I was really blown away by how moving "The Arrival" was by Shaun Tan. Not only was the piece visually stunning, but Tan really did a really amazing job of orchestrating the visual flow of the narrative by varying panel size, and the amount of detail/information in each one. I also loved his use of juxtaposed art styles. Both the historical and imaginative imagery creates an aesthetic that is simultaneously fantastically alien, and charmingly nostalgic. Another artist we explored this week, whose juxtaposed art styles create a world which is both alien and familiar is Jim Woodring. I've been a huge fan of his style and storytelling techniques for a while, and it was really refreshing to dive back into them both this week after reading Shaun Tan. I'm basically a sucker for line work and psychedelic imagery, so when I first saw "Frank" on the shelves i was immediately drawn in. Woodrings Line work seems to vibrate on the page, while his allegorical silent story lines absorb the reader or "looker" completely. There's something about the simplicity of Frank himself, that makes him feel more comfortable and familiar, and the world in which he inhabits more haunting and otherworldly. Like Tan, Woodring also does an amazing job at orchestrating the visual flow of the story, achieving both beats and pauses that make reading it, or looking at it, extremely enjoyable.
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...
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