Banned Books Week this year runs from September 22nd- 28th, and I’d like to take this time to shine some light on how many graphic novels have been challenged over the years. The site Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is an outstanding resource on how to fight censorship and this particular page guides you through specific cases of challenged comics and graphic novels.
As a librarian, it is important that we provide books on ALL topics for ALL people. While sometimes we might choose not to order a book or to place a book in a location that we feel is age-appropriate, patrons should have full access to books that they wish to read. I have read many challenged books, in all genres, over the years and am a better person for it. The following five graphic novels are but a few that have been challenged over the years.
Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland
Reason challenged: Advocates rape and violence
This graphic novel about the Joker’s possible origin is considered a DC classic, but it’s extreme violence and implied rape has put it on several banned lists. The ambiguous ending between Joker and Batman can be interpreted in many different ways. This draw your own conclusion setup is what elevates this story and changed the way graphic novels are written and illustrated.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Reason challenged: Sexual content
So what exactly is so controversial in this boldly colored YA book that it has been on the Top 10 banned list multiple times, considering it was nominated for a Harvey Award and was a Stonewall Honor Book? Well, Callie meets twin brothers who get involved in the musical, and one is gay and the other is questioning. While their level of coming out to the other students is part of the narrative, this tween-friendly book is very accepting of their identity. Author Telgemeier said, “that while she and her editors at Scholastic were very careful to make the book age-appropriate, they never considered omitting the gay characters because ‘finding your identity, whether gay or straight, is a huge part of middle school‘.” Hell yeah, it is!
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
Reason challenged: Nudity, sexual content, and unsuited to age group
Author and illustrator Bechdel chronicles her childhood through her early years of college, in a non-linear memoir. The Bechdel family lived in her father’s small hometown of Beech Creek in Pennsylvania, and her father helped run the family funeral parlor. Alison and her younger brothers named the funeral parlor, Fun Home, hence the name of the novel. Her parents were trapped in a loveless marriage, with the father hiding his homosexuality, although as the years wore on his affairs became less and less discreet. Bechdel’s raw autobiography was turned into a musical play that showed on Broadway. That this book, and perhaps the play, can affect people deeply is a testament to the power of family and how it shapes us.
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Reason challenged: Profanity, violent content
I first read this intimate memoir, written in graphic novel form about the author’s experience of growing up in 1980’s Iran, soon after the Paris bombings in late 2015. I felt it timely, for although the terrorists had not been from Iran, much of the Middle East was getting a bad rap. This book humanizes another culture and shows how extremism in any culture or religion is done by the few radicals against the many who suffer because of it and should be read widely for the message it conveys.
Saga by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Reason challenged: Sexual content, anti-family, nudity, offensive language, and unsuited for age group.
An epic sci-fi adventure with liberal doses of violence and sex! We learn that the main character’s two species are at war, and their secret marriage and birth of a hybrid child are strictly forbidden. That this love blossomed among enemies must be kept from the public, and the book’s message of enduring love is more nuanced than you would think.
Celebrating free expression is important, for “Censorship leaves us in the dark. Keep the light on!”
-Nancy
September 26, 2019 at 6:13 pm
I really appreciate this post. I sometimes wonder though if more comics/graphic novels get banned than other books.
…I can’t believe Drama was banned. That surprised me. I haven’t read it, but I’ve looked through it a bit so…I can’t believe it.
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September 27, 2019 at 2:00 pm
It is such an authentic, be-true-to-yourself book that middle school students NEED to read, that it is shocking that it was challenged!
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September 28, 2019 at 2:58 am
Brilliant post. Loved Persepoiis – the animated film adaptation too. Killing Joke for all its controversy remains a classic Joker story and likely always will. Curious about Saga now!
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September 28, 2019 at 6:32 pm
You should give Saga a try! I read volume one and keep on meaning to read further into the series. I also need to watch Persepolis since I thought so highly of the graphic novel.
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September 29, 2019 at 3:50 am
The Persepolis film is wonderful. I hope you get chance to see it.
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September 28, 2019 at 10:59 am
I wasn’t surprised to see “Killing Joke” on this list. I haven’t read a graphic novel before or since that gave me nightmares, but that just speaks to the effectiveness of the story. Though I personally would never, EVER read it again, I wouldn’t stop someone from reading it who really wanted to. However, like ZeeZee, I cannot believe that “Drama” was challenged! I just don’t understand! XD
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September 28, 2019 at 6:36 pm
The Killing Joke in 1988 really started the extreme violence found in so many graphic novels today. It caused a stir, but today it is just accepted.
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October 1, 2019 at 9:20 pm
Love this list, Nancy. Hate the idea of censorship and hope we won’t enter an era with such a reality ever again and try to save those pieces that are still banned. I like that The Killing Joke and Saga are here. Excellent stories. I need to get around to reading my copy of Persepolis soon though!
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October 2, 2019 at 12:19 pm
All of these stories are excellent so it’s a shame when some people try to block other’s access to the books because of their narrow world view. While I have obviously read Persepolis, I do want to watch the movie someday.
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October 6, 2019 at 10:24 pm
I’m wondering what banned means? I may just be ignorant but this means not allowed in school libraries? Or any library? Everyone still has access, right? It’s just they have to purchase them?
I think its fascinating why these were challenged. And most of them I can see why it shocks some readers that people found them worth banning. But honestly Saga tested me. I thought so much of the imagery was unnecessary. I can totally see why parents don’t want their teens to get this before adulthood. (If I understand what banning means!)
Thanks so much for sharing these Nancy!! I wouldn’t have guessed about some of them.
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October 8, 2019 at 2:58 pm
Banned doesn’t always mean it is taken out of a school or library, but someone questions it and it goes up for review. A better word would be that it is challenged- for someone is questioning it’s suitability. The books are still available for purchase, but might be pulled from a library shelf or a syllabus, making it harder to obtain. This site has some great examples of books that have been challenged and the aftermath: http://cbldf.org/banned-challenged-comics/
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October 8, 2019 at 11:51 pm
Ahhhh! Thanks Nancy. I always felt a little murky about what it all means to be banned. Thanks for the reference I’ll check it out!!
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October 14, 2019 at 9:09 pm
Reblogged this on Living Small in a Big World and commented:
Celebrating freedom of expression, this is a list of Graphic Novels that have been Banned and Challenged. Have you read them?
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