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Comics and the world wars

by Jane Chapman

World War, 1914-1918HistoryWorld War, 1939-1945Social aspectsPopular cultureHistory and criticismComic books, stripsWorld war, 1939-1945, social aspects

Comics and the World Wars argues for the use of comics as a primary source by offering a highly original argument that such examples produced during the World Wars act as a cultural record. Recuperating currently unknown or neglected works, this book demonstrates how these can be used for the study of both world wars. Representing the fruits of over five years team research, the authors reveal how sequential illustrated narratives used humour as a coping mechanism and a way to criticise authority, promoted certain forms of behaviour and discouraged others. Comics also served as a deliberately inclusive educational strategy for reading wartime content, and became a barometer for contemporary popular thinking.

Writing a summary for young readers…

For young readers

Book data: Open Library