Science fiction graphic novel

A Science fiction graphic novel is a full-length book that uses images necessarily to depict a story of a fictional nature that explores different/future time lines, theoretical societies, technology, and/or both.

Introduction

The first Graphic novels were popular comics collected as books. Many graphic novels contain elements of science fiction including robots, mecha, virtual reality, time-travel, and many other themes. The current usage of the term graphic novel implies a difference from that of a comic book in that most graphic novels reflect a more sophisticated level of artistry, storyline, or completeness, that run through a complete story arc from beginning to end, unlike many compilation books, which are simple collections of a comic series.Likewise, many Science Fiction stories, sans images, would be significantly altered, as graphics are an integral aspect; a gundam (pictured right), a technically complex and detailed machine, requires great effort to explain or dictate, yet is fully, expediently delineated by a picture. Also, the rapid action sequences and moods prevalent in the manners of such Graphic Novels are impossible to convey in prose.

History

First Usage
The first recorded usage of the term, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), is in 1978 by Will Eisner: "A contract with God: and other tenement stories... A graphic novel", but graphic novels existed for years prior. The first science fiction-based graphic novel is widely considered to be Astro Boy, by Osamu Tezuka in 1951. Astro Boy was a child-like robot who was activated in the year 2003. Blending a child's innocence and aspirations with super-powers, Astro Boy represented a positive view on technology, which was important in Japan after the nuclear bomb attacks that ended World War II.

Evolution of Art in Graphic Novels
Since the time of their creation, the Science Fiction Graphic Novel has been a medium depicting the prevalent Sci-Fi concepts of the time period in question. Also, it has always displayed the cutting edge artwork of the time frame, using modern technology to augment the depictions contained within its pages. The first Graphic Novels were hand-drawn and inked by their artists, then printed in black and white colors by their publishers. Nowadays, there are still some retro artists who still use these techniques for their simple yet dramatic effects. Technology has since intervened on behalf of those artists seeking a more cutting-edge, modern approach to the artform. Computer illustration programs such as Photoshop, Paintshop, Paintbucket, Corel Paint and Illustrator have been utilized in recent years to take artists' hand-drawn images and add various shapes, colors, filters and other special effects to them. As well, some artists have gone even further with technology, creating Graphic Novels that are composed of 100% computer images.

Types of Science Fiction Graphic Novels

Super Hero

As in most Science Fiction mediums, Graphic Novels regularly feature protagonists who possess unnatural and augmented abilities. Usually, a story will establish the hero's power, then explore various implications and possibilities facilitated by said power vis-a-vis saving "the day." Departures from this standard include such works as Demo, the collected Edition, by writer Brian Wood and artist Becky Cloonan, which features characters who strive not to use, or are unaware of, their powers until the story's conclusion. A popular series is Batman despite the main protagonist's lack of super-powers or advanced technology. A more traditional super hero is Spider-Man, who gained his superior powers as a result of a radioactive spider biting him. Both the Fantastic Four and the X-Men graphic novels tend to emphasize teamwork to some degree, where the characters oft have personal agendas. Captain Atom, initially a stand-alone hero, has assisted the unceremonial Batman/Superman duo. He later was infected excessively by kryptonite while attempting to deflect a meteor headed for Superman and Earth. Interestingly, Atom has powers that are arguably unique, yet similar to those of Superman. The Incredible Hulk is the alter-ego of Bruce Banner, who uncontrollably transforms when angered.
Super Heroes, depicted in both comic books and graphic novels, find a special role in the graphic novels they are portrayed in. Since the exploits of most popular super heroes are portrayed in sequence through periodically printed comic books, their presence in the graphic novel format is usually to highlight a specific storyline or concept in the heroes' world that the authors/artists feel needs to be elaborated upon. For instance, the Death of Superman plot line was portrayed within the pages of a few different comic book series. However, since it was hard to collect all those different issues of different titles, the publisher (DC Comics) put all the issues which featured the plot line in chronological order in a single graphic novel The Death of Superman, so that readers could focus on that storyline for better comprehension. This theme was also prevalent in The Watchmen.

Manga

Not all manga are Science Fiction, nor are they all complete stories. Many manga are monthly or weekly collections of different popular series, and don't follow a complete story arc. By definition, a manga is Graphic, meaning "with images", and is the Japanese word for comics or cartoons. Manga are characterized by their cheaply made forms and are meant to be disposable, with colorful covers but filled with mainly black and white illustrations. Massive worldwide popularity of manga has led to the popular genre of film called anime, which feature similar themes and art styles. One of the earlier manga, Astro Boy, originated in 1951, centers on the exploits of its namesake, and, for a time, enjoyed comparable Japanese notoriety to Mickey Mouse. Akira, inspired from Japan, has attained some popularity in America. The graphic form lends a useful level of detail and alteration of the feeling of Metropolis, while Cowboy Bebop, whose story focuses on bounty hunters, develops a mystic, estranged feeling by using drab and dark, contrasting colors. A fast-paced exceptionally realistic future setting, such as that in Ghost in the Shell, puts emphasis on human aspects.

=General Science Fiction=

Science fiction is a wide genre, not simply limited to superheroes and spaceships. Below is just a small list of science fiction comics including such sub-genres as: fantasy, alternate history, horror, cyberpunk, time travel, military science fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, hard science fiction, and soft science fiction. A typical work of this medium, , employs many characteristics common to explorations of the future, but uses graphic depictions to convey visceral biological details and emotional impacts. Orbiter, by Warren Ellis, explores a space shuttle that mysteriously crash-lands back on earth after losing contact ten years earlier. [Transmetropolitan: Back on the Street, written by Warren Ellis, art by Darick Robertson. Vertigo/DC Comics 2001,] Other traditional Graphic works in graphic novels of Science Fiction include: Red Star: The Battle of Kar Dathra's Gate [Red Star: The Battle of Kar Dathra's Gate, written by Christian Gossett and Bradley Kayl, Image Comics 2001.] Kabuki: Circle of Blood (1) [Kabuki: Circle of Blood (1), by David Mack. Image Comics 2001,] A Distant Soil [A Distant Soil, by Colleen Doran, Image Comics 2001,] The Authority: Relentless [The Authority: Relentless, written by Warren Ellis, art by Paul Neary and Bryan Hitch, DC Comics 2000,] Global Frequency: Planet Ablaze [Global Frequency: Planet Ablaze; Volume 1, by Warren Ellis, art by Garry Leach, Glen Fabry, Steve Dillon, Roy Martinez, Jon J Muth, David Lloyd, David Baron, DC Comics 2004,] and The Victorian [The Victorian: Act 1: Self Realization, Act 2: Self-Immolation, by Trainor Houghton, art by Lovern Kindzierski, Len Wein, Jim Bakie, Claude St. Aubin, Andrew Pepoy, Chris Chuckry, Richard Starkings, and Jason Levine. Penny-Farthing Press 1999, 2002.]

References