The term graphic medicine was coined by Dr. Ian Williams—comics artist, physician, and editor of graphicmedicine.org, opens a new window—to “denote the role that comics can play in the study and delivery of healthcare.” Dr. Williams believes that comics can play a valuable role in reflecting or changing cultural perceptions of medicine, and helping other sufferers or careers, worthy goals in normal times, and even more so in the midst of a global pandemic.
Graphic Medicine encompasses a broad range of titles and health issues—Raina Telgemeier’s Guts and Cece Bell’s El Deafo are popular examples—and has become a common way to help young people understand and share how they’re feeling, both mentally and physically. It can also help offset the stigma around concepts like anxiety, depression, and the physical issues created by mental stress. Artists have used comics to tell insightful stories about everything from cancer (Brian Fies’ Mom’s Cancer) and PTSD (Kindra Neely’s Numb to This), to eating disorders (Katie Green’s Lighter Than My Shadow) and epilepsy (David B.’s Epileptic).
Comics Plus’ collection of Graphic Medicine titles, opens a new window can help students of all ages better articulate their own physical and mental health, and foster empathy for others facing difficult circumstances.
With Comics Plus you can enjoy thousands of digital graphic novels and comics, available 24/7 on web-connected devices. Includes fiction and nonfiction, indie comics, Sunday funnies, and manga! Sign in with your card number and PIN to borrow and download comics. Checkouts last 7 days, but you can renew instantly and as often as you like. Download for offline reading. Comics Plus offers a new app for Android and iOS devices, called “Library Pass.” To login, please use your card number and PIN. The labels on the sign-in page read Email Address and Password. We’ve asked the vendor to correct the labels, which they will do with their next major enhancement. We apologize for the confusion this might cause when signing into the new Library Pass app. For more information about this collection, please see ComicsPlus FAQs and Lending Information.
Here are some graphic medicine books to check out!
