Graphic Novel as Academic Research: Illustrating the Effects of Urban Heat in History
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Announcing my debut graphic novel; Summer in Paris: An Illustrated Journey through History and Heat.
You can read the graphic novel online for free here
Over 95 million Europeans experienced temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius today (23rd June 2026), in a record breaking heatwave. The heat is dangerous, with severe warnings issued that these temperatures are a threat to everyone’s health, even young, fit and healthy people.
That brings us to Melting Metropolis, a research group aiming to deepen our understanding of extreme urban heat, through creative, historical and community centred approaches. As part of the historic research of extreme heat, I partnered with Dr Chloé Duteil, an environmental historian, to co-create a graphic novel that told stories of urban heat in Paris, from 1886 to present day.
Why a Graphic Novel/Bande Desinee?
“There is power in visual narratives, especially those that can show what we cannot see. In itself, heat is invisible. It is only the effects it has on people, objects, and events that we can hope to capture. Working with an artist made it possible to bring to life the diverse manifestations of heat through time, as I view and interpret them in the archives that I examine” - Chloé Duteil
Graphic novels are a format that are accessible to audiences, and growing more popular with readers of all ages.
Illustrations have the potential to share so much contextual and historic detail, without the burden of additional text. The format asks for reader participation and interaction, as they propel the story with their movements, with the ability to pause and look at their own pace.
By working to visualise and create stories grounded in rigorous academic research, we created an educational resource that introduces a complex and underrepresented issue, past and present.
In a really practical sense: Drawing all the visuals mean no paying for expensive photo usage licenses! Instead, these photographs can inform the visuals
Research Trip
We kicked off the project with a trip to Paris. This was extremely helpful in helping me get to know the city, and develop the visual language for the BD. I did this by taking lots of photographs in locations specific to the BD, as well as drawing from life. I wanted to capture the essence of the city architecture, light and people, to represent it as best I could. It was also important to feel the city’s design, so that I could empathize with the sensory experiences of the characters in each story.
Here are some photographs and drawings from Paris that directly informed the BD
Graphic Novel Process: A case study
Chloe’s historic fiction was inspired by deep archival research, collating writings, photographs, articles and more into five stories that each focused on a key moment in the urban heat history of Paris. Each Vignette script came with references and many photographs and archival details to provide context and visual information.
Here’s an excerpt from the 1968 chapter:
The final graphic novel is in full colour, 86 pages, 24 x 18.5cm with a 9mm spine. Chloé and I launched the graphic novel for London Climate Action Week 2026. Coincidentally it was the hottest day of the year, breaking climate records in London.
Where do we want to go from here?
The BD is freely accessible as an educational and academic resource online. We hope it can contextualise and educate wide audiences about urban heat - from policy makers to casual readers. We hope it can serve as an example for the benefits of visualisation and storytelling in academic outputs, and that the arts are an asset to public health. Urban heat and climate change is not an issue of statistics and numbers, it is a lived, human experience and we hope that presenting it in this way will lead to action.
You can read the graphic novel online for free here
Find out more about Melting Metropolis here
Learn more about Chloé Duteils work here
Do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions about this project, I would be happy to talk about it more! Get in touch for a physical copy of the book (while stocks last)
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