Not Just Your Average Superhero: The Affordances of Comics Journalism in Human Rights Reporting

Author: Ryan Chen

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Easel: 39

Timeslot: Afternoon

Abstract: Though graphic memoirs have become globally popular, many readers are unaware of comics journalism, the combination of news reports and comics illustrations. While this format lacks the claim to objectivity of photojournalism, it allows journalists to explore developing issues and histories with imagery and creativity that other media lack. Comics journalists such as Joe Sacco, Sam Wallman, and Dan Archer use their panels to shine light on important human rights and labor abuses, while also making sure readers have a vivid view of victims’ stories. In these authors’ works, memory emerges as a key site for illustration to help represent overlooked histories and traumas. Moreover, memories can elicit new forms of empathy between reader and interviewee by revealing the shadow of bottled abuses. Finally, this project explores how the disavowal of objectivity can become a resource for comics journalists, allowing them to acknowledge and reflect on their position and biases.