The comic books that many children read while growing
up have matured with them. The publications, called graphic
novels, have longer and more complex story lines than comic
books.
One of the authors of these novels, Scott McCloud, will
be on campus March 10 through the end of April. McCloud,
author of "The New Adventures of Abraham Lincoln," "Superman:
Adventures of the Man of Steel" and "Zot," has been
named the M. Thelma McAndless Distinguished Professor in
Humanities.
 |
COMIC LOOK: Scott McCloud,
this year's
M. Thelma McAndless
Distinguished Professor of
Humanities, provided a comic
version of himself
for
publication. McCloud will be on
campus from
March 10 through
the end of April. |
"Among things valued at the College of Arts and Sciences
are creative interdisciplinary works. Scott McCloud brings
together ideas about graphics, writing and communication
in a way that will be incredibly exciting to the entire
campus community," said Linda Adler-Kassner, EMU associate
professor of English language and literature, and McAndless
coordinator.
The McAndless Scholar was EMU's first endowed chair.
It was established in 1985 with a bequest from Thelma McAndless,
a former EMU English professor. She provided, in her will,
that the income from the bequest be used for distinguished
artists and scholars in the humanities and that they be
brought to campus on special appointments.
The chair is offered to an individual with a national
or international reputation in various arts and humanities
who can bring a new perspective, knowledge and experience
to students.
McCloud's
Calendar
The following is a calendar of key events that
Scott McCloud, this year's M. Thelma McAndless
Distinguished Professor in Humanities, will be
participating.
Saturday, March 11
Keynote workshop, English department conference "Extending
Conversations", Guild Hall, McKenny Union.
March 18-April 29 (Saturdays)
McCloud will teach a class on comics, 9:30 a.m.-3:30
p.m., Room 103, Sherzer Hall. The class is full.
Monday, March 20
McCloud presents a Campus Life lecture, "Storytelling
and Comics," 7 p.m., McKenny Union Ballroom.
Tuesday, April 4
McCloud presents a workshop for English education/art
education students/teachers, 4:30-7:30 p.m., 214
Rackham. Pizza will be provided.
Tuesday, April 11
McCloud hosts an "826 Michigan Workshop" at
State St. in Ann Arbor, 5:30-7:30 p.m. This workshop
is full. |
McAndless chair appointments are made on the recommendation
of a committee composed of representatives from the College
of Arts and Sciences dean's office and its eight humanities
departments and programs. The chair was inaugurated in
1986.
During his stay, McCloud will work with Jeff Parker, assistant
professor of English language and literature, and Richard
Rubenfeld, professor of art.
"McCloud will teach an online class called, 'Comics, Theory
and Practice,'" said Adler-Kassner. "He also will visit
classrooms and conduct a workshop for English and art teachers,
and education students."
"Graphic novels are very popular with students," said
Laura George, associate dean of EMU's College of Arts and
Sciences. "We are very interested in having people (come
to campus) who are interdisciplinary in the arts and humanities."
McCloud recently finished a novel, entitled "Making
Comics."
McCloud's newest novel is the third book in the series
that began in 1993 with "Understanding Comics" (UC), a
215-page comic book that explains the inner workings of
the graphic novel. It has been published in 15 languages
and is a favorite of interface, game and Web designers
despite the fact that it doesn't mention computers once,
said the author on his Web site.
McCloud's second book in the series entitled, "Reinventing
Comics," is a 242-page follow-up to his first novel, UC.
It advocates 12 different ways comics are created, distributed
and perceived, with a special emphasis on the potential
of online comics. This novel is the only book McCloud has
written that has been described as "dangerous," reports
the Web site.
McCloud also has published "24 Hour Comics."
McCloud decided to become a professional novelist and
comic book artist after his original life's goal of becoming
a world chess champion proved to be impractical, he said
on his Web site.
For more information about McCloud, contact Adler-Kassner
at 487-0147.
