In my RDA cataloging of graphic novels and comic books I've been using "illustrator" for some of these (penciller, inker, cover artist) but I use "calligrapher" for letterers and "colorist" for colorists.
Remember RDA 18.5.1.3 says "record one or more appropriate terms from the list in Appendix I" but "if none of the terms listed in appendix I is appropriate or sufficiently specific, use a term designating the nature of the relationship as concisely as possible." So RDA would be fine with you using "inker" or "penciller" (etc.) if in your opinion "illustrator" is not sufficiently specific. I prefer to use terms from controlled lists, so I start with RDA Appendix I but if the term I need is not there I go to the MARC relator list at http://www.loc.gov/marc/relators/relaterm.html or the RBMS relationship designators list at http://www.rbms.info/committees/bibliographic_standards/controlled_vocabularies/relators/alphabetical_list.htm. "Calligrapher" and "colorist" come from the MARC relator list. Bob Robert L. Maxwell Head, Special Collections and Formats Catalog Dept. 6728 Harold B. Lee Library Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602 (801)422-5568 "We should set an example for all the world, rather than confine ourselves to the course which has been heretofore pursued"--Eliza R. Snow, 1842. From: Resource Description and Access / Resource Description and Access [mailto:RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA] On Behalf Of Benjamin A Abrahamse Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:11 AM To: RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA Subject: [RDA-L] Relationships and comic books/graphic novels Does anyone happen to know if there is work being done to expand the RDA relationship vocabulary to account for specific roles associated with the illustration of comic books and graphic novels? Under the current RDA relators, it would seem the following roles (which are considered discrete enough to warrant separate mention on the statements of responsibility of comic books and graphic novels) all fit under the category of "illustrator": artist inker colorist (or, color artist) letterer Also, I've noticed that often "cover artist" gets separate mention, though I think they would still be considered an illustrator. --Ben Benjamin Abrahamse Cataloging Coordinator Acquisitions, Metadata and Enterprise Systems MIT Libraries 617-253-7137
