Changes

Academic scholars over time have begun to take both content of comics and their impact on American culture very seriously. The Comics Culture series of monographs from Rutgers University Press demonstrates that commitment. The series currently comprises six monographs curated by editors Corey K. Creekmur, Craig Fischer, Jeet Heer, and Ana Merino. The works cover material from Superman’s first appearance in Action Comics no. 1 (1938) through Alan Moore’s Watchmen in 1987.  Some, like Paul Young’s study of Frank Miller’s tenure as writer of Daredevil, tell deeply personal narratives at the same time they analyze a particular work. Others, like Qiana Whitted’s examination of EC Comics, delve deeper into well-known historiography in order to uncover new meaning. As a body of work, the Comics Culture series reflects the growing diversity of comic book scholarship.