<p>“Wordless books” were stories from the early part of the twentieth century told in black and white woodcuts, imaginatively authored without any text. Although woodcut novels have their roots spreading back through the history of graphic arts, including block books and playing cards, it was not until the early part of the twentieth century that they were conceived and published. Despite its short-lived popularity, the woodcut novel had an important impact on the development of comic art, particularly contemporary graphic novels with a focus on adult themes. <br><br>Scholar David A. Beronä examines the history of these books and the art and influence of pioneers like Frans Masereel, Lynd Ward, Otto Nückel, William Gropper, Milt Gross, and Laurence Hyde (among others). The images are powerful and iconic, and as relevant to the world today as they were when they were first produced. Beronä places these artists in the context of their time, and in the context of ours, creating a scholarly work of important significance in the burgeoning field of comics and comics history.</p>

Wordless Books: The Original Graphic Novels

Arts & Photography

Beronä, David A.

History & Criticism

Harry N. Abrams

The life of graphic novel artist Lynd Ward (19051985) is told by author and scholar David A. Beronä in a series of vignettes that are accompanied by woodcut prints illustrating the story. Seven contemporary artists provide the original woodcut prints. The illustrators include Olivier Deprez, Jules Remedios Faye, Drew Grasso, Art Hazelwood, Frances Jetter, Billy Simms, Kurt Brian Webb.

Imagining Lynd Ward

Freedom Voices

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Books by Beronä, David A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Beronä, David A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Wordless Books: The Original Graphic Novels

Imagining Lynd Ward