Week 14: The Future of Comics

For the final week in Literature of Comics I took a look at the five part webcomic Ducks by Kate Beaton, and although it was relatively short I definitely appreciated what it had to say about the environment. The story is about Kate's time working at a mining site and all the little experiences she has there. The scenes are very simple, with just enough detail in both the art and the dialog to get the intended messages across. I personally believe the basic, sketch-like style suits Ducks more than anything detailed or colored ultimately would have. The tone of the story is melancholy and to me the art style just seems to say "Here's what happened. It is what it is." Its not trying to embellish anything or make it pretty. It presents a very real truths about the mining industry and how it can effect wildlife and humans alike. I enjoyed the way this comic was formatted too. Again, it was nothing fancy, just panels that can easily be scrolled through on a phone or computer.

As for a personal recommendation, one of the only other webcomics I'm familiar with is Ava's Demon by Michelle Czajkowsk. I was introduced by a friend in high school and ended up reading and enjoying the chapters that were released at the time. I am not caught up (I haven't looked at the series for over a year) but as far as I know it is still updating regularly. For me, the most appealing part of Ava's Demon was the gorgeous art style. Each panel is a full color digital painting, and almost every chapter incorporates a clip with music and animation. Personally, I am very inspired by this style of webcomic and would love to write and illustrate my own story like this one day. 

Ava's Demon: http://www.avasdemon.com/

Batman: The Killing Joke

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read?

The story of Batman The Killing Joke was very different from what I expected. Having never read any Batman comics before, I was always under the impression that the relationship between the Batman and the Joker was very black and white. That the Joker was evil, Batman was good, they hated each other. But what was presented here was more of a gray area. I was surprised to see that Batman was wanting to talk to the Joker, work things out, and prevent the inevitable ending where one of them kills the other. While the Joker was not exactly preceptive to this proposal, the comic ended with the two nemeses laughing together at a joke. It left me questioning the entire dynamic between these characters.

2. What connections did you make with the story?

Despite being a very dark story, I was able to connect with the desire to mend a bad relationship. The fact that Batman would be willing to make right with one of the most evil characters of all time is definitely admirable in my opinion. I believe its safe to say almost all of us would rather be on good terms with our enemies than bad ones. When I think of people who have hurt me, who I know are toxic and unkind, I cannot deny that a small part of me deep down is dying to reach out and say "Hey, it does not have to be like this between us." But another part of me knows that in life, not all relationships are going to be good, and being friends with everyone is not rational.

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story to another medium? What medium would you adapt it too?

My immediate answer when I heard this question was an animated film, since its very common for comics and animation to be adapted into each other. However, I found out that there already is an animated film. But since I've never seen it, I can just describe my personal idea. It would be traditional animation, rather than CG, as the panels from the comic could more easily and accurately be translated into frames. It would need to be as equally dark as the original, even to the extent of being labeled "not for kids" in order to capture the tone and themes intended by the author. I would be interested in seeing the film that exists and compare it to what I have imagined.

Week 13: Reconsidering the Superhero

I've never really taken much interest in superhero comics. The reasons being essentially what we have discussed in class: plots are seemingly endless, character development is constantly reset, and death has little weight as the heroes will always come back somehow. I've also always known that if I were to read a hero comic, I would look for a female lead, and preferably one that is not simply the "girl" version of a male character, i.e. Batgirl or Supergirl. That's why the name "Promethea" caught my eye on the course resource page, so I decided to read the first volume.

Despite not being particularly long, the first volume of Alan Moore's Promethea does a wonderful job of establishing the lore of the the series in an interesting way. I love the idea of a reincarnated heroine that has survived throughout the centuries in the form of powerful women. Moore obviously pulls a lot of influence for Promethea from ancient Egyptian and Greek culture. The two combine and create a stunning character design. The futuristic city that the new Promethea, Sophie, lives in is also very visually interesting. The concept of cars that hover in the air rather than use wheels in not entirely original, but I felt that it worked quite well with the aesthetic design presented here.

Overall, I found this first volume to be a very good hook, and I could certainly see readers being excited for all of Sophie's future adventures as the new Promethea. I really appreciate that Alan Moore wrote such a powerful female hero in a series that would appeal to all types of people, not just female comic fans.

