Noted wordless books and woodcut novels historian David A. Beronä has included major works in the genre dating from 1918 to 1951. Beronä makes clear that this period of activity represents the roots of the graphic novel. Wordless Books is heavily illustrated and many of the images are full page. Historical context, biographical details about the artists, and analyses by Beronä make this an excellent resource.
Frans Masereel
Belgian Masereel made woodcuts his whole life, and published over fifty wordless books. Many of his books contained social commentary and protest against the cruelty of war. Some of the titles in Wordless Books are Story without Words (1920), which tells a tragic story of romance, and the magical Passionate Journey (1919). It tells the adventures of one man in 167 images – the protagonist is seen dancing in cabarets, traveling in Asia, kissing a woman’s forehead.
Lynd Ward
Several of Ward’s wordless books are discussed, including his magnum opus, Vertigo (1930). The book contains 230 wood engravings that are so finely wrought they take on a smooth quality. Lynd Ward, who is known for his ability to convey gesture and expression in his work, cleverly overlaps the stories of several characters. A stunning engraving of an amusement park during a downpour is included, with flashing lights, a roller coaster, and people running for cover.
Helena Bochoráková-Dittrichová
Bochoráková-Dittrichová was the first woman to publish a woodcut novel, and Beronä has included many illustrations from her Childhood (1931). Her imagery is more simple, folky, lyrical. The large forms and curves have a warmth to them that suits the subject, the quotidian scenes from the life of a small-town family.
Milt Gross
In a chapter on cartoon books, newspaper comic strip artist Milt Gross’ He Done Her Wrong (1930) is totally different in style and attitude. Indeed, the cartoonists' methods and motivations were not the same. Their books came from the freewheeling, humorous comics they were making for newspapers. Milt Gross’ New York sense of humor is evident in the cover to his book, which announces: “The Great American Novel – and not a word in it!”
Giacomo Patri
Patri tackled difficult subject matter in White Collar (1940), notably the danger and humiliation of undergoing an illegal abortion and economic ruin. His crisp style, black backgrounds, hard lighting, and deep, purposeful lines can be seen in the work of contemporary graphic novelist Charles Burns. Even in scenes where the characters are doing well there is a sense of foreboding.
David A. Beronä notes that the progenitors of the graphic novel in his book were working at an extremely difficult time: two world wars and the Depression all transpired. Critique of systems of class, protest against war, and the rights of workers all are prominent themes. But the simple pleasures of everyday life are celebrated, too. The woodcut novels in Wordless Books are remarkable in their ability to convey human tragedies and joys solely through pictures.
David A. Beronä, Wordless Books: The Original Graphic Novels. Harry N. Abrams, 2008. ISBN: 0810994690
