The Cartoon History of the Universe

The Cartoon History of the Universe : From the Big Bang to Alexander the Great

Gonick's authorial voice is represented by the Professor, pictured on the cover of The Cartoon History of the Universe - From the Big Bang to Alexander the Great
Author	Larry Gonick
Language	English
Subject	History
Genre	Non-fiction
Publisher	Turtleback Books
Publication date	1990
Publication place	United States
Followed by	The Cartoon History of the Universe II

The Cartoon History of the Universe is an ongoing book series about the history of the world. It is written and illustrated by American cartoonist, professor, and mathematician Larry Gonick. The most recent volume, published in 2007, now names the series The Cartoon History of the Modern World.

Each book in the series explains a period of world history in a loosely chronological order. Though originally published in limited runs as comic books, the series is now published in trade paperback volumes of several hundred pages each. The books have been translated into many languages, including Portuguese, Greek, and Czech.

Illustration style

The Cartoon History is illustrated in a black-and-white cartoon style. Gonick occasionally uses crosshatching and other realistic drawing techniques, but he primarily draws with a lively pen-and-ink squiggle that resembles Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes, Walt Kelly's Pogo, and Albert Uderzo's Astérix.

Narrative framework

Each volume or chapter begins with a one- or two-panel introduction. An Einstein-like Professor (representing Gonick's authorial voice) prepares to travel in his time machine to whatever place or era the chapter is about. The Professor reads a passage from a historical book, which activates the "time machine," a literary device. For example, the Professor reads a book about dinosaurs to introduce Volume 1 about prehistory. He reads from Hans Zinsser's Rats, Lice and History before Volume 19 about the Black Death. This introduction provides a bridge to the action, the main narrative of each chapter.

Narrative style and tone

Point of view

Any history book has a point of view, and Larry Gonick's might best be described as "scientific humanist." His Cartoon History is governed by current scientific, anthropological, and historical evidence. But it isn’t written in the style of a didactic textbook. Instead, Gonick fleshes out history into a long yarn, injecting characterization into historical personages, continually reporting gory anecdotes, and focusing on quirky details—all backed up by research—to enliven his subject. He largely achieves an overall balance, between a celebration of human achievement and a blunt acknowledgement of human savagery.

Excerpt from The Cartoon History of the Universe II. Note the antic characterization of Alexander the Great and Gonick's use of black ink.

In addition to being a straight (though unusual) history, The Cartoon History helps readers understand historical cause and effect—how the past relates to the present. It explains the motivations behind human beings’ discoveries, inventions, explorations, wars, triumphs, and mistakes. Gonick’s editorial aim seeks to do justice to every point of view, though he is inclined toward historical revisionism.

Humor

Gonick consistently uses elements of satire and juxtaposition to find the most humor in every situation. For example, one cartoon panel depicts the barbarism of a group of Huns who had elephants herded off a cliff for their sadistic enjoyment. One Hun exclaims with an oafish grin, "My emotions are valid!"—juxtaposing the Hun’s brutal barbarism with an anachronistic, post-modern view of his own cruelty [3].

Also noteworthy is Gonick's use of caricature. For example, he depicts the weaselly Robert Guiscard, the 11th-century Norman adventurer, as an anthropomorphic weasel, an allusion to Guiscard's name and cunning nature.

Unorthodox citations

Consistently enthusiastic in tone, Gonick uses each collection's bibliography to promote historical literacy. At the end of each published collection, Gonick thoroughly cites his sources. But rather than relying upon an ordinary, typeset bibliography, Gonick sustains his unorthodox style and exuberant tone as the Professor takes the reader through a cartoon tour of his sources.

Because much of The Cartoon History covers evolutionary science, physics, astronomy, and ancient history, Gonick has referenced original writings on these subjects, rather than relying on secondary sources or anthologies. Some of these primary sources are national epics, cultural writings, or holy scriptures, such as Homer's Iliad, the Rig Veda of India, and the Bible. Others are fat history or science books that would intimidate most readers by size alone. Throughout, the Professor exhorts his readers to expand their knowledge and plumb the depths of these sources.

In The Cartoon History of the Modern World – Volume 1, Gonick cites Wikipedia as a "noteworthy resource," commenting, "Good source of images as well as articles. Try looking at pages in different languages too: French history in French, etc."

Trivia

While seeking a publisher, Gonick received early support from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who worked as an editor at Doubleday and championed The Cartoon History of the Universe's publication.

When Gauls are depicted, they often look suspiciously similar to the René Goscinny characters Asterix and Obelix. When Gonick treats the Gallic invasion of Italy (390 BCE - 387 BCE), the characters, along with Vitalstatistix, appear unmistakably (Vitalstatistix is transported on a shield, Asterix pummels a Roman soldier, etc.), and as they trudge off into the sunset, the speech balloon says "Come on, Obelix! Let's get our own comic book."

The series

Beginning with its original comic book Volume 1 in 1977, the entire series is expected to cover world history through the present day.

1. Gonick, Larry (1990). The Cartoon History of the Universe - From the Big Bang to Alexander the Great (Volumes 1-7). Doubleday. p. 368. ISBN 0385265204.
2. Gonick, Larry (1994). The Cartoon History of the Universe II - From the Springtime of China to the Fall of Rome (Volumes 8-13). Doubleday. p. 305. ISBN 0385420935.
3. Gonick, Larry (2002). The Cartoon History of the Universe III - From the Rise of Arabia to the Renaissance (Volumes 14-19). Doubleday. p. 300. ISBN 0393324036.
4. Gonick, Larry (2006). The Cartoon History of the Modern World - Volume 1: From Columbus to the U.S. Revolution. Collins. p. 272. ISBN 0060760044.

External links

• Larry Gonick's official website