Week 12: Comics by Women

This week I read the graphic novel This One Summer, written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. While reading this story, I was amazed to find that it was not autobiographical. The coming of age themes presented are so on point that without knowing otherwise, anyone would assume they are a personal recounting. The emotions and experiences that the main character, Rose, undergoes are things that everyone, especially girls can relate having gone through in their youth. The element of family traditions during the summer, having a place that you always go to (like Awago) is certainly accurate to my childhood. Rose's slightly younger friend, Windy, is a character that many of us have encountered growing up, whether it is through a friend, cousin, or in my case sibling. It is always an interesting dynamic when kids are so close in age, but clearly on different levels of maturity. This goes hand in hand with the theme of  wanting to be or thinking of yourself as more grown up than you really are. Other very relatable elements of the story are the crush on an older teenager, the desire to expose yourself to "adult things" (in this case, horror movies), and the awareness conflict between your parents.

Reading this book reminded me of my experience with Blankets, another coming of age story that we read this semester. Both stories have bitter sweet moments, and do not necessarily conclude with happy endings. They just sort of end, which adds to the realism (although Blankets is based on the author's personal experience). Both these books left me wondering what part of my life I would illustrate if I were to ever write a graphic novel. Since childhood is such an important time of discovery and growth, that is probably the time I would pull from.

Week 11: Asterios Polyp

David Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp is probably the most visually interesting comic I've read in this class.  The art style has a very unique relationship with the narrative, as it fluctuates with the tone of any given scene. One of my favorite examples of this is when the drawings of the protagonist, Asterios and his wife, Hana begin to differ as the couple grows farther apart, unable to see things from the other's perspectives. The styles themselves clearly reflect the personalities of these characters too. Asterios is precise, practical, and confident, which is translated through the sharp, straight blue lines he is portrayed with. Hana is carefree and compassionate, so sketch-like pink marks suit her well. Any chapter that features a disagreement between them will begin with one unified look, and slowly transition into the two styles to convey how disconnected they are.

Another element I really enjoyed was the use of unique dialog fonts and speech bubble shapes for different characters. Like the art styles, these also serve as reflections of the characters personalities. For example, the ethereal Ursula Major uses whimsical lettering and fun, fancy speech bubbles in contrast to her husband's much simpler font surrounded by wavy, less structured shapes. 

However, even without these interesting artistic decisions, I know I would still enjoy this comic for the story. There is enough plot to fully flesh out a large cast, and I found myself very found of most of them by the end. My favorite was of course Hana, and I particularly enjoy a long sequence that illustrated all the elements of her daily life. It helped her to seem more real in my eyes. I could see myself buying a physical copy of Asterios Polyp, if only to have on hand if I ever want to sit down and enjoy the story all over again. 

Week 10: Manga

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't really looking forward to this week. Manga has always been by far the form of comics I am most familiar with, which I know is not uncommon for girls my age in this decade. When I was in middle school my mom would take me to the bookstore on Friday afternoons as a treat to pick up the next volume of Fruits Basket, Fullmetal Alchemist, or whatever I was into, for me to enjoy over the weekend. All my little thirteen year old friends loved manga. We'd share volumes with each other on the train headed to and from school. However, that was years ago and I rarely have the time or opportunity to read these comics anymore, so its safe to say this week's topic was very nostalgic and fun for me.

For class I chose to read volume one of Ranma 1/2 by Rumiko Takahashi. I was somewhat familiar with her work beforehand, having seen a few episodes of the anime adaptation of Inuyasha on Adult Swim. I found this series to be really appealing, and I could see myself reading another volume here and there just to pass some time. All of the characters were constantly rude to each other in that charming manga way, where you know they'll begrudgingly start to care as the series goes on. The art style was cute and simple, and I found all the character designs and outfits to be very pleasing. However, I know these praises to be true of all of Rumiko's major works. Probably why she has been such a successful creator!

Getting to see some of Summer Wars in class was great! It was cool and different to look at something so recent, as most of the films we have watched were made before my time. I have seen the whole film, and I must say its one of my favorites in terms of anime. Its director, Mamoru Hosoda, also made what may be my number one (yes, even above the Ghiblis) Wolf Children. I would recommend any of his works to someone who loves animation. Overall, I have to admit this was my favorite class of the semester, and it definitely did something to rekindle my love of manga.

Week 9: A Wide World of Comics

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed reading some of the Blacksad stories this week. When I randomly clicked on the title off of the course resource list, I was immediately deterred by the whole "anthropomorphic animals" thing, having come to associate those images with a more... deviant side of internet culture (which was, hilariously, even mentioned by our professor in class). However, I couldn't deny that the art style was certainly beautiful, with expressive characters and full color rendering. That alone was enough for me to give Blacksad a try.

