Skip to main content

Week Four: The Comic Book

I was actually surprised by the diversity of both the artwork and content, that was beginning to arrive on the scene as comics started to appear in book format. The colors may have been simplified when compared to Windsor McCays shimmering hues, but the content was much more involved and graphic. Some of the plots seemed blatantly violent, which is understandable giving the nature of the time period, but It made me understand why the Comics Code Authority may have reacted to some of the subject matter the way that they did. It was also interesting to read super hero stories like Superman, in the context of the time they were created. Despite the fact that the artwork, plot, and dialogue may have been lacking, the character of the Superman felt a lot more at home helping Indians, fighting crooks, and lifting cars in the world of the 1930’s, than he does watching over the world of today from a space station, wearing the same blue spandex and underwear. Out of all the action stories I read, I felt like the ones by marvel, like Captain America, were actually done really well. The artwork pushed the action outside of the conventional comic-panel, and the overall narrative flow often had a really nice rhythm, and felt very natural.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week Five: Body Talk

A Contract With God A powerful work of storytelling. Even with how little it visually showed and verbally explained about that time period, the simple yet effective storytelling techniques shed a powerful light into the world of the thirties.   The layout and information on each page stayed true to the essential items needed to convey the story at hand, while the expressions and designs of each character involved were perfectly fitted to that characters particular nature. The flow of the stories themselves was also really interesting. It starts off very regal and true, then gradually starts to slip down into degradation, whizzing past horrible defiling moments, building up into this final orgiastic climax, and then finally ending with one boy “Willie” standing on the edge of his balcony, pausing after being given his new set of family expectations, and reflecting on all that happened over the summer. Blankets I love how expressive and powerful Thompson...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week Thirteen: Webcomics

The greatest web comic I’ve ever read – and possibly the greatest web-comic of all time, is without a doubt Steve Lichman by Dave Rapoza and Dan Warren https://rapozacomics.carbonmade.com/projects/5313679 I think Steve Lichman is a great example of why web comics are so successful. The rough linework and simple color palate give it a personal touch, while the relatively short panel size make it quickly rewarding and easy to scroll through. It really feels like someone’s labor of love, that they come home to each night and scribble out when the mood hits. It also looks like something one of your friends might’ve drawn, and I think that makes the comic feel more personal and contemporary. It s simplicity also makes it feel more visceral, like all of its guts are right there on the page for you to see. Another thing that I think makes it so successful is the overall tone, and the humor and wit, that seem to seep out of every panel. It’s freaking hilarious, and I think that the hu...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week Seven: MAUS

I was deeply engrossed by this story, and more emotionally stirred while reading it than I had ever expected to be. Throughout the book, I often found myself amazed that such rough and simple drawings, of animals nonetheless, could be so moving, and portray such a complex topic as the Holocaust with detail and sincerity.   I believe a lot of the literary magic of this story has to do with the incredible complexity and honesty in which Spiegelman represents his father Vladek. Throughout the story, we see Vladek from many different perspectives, and in both positive and negative lights. To me this made the story extremely relatable as I reflected on the men in my life, and really made the story feel a lot more genuine. On top of Spiegelmans’ complex character development, I felt like the tone and pace of the story felt very balanced, and rhythmic. He would dip in and out of his father’s account of the war for just long enough without it getting too heavy, while s...
Post a Comment
Read more