Author Description
Wonder Woman. Asterix The Gaul. Watchmen. These Popular Comics, And Many Others, Use Classical Sources, Narrative Patterns, And References To Enrich Their Imaginative Worlds And Deepen The Stories They Present. This Volume Explores That Rich Interaction. Son Of Classics And Comics Presents Thirteen Original Studies Of Representations Of The Ancient World In The Medium Of Comics. Building On The Foundation Established By Their Groundbreaking Classics And Comics (2011), George Kovacs And C. W. Marshall Have Gathered A Wide Range Of Essays With A New, Global Perspective. Chapters Are Helpfully Grouped To Facilitate Classroom Use, With Sections On Receptions Of Homer, On Manga, On Asterix, And On The Sense Of A Classic In The Modern World. All Greek And Latin Passages Are Translated. Lavishly Illustrated, The Volume Significantly Widens The Range Of Available Studies On The Reception Of The Greek And Roman Worlds In Comics, And Deepens Our Understanding Of Comics As A Literary Medium. Son Of Classics And Comics Will Appeal To Students And Scholars Of Classical Reception As Well As Comics Fans.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the multifaceted ways in which modern comic books and graphic novels integrate, adapt, and reinterpret classical antiquity to construct their narrative worlds. Editors C. W. Marshall and George Kovacs, both established scholars in classical reception, curate a collection of thirteen original essays that examine the intersection of ancient Greek and Roman motifs with contemporary visual storytelling. The work argues that comics serve as a significant medium for the ongoing cultural dialogue with the ancient world, providing a framework for understanding how classical narratives persist in modern popular culture.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of classical reception in diverse formats including manga, Asterix, and superhero narratives like Wonder Woman and Watchmen.
- Thematic groupings covering Homeric influence, the concept of the 'classic' in modern media, and global perspectives on antiquity.
- Translations of all Greek and Latin source material to ensure accessibility for non-specialist readers.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the reception of Greek and Roman antiquity rather than a comprehensive history of the comics medium itself.
- It does not attempt to cover every instance of classical allusion in comics, but rather selects specific case studies to illustrate broader trends.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of classical reception frequently cite this volume as a valuable expansion of the discourse established in the editors' previous work. Readers note the accessibility of the prose and the utility of the thematic organization for both classroom instruction and independent research.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190268905
ISBN-13:
9780190268909
Cultural History
Reception Studies
Comics Studies
Literary Criticism