Other Graphic forms
While graphic novels are excellent for studying in their own right, you can also use chapter excerpts (although, not all graphic novels have chapters) for teaching. If you're unable to include a graphic novel in your curriculum, you can still supplement your current course work with other forms of graphic arts.
Manga
Manga has recently become extremely popular in the US. Originating in Japan, manga are the Japanese equivalent of the Western graphic novel, but cultural differences are pervasive. Manga are almost exclusively in black-and-white, are read from right to left, and can be tailored for any age group - for instance, there is manga tailored for young children too erotic manga for older woman. Because the manga market is so large (and because manga is mainstream in Japan, unlike the fringe media of comics in the US), manga on practically any subject exist. For instance, The Four Immigrants Manga, which tells the story of four immigrants in San Francisco, would be an excellent inclusion in a social studies course (whole or excerpts).
It is suggested that manga be used as supplemental excerpts, as titles are usually lengthy (a manga might exist in a single volume, or many; currently, the longest running manga is 182 volumes long, although typical titles are about 15 volumes long). Priced anywhere between $10-20 a volume, it's unreasonable to ask students to purchase whole series, but most manga titles are available for free on the Web through what are known as scanalation groups (groups of translators who scan, translate, clean, and post manga on the Web, before it is licensed in the United States, through legal means).
It is suggested that manga be used as supplemental excerpts, as titles are usually lengthy (a manga might exist in a single volume, or many; currently, the longest running manga is 182 volumes long, although typical titles are about 15 volumes long). Priced anywhere between $10-20 a volume, it's unreasonable to ask students to purchase whole series, but most manga titles are available for free on the Web through what are known as scanalation groups (groups of translators who scan, translate, clean, and post manga on the Web, before it is licensed in the United States, through legal means).
comics
Unlike manga, comics are far more well known in the United States, appearing daily in newspapers. Political cartoons, which are often studied in history and social studies courses, fall under the category of comics. Beyond political cartoons, classic cartoon strips - such as Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes, offer short vignettes perfect for developing visual and textual literacies. Because most comics contain a punch-line or a point of irony in the final page, literary elements such as satire, humor, sarcasm, or irony are solidified in visual form. Students who have trouble with these higher concepts may benefit from 'seeing' them and discussing how they are captured through art.
Additionally, comics can touch upon any subject and are extremely versatile. For instance, The Far Side, a well known comic by Gary Larson, uses single-panel surrealism to joke about science, sociology, and even entomology. Because comics utilize the classic techniques of graphic art (such as negative space, borders, gutters, and text placement), comics can serve as practice for reading larger graphic novels in the classroom or be studied individually in their own right.
Additionally, comics can touch upon any subject and are extremely versatile. For instance, The Far Side, a well known comic by Gary Larson, uses single-panel surrealism to joke about science, sociology, and even entomology. Because comics utilize the classic techniques of graphic art (such as negative space, borders, gutters, and text placement), comics can serve as practice for reading larger graphic novels in the classroom or be studied individually in their own right.
web comics
It is worth giving Web comics their own category because of their uniqueness, not just in content, but in the process of their creation. Unlike comics, which are typically published in a magazine, newspaper, or some other form of print media, Web comics do not come vetted with authority - anyone can make a Web comic and publish it instantly online, including your students!
The rise of the Web comic has been an observable phenomenon for the last twelve years. Web comics are either produced out of sheer love as a hobby or, because of their success, fully-funded by their fans. For instance, Fred Gallagher's Megatokyo publishes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and has currently been online for 8 years and now has 6 volumes in print. Heavily influenced by manga, Gallagher uses pencil drawings to capture the sentimental mood of his comic. In contrast, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik's hugely popular Penny Arcade is stylized like a typical American comic in full color, but focuses on the video game industry and is up to 8 collected print volumes; further, it hosts its own yearly convention, which has so far raised a total of $12,510,909 for charity (!).
Like comics, Web comics can be looked at individually, and like graphic novels, teachers need to be especially careful about content - Web comics are often adult-themed. However, there are a number of Web comics whose humor relies entirely on academic jokes related to science and math, such as xkcd and Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, both of which have collected print editions. Web comics also present the opportunity to practice rhetorical analysis and, because of their medium, are more accessible for students to become involved in creating, as compared to a traditional political cartoons. Lastly, unlike any other form, Web comics enjoy what cartoonist Scott McCloud calls the "infinite canvas," the canvas that has no boundaries, allowing avaunt-garde and non-traditional forms, putting Web comics on the cutting edge of graphic developments. Other comics (such as the example here from Emily-chan's StupidFox), are run by professional artists who create Web comics to explore art forms in their spare time.
The rise of the Web comic has been an observable phenomenon for the last twelve years. Web comics are either produced out of sheer love as a hobby or, because of their success, fully-funded by their fans. For instance, Fred Gallagher's Megatokyo publishes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and has currently been online for 8 years and now has 6 volumes in print. Heavily influenced by manga, Gallagher uses pencil drawings to capture the sentimental mood of his comic. In contrast, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik's hugely popular Penny Arcade is stylized like a typical American comic in full color, but focuses on the video game industry and is up to 8 collected print volumes; further, it hosts its own yearly convention, which has so far raised a total of $12,510,909 for charity (!).
Like comics, Web comics can be looked at individually, and like graphic novels, teachers need to be especially careful about content - Web comics are often adult-themed. However, there are a number of Web comics whose humor relies entirely on academic jokes related to science and math, such as xkcd and Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, both of which have collected print editions. Web comics also present the opportunity to practice rhetorical analysis and, because of their medium, are more accessible for students to become involved in creating, as compared to a traditional political cartoons. Lastly, unlike any other form, Web comics enjoy what cartoonist Scott McCloud calls the "infinite canvas," the canvas that has no boundaries, allowing avaunt-garde and non-traditional forms, putting Web comics on the cutting edge of graphic developments. Other comics (such as the example here from Emily-chan's StupidFox), are run by professional artists who create Web comics to explore art forms in their spare time.