Comics Genres module (CG50006)

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a wide variety of science fiction comics, and to the treatment of various themes, such as the atomic age, apocalypse, time travel, robots, cyberpunk, and steampunk, in these comics.

We will look at the relationship between the science fiction genre in comics and in other mediums (such as literature and film).

We will also consider the use of satire and allegory in science fiction comics.

Indicative Weekly Topics:

• Introduction - Flash Gordon (Alex Raymond)
• The Atomic Age: EC Comics - Weird Science and Weird Fantasy; Fantastic Four (Lee and Kirby); Dan Dare (Frank Hampton)
• International Science Fiction: The Incal (Jodorowsky and Moebius); Akira and Memories (Katsuhiro Otomo); El Eternauta (Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López)
• British Science Fiction: 2000AD; Dare (Grant Morrison and Rian Hughes)
• Post-Apocalypse: The Last American (John Wagner, Alan Grant and Mike McMahon); Freakangels (Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield)
• Steampunk: The Adventures of Luther Arkwright (Bryan Talbot); Aetheric Mechanics (Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani)
• Satire and Allegory: Give Me Liberty (Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons);We3 (Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely)
• Presentations

Assessment

• Presentation (30%)
• Research essay (70%, 3,000 words) 

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• show familiarity with the history of the science fiction genre in comics
• demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the themes found in science fiction comics, and the ways in which they are expressed in comics that differs from other mediums
• articulate independent critical responses to a range of science fiction comics

Convenor

Dr Chris Murray

Teaching

Fortnightly seminars lasting two hours.