Comics in/as Archives [Comics and Graphic Novels Permanent Section, MMLA 26]
Chicago, IL
Organization: Midwest Modern Language Association [MMLA]
The theme for this year’s MMLA conference explores the relational dynamics inherent in an archive. Since Derrida’s Archive Fever, the role of the archive has been conceived as a site for both the storage and construction of memory. What is selected and how it is framed by the archival materials works both to capture memory and history and shape how something or someone should be remembered. In keeping with this theme, the permanent section for comics and graphic novels is interested in research that interrogates the intersection of comic studies and the archive. Topics might include, but are not limited to, explorations of specific archives (e.g. MSU’s Comic Library or The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library), archives for comics movements or creators, comics as archives (e.g. memoir or reportage), or best practices for archiving comics. Those interested should submit a proposal of 250–300 words, a short bio (up to 100 words) and, if applicable, your institutional affiliation to Keegan Lannon (klannon@uic.edu) by April 25.
https://mmla.memberclicks.net/permanent-sections
Keegan Lannon