Online Resources

Online Journal Articles

Online journals and articles are a good way to get peer reviewed information about comics and graphic novels. Unfortunately, many of these journals are paywalled - meaning you have to have a subscription in order to access them.

Fortunately, most libraries allow access through their websites - for public libraries, it usually only requires a library card. For University or College libraries, you can access the databases through your student login, or through the computers at the library itself. Be sure to double check with the library to make sure.

Note: Peer reviewed journals are going to be extremely focused, and surprisingly deep. This type of reading is not usually for entertainment. However, these will give you a good idea of just how deep and influential comics and graphic novels can be.

Studies in Comics

This particular journal is dedicated to understanding the distinct and unique way comics are created, how they tell their tales, and how we decode and understand them. This is both a print and online journal from Britain, and publishes twice a year. Its penultimate goal is to "articulate a 'theory of comics'" on the relationship between theory and the objects themselves.

• Ebscohost: https://usm.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=2766082770005566&institutionId=5566&customerId=5565

• https://www.intellectbooks.com/studies-in-comics

Inks: The Journal of the Comics Study Society

Started in 2017, Inks is another educational journal that examines deeper facets of the comics medium. This is both online and print, but unfortunately, I have not been able to find a database that carries the digital version. I do have a subscription, as I was a founding member.

• https://inks.comicssociety.org/

Websites

No Flying No Tights

One of the most accessible review sites for comics that don't deal with superheroes. No Flying No Tights covers comics, manga (japanese comics), and anime (japanese animation), often soliciting reviews from readers of all ages. When I last accessed the page, they had "909 Kid Reviews, 1,437 Teen Reviews, 1,300 Adult Reviews, and 840 Manga & Anime Reviews" listed. They also have a very robust discussion board for those who like to discuss their comics with others. This site also appears regularly on the tops of 'Best Sites For Comic Books'.

• https://www.noflyingnotights.com/

The Comics Journal

On a very short list of publications about comics is The Comics Journal. Founded in 1976, TCJ has become one of the most respected, yet savage journals about comics in the world. Known for not pulling punches when it comes to less than stellar titles, TCJ is a combination of reviews, author/illustrator interviews, and (more often than not) scathing statements about the industry from the editors. The entire publication history is available for online perusal with subscription ($30/year at last check), although early issues may be NSFW or not appropriate for younger viewers.

• https://www.tcj.com/

Other Sources

The Graphic Reader

Partially this site, partially Facebook, partially YouTube. The Graphic Reader is my labor of love that I've been plugging away at for over 15 years in various shapes and forms. A combination of reviews, discussions, thoughts and musings. The link below lists all the platforms The Graphic Reader is on.

• https://linktr.ee/thegraphicreader