Home » Newpages Blog » Graphic Narratives

Making Comics

Book Review by Denise Hill.

After watching this book trailer for Making Comics by Lynda Barry, I still didn’t understand it but was intrigued enough to get the book. I started with the “assignments” just for fun and fell in love. It’s not at all what I had expected. Barry is very much of the you-don’t-need-to-be-an-artist-to-create-art mindset (says it’s better if you haven’t been formally trained in drawing!). The book is essentially a guide to how she teaches her course at UW-Madison in Interdisciplinary Creativity (her areas of interest include “comic strips, cartoons, writer, spoken-word, graphic illustrator, exploring question of ‘what is an image?’ in work”). The book is interspersed with Barry’s own personal stories, classroom experiences and explanations of methodology. She blends drawing and storytelling using memory recall exercises and various approaches to daily journaling. Barry instructs how to create both nonfiction and fiction using her story generating and mapping ideas.

It’s a subtly prescriptive practice that over the past couple of months has repeatedly surprised me with the outcomes – just as she says it will. While some assignments are meant for use in groups, I was able to complete them solo. When we can be back in the classroom, I plan to use her techniques with students, from remedial to college writing as well as literature. Barry’s own love of her students and (obsession with) their creations has instilled a new attitude of appreciation for me. And when family (safely two-week quarantined first) come to visit for Christmas, I plan to sneak in a round of Face Jam or Character Jam on game night.

For writers, for teachers, for non-artists most especially – this book will have you reimaging what it means to be creative. Barry closes: “Everything good in my life came because I drew a picture. I hope you will all draw a picture soon. I will always want to see it. XOX”

Making Comics by Lynda Barry, Drawn & Quarterly, November 2019.

Take a Walk “In the Woods” with Emily Steinberg

Magazine Review by Katy Haas

Emily Steinberg takes a walk “In the Woods” with her dog, Gus, in her visual narrative found in the Midsummer 2020 issue of Cleaver. During her walk, she focuses on Gus and her surroundings, reflecting on the way the real world and its real problems seem far away. In the woods, “All human makings disappear . . .” and there is only the sounds of the wind in the trees and the creek and Gus’s paws around her. This moment doesn’t last forever, though. She has to cross the threshold back into the real world where everything “comes sweeping back. Crowding my brain. Not letting me breathe.” But for a moment there is peace.

This short visual narrative gives readers a moment of peace as well as we soak in the quiet moment of respite along with Steinberg. Each panel features only Gus, a fluffy scribble of a dog padding through the woods, a dog always good comfort when it’s needed. The piece works as a good reminder to take a moment to find calm and quiet in the midst of the tragedies and turmoil swirling around us. By taking these moments, we’re able to recharge as we head back into the real world to face everything once more.

Driftwood Press Wants Your Graphic Work

Any graphic novelists or comic creators in the house? Driftwood Press is eager to hear from you! They currently accept short graphic works (one image up to 22 pages of comic art) for publication in their biannual, online journal. They’re open to serializing longer graphic works with presentation of the work’s first chapter and a series outline. The editors also seek graphic novel manuscripts for publication consideration. Submit full or partial manuscripts via Submittable.

Comic submissions to the magazine and graphic novel manuscript submissions are both free. Learn more about what they’re looking for at their website.

But if graphic work isn’t for you, the magazine is still accepting submissions for two of their contests until July 1.

Graphic Nonfiction for Everyone

World Literature Today - Spring 2020

Magazine Review by Katy Haas

A big fan of graphic novels (and nonfiction and poetry), I’m always thrilled when a literary magazine releases an issue featuring graphic work. World Literature Today’s Spring 2020 issue features a selection of graphic nonfiction by seven artists.

Each piece brings something different to the table. The art styles are all vastly different and each focuses on something unique: politics, history, art, ego, love.

My favorite of these is “Shadow Portrait” by Rachel Ang. Ang’s art is calming and enjoyable to look at, muted tones splayed across the page. She writes of love and ego, the ways in which we see ourselves in art, in stories, in the people we love.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is an excerpt from Guantanamo Voices: True Accounts from the World’s Most Notorious Prison by Sarah Mirk, illustrated by Omar Khouri. Unlike Ang’s calming tones, this excerpt uses bold lines and an orange color scheme which ramps up the feeling of anxiety the story produces. I’m a little disappointed at the length of the excerpt—the four pages we’re given leave on a cliffhanger that left me wanting more, though I suppose that just highlights the writer’s and artist’s skill.

This selection of graphic nonfiction has a little bit of something for everyone, and each artist/writer utilizes their craft impressively. This issue of World Literature Today is a real treat to read.