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Adult Comics: An Introduction
In a society where a comic equates with knockabout amusement for children, the sudden pre-eminence of adult comics, on everything from political satire to erotic fantasy, has predictably attracted an enormous amount of attention.
Adult comics are part of the cultural landscape in a way that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. In this first survey of its kind, Roger Sabin traces the history of comics for older readers from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. He takes in the pioneering titles pre-First World War, the underground 'comix' of the 1960s and 1970s, 'fandom' in the 1970s and 1980s, and the boom of the 1980s and 1990s (including 'graphic novels' and Viz.). Covering comics from the United States, Europe and Japan, Adult Comics addresses such issues as the graphic novel in context, cultural overspill and the role of women.
By taking a broad sweep, Sabin demonstrates that the widely-held notion that comics 'grew up' in the late 1980s is a mistaken one, largely invented by the media. Adult Comics: An Introduction is intended primarily for student use, but is written with the comic enthusiast very much in mind.
Adult comics are part of the cultural landscape in a way that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. In this first survey of its kind, Roger Sabin traces the history of comics for older readers from the end of the nineteenth century to the present. He takes in the pioneering titles pre-First World War, the underground 'comix' of the 1960s and 1970s, 'fandom' in the 1970s and 1980s, and the boom of the 1980s and 1990s (including 'graphic novels' and Viz.). Covering comics from the United States, Europe and Japan, Adult Comics addresses such issues as the graphic novel in context, cultural overspill and the role of women.
By taking a broad sweep, Sabin demonstrates that the widely-held notion that comics 'grew up' in the late 1980s is a mistaken one, largely invented by the media. Adult Comics: An Introduction is intended primarily for student use, but is written with the comic enthusiast very much in mind.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
About the author
Roger Sabin
13 books2 followersRoger Sabin is a Professor of Popular Culture, and as well being a researcher, supervises PhD students. He also teaches across the BA and MA Culture, Criticism and Curation, and is based in the Culture and Enterprise Programme.
His writing includes books, essays and journalism (please see Research Profile), with other work involving broadcasting, consulting and curating for The Guardian, BBC and Tate Gallery. He serves on the boards of academic journals, and runs book lists for Palgrave Macmillan.
His interests and specialisms include comics studies, cultural studies, subcultural studies, cultural history and comedy studies, and he is currently researching the 19th century entertainment business.
His writing includes books, essays and journalism (please see Research Profile), with other work involving broadcasting, consulting and curating for The Guardian, BBC and Tate Gallery. He serves on the boards of academic journals, and runs book lists for Palgrave Macmillan.
His interests and specialisms include comics studies, cultural studies, subcultural studies, cultural history and comedy studies, and he is currently researching the 19th century entertainment business.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 12, 2016
Written in the early 1990s when comics had not yet become 'graphic novels' this does well to take comics seriously, and manages to effectively incorporate some of the best from both Britain and the USA into and analysis that draws on both fan and academic literature to ground the emerging adult comic/graphic novel genre in a rich historical context.
April 7, 2013
Though this collection of essays is dated, and has a admitted limit stated by Roger Sabin of covering the advance of adult comics in the United Kingdom to the United States, it manages to represent a concise history of the mature development of the medium as few critics or fans versed in the subject have. Sabin realizes certain limitations in offering a definitive treatment to the range of adult progress given the worldwide extent involved, and offers certain chapters toward acknowledging the international import in Part III, Aspects, Chapter 15, Worldcomics supported by extensible notes to expand upon his predominate focus on English created comics.
To that purpose Sabin references purposefully a vast subject with considerate knowledge, presenting significant contributions to more clearly form a further understanding toward the complex history involved in determining a mature advance utilizing the sequential medium.
As a collective resource for those studying the progression of comics, Sabin's thoughtful review continues to offer a sound beginning to delve into uncovering some of the misinformed media spins of mature titles, as well as realizing the past comic creators who endeavored to push the adolescent boundaries often affixed to the bold medium.
To that purpose Sabin references purposefully a vast subject with considerate knowledge, presenting significant contributions to more clearly form a further understanding toward the complex history involved in determining a mature advance utilizing the sequential medium.
As a collective resource for those studying the progression of comics, Sabin's thoughtful review continues to offer a sound beginning to delve into uncovering some of the misinformed media spins of mature titles, as well as realizing the past comic creators who endeavored to push the adolescent boundaries often affixed to the bold medium.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews