Graphic Novels

This week’s topic is Graphic Novels.  Graphic novels have been around for quite some time (thousands of years in some historians’ eyes).  It is only in the last decade or so that they have seen a surge in popularity, especially among young adults.  Why is this?  My theory is that technology has a great deal to do with it.  Young adults these days grow up using various forms of social media to communicate, spend countless hours browsing the Internet and are constantly bombarded with all types of advertisements.  These types of media often incorporate a mixture of images and text that allows the viewer/reader to quickly assimilate a great deal of information and art styles that ‘draw’ the reader into the story.  For that reason graphic novels (which do the same with panels of images and text) seem welcoming and non-threatening, especially to the reluctant reader.  Reluctant readers often are daunted by dense pages of text but graphic novel are less intimidating because while the text is still present it is ‘diluted’ with colorful (or in some cases black and white) images.  Despite what some critics say I think graphic novels also offer just as much as traditional novels.  They are just as rich in plot, character, setting and all the other trademarks that when done well make an excellent novel.  In light of this topic, I’ve decided to review the graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge by Dean and Shannon Hale.

Rapunzel’s Revenge

 

A young girl named Rapunzel discovers that Gothel, the rich and domineering woman she calls mother in fact kidnapped her and sentenced her real mother to a life of servitude.  She escapes but is soon captured and imprisoned in a giant tree for several years.  Rapunzel finally escapes and soon after finds herself in the company of a roguish thief named Jack.  In the company of Jack and his goose Goldy, she sets out to free her mother and put an end to Gothel’s tyranny over the surrounding countryside.  She and Jack have several adventures along the way including the rescue of a rancher’s daughter from a murderous band of outlaws and slaying a giant serpent to rescue a belligerent group of dwarves. 

The artwork in this graphic novel is excellent and works well with the text to ‘draw’ the reader into the story.  For example many of the illustrations incorporate the idea of subjective motion though this type of motion was once mostly associated with manga.  This means that the viewer/reader is made to feel that they ARE the object they are viewing rather than just an observer.  One example is a scene in which an outlaw is seen thundering down on the heroes with blurred background of streaking lines behind him. Coupled with Jack’s roguish wit and irreverent banter he engages in with Rapunzel, this creates a sense that the reader is truly a part of their world – something that is much more difficult to accomplish with text alone.

One of the more interesting aspects of this story is Rapunzel’s development as a person.  She begins the story as a naïve and troubled young woman who is unsure of both her origins and current identity.  Her life growing up in a secluded palace has left her unprepared for the harsh realities of an uncaring world.  She quickly develops a strong core of independence and a desire to help others as she journeys the vast wilderness with Jack.  Adventures such as the rescue of a small town from a pack of ravenous predators and band of dwarves from a bloodthirsty river serpent help foster this growth.  I think many teenagers could appreciate and be drawn to Rapunzel due to similar experiences (especially when traversing the dangerous world of High School).  Overall a great read that will thrill both accomplished and reluctant YA readers alike and which stands as a testament to how complex and engaging a graphic novel can be.