In our discussion of what makes a comic/graphic novel, we looked at several definitions, some of which seemed pretty solid. Scott McCloud, in Understanding Comics defines comics as “juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence intended to convey information and/or to produce an aesthetic response in the viewer.” This is a rather serviceable, if simple and in the case… Read more →
A few weeks ago in class, we discussed Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics and how it could give us some definitions and basic rules to follow when reading comics and looking for interpretive language to help in our quest to figure out what comics are. What we concluded is that single panel comics such as Family Circus, are not considered comics but… Read more →
This Reflection post is mainly going to be about my thoughts on Scott McCloud’s comparison of comics and graphic novels to film and movies. Let’s begin with the question: Are films just really slow comics? Sure, you can say that films are just slow comics and you wouldn’t be wrong. Taking a look at the Akira novel and film, you… Read more →
For my blog post this week I want to focus on the Scott McCloud reading we did: “Vocabulary of Comics” in Understanding Comics. One of the reasons I choose this particular topic to talk about is because, as an English major, we are always finding something to analyze. Whether this be understanding what a particular phrase or line means, understanding… Read more →
When looking to begin the creation of a comic book, many people don’t know where to look for the basics. Scott McCloud authored abook called Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art in order to help those looking to make their own comic books, delving into what makes them a unique medium. McCloud goes through the beginning of how to not only draw,… Read more →
It’s easy to over-saturate any comic book conversation with McCloudian theories, so I’m semi-hesitant on spending more time on what he has to say for the sake of keeping variety in this blog. But when I was flipping through Making Comics I came across a chapter that very much added to my understanding of story telling in general, not just… Read more →
Ok, so maybe the title is a litte over the top. Still, when describing the Frank comics I feel it gets the point across rather quickly: cartoony main character that’s a throw back to early 20th century cartoons, check, weird as all hell, check. Of coarse there is more to Frank than this shallow description, and these stories are quickly… Read more →
As Scott McCloud wrestles with the definition of “comics” in chapter one of Understanding Comics, “Setting the Record Straight,” he come up with “sequential visual art” as a plausible definition for comics. However, as pointed out by a member of McCloud’s audience, who appears to be a silhouette of Bugs Bunny, that definition does not distinguish comics from animation. This… Read more →