Epileptic. A critical approach to autofiction through European graphic novel

Abstract

In this paper we study the autofictional elements in the graphic novel Epileptic, by David B. (2001-2007). First, we will attend to the pictoric and linguistic code of comic language, and to the multiple definitions of the concept of autofiction, in order to analyse the process of self-construction made by this French author. We will use some typologies of narratologic analysis of multiple perspectives, and characterizations of the cartoon as a way of empathic connection between the author and the reader. Our objective will be to prove, from the example of Epileptic, how the narrative characteristics of comic language allow new ways for the artistic development of the self-expression.