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.  

“A critical humanities perspective with a close collaboration with the acclaimed Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design,” Murray explained.  However, Doug Russell, associate art professor at the University of Wyoming remains skeptical of the practical applications of such a program.

“If a person knows how to draw and has great ideas, they might be able to avoid school altogether,” he said.  But Russell agreed, academically, the program could be helpful to students.  

And what are the applications of a degree like this in the job market?  What are possible career opportunities for a comic book writer?  According to an article on the Los Angeles Times website, “Funny-book funk briefly brightens” by Tim Cavanaugh, comic book sales have been rising.  However, Cavanaugh said the rise in comic book sales could be due to the increasing popularity of manga, Japanese comics.  “Manga books are providing the industry’s most substantial growth,” Cavanaugh said.

Cananaugh could be right, too.  Russell said the art of storytelling with pictures and written language originated in Japan even before manga or anime, which gives Japan a head start in the industry.  Also, the comic book industry seems to be dying in the U.S.

  In the last few years, some U.S. comic book companies have been putting an end to their stories.  The Fantastic Four series ended with the death of the Human Torch in issue #587.  Some companies like DC Comics want to start over again with brand new number one issues to try increasing popularity in comics.  Marvell Comics sold the rights of over 5,000 comic book characters to Disney for $4 billion in 2009.  

With so many of these companies “selling out” the world of comics looks grim, but Murray said students that go into the program won’t be disappointed.  “The aim is to provide graduates with an extra degree of training and refined knowledge that will help them, in very practical and direct ways, in achieving their career aspirations,” Murray said.  He added that there are several careers for someone with the degree, such as comics scholar, media journalist and even a career in the gaming industry.

Russell said, even though there isn’t a specific degree for comics at the UW, the traditional skills learned in the art program would be beneficial to anyone entering the comic book world.

 Dundee’s comic book program is scheduled to start in September and Murray couldn’t be more excited to lead the program.  “Reading comics is my earliest memory.  I have always been fascinated by the medium, and feel enormously privileged that my career as an academic has converged with these interests, allowing me to study the medium that I love,” he said.

Russell said collaboration with the UW English and art departments to create a comic design degree was attempted in the past, but didn’t follow through.  However, he did say there are several individual classes offered on campus that would be beneficial to anyone wanting to be a comic book writer. 

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