Notes for an understanding of the field of comics: fromgenesis to the current state

Abstract

Since Luc Boltansky described the constitution of the field of comics in his time, based
on Pierre Bourdieu's field theory, there have been few works that have used this concept
to study the Ninth Art in a macro approach. In view of this raised issue, the objectives of
this work are (1) to conceptualize the comic book field; (2) to problematize its formation and current configuration; (3) to describe some of its characteristics for its institution as an area of study. To achieve these objectives, which characterize this work as exploratory and bibliographic, the theoretical-methodological framework of Discourse Analysis was taken as a basis, especially the aspect influenced by Michel Foucault, with incursions and appropriations of Dominique Maingueneau´s and Pierre Bourdieu´s theoretical framework. The interpretation of the phenomenon that is conventionally called the Ninth Art, in light of the aforementioned framework, suggests that this art can be seen as a relatively autonomous area, with its own set of authors, practices and works considered more central and, therefore, more representative of this middle, to the detriment of those more peripheral, which share space with other cultural manifestations bequeathed to marginality