Drawing on Religion

Ken Koltun-Fromm

"Develops a critical reading of comic religious narratives to engage moral sources that both expand and limit our ethical worlds"-- "Comics traffic in stereotypes, which can translate into real danger, as was the case when, in 2015, two Muslim gunmen opened fire at the offices of Charlie Hebdo over depictions of Islam and Muhammad perceived by many to be blasphemous. As a response to that tragedy, Ken Koltun-Fromm calls for us to expand our moral imaginations through readings of graphic religious narratives. Utilizing a range of comic books and graphic novels, including R. Crumb's Book of Genesis Illustrated, Craig Thompson's Blankets, the Vakil brothers' 40 Sufi Comics, and Ms. Marvel, Koltun-Fromm argues that representing religion in these formats is an ethical issue. Koltun-Fromm explores what religious stereotypes do and how they function in comics in ways that might expand or...