CFP: Comics, Religion & Politics

http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/ppr/event/3960/

Date: 4th & 5th September 2012 Time: 9.00-18:00 pm

Venue: The Storey Institute, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TH,

Alongside the continued popularity of political themes in comics recent years have also seen the rise of religious themes entering into the medium. The aim of this conference is to explore the relationship between comics, religion and politics in greater depth, to show how through the unique properties of the medium comics have the ability to be as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. The conference will examine the history and impact of religious and political themes, their relationship to audiences, and consider the future of such themes in all forms of sequential art narrative.

We invite papers that address religious and/or political themes in comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, or manga. Papers working at the interface of these two areas are particularly encouraged. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Comics as social, religious, political text
Use of religious imagery and themes
Fan culture
Political cartoons and cartoonists
Gothic comics
Comics and magic
Representation of politics, religion, spirituality
Religious or political rhetoric of comics and their authors
Myths, legends, fables
Depiction of religious figures or politicians as comic characters
Comics and science fiction
Comics and propaganda
Comics and conspiracy theories
Representation of apocalypse, utopia, dystopia
Representation of war
Superheroes and religious, political identity
Theoretical approaches to the study of religion, politics in comics

Contributions are sought from researchers at any stage of their careers. Abstracts (300 words) for papers 20 minutes in length should be sent with a short biography to Emily Laycock (Department of Politics, Philosophy & Religion) at e.laycock@lancaster.ac.uk

Deadline for abstracts: 31st May 2012

Venue: The conference will be held at The Storey Institute.
Storey Creative Industries Centre, Meeting House Lane,Lancaster, LA1 1TH, UK
http://www.thestorey.co.uk/

Details of registration: TBA

Keynote speakers:
Dr Will Brooker, Reader and Director of Research, Film and TV, Kingston University
Mike Carey, English writer (comics, novels, film scripts, and TV shows)
Dr Lincoln Geraghty, Reader in Popular Media Cultures, University of Portsmouth

Contact: e.laycock@lancaster.ac.uk

Who can attend: Anyone