Context is Everything: A Review of Comics Studies: A Guidebook

Abstract

Comics Studies: A Guidebook, edited by Charles Hatfield and Bart Beaty, Rutgers University Press, 326 pages, 2020, ISBN 9780813591414.This article is a review of Comics Studies: A Guidebook, edited by Charles Hatfield and Bart Beaty (Rutgers University Press, 2020). This volume, ranging over the broad themes of Histories, Cultures, Forms, and Genres, provides an introduction to some of the major debates in comics studies. The review maintains that in the attempt to embrace a wider context, an opportunity has been missed to challenge and refresh traditional narratives. It can be argued that a single volume guidebook may not be the best place to undertake such a major reinvention of comics studies.