Filling Future Generation Gap. The Italian Graphic Novel and Manuele Fior’s L’intervista

Abstract

Today I will discuss the intersection between the theme of generation gap and the social science fiction frame in an Italian graphic novel, L’intervista by Manuele Fior, published in 2013 by Coconino Press. More specifically, I will present L’intervista as a case study: I will argue that the graphic novel has become a privileged space in which to discuss the social outcomes of the constant changes caused primarily by technology, whose effects on society are often investigated, by sci-fi comics. I also believe that graphic novels perfectly adapt to the narration of generational gap, which is a frame that addresses a specific readership and that is often concerned with societal problems. In order to analyze the issues raised by a generational gap, which are represented by a type of narration that flourishes in non-institutional, flexible forms of expression, it is necessary to state right away that the graphic novel inherits its status of alternative, non-establishment art, from the tradition of comics. We know that comics have long been considered a light-hearted, entertaining-type of medium, although comics criticism has progressively expanded, establishing a solid scholarly tradition in the field of pop culture.