Sequential art

In comics studies, sequential art is a term proposed by comics artist Will Eisner^[1] to describe art forms that use images deployed in a specific order for the purpose of graphic storytelling^[2] (i.e., narration of graphic stories)^[3] or conveying information.^[2] The best-known example of sequential art is comics.^[4]

A hand pencils details on a page already largely filled with panels of a comic — Although separated spatially on the page, the frames of this comic represent (among other transitions) the passage of time.

^ Will Eisner, Comics and Sequential Art, Poorhouse Press, 1990 (1st ed.: 1985), p. 5.
^ ^a ^b Will Eisner, Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative, W. W. Norton, 2008 (1st. ed.: Poorhouse Press, 1996), "Introduction: Comics as a Medium."
^ The term "graphic stories" is variously used as a synonym for either works of graphic literature (cf. Robert C. Harvey, The Art of the Comic Book: An Aesthetic History, University Press of Mississippi, 1996, p. 109; Robert G. Weiner (ed.), Graphic Novels and Comics in Libraries and Archives: Essays on Readers, Research, History and Cataloging, McFarland, 2010, p. 177) or graphic novels (cf. Robert S. Petersen, Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels: A History of Graphic Narratives, ABC-CLIO, 2011, p. 222); here the former meaning is intended.
^ Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics, Harper Perennial, 1993, p. 5.

[Eis85-1] Will Eisner, Comics and Sequential Art, Poorhouse Press, 1990 (1st ed.: 1985), p. 5.

[Eis96-2] Will Eisner, Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative, W. W. Norton, 2008 (1st. ed.: Poorhouse Press, 1996), "Introduction: Comics as a Medium."

[3] The term "graphic stories" is variously used as a synonym for either works of graphic literature (cf. Robert C. Harvey, The Art of the Comic Book: An Aesthetic History, University Press of Mississippi, 1996, p. 109; Robert G. Weiner (ed.), Graphic Novels and Comics in Libraries and Archives: Essays on Readers, Research, History and Cataloging, McFarland, 2010, p. 177) or graphic novels (cf. Robert S. Petersen, Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels: A History of Graphic Narratives, ABC-CLIO, 2011, p. 222); here the former meaning is intended.

[4] Scott McCloud, Understanding Comics, Harper Perennial, 1993, p. 5.

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