Some information needed for those who may not now about comics. Many series, like Batman, are very long running. They go through many different writers and many separate storylines. Batman, for example, depending on who’s writing it may or may not have a literary quality appropriate for the classroom. So just because I am say one Batman story is appropriate, does not mean I am saying it for all Batman stories. Also there is usually two authors mentioned because one is the writer and the other is the artist.
Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons
What is it about?
After a superhero is murdered under mysterious circumstances, members of the disbanded superhero team The Watchmen must band together to find the culprit. But the ultimate challenge is not to defeat a super-villain, but to make a difficult moral decision.
Is it well Written?
Yes, it is in fact one of the most critically acclaim comics of all time, if not the most.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. The characters are all very deep. The plot is non-liner and presented in a unique manner. The themes are deep. Metaphor runs deep throughout. Morality is explored in a deep fashion; one of the superheroes, despite being a legitimate superhero, is a horrible person. The story ends the characters faced with an impossible to make moral choice. All of this is open for analysis.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
It is a little iffy, but I did originally find in my high school library.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Supreme: Second Coming by Rob Liefeld and Brian Murray
What’s it about?
It’s about the super-powered Supreme (similar to Superman, only much angrier and violent) returning to Earth after spending many years in space. An Alien name Khrome the Conqueror follows Supreme to Earth (an evil alien, even more angry and violent than Supreme). They fight, a bunch stuff gets smashed, and a bunch of people get killed.
Is it well written?
By most standards, no.
Is there a lesson in this?
No.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
I suppose so, it’s pretty violent, but nothing worse than in a PG-13 film.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
No.
Jonah Hex: Welcome to Paradise by John Albano and Tony De Zuniga
What’s it about?
It is a western about a bounty hunter named Jonah Hex who goes the town of Paradise Corners to kill several outlaws.
Is it well written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes, in fact it has always reminded me in many ways of the type of short story I was assigned in class. Specifically, it ends in a highly thematic way that makes it easy to discuss the themes in class. Also, the highly thematic nature of the story, as I mentioned above, would very teachable.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, and Mike Dringenberg
What is it about?
It is about The Sandman, the master of dreams, who has been captured by a human cult. This has caused many ill-effects, causing some people to never wake up. He then escapes and goes on a quest to find his missing magic tools.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Not that I can think of, but I feel there is one.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes. It is pretty violent, but nothing worse than in a PG-13 film.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes, and in addition to what is mentioned above it is very acclaimed for it’s literary merit.
The Prez: Oh Say Does That Star Spangled Banner Yet Wave? by Joe Simon and Jerry Grandenetti
What is it about?
It is about a teenager named Prez, because he parents knew from the moment he was born he was going to be president. This comes true even sooner than he expected we he is elected American president.
Is it well Written?
For the most part, though the pacing is a little off.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. A lesson could be taught about American literature traditions. The story, which is about a fictional American President, uses American literature traditions. It feels very much like an American folk tale. It is also highly comparable to the films of Frank Capra (sometimes considered the “most American” director). It is especially similar to Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Batman: The Court of Owls by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo
What is it about?
A series of brutal murders occur in Gotham City. Batman begins to suspect that it is an urban legend, the elitist cult, The Court of Owls, that is behind the murders. But as batman is showing signs of strain, is he just imagining the whole thing?
Is it well Written?
Yes. It has well developed characters, plot, and themes. It is also highly psychological.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. It can be analyzed how the art relates to the story. As Batman goes into more intense psychological strain, the art reflects it. As the story reaches it’s highest level of intensity, the art disorientates the reader in way have never seen elsewhere.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes, nothing worse than in a PG-13 film.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Warriors of Plasm: The Sedition Agenda by Jim Shooter and David Lapham
What is it about?
Far from earth is a planet which is also a living organism: the Org of Plasm. On this planet, Plasm is everything. It serves as their money, their oil, their food, their buildings, and everything else. This society views life a disposable and individual worth is a foreign idea. But one man, Lorca, wants things to change, so he hatches a plan. This plan ultimately leads to him genetically modifying five humans from Earth. These five are the Warrior of Plasm.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. The highly metaphorical Plasm is ripe for analysis.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Maybe.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Harbinger: The Beginning by Jim Shooter and David Lapham
What is it about?
