Coroner. The word brings about a specific connotation, a specific image, a specific type of person. 

The image of a coroner exemplifies a tall, underweight elderly man with thin spindly fingers. A black derby hat covers his white scarecrow-like hair. His complexion as white as the corpses he works with everyday is magnified by the deep crevices some people might classify as wrinkles where his cheeks should be. His personality matches his attire which matches his occupation–a black trench coat and suit to match his dreary, dark and mysterious occupation. The coroner works alone and prefers the company of the dead rather than the alive.

Most coroners these days do not fit this exact description but the basic characteristics such as older in age and male seem to be a norm. 

However, the Albany County Coroner disproves even the basic stereotype. First, the elected official is 23-years-old. Second, the coroner is a woman.

Superman announced in Action Comics #900 that he will give up his U.S. citizenship.  Just in time too, since a university in the United Kingdom is offering a master’s degree in comic book writing this fall semester. 

Dundee University located in the United Kingdom is offering their first master’s program in comic book writing and Christopher Murray, head of the English program at Dundee University and leader of the comic book program, couldn’t be prouder.  “I’m excited to be doing this.  It’s the kind of thing I was looking for 15 years ago and simply couldn’t find,” Murray said. 

Murray said the program is unique because it is being offered as a master’s program. “Sure, there are people who have done Ph.D.’s in comics in the UK, I’m one of them, but this is a taught master’s program, which is very different,” he said.  Murray said his hopes that some students in the program will pursue an academic career in comics, but Murray said the English department is working closely with the college of art and design to offer other applications of such a degree.