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More at: http://www.pdx.edu/insidepsu/graphic-novels

(Portland, Ore.) January 7, 2010 — Only at Portland State University (PSU) can aspiring graphic novelists create their own 22-page comic under the instruction of one of the most successful and acclaimed comic book writers in the country: Brian Michael Bendis.

Bendis, a Portland resident whose bestselling titles include Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers, returns to PSU in winter term to teach an intense seminar to a small group of handpicked students eager to break into the bustling comics scene in Portland.

“Portland is the absolute perfect city to do it in,” Bendis said. “The interest is absolutely here. The talent is absolutely here.”

The class builds on PSU’s strong writing, art, and publishing programs and Portland’s growing reputation as a center for graphic novelists. In 2008, PSU’s library acquired the only complete research collection of Dark Horse Comics anywhere. Dark Horse, the third largest comics publisher in the United States, is based in the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, and its founder and executive vice president are PSU graduates. The English Department also offers a spring class focusing on the graphic novel as a unique medium combining literature and art, taught by Professor Katya Amato. Her students read some of the best classic and recent novels in the medium. 

“Graphic novels are an important influence on writing, not just locally,” said Michele Glazer, director of PSU’s new Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. “We’re lucky to be in the hub of it.”

Bendis plans to team his students with graphic-design students and bring in other professional writers, editors, and authors — all-stars in the comics publishing world — as guest lecturers. “It’s like having your own private comic convention where the talent comes to you,” Bendis said.

When Bendis taught the class for the first time last year, final projects ranged from the most intimate autobiographical stories to the most surreal fantastical adventures.

Brandon Seifert, who took Bendis’s class last year, said it was “too good an opportunity to pass up.” He learned about story structure, drama, pacing, dialogue, and how to keep the reader turning the pages. “I feel like I’m a much better writer,” he said.

About Portland State University (PSU)
Located in Portland, Oregon, PSU has about 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students. PSU’s motto is “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” and we provide every student with opportunities to work with businesses, schools and organizations on real-world projects. Our downtown campus exhibits PSU’s commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while sustainability is incorporated into much of the curriculum.

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