At the beginning of the 21st century, comics have become a medium 'on the rise' in scholarship and in schools. This collection of essays, which emerged from a graduate student conference at TU Dortmund University, demonstrates their immense medial, artistic, and cultural potential. Contributors from different academic perspectives take readers on an engaging trip through the world of contemporary comic books, ranging from widely popular series to exclusive avant-garde auteur works. *** ''An excellent collection of essays offering an impressive range of critical perspectives on Anglo-American comics.'' -- Daniel Stein, co-editor of From Comic Strips to Graphic Novels and Transnational Perspectives on Graphic Narratives (Series: MasteRResearch - Vol. 6) Subject: Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Art]