I found the story "Amarillo" to be very engaging, and I was already engrossed after only a few pages. For me, the characters were the most appealing part. Despite being short story, there is a very large cast, and the readers are able to grasp the personality of each new character in as little as a single drawing. We come to care for each of them, even some of those presented as antagonists to the main character. I loved the wide variety of animals used in the story too, including lions, hyenas, buffalo, penguins, koalas, and so much more. Each animal fits their character perfectly, yet often in unexpected ways. Can a pink flamingo be a hardened criminal? Yes, and it actually works really well.

It is hard to imagine that a story taking place in the United States, and playing off of very specific American archetypes could be written by two Spanish authors, Juan Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, for a French audience. If I had not known this beforehand, I would have never even suspected it. I supposed that this just goes to show that comics are an extremely universal form of media, that can be appreciated by nearly anyone around the world. I would recommend Blacksad to anyone who is interested in more adult-oriented comics. The stories are thrilling and the art is gorgeous. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it this week.

Week 8: Stereotype and Representation

This week our class discussed the use of stereotypes in comics and video games. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of poor or even offensive representation of marginalized groups in these types of media. Characters are reduced to often inaccurate and overused cliches and tropes, and are rarely given much development beyond that. Fortunately, this form of discrimination is much less brazen these days than it has been in previous years, however to say that it is just a problem of the past would be very untrue. There is still a long way to go in eradicating these negative images.

I connected really well with the recommended Anita Sarkeesian videos addressing the objectification of women in video games. She was able to put into words many of the problems I was aware of, but had trouble solidifying in my mind. I found that some of her most powerful points, when addressing the use of the "Damsel in Distress" trope were that this plot element reduces women to prizes or rewards; it changes their danger from an event in their stories to an obstacle in the male hero's; and it perpetuates the idea that women are possessions of men. Another important point she made, and one that her critiques seem to somehow miss, is that it is entirely possible to enjoy a game or other piece of media, while simultaneously being able to look at its flaws. Just because something is not perfect, or could potentially be improved upon, does not automatically make it bad.

Personally, I do not feel as if I have been negatively affected by stereotypes thus far in my life. At least not to any significant degree. But I am also aware that the older I get, and the more I move into the professional world, the higher the chances of this happening are. The decision to speak out against sexism in the gaming or comic industry is a difficult one, as so many of the women who have are harassed and threatened to staggering degrees. I only hope that I am able to be true to my own morals and beliefs, and take advantage of opportunities to make a positive difference during my professional career.

Week 7: Maus and Barefoot Gen

This week I had the chance to experience the incredible story of Art Spiegelman's graphic novel, Maus. I also got to revisit a work I was already familiar with, Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa. It was wonderful to examine these two accounts in the same week, as their narratives played off of each other so perfectly. Despite being tragic beyond belief, I really enjoyed these works. World War II has always been a special interest of mine, and it is very exciting to learn about it through some of my favorite mediums: comics and animation.

After I picked up both volumes of Maus at the library, I sat down and read them in one long sitting. Personally, I've found that holding the physical copies of the works we discuss in class makes the experience more enjoyable and engaging. I planned to read the books over the course of the week, however once I got started I was too engrossed to put them down. Something I really appreciated about Maus was how educational it was. I assumed I understood the basics of how the Holocaust occurred and what exactly went on in the horrible death camps that came to be under the reign of Nazi Germany. However, I actually learned a lot about the importance of social connections, language, work skills, and bartering from this book, something I had never considered as a major element of this event. Art's father had to use all of these at one point or another during the war, and it is obvious that each one saved his life on numerous occasions. I was also really in awe of how many times Vladek came close to death, only to be saved by, in many cases, sheer luck. However, I found it extremely admirable how he used his intelligence to protect himself and his wife all the way from Poland to Auschwitz. I'd call it heroic, and this makes the parts of the story where we see Art and his elderly father all the more melancholy. Knowing that in reality, things were not perfect and happy for Vladek and Anja after the Holocaust is quite sad. This part of the survivor stories is often omitted.

My experience with Barefoot Gen goes all the way back to tenth grade, when I was sixteen. I focused on the cultural impact of the atomic bombs on the Japanese people as the topic of a major research project for my World History class. Part of the assignment involved learning about pieces of media that came from the events we were each given to study. Naturally, a quick internet search lead me straight to Barefoot Gen as the most significant Hiroshima story told through manga and later an animated film. I watched the film on Youtube and honestly had nightmares for a week. I'd never seen images so graphic in animation before. It was especially shocking after the opening scenes with Shinji and Gen running around, laughing and playing. However, ultimately I am very glad to have seen this film when I did, as it made my trip to Hiroshima this summer all the more impactful. Barefoot Gen gave me a context to the A-Bomb that an American history book simply cannot. In Hiroshima I walked through the Peace Memorial Park, where the famous dome roof building has been preserved as it was on the day of the attack. My class and I left a thousand paper cranes that we had made at the memorial, as is tradition for those wanting to honor the site. Honestly, it was one of the most significant experiences of my life. I'd love to go back and visit again some day.

