Graphic Narration: The Use of Spreads, Scenes and Sequence in Graphic Novels

“I believe graphic narratives have the power to capture the nuances of real  life, communicate diverse information, and entertain. I strive to use comics  as an accessible medium that invites people in all stages of life to be drawn  into the experience I design, as well as give them something to think about  after they have finished my comic.”  

 -Jonathan Todd, Author/Illustrator of Timid (Scholastic/Graphix 2024)  

This work features artwork from the children’s graphic novel Timid  (Scholastic/Graphix 2024) by Massachusetts resident Jonathan Todd, along with drawings from his upcoming middle-grade graphic novel, Hover Hogs (Abrams), which he is co-creating with New York Times Bestselling author Tom Angleberger. 

The larger pieces are spreads, which are illustrations spread across two  facing book pages that graphic novelists use to show important landscapes  or draw attention to a poignant part of their story. The exhibit’s middle, pencil drawings from Hover Hogs were created by Jonathan but will be inked digitally by Massachusetts cartoonist L.J. Baptiste and colored by  another artist before being published. The final pieces in the exhibit are  some of Jonathan’s favorite pages from Timid, which were inspired by fun  times he had with his late childhood friend, Joseph Sardo, and a dessert  Jonathan used to make with his mother.

Graphic Narration: the Use of Spreads, Scenes and Sequence in  Graphic Novels 

About the Artist 

Jonathan Todd is the author and illustrator of the semi-autobiographical  graphic novel Timid (Scholastic/Graphix), which was inspired by his  struggle to overcome shyness as a tween following his family’s move from Miami to a Boston suburb in the 1980s. He received a 2024 New England  Book Award (for Timid) and was nominated for a comics industry Harvey Award. 

In addition to writing and drawing comics, Jonathan teaches  cartooning and writing at libraries (like the Putterham branch!), schools and  the GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing in the Seaport. Jonathan lives near Boston with his beautiful wife, two teens, and irresistible lemon beagle. His hobbies include writing snail mail and listening to bebop jazz. For more information about Jonathan, including school visits, visit jtstories.com or email him at jonathantoddbooks@gmail.com. He also posts occasionally on Instagram @jonathanjtodd.

“I believe graphic narratives have the power to capture the nuances of real life, communicate diverse information, and  entertain. I strive to use comics as an accessible medium that invites people in all stages of life to be drawn into the experience I design, as well as give them something to think about after they have finished my comic.” 

 -Jonathan Todd, Author/Illustrator of Timid (Scholastic/Graphix)