In their juxtaposition of words and images, comic books have
fashioned one of the most sophisticated narrative languages in the
history of visual art; this course will explore the formation of
that language from the earliest newspaper comic strips to today’s
graphic novels.  We will also study the evolution of comic-book
graphic styles, and place the development of the comics in its
social context.  In addition to American mainstream and underground
comics, we will study other traditions, such as the French-language
Bandes dessinées and Japanese Manga.  A special focus of the course
will be the rise and critique of the concept of the superhero in
American comic books from the thirties to today.  The artists and
titles studied will include Krazy Kat, Little Nemo in Slumberland,
Peanuts, the Golden- and Silver-Age superheroes, R. Crumb, Harvey
Pekar, Moebius, Hergé’s Tintin, Hugo Pratt’s Corto Maltese, Koike
and Kojima’s Lone Wolf and Cub, Frank Miller’s Dark Knight, Alan
Moore’s Watchmen, Art Spiegelman, Ben Katchor, and Chris Ware.