"Badgers? We don't need no steenkin' badgers!" Talbot's Grandville, anthropomorphism and multiculturalism.

Mel Gibson*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

7 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This chapter investigates how issues around multiculturalism explored in the Grandville series of graphic novels by Bryan Talbot. It focuses on how economics and multiculturalism are linked in Grandville and then turns to a brief consideration of how language and national identity operate. The chapter also focuses on some aspects of the relationships and tensions between the British and the French, humans and animals and between animal species. Instead anthropomorphism is employed as a lens to examine human interactions in our world. The fragmentation and economic insecurity chimes with the world of Grandville, especially given the recent achievement of independence for Britain from the Empire. The England and France of the first Grandville graphic novel have distinctive palettes. Further, in Grandville, the narratives suggest that the creation of a dangerous "other" might be a governmental and national policy or strategy.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRepresenting Multiculturalism in Comics and Graphic Novels
EditorsCarolene Ayaka, Ian Hague
Place of PublicationNew York
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Chapter5
Pages83-95
Number of pages13
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781317687153
ISBN (Print)9781138025158
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Dec 2014

Cite this