The mystery of museums in graphic novels

Abstract

Museums have long served as a source of inspiration for horror and fiction writers. The cultural institutions maintain an aura of mystery, making them the ideal setting for stories of the macabre. Graphic novel authors have also made liberal use of these buildings as setting, and make frequent use of museum employees as key figures in narrative development. What though, is the role of the museum as depicted in graphic novels? What function do they play, and how are museum employees represented? Does the graphic novel offer a way in which museums can reach out to and develop new audiences, or will the medium serve only to confuse and mislead potential visitors about the reality of museums?

Keywords:

• access
• audience development
• British Museum
• graphic novels
• Louvre
• Lovecraft
• museums

ORCID

David R. Howell http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7875-1002

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David R. Howell

David R. Howell is a Lecturer in Heritage Studies with the University of South Wales and Cardiff University. His core research looks at the impacts of political devolution and independence movements on the museum and heritage sectors. His wider research interests include the decline of intangible cultural heritage in Wales, depictions of cultural institutions in graphic novels, while he also co-directs archaeological excavations on an annual basis on sites in south east Wales. In 2014, he co-launched ‘Cyfarwydd’, an independent heritage organization.