5. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Barriers to using comics in school libraries
• Comics are trashy literature (crude stories, crudely drawn)
• Comics are full of sex(ism) and violence
• Comics aren’t real reading
• Comics are for reluctant readers
• Comics are only for SEN or reluctant readers
• Any more?
6. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Comics in Schools – Still
Controversial?
Tales from the Crypt, circa 1950s.
EC Comics
7. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
• Do you stock comics in your library?
• Do you read them yourself?
• Do you feel confident recommending them?
• Have you ever had complaints about comics?
Did you feel confident answering the
complaint?
• Have you ever not fulfilled a read request for
a comic because of worries about it’s
content?
• Would you know where to look for more
information about comics?
9. Carl Cross
A form not
a genre
Tom Furtwangler and Scott
FaulknerGetting your Message
Across, 1998.
10. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Pre-School
Comics
11. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Andy Runton,
Owly. Top
Shelf
Productions.
2005
12. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Sara Wright ,The
Totally Awesome Epic
Quest of the Brave
Boy Knight. Balloon
Toons. 2011.
13. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Pre-School
Activities
14. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Colouring
Sheets
Draw your
own
15. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Pre-reading
and
emergent
visual
literacy
16. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Primary
Comics
17. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
• Age appropriate
comic
• No ads, no “free”
gifts
• Slight edutainment
angle
• Everso slightly edgy.
• 8+
18. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Corpse Talk by Adam
Murphy
19. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Evil Emperor
Penguin by Laura
Ellen Anderson
20. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Pirates of Pangaea by
Daniel Hartwell and Neil
Cameron
21. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Hardback Collections
available from library
suppliers
Baggage by the
Etherington
Brothers, David Fickling
Books. 2011.
22. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Marvel Super Hero
Squad, Marvel
Comics. 2012(?)
23. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Jennifer L. Holm and
Matthew Holm,
Babymouse. Random
House.2005.
24. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Art Baltazar. Green Lantern
Animated Series. DC Comics
(2013)
25. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Primary
Webcomics
Bill Watterson Calvin and
Hobbes, 1985-1995.
26. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Rich Clabaugh, The
Graveyard Gang.
www.thegraveyardgang.com.
2012.
27. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Primary
Activities
28. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Create your own Comics with
http://comiclife.com/
29. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Create your own Comics with
http://comiclife.com/
30. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Create your own Comics with
http://comiclife.com/
31. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Create your own Comics with
http://marvelkids.marvel.com/games/play/75
/create_your_own_comic
32. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Cutting up and re-sequencing
www.thebookchook.com
33. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Secondary
Comics
G. Willow Wilson and
Adrian Alphonsa, Ms
Marvel. Marvel
Comics. 2014.
34. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Pat Mills and Joe Coulquhoun,
Charley’s War. IPC Publications. 1979-1985.
35. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Gene Luen Yang and Lark
Pien,
American Born Chinese. First
Second.2006.
36. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
The popularity of
manga and the
demise of Tokyopop
Kiiro Yumi, Library
Wars. Viz Media.
2010-2014.
37. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Home Grown
Manga –
Sweatdrop
Studios
38. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
The Small
Press –
Futurequake
Tony McVeigh, Bruno
Stahl and Bolt 01.
B.O.O.B.I.E Trap, 2013(?)
39. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Secondary
Activities
40. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
41. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
42. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
43. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
44. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
The only
national comic
award for young
people, voted
for by young
people
45. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Free Comic Book
Day
46. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Meet Pizza Dog
Matt Fraction and
David Aja. Hawkeye
#11, Marvel Comics.
2013.
47. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Meet Pizza Dog
Matt Fraction and
David Aja. Hawkeye
#11, Marvel Comics.
2013.
48. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Meet Pizza Dog
Matt Fraction and
David Aja. Hawkeye
#11, Marvel Comics.
2013.
49. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Meet Pizza Dog
Matt Fraction and
David Aja. Hawkeye
#11, Marvel Comics.
2013.
50. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Watchmen
Activity
51. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Alan Moore and
Dave
Gibbons, Watch
men. DC Comics.
1986.
52. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
53. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Secondary
Webcomics
54. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Grant Morrison and Rian Hughes,
The Key. 2014
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-
26730067.
55. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Sixth Form
& Adult
Comics
Glyn Dillon. The Nao of
Brown. SelfMadeHero.
2012.
56. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Raymond
Briggs, Ethel and
Ernest. Jonathan
Cape. 1998.
57. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Guy Delisle Pyongyang:
A Journey in North
Korea. Jonathan Cape.
2006.
58. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Scott
McCloud, Understanding
Comics. Harper. 1994.
59. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Sixth Form
& Adult
Webcomics
Glyn Dillon. The Nao of
Brown. SelfMadeHero.
2012.
60. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Warren Ellis and Paul
Duffield, Freakangels
www.freakangels.com.
2011-2014.
61. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Tablets – a
gamechanger
for digital
comics
Comixology
62. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Tablets – a
gamechanger
for digital
comics
Sequential
63. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Tablets – a
gamechanger
for digital
comics
Marvel Unlimited
64. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Tablets – a
gamechanger
for digital
comics
2000AD
65. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Tablets – a
gamechanger
for digital
comics
The Beano
66. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Unshelved by Gene Ambaum and Bill
Barnes. www.unshelved.com/
67. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Sixth Form
& Adult
Activities
Glyn Dillon. The Nao of
Brown. SelfMadeHero.
2012.
68. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
69. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
http://www.comicbookscriptarchive.
com/archive/
70. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Comic Script Conventions
CHARACTER NAME – Always in CAPS
SFX – Sound Effects, ie. Thwaaak!
CAP – Caption, used for description and reported speech
BOX – Alternative to caption, see above
(TH) or (thought) – Think bubble
(OFF) or (OP) – Dialog from a character not seen
(whisper, shout) – common lettering directions
Underline words that need emphasis
From Dark Horse FAQS
71. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Resources:
Comic Book Resources
http://www.comicbookresources.com/
PaiPicks
http://paipicks.blogspot.co.uk/
No Flying No Tights
http://noflyingnotights.com
Graphic Novels in the Curriculum – Created by Dr.Mel Gibson
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/g/graphicnovels/intro.asp
Graphic Novels in Libraries UK
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/GNLIBUK
72. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Resouces:
Page 45 (and/or your own friendly neighbourhood comic shop)
http://www.page45.com/
Dr. Mel Gibson – Comic Guru and ex-librarian
http://www.dr-mel-comics.co.uk/
Paul Gravett – Font of all knowledge and prolific author
http://www.paulgravett.com/
Paul Register - Stan Lee Excelsior Award
http://www.excelsioraward.co.uk/
Forbidden Planet Blogs
http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/
73. Comics & Graphic Novels in Schools: The View from 2014
Carl Cross
Carl Cross
LRC Manager
Landau Forte Academy Tamworth Sixth
Form.
ccross@lfatsf.org.uk
Twitter: @carldjcross
