African 203: Comic Art and Graphic Novels

This course is a lively introduction to a number of comic books, animated films, and graphic novels from different parts of the African continent, including Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tunisia. We will explore the inspirations behind graphic art and visual literature, and the most popular themes that artists have endorsed. The course will expose students to a growing variety of comic styles and ideas that are a result of changing social, political, and cultural landscapes in Africa. A few of the themes we will explore are storytelling, female power, patriarchy, superheroes and tricksters, crime, Afrofuturism, revolution, war and propaganda.

The Exploration of Comics in Africa will give students a unique opportunity to discover what contemporary artists and illustrators have to show about visual art, visual storytelling, and the power of images and words to connect people all over the world.