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Masterpiece Comics: Looking at Literature Through the Cartoon Medium

A lecture by Robert Sikoryak

This slide show explores the intersection of "high art" literature and "low art" comic strips. Through the last century, many cartoonists have adapted classic novels and plays; Sikoryak discusses the history of these reinterpretations, with images from over ninety years of comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels. They are by turns respectful, hilarious, and revelatory. Some of the most famous attempts were made in the 1940's Classics Illustrated series, but there have been many inventive and exhilarating comics adaptations published over the years. These show the wide range of visual styles and narrative strategies employed by cartoonists when they collaborate with a great author. In short, the comic strip is a flexible and enlightening medium for reinterpreting the great books. A portion of its vast capabilities is revealed through this survey.

This lecture is available from January 1, 2003 to January 1, 2012

Can be tailored to a high school audience

Setup Needed

• Microphone optional
• Slide projector or PowerPoint projector and screen.

Mr. Robert Sikoryak

Freelance Writer and Illustrator

Robert Sikoryak's illustrations and comics have appeared on the cover of The New Yorker, Fortune,LA Weekly, and Harvard Business Review, as well as in Nickelodeon Magazine, The Onion, Esquire, GQ, MAD, and many other publications. He has drawn parodies for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as well as for their best seller, America (the Book). Sikoryak teaches at Parsons School of Design, and curates "Carousel," a series of cartoon slide shows.

Telephone:	(212) 353-1681
Website:	www.rsikoryak.com
Address:	10 Stuyvesant Oval New York, NY  10009 New York County
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