Diversity in Graphic Novels and Comics: Bibliography

Gavigan, K., & Tomasevich, M. (2012). Connecting Comics to Curriculum. Library Media Connection, 31(3), 55.
Explains value of graphic novels to introduce different cultures, values, and beliefs of people from around the world.

Kuhr, J., & Rosenfeld, S. (2005). Diversity in Graphic Novels. Booklist, 101(14), 1302-1303.
Some history of multiculturalism and reviews of graphic novels.

Smith, N. (2008). DRAWN TO THE FORM. Teaching Librarian, 15(2), 46-47.
An essay on the importance of inclusiveness in school libraries with historical information on diversity in comics and suggestions for modern comics and graphic novels.

Pewewardy, C. (2002). From subhuman to superhuman: Images of First Nations peoples in comic books. Simile, 2(2), N.PAG.
Discussion of history of portrayal of American Indians in comic books.

Knight, J. (2012). Graphic Multiculturalism: Mine Okubo's Citizen 13660 in the Literature Classroom. In L. Dong, R. Weiner (Eds.) , Teaching Comics and Graphic Narratives: Essays on Theory, Strategy and Practice (pp. 94-104). Jefferson, NC: McFarland.
Discusses the treatment of Japanese Americans in the internment camps of World War II.

Chute, H. L. (2010). Graphic women: life narrative and contemporary comics. New York: Columbia University Press.
Discusses autobiographical comics by women.

Aldama, F., & Royal, D. (2010). Multicultural Comics: From 'Zap' to 'Blue Beetle'. Austin, TX: U of Texas P.
"The first comprehensive look at comic books by and about race and ethnicity. The thirteen essays tease out for the general reader the nuances of how such multicultural comics skillfully combine visual and verbal elements to tell richly compelling stories that gravitate around issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality within and outside the U.S. comic book industry." (Amazon.com)

Wilson, R. (2006). Multicultural Graphic Novels. Library Media Connection, 24(6), 32-33.
Suggested graphic novels that teach multiculturalism and modern history to middle and high school students.

The new adventures of blacks in the comic book business. (Cover story). (1994). Black Enterprise, 25(4), 88.
Black-owned independent comic publishers. An estimate that 30% of comic book readers are African American.

Sheaffer, C. (2009, March 23). Professors use comic books to teach about race. Citizens' Voice, The (Wilkes-Barre, PA).
Discusses the pedagogy of college professors using comic books to discuss race in their classroom.

Boler, M. (1997). Risks of Empathy: Interrogating Multiculturalism's Gaze. Cultural Studies, 11(2), 253-273.
Discusses pedagogy of using Art Spiegelman's Maus and empathy of college students.

Squier, S. (2008). So Long as They Grow Out of It: Comics, The Discourse of Developmental Normalcy, and Disability. Journal Of Medical Humanities, 29(2), 71-88. doi:10.1007/s10912-008-9057-1
Discusses the books Epileptic and The Ride Together: a brother and sister's memoir of autism in the family.

Alaniz, J. (2004). Supercrip: Disability and the Marvel Silver Age Superhero. International Journal Of Comic Art, 6(2), 304-324.

Baron, L. (2003). X-Men as J Men: The Jewish Subtext of a Comic Book Movie. Shofar: An Interdisciplinary Journal Of Jewish Studies, 22(1), 44-52. doi:10.1353/sho.2003.0075
Discusses the modern Jewish experience through the X-Men film based on the comic which includes Jewish Holocaust survivor, Magneto.

Mcnicol, S., & Weaver, S. (2013). “ Dude! You mean you've never eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?!? ” Nut Allergy as Stigma in Comic Books. Health Communication, 28(3), 217-225. doi:10.1080/10410236.2012.669671
Reviews several recent comic books that depict nut allergy.