POW! To many students, graphic novels are no strangers. In this course, students will dive into the art of storytelling, character development, and visual narrative as the comic book creator. Drawing together, we will explore how to create their own characters, develop thrilling plots, and bring their stories to life through art and words. We will read excerpts from bestselling comics like Smile and Big Nate, as well as examine comic strips from The Washington Post. We will be experimenting with daily comic strips, superheroes, action/adventure, and non-fiction. To better understand this creative medium, we will also be learning the gradual development of comics from 1898 to present day.

Through hands-on activities, students will experience their journey through comics from the skeleton to a short novel. As a final project, students will craft a short comic book of any genre with any of the genres and elements explored in class. At the end of this workshop, we will share our comic books and reflect on our progress throughout this past week. So, grab your pens and sketchbooks, because in this class, your imagination is the only limit!