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| Scott McCloud's definition of comics (1993). |
A: Starting with a quote of a cynical comic analyser made in 1955, Horricks (2004) leads in with discussing the negative ideologies that surrounded comics in the 1950’s. Including one man’s extreme tirade expressing that by banning comics ‘we are reducing the chances of war and preventing the further perversion of the world’s childre.” (Bill Pearson, cited in Horricks 2004).
Although noting that this radical mindset has been lifted from comics, Horricks expresses that these concerns have just been moved onto other forms of media (ie gangster rap) and that this way of thinking will forever be attached to some form of media, as evidenced so repetitively throughout history.
Calling comics (or graphic novels as they are more commonly being reffered to as) ‘the invisible art’, Horricks (2004) explains the process in which they are a fictional story that incorporates sequences of images to help the story telling process. In Hergé’s (1935) The Blue Lotus (a pioneer in the comic genre) Tintin strolls through streets drawn to replicate an authentic Chinese street, proving that through fiction, realism is a close ally.
This idea is something that is perhaps the meaning behind the both feared and revered art of creating comics. Although in my opinion it is still not a mainstream genre, it is one that is being reviewed in noted newspapers all around the world and being studied in universities again, on a worldwide level (Horricks, 2004).
Although noting that this radical mindset has been lifted from comics, Horricks expresses that these concerns have just been moved onto other forms of media (ie gangster rap) and that this way of thinking will forever be attached to some form of media, as evidenced so repetitively throughout history.
Calling comics (or graphic novels as they are more commonly being reffered to as) ‘the invisible art’, Horricks (2004) explains the process in which they are a fictional story that incorporates sequences of images to help the story telling process. In Hergé’s (1935) The Blue Lotus (a pioneer in the comic genre) Tintin strolls through streets drawn to replicate an authentic Chinese street, proving that through fiction, realism is a close ally.
This idea is something that is perhaps the meaning behind the both feared and revered art of creating comics. Although in my opinion it is still not a mainstream genre, it is one that is being reviewed in noted newspapers all around the world and being studied in universities again, on a worldwide level (Horricks, 2004).
Horricks, D. (2004) The Perfect Planet: Comics, games and world building in Williams, M. (ed.), Writing at the edge of the Universe. Christchurch: U of Canterbury Press.
McCloud, Scott. (1993) Understanding Comics (Week 2 Powerpoint Presentation)
I liked the use of the quote to fully support what you were saying. Why do you believe it is still not a mainstream genre? Maybe you should say more as to why? :)
ReplyDeleteI like your point about gangster rap and how the same concerns have now deviated but is still evident today. I think its quite crazy how concerns were 'banning comic books' to prevent children to compensate into war. Totally agree with you.
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