard-cover prices. They were printed as "magazines" with a glossy cover and back, but a newsprint paper interior. They introduced millions of Asians to the English language, our way of living, our concerns, and our societies' similarities. The comments of Donna Taylor are "spot-on." Ha! Ha! I am glad that you are out there, Donna. Your comments are welcomed, practical, and necessary during this time of parochial fear and ignorance.
I love Historical Fiction, but I still couldn't get into this comic book format.
You can understand anything with graphic novels. They are simply another medium by which to absorb information. A lot of people have a hard time with history pre-photography. Taking that extra leap to visualize something so alien is hard for people. And understanding that people in the past were just like us, not some unknowable pre-human. Graphic novels and comics can help bridge that gap. Plus, everyone learns differently. A graphic novel is simply a different learning tool people can use to help them. This is why we have such an education issue in the US (among many other things), is because we try to teach one way to all children, assuming they all learn the same way. They don’t. There’s a reason why Maus by Art Spiegelman is so impactful (and so challenged). The people who dismiss graphic novels and comics outright are the same people who think young adult novels are childish or find no value in reading a picture book as an adult because there’s nothing of value in it for them. And because there’s nothing of value in it FOR THEM, then it must not have value at all. Which is wrong. There is value in all manner of reading, whether that medium has pictures or not, whether it’s in print or digital, whether it’s an article or a blog post. It may not be YOUR preferred method of reading, but it’s very enjoyable for other people, and beneficial for them as well. We want more people learning, not less. And if that means meeting them where they are, then so be it.
Looks interesting!
I love comics. This article was great. Thanks
I am a fan of comic books , and what I read so far is great.
Hallo there,
One should read history from as many angles --- using as many ways -- as possible...
Many people are VISUALLY INCLINED, and reading history in a 'comic' format, basically, is a treat for them (if it's an interest of them).
Other people are EAR LEARNERS and in need of an AUDIO representation...
However, nothing is as bad as trying to memorise FACTS from a BULLETED LIST, like history is being taught at school, making it one of the most-hated subjects in a formal-educational setting...
If one is visually inclined than pictures will provide a much better method to learn FACTS with...
And, if one is an EAR LEARNER than listening to history in a storybook form will also be a better way than a BULLETED LIST...
People are being taught by idiots at school and then they are thinking that they are idiots, later on...
Pieter J (PJ)
Ha! Ha! Ooops! again. Let's try 1941 to 1969! It's the wee hours. Peter
Note: Classic Comics was printed between 1961 and 1969. Ooops! Peter