When Peter is trying to cope with new powers he develops, he seeks help from the Harbinger Foundation. But when is discovers their less than honorable actions he must go on the run.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. The characters could all be psycho-analyzed as they are all psychological complex, even the main villain. There also are also moral lessons of consequences for one’s actions in story.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Skreemer by Peter Milligan and Brett Ewins
What is it about?
After “the fall” the United States is in chaos. This is the story of two individuals, one who will do anything to retain his moral integrity in this new harsh world, and another who will do anything to rise to the top. But ultimately neither is completely good or evil.
Is it well Written?
Yes, it is one of the deepest things I have ever read.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes, every aspect of this could be analyzed.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Unfortunately no.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
No, as wonderful a work as it is, it is really brutal and just not appropriate.
Green Lantern/Green Arrow: Vols 1&2 by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams
What is it about?
Galactic Police officer Green Lantern Teams up with anarchist Green Arrow.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes, by looking into the different world views and moral perspectives the two main characters bring to the story. The stories in these volumes are also noted for their social relevance.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes, something interesting about these stories is that they are among the first comics (that I know of, early 1970s) to be discussed on a college campus.
The Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Man, No More by Stan Lee and John Romita
What is it about?
Tired of all the stress and hardships being a superhero costs him, Peter Parker decides to stop being Spider-man.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
It could be explored on how “with great power comes great responsibility”.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
V For Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Llyod
What is it about?
In the future England is ruled by a totalitarian government. V is on mission to over throw this government.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Kind of iffy, but I know of at least one instance when it was taught in high school.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Captain America & The Falcon: Battle of The Captain Americas by Steve Englehart and Sal Buscema
What is it about?
The original Captain America from the 40s disappeared beneath the ocean. In the 50s a new Captain America was born, but after a mental break he was imprisoned. Now the original Captain America has returned and becomes the new Captain America of the 60s and 70s. But later the 50s one returns and they fight.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. The Battle between the two Captain Americas can be seen a metaphorical for a divide in American Values. The 50s Captain America represents McCarthyism and racism, while the true Captain America represents freedom and tolerance.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Magnus Robot Fighter: Steel Nation by Jim Shooter and Art Nichols
What is it about?
Magnus has been destroying freewill robots all of his life. But are they any less deserving of free will and life than humans?
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes, by analysis of the robots and their role in the futuristic society, and in the various ways the futuristic society subtly oppresses humans as well.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
The Uncanny X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
What is it about?
The Phoenix has let herself be overwhelmed by her own supreme power, and the other X-Men must stop her.
Is it well Written?
Yes. The characters are well developed and act as each-others foils. The plot and themes are also complex.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. There is complexities to the characters. There is also a unique portrayal how absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
The Uncanny X-Men: The Days of Future Past by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
What is it about?
In the future mutant are kept in concentration camps, the mind of one of the X-Men is sent back in time to stop a mutant terrorist attack that sets of a series of events that leads to this happening.
Is it well Written?
Yes.
Is there a lesson in this?
Yes. It is a highly metaphorical portrayal of tolerance and intolerance.
Is it appropriate for teenagers?
Yes.
Should this be considered for future investigation in my I-Search?
Yes.
Holy moly, Mark! This is an amazing piece of work, a catalog and resource for teachers. Unbelievable. I really appreciate the first two paragraphs and how you "set up" this post, by filling us in on the backstory to long-running narratives in comics like Superman and Batman.
ReplyDeleteI love Sandman, Spiderman, X-Men, and I love reading your ideas for uses in the classroom.
A few challenges for you, and things for you to work on in the coming week:
1. What about women protagonists? Find some! The girls in your classes want to be more than just sidekicks and love interests!
2. Start to think about how you can engage students as WRITERS in their use of these texts. How does reading comics translate into writing in the high school classroom? What does it look like? I know there's at least one article out there about teaching Superheros in the English classroom, so please go looking on ERIC and in the English Journal as well as in NCTE publications and books.
3. Concrete examples: You are working with a text that is not familiar to everyone. Maybe scan/upload one or two examples of a series of panels that are somehow critical, in your opinion, to teaching comics or to writing about comics or to superhero story as Joseph Campbell hero narrative or whatever you're trying to teach about it. Maybe a series of panels from one of the good works/models/mentor texts that you discuss above?
Interesting stuff, Mark! Keep going!