Drawing the Past, Volume 1: Comics and the Historical Imagination in the United States

Comics have the power to shape history, particularly in the service of nationalism and other political ideologies. Drawing the Past, Volume 1: Comics and the Historical Imagination in the United States explores current approaches to comics and their engagement with historical representation, including the existence, shape, and influence of comics as a medium, the question of trauma, and the mythic histories of the US. Contributions by scholars from all over the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 265 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2022
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

History has always been a process of weaving evidence into a narrative, but the public discourse surrounding the interpretations we assign to a particular historical era can seem particularly sharp in our contemporary age. Like all artistic mediums, comics possess the ability to shape history into forms that cater to both their intended audience and the creator. It follows logically that history, which has a history of crafting hagiographies, particularly in the service of nationalism and other political ideologies, is readily summoned to the paneled page. Comics, like statues, museums, and other vehicles for historical storytelling, create both monsters and heroes of men while nurturing combative beliefs in personal renditions of United States history.

Drawing the Past, Volume 1: Comics and the Historical Imagination in the United States, the first installment in a two-volume series, offers a comprehensive guide to current approaches to comics and their interaction with historical representation. The first section of the book, titled "History and Form," delves into the existence, shape, and influence of comics as a medium. The second section explores the concept of trauma, encompassing both individual traumas that can shape the relationship between the narrator and the object and historical traumas that prompt a reevaluation of prevailing social, economic, and cultural assumptions. The final section, titled "Mythic Histories," examines how comics contribute to the mythology of the United States.

Together, both volumes bring together a diverse array of approaches to various materials, featuring renowned scholars from across the globe. Contributions by Lawrence Abrams, Dorian Alexander, Max Bledstein, Peter Cullen Bryan, Stephen Connor, Matthew J. Costello, Martin Flanagan, Michael Fuchs, Michael Goodrum, Bridget Keown, Kaleb Knoblach, Christina M. Knopf, Martin Lund, and Jord.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496837165