A graphic memoir illustrates a life in comic form. This genre has become increasingly popular, particularly after the success of Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman. After this work won the Pulitzer Prize (the only graphic novel to do so thus far), a wider acceptance of the graphic memoir opened up the genre for new artists. This was later followed by Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, El Deafo by Cece Bell, Jimmy Corrigan: the Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware, They Called Us Enemy by George Takai and Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe, one of the most commonly banned books today. Once considered out of the mainstream, the graphic memoir has now earned a prominent spot with today’s graphic novels.
In a graphic memoir, the artist can show details and add nuances to their life story that might otherwise be left out in written form and gives the artist more control over what they want to convey with their work. Maus, for example, utilizes dark heavy lines to convey the bleakness of the story, illustrating the harsh overtones of his father’s survival in Auschwitz. The art becomes reflective of the theme, which is able to communicate emotions relating to the subject matter. And the mixing of art and words can make extremely difficult topics, such as the Holocaust or gender identity, more accessible to the reader.
Another thing is that these graphic novels can relate to nearly any level—child, teen or adult. It is important that these graphic novels do tackle complex and difficult themes because it highlights experiences that many people can relate to and convey this in language and pictures that capture nuance while still addressing the meaning of the life being described. The graphic novel connects us in a visual way that is simultaneously intellectual and emotional. It gives the reader a chance to see the writer’s world more clearly—and hopefully give a new perspective on their own.
And here is the FAQ on how YOUR graphic novel can be entered into this year's contest: GNMC FAQ
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