As the new school year opens, VCU’s James Branch Cabell Library reopens its Comic Art Collection in the Special Collections and Archives. However, it will soon hold quite a few more special items. The Will Eisner Comic Industry, having celebrated their 17th award just this past July, is in the process of submitting their archives to the library for inclusion.
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are given to comic artists, writers and creators in commemoration of Will Eisner, the founder of the graphic novel. They appear every summer at San Diego’s Comic-Con International, where comic creators from across the world come together to celebrate their art. This summer, Alan Moore was one of the more celebrated comic creators, winning Best Writer, Best Graphic Album and one of the Best Archival Collection.
“The Eisner Award Archives is especially relevant to an institution like Virginia Commonwealth University,”
said John Ulmschneider, university librarian, in an article from the library’s Web site in March 2006.
Since the 1970s, VCU has worked hard with some of the biggest names in the comic industry in attempts to make its library one of the leading resources for graphic novels and comics both old and new.
With help from contributor and professional comic theorist M. Thomas Inge, the collection hosts over 20,000 pieces of comic history.
The Comic Arts archive is open along with the other Special Collections and Archives on the fourth floor of James Branch Cabell Library from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
One of the most popular classes for English majors offered previously was Tom DeHaven’s Graphic Novels topic course. Going through different art styles and thematic elements, DeHaven embraces the new wave of literary style that is present in sequential art. Many students have hoped for the return of the class in the future.
The comic archive is not only important to the more literature-savvy of VCU’s populace. Art students, who hold particular interest in alternative art forms that divert from the normal sculpting and illustration, can also appreciate the diverse styles present in both modern-day and older comics.
Speaking of comics . . .
In our next issue, hear the latest on the scoop regarding the appearance of one of contemporary comics’ most famous writers. Who is it? When is he coming? It’s the face that Cabell can’t talk about, but we’ll have it here in The Commonwealth Times!
When asked his opinion on the topic of VCU and alternative art, Ray Bonis, an archival assistant, said, “VCU’s School of the Arts is one of the best in the country. It promotes creativity, and we house alternative materials for students to view. I think even if VCU didn’t promote such art forms, the students would participate in it anyway. However, I do think departments like VCU’s art history are open to such new styles.”
“With one of the nation’s most prestigious art schools, the Archives will provide crucial insights to students and faculty studying the vast diversity of craft in drawing, painting, and visual storytelling,” Ulmschneider said in the Web article. “And historians, artists and sociologists throughout the nation will benefit from easier access provided by the James Branch Cabell Library to such an important collection of comics and comic-related materials.”
Students are allowed access to the archives, but they cannot check out any of the materials.