Narrating 9/11 in a “Graphic” Way: Amazing Spider Man, and In the Shadow of No Towers

Abstract

The September 11 attacks raised questions of how to artistically represent such a disaster, especially as it was an over-visualized event observed on live TV around the world. Artistic representations of the September 11 attacks beyond documentation and commemoration were self-censored and reserved. However, through the use of comic books and cartoons—some of the earliest forms of fiction to address the events of September 11—artists were able to create powerful representations of these events that bridge the gap between written text and visual imagery. This article delves into how notable graphic narratives, such as The Amazing Spider-Man 9/11 Special Edition, and In the Shadow of No Towers, have dealt with the iconic imagery of September 11, including the fall of the Twin Towers and the Falling Man. Within the context of these narratives, the predicament faced by artists in representing the disaster and the impact of 9/11 on the collective consciousness of Americans is explored. The article sheds light on how to appropriately handle images of traumatic events and express empathy without causing further emotional harm to the audience of graphic narratives.