Langsam Library Exhibit Features Graphic Novels

By Janice Schulz

You would probably not be surprised to learn that UC Libraries hold copies of Malcolm X’s biography, Fahrenheit 451, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and Treasure Island. What might surprise you, however, is that these are all titles of graphic novels. A new exhibit currently on display on the fourth floor of Langsam Library features these and many of the other graphic novels available in UC Libraries’ collections. The exhibit was curated by Janice Schulz, University Records Manager and Archives Specialist, and designed by Cole Osborn, former design student.

While in the past they were more widely known as the format for superhero stories, graphic novels now enjoy a wide fan base and span a large range of genres, including biography, history, traditional fiction, adventure, and general nonfiction. A standard definition of “graphic novel” tends to be elusive and is much debated among the fans of this literary type, but generally they are stories told with images and text working together to tell a full-length tale, unlike comic books that tell only short stories or snippets.

Graphic novels are also being used increasingly in the classroom to encourage reading and promote both visual and literary learning. The College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services Library has a nice collection of graphic novels for children and young adults as well as reference books on teaching with graphic novels and guides.

Copies of a bibliography are available at the exhibit and copied below.

Graphic Novels Selected Bibliography

 Adventure 

Miller, Frank. 300. Milwaukie, Or.: Dark Horse Books, 2006. DAAP Oversize PN6727.M55 A2 2006 

Biography/Autobiography 

Brabner, Joyce and Harvey Pekar. Our Cancer Year. New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press, 1994. DAAP Stacks RC265.6.P45 B73 1994 

Helfer, Andrew, Malcolm X: a graphic biography New York: Hill and Wang, 2006. LANGSAM Stacks BP223.Z8 L5745 2006, CECH Children’s & YA Books GN HEL 

Tyler, C. You’ll never know. Seattle: Fantagraphics, 2009. LANGSAM Cohen, DAAP Stacks PN6727.T954 Y68 2009 

Manga 

Mori, Kaoru. Emma. La Jolla, CA: WildStorm Publications, 2006. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN MOR v. 1-4 

Takahashi, Rumiko. InuYasha. San Francisco: Viz Communications, 2004. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN TAK 

Takaya, Natsuki. Fruits Basket. Hamburg ; Los Angeles, CA : Tokyopop, 2005. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN TAK 

Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball. San Francisco: Viz Communications, 2004, CECH Children’s & YA Books GN TOR 

Nonfiction 

Crumb, R. The book of Genesis. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2009. ARB Rare Books BS1233 .A785 2009 (Library use only) 

Neufeld, Josh. A.D.: New Orleans after the deluge. New York: Pantheon Books, 2009. 1 copy being processed for CECH Children’s & YA Books. 

Superheroes 

Moore, Alan. Watchmen. New York: DC Comics, 2005. LANGSAM Oversize PN6737.M6 W38 2005 

Straczynski, J. Michael. Spider-man: The book of Ezekiel. New York: Marvel Comics, 2004. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN STR 

Winick, Judd. Batman : as the crow flies. New York: DC Comics, 2004. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN WIN

Vaughan Brian K. Ultimate X Men. The most dangerous game. New York: Marvel Comics, 2005. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN VAU 

Traditional Novels 

Cavallaro, Michael. L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz: the graphic novel. New York: Puffin Books, 2005. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN BAU 

Hamilton, Tim. Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: the authorized adaptation. New York: Hill and Wang, 2009. CLER Stacks PS3503.R167 F3 2009 graphic novel 

Hamilton, Tim. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island: the graphic novel. New York: Puffin, 2005. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN STE

 Tamai, Tony Leonard. William Shakespeare’s Macbeth: the graphic novel. New York: Puffin Books, 2005. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN SHA 

Vansant, Wayne. Stephen Crane’s The red badge of courage: the graphic novel. New York: Puffin, 2005. CECH Children’s & YA Books GN CRA 

Guidebooks/Bibliographies 

Goulart, Ron. Comic book encyclopedia: the ultimate guide to characters, graphic novels, writers, and artists in the comic book universe. New York: Harper Entertainment, 2004. DAAP Stacks PN6707 .G68 2004 

Kannenber, Gene Jr. 500 essential graphic novels: the ultimate guide. New York: Collins Design, 2008. RWC Reference PN6710 .K36 2008 

Preiss, Byron and Howard Zimmerman, ed. Year’s best graphic novels, comics & manga: from Blankets to Demo to Blacksad. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2005. LANGSAM Stacks PN6726 .Y43 2005 

Weiner, Stephen. The 101 best graphic novels. New York: NBM, 2005. CECH Reference, DAAP Stacks Z5956.C6 W45 2005 

Graphic Novels in the Classroom 

Crawford, Philip Charles. Graphic novels 101: selecting and using graphic novels to promote literacy for children and young adults: a resource guide for school librarians and educators. Salt Lake City: Hi Willow Research & Pub., 2003. CECH Reference PN6707 .C73 2003 

Carter, James Bucky, ed. Building literacy connections with graphic novels: page by page, panel by panel. Urbana, Ill.: National Council of Teachers of English, 2007. LANGSAM Stacks LB1631 .B773 2007 

Gorman, Michele. Getting graphic! : using graphic novels to promote literacy with preteens and teens. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Pub., 2003. LANGSAM Stacks PN6710 .G68 2003