Quote:
Originally Posted by kennyc
The think I saw was a question about whether graphic novels could be considered literature. I think it's a very good question and that's what attracted my attention.  |
First, I wanted to write that, yes, it is certainly literature. But on second thought, I see two main trends in 'graphic novels'; one is a focus on the visuals, where the story to a degree simply exists for the sake of the artwork, for example works of
Enki Bilal or
François Schuiten and Benoit Peeters* (European artists has cultivated the artistry of visual storytelling for adults for many years, the concept already has a niche here) and a second trend where the images is overall less ... 'artistic' (for lack of better words) such as Persepolis and Maus.
But... If you ask me if 'comics' can have literary value I would say that they most certainly can. I think it can be called 'literature'. And if not, then we should call it 'art'.
*They happen to be my favourites