Comics and the Historical Genre : Art Spiegelman on Contemporary History

Abstract

This article examines the incongruent and often paradoxical relationship between comic books and historical writings in representing historical events. As an art form which is known to be low - brow, comic books emerged and matured as an art form which emphasizes imagination and entertainment particularly for children. Through the achievement of Art Spiegelman and others from the end of 1980s onwards, graphic novels aim to represent modern historical events which are perceived as complex and violent. These works have been praised by critics and receive several prestigious literary awards. From the perspectives of historical development and theoretical frameworks, this article illustrates that historicity - in terms of representation of historical time and seriousness, or even austerity, often associated with the historical genre - had always been integral of the history and theory of comics.