Over the past few days a number of comics fans have been venting about comics journalism and stating the need for a "middle ground" between The Comics Journal and Wizard. In the course of this free-floating discussion, a couple of bloggers have called for a magazine that offers more in-depth textual analysis and close reading of comics.
I thought I'd call everybody's attention to a publication that, while it's not comics journalism by any means, might fulfill the latter craving. Anybody looking for in-depth textual analysis of comics should consider the International Journal of Comic Art, an academic journal edited by John Lent of Temple University.
Let me state right at the outset that this is not and will never be the mythical middle ground of comics journalism, which is to say that it isn't and will never be journalism at all. Instead it's a twice-annual academic journal devoted to scholarly articles, book reviews, and exhibition reviews about comics from around the world. And it's got ALL THE ANALYSIS YOU CAN HANDLE, BABY!
Actually, IJOCA offers a number of different types of analysis, from close reading to economic analysis to cultural history to surveys of foreign artists. It also features interviews with comics creators and artists' roundtables. Because of the schedules of academic publishing, IJOCA will never provide timely updates on the comics industry – although I must say that it publishes more quickly than any other academic journal I know – but it does present some thoughtful pieces on an incredible variety of comics from an incredible variety of disciplines.
IJOCA now has an online index that lets you view the contents of past issues, so you can take a look and determine whether this is something that interests you. I believe Volume 1 is sold out, but most of the other back issues should be available. Fans of American comics may be particularly interested in Volume 4, which features lengthy, career-spanning interviews with Steve Bissette (in issue no. 1) and Joe Sacco (in no. 2), as well as articles on Kingdom Come, classic 40s Superman, shlocky 70s Marvel, and more. Vol. 5 no. 1 also has two great pieces on Chris Ware and Jack Kirby.
For new issues, subscriptions are $30 US a year (for two massive issues – the last one clocked in at 386 pages but they routinely climb over 400). Write to:
John A. Lent
669 Ferne Blvd.
Drexel Hill, PA 19026 USA
Full disclosure dictates that I mention, probably at some point much earlier in this post, that I'm a frequent contributor to IJOCA, but I receive no compensation for flacking it - I believe it's an important journal, the cornerstone of the academic study of comics, and I want to see it do well. Check it out.
That sounds like a fine publication Marc--and your frequent participation is a big selling point for me. I do believe I'll subscribe!
Dave
Posted by: David Fiore | May 17, 2004 at 11:45 PM
You should mention this over at Howling Curmudgeons.
Posted by: Chris M. | May 18, 2004 at 02:45 PM