American Graphic Novel: Help with assignments

This guide provides assistance in doing research for the course co-taught by Professors Jeremy Dauber and Paul Levitz.

Getting started

Getting started

The majority of the more than 4,500 titles in Columbia's graphic novels collection is in the call-number range PN6700 through PN6790, located on stack level 10 in Butler Library.  Oversize titles, too large for the regular shelves, are in the "Folio" section, at the west end of the floor (to your left as you come out of the stacks elevators).  These volumes have a CLIO location of "Butler Stacks Folios."

Of these titles, at least 3500 are eligible for use in your course assignments. 

Click the "Home" tab for tips on finding titles of interest.

Click the "Finding secondary sources" tab for tips on finding scholarship about titles, authors, or themes.

 

Book reviews

In addition, consulting book reviews can offer models for analysis.  The libraries subscribe to two different book review databases:

Book review digest

Book review index plus (1965-present)

 

Online reviews

Unfortunately, the review journals indexed in these databases often don't review graphic novels.  Sometimes, the best reviews may be found on blogs and related sites, such as:

Library journal

The comics reporter

No flying, no tights

The hooded utilitarian

and, finally, work by your humble librarian:

Comic adventures in academia

This is by no means a comprehensive list.

 

When in doubt...

...ask your professors, your TAs, and/or your librarian for recommendations.

Ancient & Medieval History Librarian; Graphic Novels Librarian