Graphic Growth: Creating a Comic for Young Adults

Title: Graphic Growth: Creating a Comic for Young Adults
Creator: Aidan VanDyke
Date of Award: 6/15/2025
Honors Program Director: Gavin Keulks
Faculty Advisor: Shaun Huston
Abstract: I have created a fantasy, young adult, graphic novel for my thesis. The story explores the themes of self-discovery, expression, and improvement through the emotional journeys of the protagonists. Before working on the novel, I researched the genres and formats detailed at the beginning through various academic and informational books and essays. Now finished, a third of the book’s script has been written, along with half of those pages laid out. I have included a reflective essay on developing the novel, as well as the various artistic sources from which I drew inspiration. The goal was to create a story that teenagers can use to process thoughts and emotions they may be dealing with, as well as provide myself with a portfolio item that directly relates to my expected career.
Type: Text; Image; StillImage
Department: Honors
Language: eng
Rights: Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 6/29/2025, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.; https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en
Identifier: honorstheses_091725b