500 essential graphic novels: the ultimate guide by Gene Kannenberg Jnr
- ‘graphic novel’ signals a serious intent – to create a work of lasting value as opposed to the ephemeral, throwaway nature of the regular monthly/weekly comic book
- popularised by Will Eisner with ‘A Contract with God’
- development of graphic novels through comics – started to have deeper story lines – more like novels
- comics fan & critic Richard Kyle coined the term ‘graphic novel’ in 1964
Wordless books – the original graphic novels by David A. Beronä
- Lynd Ward, Frans Masereel & Otto Nückel discovered a way to sidestep our language barriers & create complex political, emotional & humorous stories which can be universally understood
- humans have been using drawings to tell stories since cavemen – can be seen throughout history e.g. symbols on Egyptian tombs & Chinese scrolls
- ‘woodcut novels’ – wood engravings, linocuts and leadcuts
- published in early 20th century but existed long before
- genre never reached a large audience except for a few
- woodcut novels had an important impact on development of comic art
- influence of silent cinema after ww1 – German films e.g. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligan & The Last Laugh – characters such as Charlie Chaplin
- Will Eisner claimed that Lynd Ward ‘established a historical precedent for modern graphic storytelling’
Frans Masereel (1889-1972)
- started career as a political cartoonist – contributed drawings & woodcuts to Swiss newspaper La Feuille
- first woodcut novel in 1918 called ’25 images de la passion d’un homme’ – glimpse of growing power & wealth of industrialists at the expense of a population of workers living in squalor
- 2nd woodcut novel in 1919 (Passionate journey) – his most successful
Lynd Ward (1905-1985)
- used wood engraving (use blocks cut across the grain)
- exaggerated expressions of his characters – communicates feelings/reactions without aid of words
Otto Nückel (1888-1955)
- used leadcuts (inserting thin strip of lead in letterpress)
- use of light & shadow is effective in setting mood
William Gropper (1897-1977)
- cartoonist, book illustrator & painter
- used lithographs
Sources:
- Kannenberg, Gene. 500 Essential Graphic Novels: The Ultimate Guide. Ilex, Lewes, 2008.
- Beronä, David A. Wordless Books: The Original Graphic Novels. Abrams, New York, 2008.