Dear diary, it’s time for So You Want To Read Comics. This is our weekly feature where we take a look at a single topic or genre, then give you two comic book recommendations, perfect for new readers, based on that topic or genre. This week we’re looking at comics for people who love journaling.
The act of journaling has been theorized to date all the way back to the earliest forms of writing. The earliest examples known of journaling date back to 10th century Asia. In Japan, courtiers kept journals known as “pillow books” which were essentially jottings of the day’s activities and thoughts. In Europe, the practice didn’t take off right away as the ability to write wasn’t as well spread. However, with improvements in education coming during the Renaissance, the art of journaling became more widespread and popular. Today it’s estimated that 50% of the population has kept a journal of some sort, with some scientists claiming that the act of recording one’s life can lead to benefits such as improvements in mood, lower depressive thoughts, and even an increase in the ability to combat certain diseases. In entertainment, the journal is often used as a convenient and at times clever way to keep narration both in character and universe. Some books like Bridget Jones’ Diary and Dracula are themselves fictional diaries, while others like Lolita feature journals as important plot elements.
Here are a couple of comic books that share your love of scribbling your thoughts down on paper.
BOOK OF EVIL
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jock
Publisher: Comixology Originals
Book of Evil is the story of Homer and his friends, who all live in a world that is plagued by a condition where children become violent psychopaths as soon as they reach a certain age. Utilizing a series of comic strips known as Book of Evil, Homer and his friends start to put together clues that could lead them to a refuge. This one is a unique type of graphic novel that really toes the line between a traditional novel and a comic book. Rather than placing the stories in a series of panels, the story is told almost entirely through Homer’s journal with artwork placed throughout, giving it a more scrapbook look. The journal format works great here because it allows the reader to really get a peek into Homer’s mind as he scribbles down the fears he has, both of the terrifying world he lives in, but also of his worries that come from the thought of eventually joining it.
WATCHMEN
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Dave Gibbons
Publisher: DC Comics
If you’re a regular reader of this feature, you probably know about my hesitation when it comes to recommending Watchmen to new comic book readers. But, for my money, there’s probably not a more important journal in comic book storytelling than Rorschach’s journal that kicks off the investigation that then unfurls into the massive plot of Watchmen. For those who might not know, Watchmen is one of the most celebrated graphic novels of all time, It tells the story of a version of what our world would look like if costumed vigilantes and superhumans were a thing. It’s a deep dive into both the types of broken psyches necessary for someone to put on a costume and take justice into their own hands, as well as the effects that unmatched power can have on a global scale. It’s also in a sense a condemnation of the sort of optimistic and consequence-free universes that companies like DC and Marvel created with their superhero books. This has a decidedly dark tone to it, and much of that is due to the writings found in Rorschach’s journal.
What did you think of these recommendations? Why do you enjoy keeping a journal? Let us know in the comments section below.
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At a young age, Jonathan was dragged to a small town in Wisconsin. A small town in Wisconsin that just so happened to have a comic book shop. Faced with a decision to either spend the humid summers and bitter winters traipsing through the pine trees or in climate controlled comfort with tales of adventure, horror, and romance, he chose the latter. Jonathan can often be found playing video games, board games, reading comics and wincing as his “to watch” list grows wildly out of control.