“GRAVEN IMAGES: RELIGION IN COMIC BOOKS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS”
Book Collection - Deadline: 8/01/08

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 cross-over 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_at_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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Received on Fri Jun 06 2008 - 20:20:07 EDT