Rachael Collins spoke about Comic Collection Development, sharing some valuable tips on ensuring you have a gapless collection that remains in great shape--for all ages. Her overview of the history of "graphic novels" reminded me that comics weren't originally intended for children! And the content in these picture books was quite graphic until Seduction of the Innocent by Fredric Wertham, M.D. hit the bookstores, scaring parents into believing comics could turn their children into delinquents. From 1954 on, comics were subject to the Comic Magazine Association of America's (CMAA) Comics Code Authority (CCA). The content of comics became subject to standards which made comic content seem like it was intended for children, when really comic book companies were just trying to keep clean enough to remain on retailers' shelves.
In any case, as Rachael was speaking about comics and their many incarnations, I was using my iPhone to place holds on a number of the graphic novels she held up: Blankets, Essex County, Fables. Sometimes you don't want pictures accompanying an old familiar story that you've imagined thoroughly in your mind. But other stories...new stories...need new ways to be told. Well, I'm being silly! Graphic novels still feel new to me, and I want to get a lot more familiar with this way of storytelling.
I will save my thoughts on other presentations for another post.
