AHT 3220 - History of Comics

Within the historic context of American culture, students will study the evolution of the picture narrative. The focus will be on knowledge and active application of visual comic art forms: comic panels, editorial cartoons, comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels. This course will survey the rise of popular form, and its influences, i.e: Ben Franklin’s editorial drawings, Thomas Nast’s Teapot Dome editorial cartoons, the standard “work for hire” comic book contracts that left creators uncompensated, the Superman/Captain Marvel court case, the HUAC investigation into the comic book’s role in inciting juvenile delinquency, the rise of the underground comic revolution, and the graphic novel explosion. Industry professionals will visit the class to discuss their creative journeys and their cartooning careers. Credits: 4 Formerly AHT 322