1. Winter 2009
Issue 7
Deaf Characters in Comics & Graphic Novels
Inside this issue:
Since the 1930s, comic books have
been popular reading for young peo-
Deaf Characters: Com- 1 Studies have shown student
ple (Morrison, Bruan, & Chilcoat, 2002).
ics & Graphic Novels
Because of their popularity among stu- improvement on standardized test
dents, several researchers have inves-
2
Letter from Sharon
scores when students studied
tigated the effectiveness of using comic
books to engage students in the lan-
vocabulary from comics and
Comics on my bookshelf 3
guage arts classroom and emphasize
the positive effects of including comic cartoons… they are also cost
books, graphic novels, and cartoons in
Deaf Characters: Com- 4-5
effective, have low-readability
the classroom. Studies have shown
ics & Graphic Novels
student improvement on standardized
levels, are of great interest to
What I’m looking for- 6 test scores when students studied vo-
ward to cabulary from comics and cartoons. students.
Researchers have encouraged the use
7
International Reading
of comics and graphic novels stating deafness as a literary device to relay
Association
that they are cost effective, have low- various messages about the struggles
readability levels, are of great interest
8
Comic Resources of humankind and elicit sympathy from
to students. As an acknowledged use- readers (Batson & Bergman, 1985;
ful teaching tool and clearly of interest Bergman, 1987; Burns, 1950; Krentz,
Favorite Winter 8 to my students, I knew that I had to in- 2002; Panara, 1972; Taylor, 1974,
Moment
vestigate using comics and graphic 1976a, 1976b, Schwartz, 1980; Wilding-
novels in my classroom. Diaz, 1993).
As my students began bringing in their
Literature has often stigmatized minor-
comics and I began my research on
ity culture individuals based upon race,
Deaf characters in comics, I was not
ethnicity, disability, gender, and/or
convinced that I would find any deaf
sexual orientation. While readers
characters that were culturally relevant
might recognize the negative depic-
to my students. In recent decades the
tions and dismiss them as harmless
majority culture’s awareness and per-
stereotypes, these portrayals could
haps interest in deaf people has risen
become a part of the unconscious of
along with that of our increasingly mul-
members of our society. If texts con-
ticultural world. Mainstream authors
tinually support stereotypical portray-
are incorporating more deaf characters
als of deaf people, individuals belong-
than they did in the past. However, this
ing to the group become typecast into
increase does not necessarily mean
a limited way of being and those who
quot;Girl Readingquot; by Picasso
there is an increase in understanding of
are relatively unfamiliar with the group
deaf people, nor does this increase in-
begin internalizing stereotypes. My
sure the most accurate, respectably,
students are certainly not interested in
well-rounded characterization of the
deaf. Historically, authors have used (Continued on page 4)

2. Page 2
Letter from Sharon
Dear Readers,
Yes, I’m behind again… Winter issue in the Spring. Luckily this is a one-woman endeavor and no one is giving
me the evil eye. It’s not that I’m not working.... I have had such a busy semester full of conferences and events
aside from the fact that I DO teach and have a “real job”.
For starters, in February Myron Uhlberg visited Gallaudet University with the release of his memoir, Hands of My
Father. I had been planning his visit for months and dreaming about it since last May’s International Reading As-
sociation Convention in Georgia when I first met Myron. The week was a whirlwind. His book was selected by
Amazon as one of its Best of February selections; the book was released; there was a review printed in the Wall
Street Journal (and numerous great reviews ever since), and then Myron Uhlberg, having never stepped foot on
Kendall Green, came “Home” to Gallaudet University. To say that the campus community LOVED him would be
an understatement.
I hardly had time to enjoy his visit considering I had to turn around and begin preparing for my poster presenta-
tion “Marvel Comics Echo- Deaf, Female and Biracial” at the International Reading Association Convention
Phoenix, Arizona. The International Reading Association Convention always brings tons of excitement. In Phoe-
nix, I met Heather Harper the Managing Editor of Study Island. I can't wait to tell you more about Study Island's
Online Graphic Novel Reading Intervention for K-12 including The World as You Know which includes an on-line
graphic novel Deaf Character named Lukas. Even the hearing characters use American Sign Language! I ended
my birthday month with a bang! Then, I had to start thinking about the March 7th Annual Statewide Professional
& Family Conference Madison, Wisconsin. This was the first time that I had been to Wisconsin and while I had
pretty high expectations of this place (considering so many of my colleagues are from this area), Madison sur-
passed my expectations. We in Deaf Education could learn a great deal from Wisconsin’s conference which in-
cluded both professionals and nearing 100 families! It was also great to meet Stefanie Kessen, the Deaf and Hard
of Hearing Outreach Program (WESP-DHH) Diagnostic/Educational Specialist and Distant Pals Coordinator. We
have planted some collaboration seeds for future projects of which I am very excited.
At the time of this letter, I have 194 contemporary books listed including some upcoming publications on the
quot;100+ Books and Countingquot; list on my Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature Blog (http://
pajka.blogspot.com/). Feel free to contact me at yadeafcharacters@gmail.com
Happy Reading ,
Sharon Pajka-West, Ph.D.

