TheoFantastique Podcast 2.4 – Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books and Graphic Novels
From the back cover of Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books and Graphic Novels, edited by A. David Lewis and Christine Hoff Kraemer (Continuum International Publishing, 2010): Although they were once considered a medium suitable only for children’s literature, comic books have increasingly become a vehicle for serious social commentary and, specifically, for innovative religious [...]
’68: Zombie Horror Comic Preview by Image Comics
A new horror comic series with a focus on zombies titled ’68 is debuting from Image Comics. USA Today recently ran an article which discusses the series based upon the premise of a zombie apocalypse breaking out in connection with the Vietnam War. ’68 Exclusive Preview
Jeffrey Kripal – Authors of the Impossible: The Paranormal and the Sacred
In my research on the paranormal I was fortunate to come across the work of Jeffrey J. Kripal. Kripal is the J. Newton Rayzor Professor in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University. He is the author of a number of books, which are mentioned below, including Authors of the Impossible: The Paranormal and the [...]
Field Study in Fan Culture at Comic-Con 2011
This is a great time for scholars, or scholars in training, to be involved in studies in various aspects of popular culture. Here’s a recent educational opportunity I came across that involves field study at Comic-Con. This is my kind of study program: Earn academic credit while studying the dynamics of marketing and fan culture at [...]
The Horror! The Horror!: Controversial Horror Comics of the 1950s
“THIS BOOK CONTAINS: MURDER! MAYHEM! ROBBERY! RAPE! CANNIBALISM! CARNAGE! NECROPHILIA! SEX! SADISM! MASOCHISM … and virtually every other form of crime, degeneracy, bestiality, and horror!” The words above appear in a report from the mid-1950s titled “Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency” from the Committee on the Judiciary’s investigation of juvenile delinquency in the United States. [...]
Christopher Knowles: Gods, Esotericism, and Comics
Comic books and graphic novels are not only popular sources for television and Hollywood films. They are also increasingly the object of academic and critical scrutiny. Christopher Knowles has made his own contribution in this area with his book Our Gods Wear Spandex: The Secret History of Comic Book Heroes (Weiser Books, 2007). As the [...]
Schumer Lecture on Jews and Comics at Rice University
Comic artist and historian Arlen Schumer will lecture at Rice University on “Jews ‘n’ Comics.” Schumer’s views on the subject as part of the upcoming lecture are described in Jewish Herald-Voice: According to Schumer, it’s no coincidence that several pioneers of the America comic book art form were Jews. A short list includes Jerry Siegel [...]
The Walking Dead – Behind the Scenes Trailer
Graphic novels and comics continue to be a great source for contemporary fantastic film and television. On October 31 Robert Kirkman’s graphic novel The Walking Dead comes together with the direction of Frank Darabont in what promises to be a great horror television series on AMC. You can visit The Walking Dead AMC Series website [...]
Richard Moore’s “Boneyard” Featured in Rue Morgue Magazine
I have to brag on one of my kin. I went to the bookstore today to review the September 2010 issue 104 of Rue Morgue magazine and found my brother’s comic book work featured prominently in their comic section “Blood in Four Colours.” The feature includes a full page look at Richard Moore’s Boneyard that [...]
Call for Papers: Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, and Comics in Education
The Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association have issued a call for papers on graphic novels and education. Call For Papers: Sequential Art, Graphic Novels, and Comics in Education Edited by Robert G. Weiner and Carrye Syma Texas Tech University Library In recent years the use of graphic novels, comics, and sequential art in [...]
