Drawing from the Archives: Comics Memory in the Contemporary Graphic Novel

This book explores comics memory in the contemporary North American graphic novel, examining how cartoonists draw from the archives of comics history to pass on their work to new readers. It argues for a material and vernacular history of how comics are remembered, shared, and recirculated over time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

After Art Spiegelman's assertion that the future of comics lies in the past, this book explores comics memory within the context of contemporary North American graphic novels. Notably, cartoonists like Chris Ware, Seth, Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, and others have not only created some of the most significant graphic novels but have also embraced the history of comics as a shared visual heritage to introduce new readers to the medium. This comprehensive study delves into the working practices of contemporary cartoonists as historians, providing a detailed account of how they draw from the archives of comics history. It examines the various gestures of collecting, curating, reprinting, forging, swiping, and undrawing that shape their engagement with the past. By recognizing these diverse acts of transmission, this book advocates for a material and vernacular history of how comics are remembered, shared, and recirculated over time.

Introduction:
The past decade has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in the popularity of comics, with graphic novels achieving unprecedented levels of recognition and acclaim. This resurgence has been driven by a growing interest in the history of comics, as well as the creative possibilities that the medium offers contemporary artists. In this book, we will explore comics memory in the contemporary North American graphic novel, examining how cartoonists have drawn from the archives of comics history to shape their work.

The Significance of Comics History:
Comics have a rich and complex history, dating back to the early 19th century. Before the advent of television and cinema, comics were the primary form of visual entertainment for children and adults alike. Over the years, comics have evolved and diversified, with different genres and styles emerging. From the superhero comics of the 1940s and 1950s to the underground comix of the 1960s and 1970s, comics have played a significant role in shaping popular culture and political discourse.

Contemporary Cartoonists as Historians:
Despite the decline in traditional comic book sales, many contemporary cartoonists have turned to the history of comics as a source of inspiration and visual heritage. These artists recognize the value of comics as a medium that can convey complex ideas and emotions in a visually compelling way, and they use the history of comics as a means to connect with new readers and expand the reach of their work.

Drawing from the Archives:
Contemporary cartoonists draw from a wide range of archives when creating their work. These archives include comic books, magazines, newspapers, and online resources. Cartoonists use these archives to research the history of comics, to gain inspiration for their stories, and to create new visual styles and techniques.

The Different Gestures of Collecting:
One of the most common gestures of collecting in comics history is the collection of comic books. Comic book collectors have been gathering and preserving comics for decades, and their collections have become valuable collectibles. Collectors often focus on specific genres or characters, and their collections can range from rare and valuable to common and mundane.

The Different Gestures of Curating:
Another common gesture of collecting in comics history is the curation of comic book collections. Curators are responsible for organizing and displaying comic book collections in museums and galleries. Curators often work to create exhibitions that explore the history of comics, the creative process of cartoonists, and the cultural significance of comics.

The Different Gestures of Reprinting:
Reprinting is another common gesture of collecting in comics history. Reprinting allows comic book publishers to reissue old comics, making them available to new readers and collectors. Reprinting can also be used to preserve the history of comics, as it ensures that old comics are not lost or destroyed.

The Different Gestures of Forging:
Forging is a less common gesture of collecting in comics history, but it is still important. Forging involves creating new comics that are based on existing comics. Forgers often use digital tools to create new comics, and they often draw inspiration from the history of comics.

The Different Gestures of Swiping:
Swiping is a controversial gesture of collecting in comics history. Swiping involves copying the artwork of existing comics without permission. Swiping can be used to create new comics, but it can also be used to steal the artwork of other artists.

The Different Gestures of Undrawing:
Undrawing is a unique gesture of collecting in comics history. Undrawing involves removing the artwork from existing comics and creating new comics that are based on the text alone. Undrawing can be used to create new comics that are more accessible to new readers, but it can also be used to create new comics that are more experimental.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, comics memory in the contemporary North American graphic novel is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Contemporary cartoonists draw from a wide range of archives to create their work, and they use a variety of gestures of collecting, curating, reprinting, forging, swiping, and undrawing to shape their engagement with the past. By recognizing these different acts of transmission, we can gain a deeper understanding of the material and vernacular history of how comics are remembered, shared, and recirculated over time.

ISBN-13: 9781009250931