3. Page 3
Comics on my bookshelf
The World as You Know is
quot;an original, online graphic
novel created by Study Island
and its Original Island Inks
imprint. It is a three book se-
ries following the adventures
of Solomon, a Native American
middle school student; Lukas,
a deaf, foreign exchange stu-
dent from Cameroon; and
Esperanza, an ambitious His-
panic girl who guides Solomon
and Lukas on their adventures.
The trio believes their world is only as big as their front
yard. When the three are shown what awaits them just
under the surface of the world they know, they call into
A picture of Heather Harper (right) the Managing
question what they know about that world and each
Editor of Study Island and me at the International
other. It is a visual delight mixing one part mystery, one
Reading Association in Phoenix, AZ.
part fantasy, and one part discovery that sends the
world on its head.quot;
I'm most excited about Lukas Biya. Read his bio be- Below is my Poster from the Presentation on Marvel
low. Comics Echo- Deaf, Female and Biracial. For a lar-
ger view, visit:
Lukas is from Cameroon. He is deaf, which automati-
cally carries its own challenges. However, add to this http://pajka.blogspot.com/2009/02/international-
that he, much like Solomon, is an outcast, and Lukas' life reading-association.html
seems even more different than the lives of his class-
mates. His father is an important diplomat who makes
little time for Lukas, but this does little to bring down
Lukas and his fiercely independent streak. Lukas is simi-
lar to Solomon in that he is a pleasant kid, but he is also
very skeptical. These traits are an advantage within the
unit of the trio; however, alone, these qualities make
Lukas vulnerable to dealing with others. Lukas soon
learns that he is the central figure in a situation that is
out of his control. It affects his relationships with his
friends and family, and just when he thinks that he has
come to grips with his place in this world, his world is
turned upside down, putting him back at square one.
(Study Island)
This will be out in March. I've already seen some of
the panels and I'm very excited. I'll keep you posted!

