American comic book: history of development, communicative features of the format

© Anna V. Baichik

Doctor of Political Sciences, professor at the Chair of International Journalism, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Saint Petersburg State University (Saint Petersburg, Russia), a.baychik@spbu.ru

© Yan O. Davidenko

PhD student, School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Saint Petersburg State University (Saint Petersburg, Russia), yan391998@mail.ru

Abstract

The article explores the history of the development of comic book format in the United States of America, as well as analyses the narrative techniques and key elements that define this form of storytelling. American comic books have a rich and dynamic history, shaped by social changes and advancements in drawing, digital technologies and breakthroughs in communication. This form of storytelling has unique elements of narration. Moreover, in this article, an attempt was made to study comics through the prism of communication, using the appropriate terminology. This research is based on «Comics studies», a theoretical framework which was created by renowned illustrators and comics researchers who aimed to organize and classify the narrative characteristics of comics, thus distinguishing it from other forms of art. In line with this framework, unique narrative techniques and elements that set the comic book format apart from other media have been identified and examined.

Key words: comic book, verbal narration, nonverbal narration, visual storytelling

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