EYES WIDE SHUT "Things Gets Graphic At Somerton"

Red Cloak

vs.

Will Eisner

William Erwin Eisner (/ˈaɪznər/ EYEZ-nər; March 6, 1917 – January 3, 2005) was an American cartoonist, writer, and entrepreneur. He was one of the earliest cartoonists to work in the American comic book industry, and his series The Spirit (1940–1952) was noted for its experiments in content and form. In 1978, he popularized the term "graphic novel" with the publication of his book A Contract with God. He was an early contributor to formal comics studies with his book Comics and Sequential Art (1985). The Eisner Award was named in his honor and is given to recognize achievements each year in the comics medium; he was one of the three inaugural inductees to the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.

Nick Nightingale & Dr. Bill Harford

vs.

"The Spirit"

"A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories" is a graphic novel by American cartoonist Will Eisner published in 1978. The book's short story cycle revolves around poor Jewish characters who live in a tenement in New York City. Eisner produced two sequels set in the same tenement: A Life Force in 1988, and Dropsie Avenue in 1995. The term "graphic novel" originated in 1964, but Eisner's book is credited with broadly popularizing its use.

BILL:

"But...what is going to happen to that woman?"

RED CLOAK:

"No one can change her fate now.

When a promise has been made here, there is no turning back. Go!"

"You don't belong here."

Dr. Bill Harford vs. Peter Parker

"Would you like to come inside with me?"

"History and Uses of the Term "Graphic Novel" (Gabilliet)

"The term "graphic novel" emerged in the late 1970s to describe comic-strip narratives published in book form, distinguishing them from traditional comic books that had circulated since the 1930s. Initially coined by Richard Kyle in 1964, the term struggled for recognition until the mid-1970s when it began to gain traction within the book trade. This shift marked a departure from periodical formats, leading to the publication of high-quality, often expensive graphic narratives aimed at bookstores rather than newsstands. The term became particularly well-known following the release of influential works such as Will Eisner's *A Contract with God* in 1978, which helped popularize the concept within the comic book industry."

(cont)

"Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, graphic novels gained visibility in mainstream culture, with increasing media coverage and recognition from literary award bodies, highlighted by *Maus* winning a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. Despite this progress, some creators criticize the term as overly commercial or pretentious, suggesting alternative labels to capture the essence of the medium. Today, the graphic novel is widely accepted and has contributed significantly to the recognition of comics as legitimate literature. As the landscape of graphic storytelling continues to evolve, the term remains a focal point of debate and discussion, reflecting both cultural acceptance and persistent skepticism within the industry."

Authored By: Gabilliet, Jean-Paul 1 of 2

Authored By:

Gabilliet, Jean-Paul

Published In: 2024 2 of 2

Published In:

2024