4. Page 4
(Deaf Characters in Comics & Graphic Novels cont.)
vidual communicating in this way is unrealistic.
(Continued from page 1)
reading any materials that pity deaf people. In some texts it is difficult to offer a detailed analysis of
the deaf character because the character’s role is lim-
ited. For example, Elizabeth Laird and Pauline Hazel-
I was discouraged by the portrayals of deaf characters
wood’s graphic novel, The Listener (1997) includes a
in the initial comic books that were brought in to class;
minor deaf character. The story is about a boy who
however, as a class, we learned a great deal about the
enlists the help of his deaf neighbor when his grand-
majority culture’s stereotypes of the deaf and the im-
mother is hurt. The deaf character is a secondary char-
portance of realistic portrayals. Similar to other genres,
acter, not a main character. In this graphic novel, read-
deaf characters in comics and graphic novels are rare
ers learn more about the hearing character who associ-
(Berke, 2005). One website that discusses the portray-
ates with a deaf character than about the deaf character
als of Deaf Characters in comics explains, quot;main char-
herself.
acters in comics are usually flawless” yet describes the
Other texts use deafness as a form of punishment. For
different artists' portrayals of deaf and hard of hearing
example, The Amazing Allegro, a famous Russian musi-
characters, including Donald Duck, Professor Calculus,
cian became permanently deafened by one of Green
and Gaston Lagaffe (Svendsen, 2006). With these char-
Arrow's sonic arrows in the original Justice League se-
acters’ flaws in misunderstanding based on hearing,
ries. The act of losing his hearing puts him over the
they certainly can not be considered flawless. In fact,
edge and he turns evil (Justice League of America
some of the characters are quite ridiculous and exclude
#163). Students shared stories of individuals that they
nearly all aspects of actual deaf individuals. For exam-
knew who had lost their hearing and were angry al-
ple, one deaf character, Manuel Gomez, communicates
though not as angry as the character Allegro.
with special glasses in Avatar Book 1: A Look into the
Abyss by Juan Miguel Aguilera SAF Comics (2003). Similarly, Shriek, the villain who uses his deafness as a
While some students felt that it could be argued that shield in Batman Beyond: Hear No Evil (2002) exploits
this deaf character is using a form of technology similar sound as his weapon. Because the majority of deaf indi-
to assistive devices such as pagers to communicate, as viduals do not focus their energy on noise, Shriek is
a class we concluded that the portrayal of a deaf indi- unrealistic in various ways but mainly due to his fixation
on sound. Again, students asserted that some deaf peo-
ple do make excessive noise that may disturb others
but that it is usually not intentional. One student ques-
I was discouraged by the portrayals of deaf tioned if this portrayal was an honest misunderstanding
by the larger majority culture of hearing people.
characters in the initial comic books that
Despite the unrealistic portrayals of deaf characters
were brought in to class; however, as a
throughout graphic novels and comics, a more realistic
deaf character has emerged within the last decade.
class, we learned a great deal about the
David Mack’s character Maya Lopez, also known as
majority culture’s stereotypes of the deaf Echo and Ronin, debuted in Daredevil (v2) #9(1999) as
a love interest for Matt Murdock. Although this charac-
and the importance of realistic portrayals. ter now appears in the arc of the most recent issues of
The New Avengers, my class focused on how she is
represented in the Daredevil issues #9-15 and #51-55.
(Continued on page 5)

5. Page 5
(Deaf Characters in Comics & Graphic Novels cont.)
(Continued from page 4)
Maya Lopez was born deaf to hearing parents from two When deaf characters are presented
distinct heritages. She was raised by her father on a
Native American Indian reservation. Under the King- accurately, readers learn about a reality often
pin's orders, Maya’s father, who was secretly a mob
enforcer working for the Kingpin, was murdered when quite different from their own experiences.
she was nine-years-old. As a promise to her father,
Maya was taken in by Fisk, the Kingpin, who exploited The portrayal of realistic deaf characters
her abilities and tricked her into believing that Dare-
devil had killed her father. When she goes after Dare- benefits adolescent readers by allowing deaf
devil for revenge, the situation becomes complicated
when she, who also uses the guise of Echo by those who characters in fiction to act as role models for
witness her ability to mimic precise actions, and Matt
young adults,
Murdock, also known as Daredevil, fall in love. After
numerous fights with Daredevil, Echo realizes the truth-
that the Kingpin, not Daredevil, was responsible for her
father's death.
tion, isolation, technology and identity, comic book
My students and I held discussions regarding how as-
readers learn a great deal about Maya Lopez, her place
pects of this character paralleled with the lives of realis-
in the Deaf World, and how the character’s experiences
tic Deaf individuals. While they were thrilled that they
can foster an open dialogue for students regarding the
had found a Deaf character portraying aspects of Deaf
similarities and differences between Deaf and Hearing
Culture, they enjoyed the that the story arc was not
individuals.
about deafness but that the character just happened to
When deaf characters are presented accurately, read-
be deaf. Through issues such as diversity, communica-
ers learn about a reality often quite different from their
own experiences. The portrayal of realistic deaf charac-
ters benefits adolescent readers by allowing deaf char-
acters in fiction to act as role models for young adults,
and by sharing aspects of the cultural perspective of
Despite the unrealistic portrayals of deaf deafness. By using Comics, students with lower profi-
ciency levels in English can analyze characters in a
characters throughout graphic novels and more visual format along with the English especially
since an extensive amount of information is provided
comics, a more realistic deaf character
only in the illustrations.
has emerged within the last decade. David
Mack’s character Maya Lopez, also known For more information on Maya Lopez,
visit www.marvelcomics.com
as Echo and Ronin, debuted in Daredevil
(v2) #9(1999) as a love interest for Matt
Murdock.

