This study explores how the definition of the medium as well as its language readership genre conventions and marketing and distribution strategies have kept comic books within the realm of popular culture. Since comics have been studied mostly in relation to mass media and its influence on society there is a void in the analysis of the critical issues related to comics as a distinct genre and art form. By focusing on comics as narratives and investigating their formal and structural aspects as well as the unique reading process they demand this study presents a unique contribution to the current literature on comics and helps clarify concepts and definitions useful in studying the medium. (Ph. D. dissertation University of Alberta 1995; revised with new preface bibliography and index). Language: English