In the end, this was a great week in Lit. of Comics. Getting to read such significant stories through sequential art was extremely special. I really really loved the original translations of I Saw It. I am definitely looking forward to upcoming classes this month, where we'll get into manga, Women in Comics, and other topics that I am very interested in.

Week 6: Underground Comics

Well... If last week was my favorite reading so far in Lit. of Comics, this week may have been my least favorite. The crude nature of underground comics like Mr. Natural was just not my personal cup of tea. Maybe our professor was onto something when he suggested that our generation is more sensitive to adult material like what was featured in Crumb's work, because of how we were brought up. That being said, I do understand and appreciate the historical significance of underground comics as they tied into the counter culture movement of the 1960s and 70s.

Mr. Natural was very bold to say the least. In the few chapters I read, I found that the short stories within would alternate between being relatively tame and turning it up to a ten on the obscenity scale. However, after listening to the class discussion, I began to question whether this was just dirty entertainment, or some kind of social criticism, drawing attention to different forms of abuse in the world through the actions of Mr. Natural. If the latter is true, this comic is actually a lot more thought provoking than I originally assumed.

I really enjoyed learning about how so many of these comics served as a legitimate means for many marginalized groups (women, LGBT, etc.) to share their personal stories. It is always a wonderful thing when people are able to use art to spread awareness about social problems, and help others to see from a different perspective. Even if I did not enjoy Mr. Natural, overall I am really glad we were able to take time to focus on this era of comics in class, as it was clearly once of the most influential on how society.

Week 5: The Graphic Novel

Blankets by Craig Thompson is probably my favorite thing we've read so far in class. I hardly need to say this, but obviously the artwork is stunning. I loved how Thompson used visual motifs like angels and devils throughout the book to tell his story and convey the way in which he looked at nearly everything in a religious context as a teenager. One of my favorite pages features Raina in a simple pajama shirt, glowing like an angel. Whenever the two of them are alone together, there are multiple pages of beautiful spirals, florals, and swirls spilling out from around their figures. Moments like this really pushed how strongly Craig felt about her and captured the joy and wonder of a first romance.

The story itself was also very emotional for me. While Craig certainly did have struggles far more severe than my own, I related to him on many levels. I have a sister who is three years younger than me, just like Phil is to Craig. The scenes in the story where the two brothers played, talked, or fought together really made me feel nostalgic for my childhood with her. I also grew up in a religious household and went to Sunday school and church camp just like Craig. Many elements of these scenes, as well as Craig's inner pondering about God and Heaven were familiar to me. On the other hand, I also formed many connections with Raina. I have also had many times in my life where I felt responsible for keeping the peace at home, so I really admire characters like her.

Overall, I felt like the messages of this story were powerful. In my opinion, the most significant one was that the adult world may not meet the expectations you set for it as a kid. Craig felt like Raina was the love of his life, however he never saw her again after his visit. I sensed that this would be the case in the panels where Raina is saying goodbye. The wind is blowing her hair in front of her face, and I thought "Oh, this is goodbye for real." Its heart wrenching, but we learn that he moves on and is able to look back on their time together fondly. This bittersweet ending left me feeling a number of emotions. I'm so glad that I was given the chance to experience this amazing book.

Week 4: The Comic Book

I can't help but feel a little sad when I think about how I completely missed out on comic books as a child. By the time I was old enough to be consciously consuming media, comics were simply not accessible to me. The cartoons I encountered during my elementary school years were all on television, rather than in print. I wouldn't have even known where to buy one if I'd been interested. I image it must have been very cool for kids in earlier decades to rush to the store and pick up the lasted issue of their favorite superhero comic. The idea seems to have a very classic American feel to it. I'd be curious to know just how mainstream comics were to young people during that era? Was just about everyone reading them? Or where they still somewhat niche?

This week I was very excited to get to look at some real comics. I'd actually never read a literal comic book before. First, I read Donald Duck The Hard Loser by Carl Barks. This was actually a really fun experience! I image it might have been hard for Barks to write so many of these stories while also managing to keep the Donald and his friends so consistently in character with all their other appearances in the Disney universe. However, as I was reading the comic, I could almost see the story as if it were animated, and straight out of a classic Disney cartoon.

