Skip to content

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture Paperback - 2009

by Randy Duncan; Matthew J. Smith; Introduction by Paul Levitz


From the publisher

A comprehensive introduction to the comic arts


From the introduction by Paul Levitz "If ever there was a medium characterized by its unexamined self-expression, it's comics. For decades after the medium's birth, it was free of organized critical analysis, its creators generally disinclined to self-analysis or formal documentation. The average reader didn't know who created the comics, how or why . . . and except for a uniquely destructive period during America's witch-hunting of the 1950s, didn't seem to care. As the medium has matured, however, and the creativity of comics began to touch the mainstream of popular culture in many ways, curiosity followed, leading to journalism and eventually, scholarship, and so here we are."

"The Power of Comics" is the first introductory textbook for comic art studies courses. Lending a broader understanding of the medium and its communication potential, it provides students with a coherent and comprehensive explanation of comic books and graphic novels, including coverage of their history and their communication techniques, research into their meanings and effects and an overview of industry practices and fan culture.

Co-authors randy Duncan and Matthew J. Smith draw on their own years of experience teaching comics studies courses and the scholarly literature across several disciplines to create a text with the following features:

Discussion questions for each chapter

Activities to engage readers

Recommended reading suggestions

Over 150 illustrations

Bibliography

Glossary

"The Power of Comics" deals exclusively with comic books and graphic novels. One reason for this focus is that no one text can hope to do justice to both strips and books; there is simply too much to cover. Preference is given to comic books because in their longer form, the graphic novel, they have the greatest potential for depth and complexity of expression. As comic strips shrink in size and become more inane in content, comic books are becoming a serious art form."

Details

  • Title The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
  • Author Randy Duncan; Matthew J. Smith; Introduction by Paul Levitz
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: first
  • Pages 360
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Bloomsbury Academic, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
  • Date 2009-07
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780826429360 / 082642936X
  • Weight 1.35 lbs (0.61 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 in (23.37 x 15.49 x 2.29 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Graphic novels - History and criticism, Comic books, strips, etc - History and
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2008045226
  • Dewey Decimal Code 741.59

About the author

Dr. Randy Duncan is a co-founder the Comic Arts Conference, the nation's first annual academic conference devoted solely to the study of comics. He also wrote the entries on Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Will Eisner and other comics-related topics for the "St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture." Dr. Matthew J. Smith is associate professor and chair of Communication at Wittenberg University where he regularly teaches comics arts courses. In 2009, Wittenberg's Alumni Association recognized him with its Distinguished Teaching Award.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture

by Randy Duncan; Matthew J. Smith

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used: Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$11.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Continuum, 2009-07-10. Paperback. Used: Good.
Item Price
$11.41
FREE shipping to USA
The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture

by Randy Duncan; Matthew J. Smith

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GREENWICH, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$15.00
$5.00 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
2009. Continuum International Publishing. 8vo. Softcover. Fine.
Item Price
$15.00
$5.00 shipping to USA
The Power of Comics: History, Form And Culture

The Power of Comics: History, Form And Culture

by Duncan, Randy

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$19.18
$10.94 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
$19.18
$10.94 shipping to USA
The Power of Comics History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics History, Form and Culture

by Duncan, Randy & Matthew J. Smith & Paul Levitz

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
1st Edition (Unstated)
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Highland, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$17.95
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
New York, NY: Bloomsbury Academic. Very Good. 2009. 1st Edition (Unstated). Paperback. 082642936X . Scuff mark (small) to exterior edge of pages. Very Good overall condition otherwise. No other noteworthy defects. No markings.; 6.1 X 0.9 X 9.2 inches; 346 pages .
Item Price
$17.95
FREE shipping to USA
The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture

by Duncan, Randy; Smith, Matthew J.; Levitz, Paul [Introduction]

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$19.46
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Bloomsbury Academic, 2009-07-10. paperback. New. 6x0x9.
Item Price
$19.46
FREE shipping to USA
The Power Of Comics History Form And Culture by Randy Duncan
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power Of Comics History Form And Culture by Randy Duncan

by Randy Duncan

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Franklin, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$22.95
$3.95 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
This book is in very good condition and ready for quick shipment
Item Price
$22.95
$3.95 shipping to USA
The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture

by Randy Duncan, Matthew J. Smith

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used:Good
Edition
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$25.97
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Bloomsbury Academic, 2009-07-10. 1. Paperback. Used:Good.
Item Price
$25.97
FREE shipping to USA
The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture

by Duncan, Randy; Smith, Matthew J.; Levitz, Paul [Introduction]

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780826429360
ISBN 10
082642936X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
San Diego, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$99.76
$5.45 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Bloomsbury Academic, 2009-07-10. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
Item Price
$99.76
$5.45 shipping to USA