Graphic Novels and Comics as World Literature

Graphic narratives from the Global South are gaining attention in scholarly conversations, but they are often overlooked. This collection expands the study of graphic narratives to a global scale by focusing on texts from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. It explores how these texts engage with, fit in with, or complicate notions of World Literature and addresses issues such as translation, commodification, circulation, and Orientalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Graphic narratives are a significant art form that has gained global recognition, with graphic novels and comics from Europe and the United States dominating scholarly conversations. However, there is a limited scholarship on graphic narratives from the Global South, which has led to a narrow Western approach to this field. This collection aims to expand the study of graphic narratives to a global scale by focusing on texts from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

One of the key themes of this collection is the relationship between graphic narratives and World Literature. Graphic Novels and Comics as World Literature explores how these texts engage with, fit in with, or complicate notions of World Literature. The larger theoretical framework of World Literature is joined with postcolonial, decolonial, Global South, and similar approaches that argue explicitly or implicitly for the viability of non-Western graphic narratives on their own terms.

Another important aspect of this collection is the exploration of the unique formal qualities of graphic narratives from the Global South. These qualities include the use of visual imagery, the narrative structure, and the cultural context in which the narratives are produced. By examining these qualities, the collection seeks to understand how graphic narratives from the Global South can contribute to the study of international literatures, such as translation, commodification, circulation, Orientalism, and many others.

One of the challenges faced by the study of graphic narratives from the Global South is the issue of translation. Graphic narratives often rely on visual imagery and cultural references that may not be easily translated into other languages. This can lead to a loss of meaning and cultural significance, particularly when the narratives are translated into English or other Western languages.

To address this issue, the collection includes essays that explore the process of translation and its impact on graphic narratives. These essays discuss the challenges faced by translators, the strategies they use to overcome these challenges, and the ways in which translation can enhance the understanding of graphic narratives.

Another challenge faced by the study of graphic narratives from the Global South is the issue of commodification. Graphic narratives are often produced for commercial purposes, and this can lead to a loss of artistic integrity and cultural authenticity. The collection includes essays that explore the relationship between graphic narratives and the market, and the ways in which they can be commodified without losing their artistic value.

In addition to these challenges, the study of graphic narratives from the Global South also raises important questions about Orientalism and the representation of the Global South in Western media. Graphic narratives often depict the Global South in a negative or stereotypical way, and this can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and prejudices. The collection includes essays that explore the ways in which graphic narratives can challenge these stereotypes and promote a more nuanced understanding of the Global South.

Overall, Graphic Novels and Comics as World Literature is a valuable collection that expands the study of graphic narratives to a global scale. By focusing on texts from the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, the collection explores the unique formal qualities of graphic narratives from the Global South and their relationship with World Literature. The collection also addresses the challenges faced by the study of graphic narratives from the Global South, such as translation, commodification, and Orientalism, and provides valuable insights into the ways in which these narratives can contribute to the study of international literatures.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 188 x 236 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501373411