Comics Studies in America: The Making of a Field of Scholarship?

Abstract

<p>Comics studies is an emerging field of scholarship. Some scholars in the field have even started to think of it in disciplinary terms. There are, however, no graduate programs of study in the field or anything yet established that can be considered a canon of works. Indeed comics studies at times seems to consist of fiefdoms grouped around objects of study like graphic novels, superhero comic books, comic strips and extreme ouliers like editorial cartoons. This chapter offers some initial observations on works that have shaped the field to date through a small study of citation rates of authors working in the field.</p>