The Artist as Sell-Out: Lynd Ward's "Gods' Man"

 

Lynd Ward's Gods' Man (1929) is frequently considered the first American graphic novel. It tells its story not with words but with images. This genre has come to be known as the wordless novel. I couldn't find a reliable online facsimile of the book, but I did find a link to a "read-through" slide show of all the woodcuts. I recommend turning off the sound. Also, depending on your Youtube settings, you might be blasted with ads two or three times during the 21-minute video. Link here.  

Here is a link to a short film about Ward and his work.

Your final essay of the semester will be based on this text and/or William Joyce's The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore. Details to follow.