Analysis of research on comic books in Brazil: a contribution from ECA-USP

Abstract

This article aims to survey the history of research on comic books in Brazil, especially within the scope of Escola de Comunicação e Artes (School of Communication and Arts) of the University of São Paulo, pinpointing authors and relevant initiatives. This study combines bibliographic research and literature review of works on comic books. It retraces a possible path, within the limits set by the study, showing the trajectory of Brazilian research on comics from its beginning to this date. As studies grow in number and visibility, an initial resistance to the research on comics, on the part of cultural elites and academic peers, is as noticeable as the gradual acceptance of this field of investigation. The perspectives and limits considered by area researchers are also referred to in the article. Finally, the article provides a list of research centres involved in the studies of comics throughout the country and concludes that, although this area has experienced a noticeable expansion, there are still quite a few aims to reach, as far as education opportunities are concerned, such as the ongoing development of higher education study programmes, especially at master and doctoral levels.