Some Final Paper Resources, Part 1: Using Graphic Novels in the Classroom

For those of you interested in Option #3 on the Final Paper (see assignment in the post below), the Comic Book League Defense Fund website (cbldf.org) has numerous resources to help you consider the literary and artistic merits of graphic novels. Here's a link to their page which consists of several 'case studies' of particular graphic novels that can work well in the classroom: http://cbldf.org/using-graphic-novels/

This list features many comics that are not, strictly speaking, superhero comics, though there is one big exception: Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, which features one of Marvel's first female Muslim superheroes. It's a great series that avoids political grandstanding for a strong story and an engaging character that has become very popular in the Marvel universe (and will be in a Marvel film before long!). Here's a link to that particular essay: http://cbldf.org/2015/04/using-graphic-novels-in-education-ms-marvel/

There are also other links on the site about comics censorship, banned books, and guides to starting a graphic novel collection in your classroom. You'll find more than you possibly need here to engage with the ever-expanding conversation on comics in the classroom!