The Rise of the Graphic Novel: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet

by Stephen Weiner

Graphic novels are book-length comic books that are meant to be read as one story. In this study, Weiner (Maynard Public Library, Massachusetts) traces the history of the form, from its origins in newspaper comic strips through the publication of more serious and critically acclaimed work, such as Art Speigelman's Maus a Holocaust survival story. The volume is not indexed. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Comics, History, Comix, Graphic Novels Comics

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[verbava]

faster than a speeding bullet — не просто назва книжки, а й швидкість, із якою автор пробігає історію коміксів. американських коміксів; у цьому огляді зростання графічних романів знайшлося лише чотири речення на мангу й навіть менше — на всі європейські втілення: за них віддувається однісінька маржан сатрапі, мабуть, тому, що за «персеполісом» зробили мультик. зрозуміло, що 64 сторінки — не простір для розмаху, а про європейське хай пишуть європейці, а 2003 року вікіпедійна стаття про комікси ще не була така крута, тож і це заходило як вступ до форми, але все одно якесь воно занадто мілке.

[Ridwan Anam]

খুব অল্প কথায় গ্রাফিক নভেলের জন্মের পিছনের গল্প থেকে আধুনিক গ্রাফিক নভেল পর্যন্ত ইতিহাস। যারা নতুন কমিকস পড়ুয়া, কোন কমিকস পড়বেন সেটা ঠিক করতে পারছেন না, তারা এই বই পড়ে কমিকসের জগতের সাথে মোটামুটি পরিচিত হয়ে যেতে পারবেন। সহজবোধ্য, সংক্ষিপ্ত হলেও গুরুত্বপূর্ণ, উল্লেখযোগ্য এবং আলোচিত কোন কমিকসের কথা বাদ যায় নাই।

[Brian Murray]

If you are completely new to comics and just want a brush up on the history of the graphic novel, this is serviceable. But basically, this is just a Sparknotes history. It really only hits the highs of the medium, dedicating a mere couple of pages to each moment. There is little artistic or historical analysis. It's basically a wikipedia page, but I bet even that would be more in depth than this.

[Roland Mann]

Good read for comic fans. I talk about it more here: http://wp.me/p8Yuc-kT

[Mikkedn]

An interesting short book on the evolution of graphic novels, from "junk literature" newspaper funny strips, to adult graphic novels.
To be fair, if you're already someone who knows comics you won't find much knowledge you don't have already. Very useful if you have little knowledge of graphic novels and want to know more. Very well written and interesting.
Recommended for newcomers.

[Mitchell Friedman]

A quick short history of the graphic novel. Breezy and not very deep. This surveys the well known bits, but really well known to whom? Not well known to the me ten years ago. And with an intriguing bibliography. Not deep, but an interesting read.

[musicalla]

A little dry, but a good overview of comics and graphic novels. Talks a lot about non-DC/Marvel comics and publishers, which was also helpful.

[Howell Murray]

Concise history of what the title says and the comics indusatry in general as background. Much of this I knew, but it added a few bits and connected some dots.

[Kris]

Useful for my graphic novel research for my MLIS. Good, introductory information about the genre.

[Anthony Pearson]

A great, concise history of the graphic novel medium. Easy to read and informative!

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind)]

really great history of the GN genre.

[Dean Simons]

Neat potted history of the American comic book industry. A few crossed wires. Graphic Novel is used as a blanket term incorporating stuff which technically isn't (e.g. Collections, trade paperbacks).

The interesting parts are related more toward the acceptance and incorporation of comics into the American public library system and wider recognition in the media.

Author has a rather saccharin picture of comics' acceptance and occasionally has a slightly inaccurate fact but this is a 'good enough' short intro for newbies.

[Abbey]

A quick over-view of the history of the main stream graphic novel. Emphases on quick and main stream. Weiner seems to suggest that the graphic novel is comics "all grown up" - which I believe HINDERS, not helps the argument that comics (i.e. graphic novels ARE comics) are a legitmate form of literature. Also, he mentions only two female artists in this entire book. I know the field is male- dominated, but damnnn - at least Alison Bechtal or Marjane Satrapi please!

[Meepelous]

A decent enough overview of the history of main stream comics. Because even if they started out more on the outside, every book mentioned in here did become pretty popular in their own right. A good introduction to the defining moments in graphic history. But if you aren't already into comics and graphics novels I'm not sure why you would pick up this book either.

It did remind me of a few books I had been meaning to read but weren't currently on my TBR.

[Maria]

Nice and short history of comics and the graphic novel in the US, highlighting different titles to show how the industry was influenced in different periods. I read the first edition which was published in 2003 and the end is definitely out of date. Probably why they published a second edition in 2011, which I would like to read.

[Sandi]

This book chronicles the evolution of the graphic novel from
its roots in the comic industry. Covers major contributors
from both fields. Excellent illustrations. Good reference source for a study of graphic novels and/or the comic industry.

[Robin]

A concise history of American comics and the comics industry over the 20th Century. Weiner's work is informative, warm and engaging. This is a fine introduction to comics and graphic novels, and wonderfully demonstrates the breadth of comics.

[Whitney Borup]

While not the most thorough history, this was exactly what I wanted for the beginning stages of my thesis. And there's nudity. Awesome thesis, right?

[Kristenyque]

Read this for work, I love that he's a librarian!

[Tripp]

A brief introduction to the graphic novel format, tracing its evolution from comic books.