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Graphic Medicine

Using graphic novels to represent, educate, and advocate within the Health Sciences field.

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Amber Mak, MLIS

Reference & Research Services Librarian

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amak003@uw.edu

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This is a living document with new perspectives contributing to the field every day. Therefore, we welcome your feedback and recommendations!

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Graphic Medicine in the Pacific Northwest

Many people in the PNW region have used graphic novels to express their lived realities. Below are a few examples on how PNW authors, artists, and healthcare workers showcase their medical experiences through the media. 

Indigenous Story Studio

Formerly known as the Healthy Aboriginal Network, this is a registered non-profit Society, incorporated in the Province of British Columbia since 2005. Their mandate is the non-profit promotion of health, literacy & wellness through the production of visual resources for youth. They create illustrations, posters, video and comic books on health and social issues for youth.

Zine Archive & Publishing Project (ZAPP) Collection

Hosted and maintained by the Seattle Public Library, The Zine Archive & Publishing Project (ZAPP) Zine Collection includes more than 30,000 zines, minicomics and other self-published and small press titles which were donated to the Library by the Richard Hugo House in 2017. The public can preview zines featured in the collection or schedule an appointment to view selected materials in the Seattle Public Library. 

Covid-19 Files by Julia Wald

Julia Wald, a Seattle artist and illustrator, documented the lived experiences of Washingtonians through comic strips in her series titled, "COVID-19 Files". You can learn more about the history behind this project on Cascade PBS.

Frontline Comics Project

Spearheaded by the Graphic Medicine International Collective, the Frontline Comics Project features intimate stories from frontline healthcare workers, illustrated by collaborating comic artists. Below are a few comics that feature stories from PNW healthcare workers.

  • Website: Frontline Comics Project
    • Akhter, S. (2022). Coming Home (Z. Slattery, Illus.). Frontline Comics Project.
    • Li-Vollmer, M. (2022). Toxic Excellence (H. Garip, Illus.). Frontline Comics Project.
    • Post, Y. S. (2022). Refuge (R. M. Williams, Illus.). Frontline Comics Project.
    • Manriquez, L. (2022). Adrift (A. Padilla, Illus.). Frontline Comics Project.
    • Say, B. (2022). Tinderbox (R. Litchman, Illus.). Frontline Comics Project.

TBI InfoComics

The University of Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Model System have created TBI InfoComics to educate survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury, their families/caregivers, and healthcare providers about common symptoms of TBI and how to manage them. 

My Degeneration: A Journey Through Parkinson's

Public Health Insider

The Public Health Insider provides timely, interesting, behind-the-scenes news about efforts to protect the health and well-being of all people in Seattle and King County. It’s written by members of the Communications Team at Public Health – Seattle & King County, with contributions from the many experts who work throughout the department’s five divisions. As part of their initiative to communicate with the public, The Public Health Insider frequently uses comics to educate and discuss important health topics relevant to the community. 

Emergency Preparedness at King County

The King County provides a variety of resources to prepare the public in an event of national disaster. One of these resources are coloring and activity books targeted towards elementary-school aged children and their families on how to prepare and act during disasters that are common to Western Washington.

Why Comics Work for Risk Communication (September 20, 2023)

Meredith Li-Vollmer, a risk communication specialist from Public Health – Seattle & King County, discusses the use of comics as a means to convey critical health information for emergency preparedness and response.

The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is funded by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. Learn more at https://nnlm.gov.

E.T. Russian | Casting Shadows

CASTING SHADOWS is a multi-sensory video installation of comics that explore disability culture and the human experience. Projections of hand drawn comics and original soundscapes envelop the viewer in a wash of story. CASTING SHADOWS is a cultural conversation that considers themes of animal-human interdependence, aging and connection, family, the role of assistive technology, and home.

This project received support from Art Matters the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, the Jack Straw Foundation and the University of Washington Harlan Hahn Award.