Comic Books and the Secret History of the Entire Universe

1. Comic Books and the Secret History of the Entire Universe James Kelley Colorado State University

2. Who are you? • Who is your favorite comic character and/or what is your favorite comic book? Why? • Based on your discipline, what lessons can you learn from this character and/or title, and what could you teach somebody else from her or his adventures and/or from the premise of the title? Take a minute to introduce yourself to the people around you.

3. WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO... We are going to look at how one comic book series can be used across multiple disciplines and subjects, and how they can be used for/teach multiple topics and purposes. #ComicEd • Who could benefit from comics • Overview of Marvel’s Civil War series • Look at how this series is used in specific subjects • Collaborate on some other ways that comics can be used in the classroom or other areas in education • brainstorm next steps: programs, lessons, activities

4. WHO CAN BENEFIT... • Teachers who are looking to incorporate comics into their classroom and/or teachers who want to collaborate with other subject teachers through the use of comics. • Students who are looking for alternative versions of their favorite text and/or want a different perspective on different topics and events. • Librarians who want to know how to book talk comic books with students and parents and/or librarians who are looking to develop their YA collection.

6. WHO ARE THE MAIN CHARACTERS?! WHAT STARTED IT ALL?!

11. Leads to legislation!! Lines are drawn and sides are taken!!!

13. How We Can Use Comic Books in the Classroom Comics can be used in many different subjects from electives to the core subjects. We are going to look at how Civil War can be used in • Literacy and Reading--How to read comic books and connecting the conventions of comic books to conventions of novels • Social Studies--making connections to executive orders that were created after major events and different laws in American history (Slavery, E.O. 9066, PATRIOT Act, Alien Registration Act) • Science--discussion the ethical implications of scientific discoveries and studies through the cloning of Thor and the prison in the negative zone.

14. Let’s look at how comics are read... How We Can Use Comic Books in the Classroom Comics can be used in many different subjects from electives to the core subjects. We are going to look at how Civil War can be used in • Literacy and Reading--How to read comic books and connecting the conventions of comic books to conventions of novels • Social Studies--making connections to executive orders that were created after major events and different laws in American history (Slavery, E.O. 9066, PATRIOT Act, Alien Registration Act) • Science--discussion the ethical implications of scientific discoveries and studies through the cloning of Thor and the prison in the negative zone.

15. How to Read Comics and the English Classroom Essential publication by Scott McCloud (1993) that theorizes and explains the definition of comics and how comic books function based on their parts. • Reading Direction • Panel Transitions • Gutter and Closure • Time, Space, and Movement • Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood

16. Reading Directions In Western comic books we tend to read in a zigzag pattern in which we read from left-to-right, top-to-bottom. With this pattern comes about six different panel-to-panel transitions that Scott McCloud lays out. • Moment-to-moment • Action-to-Action • Subject-to-Subject • Scene-to-scene • Aspect-to-aspect • Non-sequiter

17. Moment-to-Moment Typically focuses on one action that is portrayed in successive moments. Example that McCloud uses is the blink of an eye (i.e. closed, halfway open, fully open broken up into three distinct panels.

18. Moment-to-Moment Typically focuses on one subject and action that is portrayed in successive moments (McCloud 70).

19. Action-to-Action Focuses on one subject and action that is portrayed in successive moments. Example that McCloud uses is that of a baseball player swinging a bat as the ball approaches in the first panel and in the second panel the player hits the ball.

20. Subject-to-Subject Changes from subject of the scene to another subject in the scene (and sometimes back to the original subject.) Typically dialogue between two subjects is an example of subject-to-subject

21. Scene-to-Scene Significant change is time and location. Moments in which the story changes to a different time and location is good example of a scene-to-scene transition. Change in scene from funeral to Fantastic Four location (Baxter Building).

22. Aspect-to-Aspect This panel transition disregards time and allows the reader’s eye to “wander” through the different aspects of the setting. Usually focuses on a specific items, individuals, or events. Used to dictate pacing, and/or set the mood/tone of the scene.

23. Aspect-to-Aspect This panel transition disregards time and allows the reader’s eye to “wander” through the different aspects of the setting. Usually focuses on a specific items, individuals, or events. Used to dictate pacing, and/or set the mood/tone of the story.

24. Gutters and Closure Gutters in comics are the empty spaces between each panel. This is the space in which the reader must use their imagination to fill in the “empty” spots with the action that is not being shown. This use of imagination is known as closure. Area known as theGUTTER.

25. Time, Space, and Movement Time and space can be dictated and controlled in many ways. We have seen that panel transitions are can be one way. Other ways can be the panels themselves in how they are shaped and positioned The actual contents in the panel also control time and space.

26. Time, Space, and Movement Time and space can be dictated and controlled in many ways. We have seen that panel transitions are can be one way. Other ways can be the panels themselves in how they are shaped and positioned The actual contents in the panel also control time and space.

27. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Lines, such as movement lines demonstrate dynamic movement, or lines are used to show the invisible to the reader (i.e. stink lines on a pile of garbage.)

28. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Lines, such as movement lines demonstrate dynamic movement, or lines are used to show the invisible to the reader (i.e. stink lines on a pile of garbage.)

29. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Lines, such as movement lines demonstrate dynamic movement, or lines are used to show the invisible to the reader (i.e. stink lines on a pile of garbage.) Word balloons come in all shapes and sizes, and depending of those aspects, indicates to the reader how something is being said.

30. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Lines, such as movement lines demonstrate dynamic movement, or lines are used to show the invisible to the reader (i.e. stink lines on a pile of garbage.) Word balloons come in all shapes and sizes, and depending of those aspects, indicates to the reader how something is being said.

31. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Lines, such as movement lines demonstrate dynamic movement, or lines are used to show the invisible to the reader (i.e. stink lines on a pile of garbage.) Word balloons come in all shapes and sizes, and depending of those aspects, indicates to the reader how something is being said.

32. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Lines, such as movement lines demonstrate dynamic movement, or lines are used to show the invisible to the reader (i.e. stink lines on a pile of garbage.) Word balloons come in all shapes and sizes, and depending of those aspects, indicates to the reader how something is being said.

33. Lines, Color, Word Balloons, and Mood Color, as well as everything else we’ve discussed, helps to add additional layers to the story as well as to establish the mood, and take the reading experience of the reader to another level of interpretation. How does color establish the moon in this scene?

34. How We Can Use Comic Books in the Classroom Comics can be used in many different subjects from electives to the core subjects. We are going to look at how Civil War can be used in • Literacy and Reading--How to read comic books and connecting the conventions of comic books to conventions of novels • Social Studies--making connections to executive orders that were created after major events and different laws in American history (Slavery, E.O. 9066, PATRIOT Act, Alien Registration Act) • Science--discussion the ethical implications of scientific discoveries and studies through the cloning of Thor and the prison in the negative zone. COMPLETED

35. Civil War in the Social Studies Classroom The Superhero Registration Act can be a way to connect and discuss the implications of different laws that the American government has made throughout the years. • Legalized slavery • E.O. 9066 (Japanese Internment camps in WWII) • The Alien Registration Act • The PATRIOT ACT What might be some other connections that you can see with either the Superhero Registration Act, the plot of Civil War, or any comic that you have read that could be taught in a social studies classroom?

36. Civil War in the Science Classroom In the Civil War event, there is a lot of different science concepts and technologies being used albeit it is very fictionalized, and at times not very realistic in their depiction and uses. However, this can still lead to some great learning about the ethical implications of using different kinds of technology and science discoveries. • Using science for the betterment of some at the expense of others through the example of prison 42 in the negative zone.

37. Civil War in the Science Classroom In the Civil War event, there is a lot of different science concepts and technologies being used albeit it is very fictionalized, and at times not very realistic in their depiction and uses. However, this can still lead to some great learning about the ethical implications of using different kinds of technology and science discoveries. • Using science for the betterment of some at the expense of others through the example of prison 42 in the negative zone.

38. Civil War in the Science Classroom In the Civil War event, there is a lot of different science concepts and technologies being used albeit it is very fictionalized, and at times not very realistic in their depiction and uses. However, this can still lead to some great learning about the ethical implications of using different kinds of technology and science discoveries. • Using science for the betterment of some at the expense of others through the example of prison 42 in the negative zone. • Make the connection between the cloning of Thor and the Manhattan Project Other examples that you see or know of with other comic titles?

39. Comics and Standards • CCSS--Literacy Across Contents • RL7 across media • RL3 complex characters • RL9 analyzing theme in two or more texts and author approaches • History • History and Civics (DOK 1-4) • Science • Life Science--Discussing the ethical issues around genetics, cloning and stem cell research (DOK 1-3)

40. How We Can Use Comic Books in the Classroom Comics can be used in many different subjects from electives to the core subjects. We are going to look at how Civil War can be used in • Literacy and Reading--How to read comic books and connecting the conventions of comic books to conventions of novels • Social Studies--making connections to executive orders that were created after major events and different laws in American history (Slavery, E.O. 9066, PATRIOT Act, Alien Registration Act) • Science--discussion the ethical implications of scientific discoveries and studies through the cloning of Thor and the prison in the negative zone. COMPLETED COMPLETED COMPLETED

41. Librarian and Student Time How do you talk with parents and principals about comics?

42. Frequent comics & graphic novels in schools and libraries • Persepolis • Maus • Pride of Baghdad • Watchmen • Bones • V for Vendetta • The March • Boxers and Saints • American Born Chinese • Malcolm X

43. Frequent comics & graphic novels in schools and libraries BUT DON’T FORGET SOME OF THE SERIES FOUND IN MARVEL, DC, AND OTHER PUBLISHERS!!! • Persepolis • Maus • Pride of Baghdad • Watchmen • Bones • V for Vendetta • The March • Boxers and Saints • American Born Chinese • Malcolm X

44. Frequent comics & graphic novels in schools and libraries ALSO OTHER COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS THAT PROMOTE AWARENESS OF OTHERS AND EVENTS OUTSIDE THE LIVES OF STUDENTS!!! • Persepolis • Maus • Pride of Baghdad • Watchmen • Bones • V for Vendetta • The March • Boxers and Saints • American Born Chinese • Malcolm X

45. Frequent comics & graphic novels in schools and libraries ALSO OTHER COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS THAT PROMOTES AWARENESS OF OTHERS AND EVENTS OUTSIDE THE LIVES OF STUDENTS!!! • Persepolis • Maus • Pride of Baghdad • Watchmen • Bones • V for Vendetta • The March • Boxers and Saints • American Born Chinese • Malcolm X

46. Frequent comics & graphic novels in schools and libraries ALSO OTHER COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS THAT PROMOTES AWARENESS OF OTHERS AND EVENTS OUTSIDE THE LIVES OF STUDENTS!!! • Persepolis • Maus • Pride of Baghdad • Watchmen • Bones • V for Vendetta • The March • Boxers and Saints • American Born Chinese • Malcolm X

47. Discussion • What questions/concerns do you have? • How will you use the ideas in this session (in your capacity as a student/teacher/librarian)? • What did I miss? • What would you add to this presentation? #ComicEd

48. Contact me! But… what if I have questions later? James Kelley-- jkelley_18ca@yahoo.com; @j_pkelley #ComicEd