6. Page 6
What I’m looking forward to….
Study Island is hosting a
free Webinar !
www.studyisland.com/intervention
Title: Reading: Revisited &
Study Island is a leading provider of online, stan-
Reconsidered
dards-based assessment, instruction, practice, and
Date: Friday, April 3, 2009 test preparation for the U.S. K-12 educational mar-
ket. Named in Inc500 as one of the top small busi-
Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
nesses of 2006, Study Island is used by over 8.1 mil-
CDT
lion elementary and secondary students in over
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/990821673 18,000 schools, and is adding over 400 new schools
per month. During the last school year (2007-2008),
Reading: Revisited & Reconsidered is a Web-based read-
Study Island averaged 960,000 distinct student ses-
ing intervention program designed to assist struggling,
sions and 7.4 million questions answered per day.
reluctant, and avoidance readers, and English Language
Learners by engaging readers in the study of literature.
To participate, register by clicking or typing in
The program employs graphic novels that actively en-
the link. After registering, you will receive a
gage students' interest using rich visual illustrations in
confirmation email that includes information
conjunction with the written word. Please visit the Study
about how to join the Webinar.
Island Reading: Revisited & Reconsidered Web site at:
Resources about Comics and Graphic Novels:
EN/SANE World (http://ensaneworld.blogspot.com/) is Professor James “Bucky” Carter's blog of Eng-
lish Education and Comic Book/Graphic Novel resources. Bucky uses the term Sequential Art Narra-
tives in Education (SANE).
The Summer 2008 edition of Teachers & Writers (39.4) features an article about using comics in the
classroom to get students composing and thinking about literature (from biography to poetry). For more
information, visit: http://www.twc.org/
The Comic Book Project engages children in a creative process leading to literacy reinforcement, so-
cial awareness, and character development, and then publishes and distributes their work for other
children in the community to use as learning and motivational tools. For more information, visit:
http://www.comicbookproject.org/
Even Scholastic’s Instructor journal includes an article entitled “Comic Books: Mr. Weatherbee, don’t
blow your top. It’s actually a good thing.” http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3749300

7. Page 7
Shameless Self-Promotion
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Readers
Dear Teachers,
We would like to continue the
the Superintendent’s Conferen
on Tuesday February 7 we will
© TPM 05
Presents
While acquiring fictional books with deaf characters can be time-consuming and challenging for teachers and
librarians, the benefits of reading literature with diverse characters are extensive, especially for reluctant read-
ers who seldom find characters like themselves in novels. This Gallaudet University Professor will discuss her
research and educational blog on Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature. Participants will leave with access to
a list of 190+ contemporary titles and resources, and will become knowledgeable of a variety of juvenile, YA,
and Comic Books with Deaf Characters who use American Sign Language, attend residential schools, have deaf
family members, wear cochlear implants, and/or are from various ethnic backgrounds.
When: Thursday May 7, 2008
12:30pm to 1:45pm
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center - 101F

8. Favorite Winter Moment:
Myron Uhlberg visiting Gallaudet
Read the YADC blog!
http://pajka.blogspot.com/
E-mail us!
yadeafcharacters@gmail.com
Where in the World have I been?
It’s not that I’m not blogging, it’s just that it feels more sporadic. I have had such a busy semes-
ter full of conferences and events including:
March: 7th Annual Statewide Professional & Family Conference Madison, Wisconsin.

February: International Reading Association Convention Phoenix, Arizona

February: Myron Uhlberg visited Gallaudet University and released his memoir,

Hands of My Father
Don’t miss out on:
the 54th Annual Convention North Central: Minneapolis, Minnesota May 3 - 7, 2009,

Minneapolis Convention Center (I’ll be presenting on my research!) visit:
www.reading.org
the CAID 2009 National Conference quot;Educating Diverse

Students: Language, Culture & Learningquot; held June 22-26,
2009 at Gallaudet University, Washington, DC visit:
http://www.caidconference.org