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“Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books and Graphic Novels” Book Collection

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“Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books and Graphic Novels” Book Collection
Deadline - August 1, 2008

The success of the “Graven Images: Religion in Comic Books & Graphic Novels” conference held April 11-13, 2008 at Boston University has generated publisher interest in turning its various essays into a print book collection. Given the limited time previously available for presentations last April, the conference organizers are now inviting supplemental submissions to the “Graven Images” collection from further individuals who did not read their papers live at the 2008 conference.

As before, the general mission of “Graven Images” remains the same: to explore the roles of religion in comic books and graphic novels, open to all interpretations of “religious comics.” In fact, debate as to what that term might mean remains welcome. From the performance of religion in comics, to religious or mythic traditions among the elements of various works, to the use of comics by religious practitioners themselves, the relationship between comics and religion is dynamic and evolving. Given the increasing seriousness with which the public has come to view comics as an art form as well as Americans’ fraught but passionate relationship with religion, “Graven Images” provides an opportunity for discussion of cutting-edge artistic and social issues.

The focus primarily remains on English-language works produced over the last 60 years for the American market, though special exceptions will be made for particularly strong abstracts or international crossover products such as Manga. We are particularly interested in submissions concerning the following works or topics providing further coverage that was not fully reflected in the conference programming:

Works: MAUS, PERSEPOLIS, PALESTINE, TESTAMENT, Chick Tracts, Kyle Baker’s KING DAVID, PREACHER, MARKED!, CAIRO, THE LONE AND LEVEL SANDS, SOME NEW KIND OF SLAUGHTER, HELLBOY, CROSSING MIDNIGHT, and Virgin Comics

Topics: Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Chinese Spiritualities, the afterlife, atheism, portrayals of pious characters, historical religion, fictional practices

500-word abstracts should be sent to the attention of A. David Lewis either through e-mail at ADL@bu.edu or by mail to “Graven Images” Conference, Department of Religion, Boston University, 145 Bay State Road, Boston MA 02215.

ABSTRACTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AUGUST 1, 2008.

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Tags: , cfp, collection, conference, essays, religion, scholarship

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