Graphically Speaking

I don't know much about comics or graphic novels. Is there a difference? If so what is it? Sorry to be so ignorant, but I just haven't been exposed to them - much.

I'm pretty certain Maus and Persepolis are graphic novels. Would it be wrong to call them comics? And what about manga? Is that just Japanese comics?

I said to a friend recently that I'm a bit leery of getting into graphic novels because they're so expensive, but I'm getting more and more interested in them and can already feel my purse shrinking at the thought of going (window) shopping for a few titles.

A couple of months back I managed to get a free copy of Marjane Satrapi's Embroideries. Not as good as Persepolis but rather amusing. (I must get Persepolis 2.) Then last week there was a copy of Marvel 1602 doing the rounds in the office. I'm not sure about the pictures, but the story sounds cool.

Last night was the first meeting of this writing group I've just joined. Last night we all met for the first time. There were three guys who are illustrators - one of them, Sheldon, is an aspiring graphic novelist/comic book artist - again, is there a difference? I'd love someone to explain it to me! (Maybe I should Google it.)

I absolutely loved everyone at the meeting. What a warm, enthusiastic, vibrant bunch of people. Not a pretentious bone in anyone. At least, I didn't detect any and I'm usually quite sensitive that way. Put me in a room full of "dahling" types and I feel like curling up and dying. Or killing someone.

Well, I have a feeling this is the start of something exciting! And I like the idea of calling the group The Fight Club: In Hsian's words: "fight for better alternatives for kids in terms of reading etc, general literacy causes, better opportunities to create, the right to be different, the right to have an opinion, be heard, for an action/dream followed through, for better food, aiya anything that is important to you la."

You go, girl! We go, group! :-)

Anyway, back to comics/graphic novels, I was doing research on children's reading habits and came across a couple of pro-manga articles by an educator called Drego Little. I'd like parents and teachers to read them. Most of the ones I meet or who write to me (because of the column) think comics are the lowest of the low. They do everything they can to keep their children/students away from them. This bloke, Little, tells us why reading manga is very good for you. Read the articles here and here.

Comments

[Subashini]

i'm in a city in canada at the moment, where i'm able to borrow mostly all the current graphic novels from the public library... i know i wouldn't have gotten started on them if i had to buy the books.

that said, the waiting list is long for popular ones - so i haven't read 'embroideries' yet, but i have finished 'persepolis 2,' and it definitely fulfills all the hype. it was not a disappointment after the first one, so if you enjoyed that, then by all means run out and read the sequel.

other graphic novels that you might enjoy, daphne, judging from what i've seen you write, might be craig thompson's 'blankets.' is that being sold over there? it's a beautiful story, a coming-of-age tale, but with such gorgeous graphics... his most recent book, 'carnet de voyage' is also very fun and filled with tons of scrumptious drawings. julie doucet is a great graphic novelist from montreal - sometimes the prose can be kind of clunky, probably due to the translation, but her drawings are really amazing.

then there's stuff by adrian tomine and daniel clowes. clowes' 'ghost world' is a great graphic novel AND movie... and, harvey pekar's 'american splendor' comics/graphic novels (like you, i'm not sure about the difference, and i don't think it matters) are NOT to be missed.

osamu tezuka's (i'm probably getting his name wrong) 'adolf' is amazing, as well. i think it's a series and i've only read the first volume, but i know that it was a very absorbing read.

'the league of extraordinary gentlemen' by alan moore is the most fun thing i've read in awhile, and sadly enough, i'm still on the waitlist for the second volume. that was something i didn't expect to enjoy, because i'm a bit wary of comics of the superhero variety. the "heroes" in this one though, are heroes with a twist. ;-)

i realise i'm writing an essay here, and i feel bad rambling on when i'm not sure exactly how much of it is available in malaysia. and if you have to *buy* it... jeez. i recommend tearing off the plastic wrappers one afternoon and going through some of the shorter ones right there in the store... and hopefully i'm allowed to say that and kinokuniya doesn't shut down your blog forever.