I also read some excerpts from EC Comics, like Tales from the Crypt. These were obviously directed towards a more mature audience than Donald Duck (which is not to say adults can't appreciate it, but EC is just clearly not for young children). I found the stories within to be interesting and creepy, and overall very fun to read. I love when art forms that society usually dictate as "for children" are made for people of all ages to appreciate. I wish there were more pieces of work being created with this wider audience in mind today.

Week 3: The Comic Strip

This week I was given the opportunity to revisit my childhood and read a number of strips from Charles Schulz' Peanuts. This really brought me back to a time when my grandmother would cut out and save Peanuts strips from the Sunday paper for my little sister and I. While they were not as exciting as our favorite animated Disney movies, the little comics were just short enough to hold our young attention spans from start to finish. My grandmother, having known Peanuts since the very beginning, was extremely fond of the series. I, on the other hand, while enjoying characters like Snoopy and Woodstock, often found the way in which the main character, Charlie Brown, was treated to be upsetting. It seemed like he could never catch a break from the harsh words and actions of characters like Lucy, even if they were supposed to be "friends." Good grief.

However, when I brought this up in class I was surprised to learn that the author wrote Charlie Brown in an almost autobiographical way. Schulz himself faced a lot of same the social and self-esteem issues as Charlie Brown during his lifetime. With this new perspective, the comic now seems to be playing nicely into a sort of self deprecating sense of humor. Perhaps this is one of the reasons Peanuts is so beloved. Each morning people are able to pick up a paper, read the strip, and give a sympathetic laugh for poor Charlie Brown, all the while thinking 'Yeah, I feel that way too sometimes.' The combination of these mundane life moments that make up the plot of Peanuts as well as the simple, abstract cartoon designs really allow readers to self insert and relate to the comic. And as I learned in last week's Understanding Comics book, that is truly a recipe for success.

Week 2: Understanding Comics

I believe Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics to be the perfect introduction to a class like this. It addresses all the major themes of the genre, both technical and creative. He explains comics and the way people consume them like a science, which I found extremely fascinating. Many of his points were concepts that I was vaguely aware of, but had not actually given much thought to before. Why are cartoons so relatable? What makes them such an effective form of communication? The answers to these questions are something every comic artist and fan ought to be familiar with.

For me personally, the part of the book that hit closest to home was the chapter where McCloud outlined the six steps that are critical for the creation of comics. In his explanation, we are shown a number of characters with the ambition to be a comic artist. Each one of them ends up at a different level of success depending on the extent of their perseverance.  I felt like the overall message of this section could be applied to many different types of artists. I found myself saying "Oh, I would much rather be this person!" with each new introduction. The chapter varies quite a bit from the rest of the book, which has a strong emphasis on the mechanics of the medium (transitions, contrasting styles, etc.) up until this point. However, here is seems as if McCloud, knowing his book would be read by aspiring comic artists, speaks to us very directly. His implication being that if we truly have a passion for the art, we should never give up on it. And while I found the entire book to be very informative and interesting, it was this particular point that stuck with me and got me really excited to continue this course and learn as much as I can about the world of comics.

Week 1: The Graphic Narrative

Before reading The Arrival by Shaun Tan, I was not aware books of that nature existed. The idea that a complex story full of mature themes like immigration and assimilation could be clearly told without a single written word was very foreign to me. However, as I read the story I was amazed at how easily the emotions, intentions, and goals of the main character translated through illustration alone.

From the opening pages we learn that the main character is going on a journey and leaving his family behind. We know that he is reluctant to do so because of their sad expressions and body language, as well as the family portrait he packs in his suitcase. This is just one small example of the countless times in the book that the combination of a character's physical actions and repeating motifs are used to keep the reader engaged in the story. We watch as the protagonist travels to another country, one where he does not speak the language (as indicated by him cupping his ear in confusion, as well as the nonsensical symbols that serve as this nation's writing- leaving the reader just as ignorant to their meaning). As more and more characters are introduced, it is clear that everyone our man meets has a similar story: they traveled to this new place in order to escape some oppressive force in their home country. The author illustrates each of these in fantastical, unique ways, and even though we might not understand what exactly went on, the reader can easily discern the necessary information: that these people needed to flee, just like the main character. Therefore they are willing and able to help and understand him.

Overall, The Arrival was a delight to read. I enjoyed it enough to order a physical copy, as I believe it will be an even better experience than simply the pdf. Tan's art serves as a truly wonderful means to consume this heartwarming story. I know that I can share this book with anyone, and they will be able to appreciate its beauty.