Angst als Textspur und Bildspur in Graphic Novels zum historischen Geschehen des 20. Jahrhunderts
Angst (anxiety / fear) as verbal and pictorial trace in graphic novels on historical events of the 20th century

Summary/Abstract: Next to many other characterizations, e.g. ‘century of dictators’, the wording ‘century of anxiety’ is probably likewise justified for the Twentieth century. This contribution is a first attempt at inquiring into the presentation of anxiety in verbal-pictorial narratives. Verbal and pictorial traces of anxiety (fear) – i.e. techniques of causing anxiety (fear) for political ends on the one hand and experience of anxiety (fear) on the other hand – are a substantial meaning making offer in many graphic novels on the history of the 20th century. Though esthetically and intellectually demanding, hence an offer of reappraisal of the past, so far, the topic of anxiety (fear) has escaped the attention of research projects. This study concerns history experienced and endured from World War One to the time of change around 1989. In a choice of five graphic novels by German, French, Polish and Czech experts of the genre, especially pictorial traces of Angst offer atmospheric density, precision and, at the same time, openness for further interpretation.

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