Comics in the Classroom
By Adam Umak
Purcell’s perception of skepticism is not unfounded. Like many businesses and social institutions, education is susceptible to trends and "flavors of the month." This label of trend is not necessarily negative. The comics medium itself is moving toward engaging the education system with books like Tiny Titans, set in the fictitious Sidekick City Elementary School, and Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures of the 8th Grade. But, as students crave novelty, so, too, do many educators. Constantly looking for best practices with which to engage students, educators are eager for exposure to sound classroom practices and activities. In recent decades, education in North America has seen multiple trends in the form of professional development for teachers. New research and literature-based movements on brain research, technology in the classroom, character education, learning styles, and multiculturalism have all found refuge in teacher certification programs and teacher workshops. Education administrators, district superintendents, and in some cases board of education members review studies and literature in education. It is through these studies, data points, and district consensus that administrators and supervisors have the ability to promote strategic visions for public schools. Since districts and school systems operate with independent goals, the public perception is that districts are lumped together in name only under the umbrella of the state and the national Department of Education. As such it is difficult to see professional development mandates reaching entire collectives of professionals, since many initiatives are district-specific. The implementation of comics and graphic novel-based initiatives is, however, taking root on a much smaller level within individual schools and classrooms.
As the uncontested resident expert on comics at FRHS, Purcell has found many opportunities to develop as an educator because of his unique expertise. He has been the keynote speaker at the Norman Rockwell Museum during comic-themed symposiums. In school, he has worked with his staff members on tackling "the problem," as he calls it. The problem, according to Purcell, was that his school’s library did not have any graphic novels for students to check out and read at home. After meeting with the media specialist and members of the English department, this was quickly remedied. The FRHS library’s graphic novel section is now voluminous, boasting Batman titles such as The Long Halloween and The Dark Knight Returns as well as other titles. Ever progressive under Purcell’s aid and direction, FRHS’s recommended summer reading list for high school students contains titles that break from the traditional superhero story format, including Neil Gaiman’s Sandman epic.
In no uncertain terms, the infectious nature of one teacher’s devotion for the medium has created more comic readers in his own classroom. When not at the microphone for his regular co-hosting duties for Raging Bullets, a podcast for fans of DC Comics, Westwood Elementary teacher Sean Whelan of Chesterfield, Ohio, is buying trades for his classroom and giving book talks on great reads. However, purchasing multiple copies of Showcase Presents Superman, The Batman Strikes, and Marvel Adventures Hulk can become costly. To help offset costs and increase readership, local comic stores have taken measurable initiatives to help the education community integrate comics into daily class activities. Supplies, loose books from quarter bins, and general advice for navigating the waters of comics are the hallmarks of effective local comic store aid for schools and teachers.
Jon Cohen has found success in creating community involvement for interested students, parents, and teachers. Cohen’s Beyond Comics mega-stores in Gaithersburg and Frederick, Maryland, hold open-house nights, inviting educators to familiarize themselves with the medium. By visiting the stores, educators can experience the graphic novels that are available. With suggestions from the staff as to content appropriateness, educators are able to preview books at length. Cohen has found that many educators do not have sufficient information to determine whether or not comics can be utilized in the school system, citing interaction with local comic stores as being highly valuable. Beyond Comics’ reach into the classroom does not end with teacher discounts, open doors, or Free Comic Book Day. The stores offer schools and libraries a significant discount and opportunities to host an in-school graphic novel book fair program.
"We always hope to have educators leave our stores knowing that comics and graphic novels are available in almost every genre. There are plenty of all-ages and kid-friendly comics as well as many educational books available," said Cohen.
Cohen’s focus as a retailer shifts from selling books and merchandise to creating new readers and artists in another venue. As part of Frederick Community College’s Kids on Campus Program, Cohen instructs classes of elementary and middle-grade students on how to draw comic books. The class introduces the idea of iconographic illustration over advanced illustration to create a complete comic book. His students learn to draw single-panel boxes, comic strips, and multi-page comic books, with the final drafts printed and collected as a group comic book.
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