Coming out of the closet with graphic novels
The Merrill-Cazier Library has a new exhibit called “Ka-pow! Graphic Novels.” Graphic novels get a pretty bad rap, even though they can be pretty interesting, said Vicki Read, exhibit co-curator and head of library circulation.
“A lot of people are closet readers of graphic novels,” she said. “Before this exhibit came out, I had no idea that such a large proportion of students like graphic novels. It’s like everyone enjoys them but is ashamed to admit it.”
When most people think about graphic novels they think about super heroes, she said, but in truth graphic novels cover a wide and complex array of important social issues.
“War of the Trenches” covers the history of World War I. “In the Shadow of No Towers” is a story about 9/11 and its aftermath. “Maus,” a graphic novel about the Holocaust, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992.
“I suggested the library should start collecting graphic novels seven years ago, but many of my fellow librarians thought it was heresy that an academic library would carry such a childish medium,” Read said.
Part of the misconception came from lack of exposure to the medium, she said. Some of the librarians hadn’t read a graphic novel until recently. Jennifer Duncan, head of collection development and co-curator of the exhibit, said she read her first graphic novel two years ago.
“I thought they were all silly, but the first one I read had a profound social message,” she said. “It was depressing and inspiring. In fact all of the graphic novels I selected for the exhibit are incredibly grim. There is just as much to learn from them as normal novels.”
Since the exhibit opened, more students have checked out graphic novels from the library, Read said.
“I read my first graphic novel this summer,” said Bailey Swesnon, a secondary education major. “I think I will definitely read more in the future.”
The display of the graphic novel “Blankets,” by Craig Thompson, particularly intrigued her, she said, so she might read that one in the future.
“It’s great to see so much interest,” Read said. “A lot of the graphic novels have an important historical message, and some of them are taught in classes here on campus.”
The grand opening for the exhibit on Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. should increase the already large interest, Read said. To celebrate the event, dozens of graphic novels will be added to the library’s collection and a life-sized cardboard Spider-Man will be raffled off.
At the reception students will have the opportunity to view the exhibit, which displays graphic novels from local artists as well as international artists, Duncan said.
“My favorite is ‘Persepolis,’ which was written by an Iranian author,” she said. “We think of Iran as oppressive and evil, but this autobiographical novel opens your eyes to Iran and the way it used to be.”
Another favorite of Duncan’s is a graphic novel that covers the Bosnian war, and was written by an American journalist, she said.
“Tears were pouring down my face when I read this,” she said. “It takes place in a town very much like Logan, and the characters are very much like you and I. It narrates the story of an engineering student who gets caught up in the conflict to protect his own home.”
The exhibit, which runs until mid-December, runs in conjunction with the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art exhibit entitled “Bang! Thwack! Plop! Comics: And Influence on Contemporary Art.” Read said the opening reception for the art exhibit is Oct. 31 from 6-8 p.m. at the museum. To make the reception more fun, she said guests are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, and prizes will be given for the best hero or villain costume.
The response to both exhibits has been positive, Read said.
“It’s a very fun exhibit — very visual,” she added. “It’s probably one of our more popular exhibits.”
“I see people down here all the time, checking it out,” Duncan said.
Graphic novels are an interesting way to tell a story, Swenson said. By using visuals and text the novels deliver the message in a different way. The medium of graphic novels is certainly as legitimate of a medium as theater, film or other storytelling forms she said.
Whether students completely convert to the medium of graphic novels or not, the art is attractive and definitely worth checking out, Read said. Every student should come take a look.
– evan.millsap@aggiemail.usu.edu