Faculty/Staff: Clement Yeh
Platform: Pressbooks
Site link (if applicable): https://graphicnovelcourse.pressbooks.tru.ca
Services provided: Site domain/setup, E-Book development, and platform support
Description: This project empowered students to become storytellers in a new and dynamic medium, giving them the opportunity to craft personal narratives, adapt classic works, or create original fiction through the art of comics. For many, this was their first experience with visual storytelling, and they rose to the challenge with creativity and enthusiasm. Their work now lives on in this collection, serving as both an inspiration and a resource for future students who wish to explore the world of graphic storytelling. Whether you’re a budding comic artist or an avid graphic novel reader, this book offers a small glimpse into the unique voices and artistic expressions of emerging creators.

Impact Summary

Used in course(s): n/a
When: n/a
Estimated number of students using textbook(s): n/a
Average price of textbook replaced:
- In Canada, the average price of a graphic novel generally falls between $20 and $100+, depending on the format (print or ebook) and the publisher. For our purposes, we are using a very modest estimate of $30 for a high-quality graphic novel. This student work will also serve as an excellent example for future students who are considering this type of work or medium.
Estimated savings: $30. This work is free to access and download by anyone under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.

Impact Story

Written by Aiko Uehara

“Comics are meant to be reproduced and shared with a mass audience.”　― Clement Yeh

Clement Yeh, inspired by comics to pursue fine art, taught a Special Topics course in the Summer 2024 term, CMNS 2100: Graphic Novels and Visual Storytelling. In this course, students developed concepts and simple illustration styles for their short comic book or graphic novel projects. Upon completion, Clement allowed students to publish their work both in physical form and online. He believes that comics are designed for broad dissemination, and the TRU Open Press supported this initiative by providing an online platform for publishing through Pressbooks.

Scholars traces the origin of sequential art (images placed next to each other in sequence to tell a narrative) back to cave paintings, European tapestries, and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Over the past century, comics and graphic novels have proliferated globally ― particularly in France, Japan, and the United States ― representing a diverse array of human experiences. Notably, the traditionally Euro-centric male voice in these mediums is evolving to include more women, queer communities, and creators from various ethnic backgrounds. This shift underscores the project’s importance for students, not only enabling them to share their work online but also inspiring future students.

The increasing inclusivity and accessibility of the medium encourages students to explore perspectives that differ from their own, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and social dynamics. By embracing a broad spectrum of voices and narratives, students are prompted to critically engage with issues of representation in art and contribute their own unique perspectives to the creative landscape, helping to build a more inclusive artistic community.

Clement, in collaboration with the TRU Open Press, aims to offer the course again, anticipating an increase in student-generated content to enhance both the quantity and quality of class outcomes.