Conflict and the Graphic Novel
Background
We are currently developing visualization curriculum for the new subject 17.583 Conflict and the Graphic Novel in collaboration with Prof. Fotini Christia of the MIT Department of Political Science. 17.583 will present the roots and consequences of violent conflict through the graphic novel and will be offered in the spring semester of 2013. As part of the curriculum, Dr. Violeta Ivanova and Betsy Skrip of ARTEMiS will teach sessions on illustration, storytelling, and graphic novel authoring, and will supervise the students’ creative work. This curriculum development is funded by a grant from the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
Visualizations
To teach the visualization curriculum of Conflict and the Graphic Novel, we have created a graphic novel of our own, titled “Phantom Fury – A Marine’s Story” (see snapshot below). Our graphic novel is based on the memory of a young Marine of the intense urban combat in Fallujah, Iraq, in the fall and winter of 2004. The graphic novel, along with our teaching materials that illustrate our creative process and workflow, will be available both in print and online here in spring 2013.

Story development and storyboards by Violeta Ivanova
Illustrations and additional artwork by Betsy Skrip
Based on Reynaldo Leal, Jr.’s interview and photography


