This the first extensive study of the graphic narratives of Alison Bechdel, one of the most renowned and influential cartoonists and graphic novelists of our time. Over the last few decades, a wealth of publications on the growing medium of graphic fiction has become available. The contribution of this volume to this body of work is to explore Bechdel¿s oeuvre from her earlier cartoons to her contemporary full-length graphic memoirs, particularly chronicling her formative years. Employing a number of case studies from Bechdel¿s work, this publication shows how Bechdel plays with the medium-specific characteristics of graphic narratives in order to trace back the complex relationship with her parents and the development of her own gender identities.

Christian Ludwig is Substitute Professor at the University of Education Karlsruhe (Germany). His main areas of research include learner autonomy, teaching literature, inter- and transcultural learning, as well as multimodal literacies and technology in English language teaching.

Graphic novels - Alison Bechdel's graphic narratives - Reconstruction of gender in graphic novels - Graphic novels in the classroom