The cultural legitimization of comic books and the National Program of School Libraries in Brazil: an unfinished business

Abstract

Comic books have historically occupied a subaltern position among mass culture products developed in the 20th century. This paper revisits some historical episodes that show how society and academia in the U.S. and Latin America have treated the comic book industry with reservations. The second half of the century, though, has witnessed the reversal of such attitude. Comic books have been reevaluated and their aesthetic value has finally been acknowledged. It is argued in the paper that the National Program of School Libraries (PNBE) has had a pivotal role in the ongoing process of legitimization and consolidation of the comic book industry in Brazil.