The Rise of Sequential Art:

The History of Comics and

Graphic Novels
Group 2: Braga, Allanarie Y.
 What is Sequential Art?
● Sequential art is an art form, which uses series of images as a
means of communication. This can be with or without the support
of words. It is one of the current popular arts for creative
expression dealing with arrangement of images and words to
narrate the idea. The best-known examples of sequential art are
comic strips, comic books and graphic novels.
● Sequential art (Eisner, 1985) features a series of panels that
convey a single story. These panels can continue for a single page
or for multiple pages and may or may not be framed.
 How is sequential art or visual narrative
alike (and different) from traditional texts?
• Like traditional pieces of fiction or creative nonfiction which rely
solely (or mainly) on words to tell a story, fictional or creative
nonfiction sequential art features exposition, rising action, plateau,
climax, falling action, denouement, and closing. It also features plot,
character, theme, motif, and conflict, which may be internal and/or
external.
• In sequential art and visual narrative, however, the pictures
conveyed through multiple panels work together with words to
tell a story or provide information to a reader. While the image
sometimes enhances the meaning of the text, frequently the image and
text work in concert throughout multiple panels and are symbiotic in
nature.
A Brief History and Different Mediums
• The term sequential art was coined first
by the comic artist Will Eisner (March 6,
1917 – January 3, 2005). He analyzed
this form of art through different
elements of art such as design, layout,
drawing, caricature and writing. But the
existence of sequential art has been
discovered way before it was coined by
the modern era.
Notable Works
 Prehistoric Cave and Wall Paintings

● Considered an ancient form of art,

sequential art is known to exist and
practiced through cave paintings,
depicting the then existing
tribesmen’s way of life. Egyptian wall
art and paintings is also a landmark
for exercising sequential art style.
They mostly depicted their deities
and aristocrats of their time.
 Early Publishing of Sequential Art
After the printing press was
invented, the reinvention of
sequential art took a big
leap. Through printed
newspapers and books,
people began creating
particular themed art such
as politics, social life, satire
of everyday life, etc. Thus it
gave the birth of writing and
dialogue in the images giving
a different dimension to
storytelling.
Sequences Through Paintings
Painting of “Adam and God” is known to be one of the earliest and largest painted
sequential stories covering the entire ceiling of Sistine Chapel. The renowned
Michelangelo solely created this.
● In the present era of print media and communication, variety of styles of
sequential art is practiced.
Following are the different mediums practiced regularly:
● Comic Books • Graphic Novels • Cartoons • Comic Strips • Manga •
Children’s Book • Storyboard • Web Comics • Motion Comics • Animated
Comics
How have graphic novels/sequential art developed?

• Other books often referred to as graphic novels, like Selznik’s The

Invention of Hugo Cabret or Binder’s and Tetzner’s Black Brothers, meld
images to illuminate ideas contained in the text differently than
sequential art. In these formats, the images are important to the
storyline; however, a) the author does not rely on a melding between
image and language to tell the story, b) images and text are often
separated from one another, and c) the author does not use sequential
(linear or progressive) illustrations/images to convey a story.

Wordless graphic novels: Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, Milt Gross’ He Done
Her Wrong, and Sara Varon’s Robot Dreams
Key Fundamentals of Sequential Art
● WRITING

The relationship of
words and images is
such that of mind and
heart, that is its crucial
to have a perfect
balance between the
two.
IMAGE
Creating pictures to fill the
frames and bring life to the
story/ idea constitutes this
section.
TIMING

The decision making of which moment or frame should be

included, is a crucial process, and is of great priority
FRAMING
 Materials Used

● Pencils and Erasers

● Pens

● Brushes

● Inks

● Art Board

● Drawing Board

● Rulers
 Technological Requirements

● Computer
● Scanner
● Printer
● Digital Drawing Tablet
● Internet
● Lettering Fonts
● Software
 Current Styles
● Sequential art in modern times have evolved to the computer and the digital era.
Why read Graphic Novels and
Comics?
Images frame understandings of language and help
people learn to visualize and imagine.

Graphic novels can help enhance students’ visual literacy

skills to deal with the increasing use of visual stimuli in
today’s world.

Improves Literacy and promotes learning beyond the

classroom.
Are graphic novels just for adults?
No. They are for teens and kids as well.
Because graphic novels reduce the cognitive load for some
struggling readers who have difficulty visualizing text,
struggling readers who are typically overwhelmed by the
volume of words in a text may be more willing to pick up a
graphic novel and read, helping them to develop an
appreciation for reading. If students feel successful as
readers, they are more likely to continue reading and read
other types of texts too.
References Books
• Comics and Sequential Art, By Will Eisner (Published 1990).
• Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art, By Scott McCloud
(Published 1993).
• Reinventing Comics: How Imagination and Technology Are
Revolutionizing an Art From, By Scott McCloud (Published 2000).
• Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic
Novels, By Scott McCloud (Published 2006).
• How to Draw Comics, By Stan Lee (Published 2010).
The Role of Religion and
Culture in Visual Arts
What is Religion?

Religion is a collection of cultural

systems, belief systems, and
worldviews that relate humanity to
spirituality and moral values.
What is Culture?

Culture is a way of life of a

particular group of people—
the behaviors, values, belief,
language, customs, food, arts,
social standards, education,
laws, celebrations, clothing,
and many more.
What is the Role of Religion and Culture in
visual arts?

The role of Religion and Culture in visual arts is to

become the SUBJECT that inspires the imagination and
creativity of many artists.
Examples

• Religious Art – is an artistic imagery using religious

inspiration and motifs, often intended to uplift the
mind to the spiritual.
• Cultural Arts – tools that help develop the mind and
body, refine feelings, and thoughts and reflect and
represent our customs and values as a society.
 THANKS!
CREDITS: This presentation template was created
by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and
infographics & images by Freepik