While understanding comics might seem like a
rudimentary skill for most, Scott McCloud provides a somewhat in-depth look at
the world of comics and why things are what they are. In Understanding Comics,
McCloud demonstrates the reasons for the particular "style" of
comics, although this has obviously been shown to vary by author/artist, but
the underlying truth is what it represents to the reader. A more detailed and
even semi-realistic face might seem too distant from the reader, and will most
likely distract from the message, but too simplified of a face might just be
disregarded as a cartoon. Comics attempt to find this perfect balance between
the two, in order to focus on the intended purpose. This approach into
understanding the style in which comics are drawn is extremely entertaining and
engaging for any audience, as McCloud uses the very things he is attempting to
explain, to illustrate his book.
McCloud also focuses on the relationship between
the images and the written word. While more words are usually needed to form a
picture in the reader’s mind about the character, pictures alone cannot convey
certain messages, excluding wordless comics. This provides great insight into
how words and images are both “degraded”, for lack of a better word, in order
to meet in the middle and create a masterpiece using both. McCloud illustrates
in an interesting way, showing the transition from the “masterpiece” realistic
drawing of a face by the artist, towards the “masterpiece” Shakespearean words
by the writer. Both have to be degraded in order to meet in the middle, and
convey their intended message.
McCloud’s approach is overall illuminating,
vastly entertaining, and unique. I very much enjoyed his method of helping
audiences understand comics.
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