The Rise of the Graphic Novel PART 1

The Rise of the Graphic Novel PART: 1

Graphic Novels �Graphic Novels use sequential art to convey a narrative: There must be a plot The art must occur in an order that conveys the story line

The Graphic Novel Exposed COMIC BOOK Generally has themes meant for children • Tend to be of a comical nature • Is often part of a series or an ongoing story line. • GRAPHIC NOVEL Is prone to having more adult subject-matter • Always had a beginning, middle and end • Is a complete story within itself though may be part of a series. • Tend to be more dramatic in nature •

History’s first graphic novels… PALEOLITHIC CAVE PAINTINGS VALLON-PONT-D'ARC, FRANCE 15, 000 -18, 000 BC

Egyptian Hieroglyphs 3200 b. c. EGYPTIANS USED SYMBOLS AND VISUAL CLUES TO CONVEY NARRATIVE

Narrative through sculpture PARTHENON FRIEZE ATHENS, GREECE 432 B. C.

Medieval Tapestries 13 TH AND 14 TH CENTURY

William Blake and the first Graphic Novel: 1757 -1827 � English poet, painter, printmaker and philosopher � Considered the father of anarchy � “I must create a system, or be enslav’d by another man’s. I will not reason and compare: my business is to create”

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell 1790 -1793 � � The Argument. Rintrah roars & shakes his fires in the burden'd air; Hungry clouds swag on the deep Once meek, and in a perilous path, The just man kept his course along The vale of death. Roses are planted where thorns grow. And on the barren heath Sing the honey bees. � Then the perilous path was planted: And a river, and a spring On every cliff and tomb; And on the bleached bones Red clay brought forth. Till the villain left the paths of ease, To walk in perilous paths, and drive The just man into barren climes. Now the sneaking serpent walks In mild humility. And the just man rages in the wilds Where lions roam. Rintrah roars & shakes his fires in the burden'd air; Hungry clouds swag on the deep. � � �

Classics Illustrated 1941 -1971

The Watchmen September 1986 -October 1987 DC COMICS WRITER: ALAN MOORE ARTIST: DAVE GIBBONS The watchmen takes place in an alternate history, where superheroes emerge in the 1940’s and 50’s to help America during the Vietnam War. � It uses a non-linear narrative � There were 12 issues in the series, each one a story all in itself. � Many of the characters were left unusable after the series was over �

Persepolis 2000 � French Graphic Novel � The title is a reference to the historic city of Persepolis. � Is considered a Memoir. The story follows a young girl as she comes of age against the backdrop of the Iranian Revolution. The story ends with Marjane as a 22 -year-old ex-patriot

Anime and Manga � Anime in English refers to a style of animation originating in Japan � It is heavily influenced by Manga, a style of Japanese Comic. Style charasteristics: large eyes big hair elongated limbs exaggerated facial expressions ▪ brush-stroked outlines limited motion ▪ ▪

Anime and Manga � Manga has had a much longer history of both novel-like publishing and production of comics for adult audiences, � Whether they should be considered comic books or graphic novels is not always agreed upon.

One Piece IS CREDITED FOR BEING THE LONGEST-RUNNING MANGA IN PRINT, WITH 57 ISSUES � One Piece is about a 17 - year-old boy who gained supernatural abilities by eating a magical fruit. � He and his crew of pirates want to obtain the world's ultimate treasure, One Piece, to become the next Pirate King.

The Intricacies of Comic Illustration PART: 2

The Comic Style � The style Comic Illustration we know of today came about in the 1950’s with pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein

The Comic Style � The style is characterized by: flat figures, highly contrasting colors, limited color palette limited value scale dark outlines dramatic themes/dramatic expressions

A Picture is worth a thousand words… � The graphic Novelist must be adept at knowing when to use or not use text to convey a theme: � Words should be used to reinforce what the illustration conveys

A graphic novel is a story first, and foremost… � Setting the scene and developing characters is important

The Project PART: 3

First things, first… 1) Develop your plot 2) Decide on characters 3) 4) 5. Develop Characters Practice drawing your characters in different situations 6. Decide on a layout Write dialogue 7. Get Drawing!!

Getting your story started: � You must develop a story line: A Plot line that works: � a character � in a context � has a problem � s/he tries to solve the problem � and fails — tries and fails twice more, stakes escalating � victory or death � validation (denouement)

Developing Characters: START BY ASKING QUESTIONS: � Name: Age: Nationality: Socioeconomic Level as a child: Socioeconomic Level as an adult: Hometown: Current Residence: Occupation: Income: Talents/Skills: Salary: Birth order: Siblings (describe relationship): Spouse (describe relationship): Children (describe relationship): Grandparents (describe relationship): Grandchildren (describe relationship): Significant Others (describe relationship): Relationship skills: � Height: Weight: Race: Eye Color: Hair Color: Glasses or contact lenses? Skin color: Shape of Face: Distinguishing features: How does he/she dress? Mannerisms: Habits: (smoking, drinking etc. ) Health: Hobbies: Favorite Sayings: Speech patterns: Disabilities: Style (Elegant, shabby etc. ): Greatest flaw: Best quality:

Archetypal plots and characters: � Characters: � Plots � THE HERO � THE SCAPEGOAT � THE OUTCAST � THE DEVIL FIGURE � THE EARTH MOTHER � THE TEMPTRESS � THE PLATONIC IDEA � THE UNFAITHFUL � THE STAR-CROSSED WIFE LOVERS � THE QUEST � THE TASK � THE INITIATION � THE JOURNEY � THE FALL

Dialogue: � Once you’ve developed your characters, dialogue should be the easy part Use dialogue that YOUR CHARACTER WOULD USE So, like, which way to the mall and stuff…

Drawing: �Research common graphic novel styles to choose a style that fits you, or create a style of your own Design your protagonist and practice drawing them in different poses and with different expressions. drawing your

Drawing Characters

Plan your Layout � Decide how each cell will be set up � Comic Book Layouts

Requirements: �Your graphic novel must be at least four pages, front and back �Your story line must have a beginning, middle and end �Your book must be bound or held together in some way �There must be a front and back cover

Materials: �Your graphic novel may be in full color or black and white �You may use Marker, pen, colored pencil, or you may make your comics in Adobe Illustrator and print them off. �Your text and outlined must all be in ink

Ways to bind your book: � Ribbons � Rings � Accordion style book-folding � Sewing the binding