One way to search for materials is using “subject terms,” which can be entered into Cook OneSearch, the TU Library Catalog, and the Worldcat TU catalog.
A few of the most commonly used subject terms for comics are:
Here is one search method:
From the library’s homepage, enter “comics OR graphic novels OR comics (graphic works)” into the search bar, and press search:
From there, you can narrow your search with additional keywords, depending on your interest. You could search specific genres, such as “fantasy,” “science fiction,” “romance.” You could search specifically for “memoir,” “biography” or “history.” You could search for topics from “animals” to “high school.” The possibilities are endless!
For example, if I wanted to find a graphic novel that is a memoir or autobiography, and is about someone from the United States, I could narrow my search by entering those terms into the search fields:
Then, if you specifically want books that are at Cook Library, limit search results to Format “Books” and Location “Towson University” on the left hand side of the page:
This will give you only books (and e-books) that are available at Towson University.
If you’re interested in viewing books that can be requested from other libraries, then don’t limit search by location. If you’re interested in other sources about comics - such as articles from journals, magazines, and newspapers - then you can adjust the “format” limitations.
Additional subject headings:
If researching specifically about comics in the United States, try:
If researching specifically about comics outside the United States, try plugging in the name of another country or region. Ex: “Comic Books, Strips, Etc -- France”
