These are research notes for my review - these include summaries of references, images used, planning and layouts for structure
The Graphic Novel: An Introduction - Baetens, J. & Frey, H. [Kindle book]
This book focuses on identifying what graphic novels are. It is divided into three areas:
The first area analyses the history of graphic novels, and how they share they history with comic books. It describes how graphic novels came into existence after the âre-birthâ of comics during the 1950s, and their impact on not only the world of comic books, but also literature.
The second part talks about the form of graphic novels. From panel layouts, page composition and narrative structure, this section identifies key elements that relate graphic novels to comic books, while at the same time making them so unique.
The final chapters focus on the themes that are explored in graphic novels. it analyses themes in these types of stories, which are typically darker and harder to understand; but it also talks about how graphic novels are on the same level as popular literature, and how creative authors need to be in order to write them.
Brodeckâs Report - Phillipe Claudel (Cullen, J. Trans.) [Kindle book]
This is the original book that my review is focused on (it has been translated into English, as it was originally a French novel)
The book is gripping and riveting, following a dark narrative that explores the psychology of human nature, as well as the impact WW2 had on France and Germany.
http://www.dargaud.com/bd/Auteurs/Larcenet-Manu [Dargaud.com]
A short biography on Manu Larcenet (the author of Le Rapport de Brodeck). It highlights his childhood, work and upcoming graphic novels quickly, but effectively. The company Darguad, is a French company that publishes comic books by different author and illustrators.
On the Edge of the Unknown -Â Foden, G [http://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/mar/21/brodecks-report]
This guardian is a review on the original novel by Claudel. Foden (the author of the article) analyses the history, the themes and the characters in this dark and disturbing novel, mentioning aspects of the story that I had thought little about.Â
Foden talks about relationship between Brodeck, as well as how the numerous themes are explored through the wide variety of characters in the plot.
Le rapport de Brodeck - Manu Larcenet [Graphic Novel]
This is the book that is at the centre of my review. It is an illustrated adaptation of the novel, highlighting the same psychological themes present in the story. I cannot say much about this since I talk about it in my review already.
Narrative Structure in Comics: Making Sense of Fragments - Postema, B. [Book]
Like The Graphic Novel: An Introduction, Postemaâs research book analyses key components in comic books that make them not only sophisticated, but also unique. She talks about panel layout, the time-span of stories, panel framing (and how it affects the atmosphere of the comic), and many more aspects. Each part is completely necessary and changing one little aspect of a comic can shift the way we perceive them.
Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean - Wolk, D. [Kindle book]
A very long and quite complicated research book that, like Postema and Baetens & Frey, analyses the structure, history and place of graphic novels in the world. Much longer than the other two, Douglas offers a much more unique standpoint as to what comics are.Â
Each section focuses on a specific part, while intermingling aspects from other areas. Work analyses how the styles of drawings affect the way they are perceived, how the types and styles of comic books and graphic novels has changed. Exploring a number of different eras of comic books, as well as many different styles, this book is a must read for only the experienced who wish to know more about the uniqueness of comic books.
These are the images I used for the review. All of them are from Le Rapport de Brodeck [the graphic novel]Â
Something that the artistâs work challenges â Breaks the vernacular
What the artistâs work offers to the people â what is his work like, based on and what does it intend to say/portray â does it say anything about our culture or anything in particularÂ
What the book is about â what is the central story, the themes â where is it set, and so what is the contextual significance of the book â was it based on something
Talk about the art style â the line, colour (if any), the layout of the panels, the composition within each panel, the impact the cover has, and also the orientation of the book â
Talk about how the art style compliments, suggests and works with the narrative of the story, both the written and the layout â how does the art help move the narrative on and help us read it.
Note key differences or similarities between the book and graphic novel (beyond simply the story, but rather key aspects that change how we see the characters) â briefly note as to other work by the same artist, and briefly compare them.
Does it succeed in its intent? If so or if not, how does it do so? Personal opinion as to what makes it successful.
Structure (this is how I thought of structuring my review - what to include and in what order)
These are the comments and markings of my review by a peer. I received generally good feedback that will be useful for my final version.
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