Lisa Laughy -Archives Assistant
In response to growing student interest, Ohrstrom Library is expanding its collection of graphic novels. The library staff is celebrating the influx of these engaging new books with a colorful display in the Baker Reading Room featuring over 20 new graphic novels. They represent a mixture of artistic styles and genres including biographies, autobiographies, fantasy, and literature. Here are the highlights of a few of the titles:
- Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – her award winning memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution
- Beowulf adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds – a visually compelling graphic novel of the ancient classic.
- Three Shadows by Cyril Pedrosa – an original fairy tale / fantasy story about a father’s quest to protect his young son from his fate.
- Laika by Nick Abadzis – a fictionalized account of the first dog sent into orbit as part of the Soviet space program.
- We Are on Our Own: A Memoir by Miriam Katin – the story of the author’s and her mother’s escape from the Nazi invasion of Budapest.
This book display is great for browsing so be sure to take a few minutes to stop by Ohrstrom to look it over. If you have never read a graphic novel before, or only associate the genre with super-heroes in tights and capes, you will be surprised by the range of subjects and marvel at the variety of original visual styles represented.
This display will be available in the Baker Reading Room through the end of term, so if you would like some recreational reading over the holiday break just request a special due date when checking the item out at the Circulation Desk.
Brian Schroyer
“The best comics (like the best novels, paintings, etc.) are personal, idiosyncratic works that reflect a unique and honest sensibility… the significance of any art lies in its ability to express truths- to reveal and help us understand our world… I continue to believe that comics are an art form capable of any level of beauty, intelligence, and sophistication.”
-Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes
I’m excited to see these titles and this genre in Ohrstrom Library. Graphic novels are comics, they are storytelling, they are art, they are educational, they are entertainment, they are silly, and they are important. I show drawing students examples of artists and illustrators such as the titles now in Ohrstrom, and this winter 3D Foundations students will work on a sculpture project inspired by comics and graphic novels. I would encourage anyone interested in good storytelling to explore this visual medium. Comics are for kids; but they’re for everyone else too!