This symposium will explore the ways in which comics respond to the cultural and historical world around them. Taking a new approach to adaptation, it investigates how comics creators adapt and transform literary texts as well as how history and (auto)biography are translated into the comics medium. In addition to these topics, we will be discussing the political aspects of such adaptations focussing not only on the use of the medium to advance specific political perspectives but also on the political implications of adaptation as a process.
The event will include:
- Two roundtable discussions (one on comics and literature and the other on comics, biography and history)
- A workshop on the politics of adaptation
- A public lecture, "So what's so great about comics?”, delivered by Nottingham cartoonist and two-time Eisner-nominee Brick (aka John Stuart Clark).
Participants will not only have a chance to gain insights from some of the most innovative and exciting writers and artists working in the industry, but will also be able to ask questions and explore the relationship between comics and other worlds (be these fictional or real).
The conference is open to everyone and we would hope to include not only academics, students, writers and artists, but also readers from all walks of life who just have an interest in comics. The emphasis will be on creating a stimulating but relaxed environment in which to share our enthusiasm for the comics medium and to discuss issues relating to the symposium’s main themes. There will be plenty of opportunities to share your own ideas but if you just want to come along and listen that’s ok too.
Download a programme for this event.
Guest Creators:
Keynote Speaker:
Brick: http://www.brickbats.co.uk/biography/
Roundtable Participants:
• Carol Adlam
• INJ Culbard
• Hunt Emerson
• Nicola Streeten
• Ravi Thornton
A slection of artwork from the participantns for this event can be viewed below:
Sponsored by the University of Nottingham Research Priority Area
‘Languages, Text and Society', the School of English, and the Centre for Regional Literature and Culture.