Week 14 - The Future of Comics

For the final week of reading I read a couple things but my favorite was by far Failing Sky. The way that it is setup to be read is fantastic! Since they knew that this was going to be in an internet comic and they could design the layout of the comic in different ways, I think they really took advantage of this with how you read it. Making the reader choose multiple ways and even giving them the option to switch to different chapters by clicking on items throughout the story is so creative and makes it very intuitive.

This is where I see comics going in the future. The way that the internet is taking over our world is crazy and people really just aren't reading nearly as much from books and print. It is bad in some ways that this is happening but in other ways its great, such as the fact that it is so much easier to obtain written works and also it opens up so many possibilities of creating books and comics in new and unique ways. This was a very good week to end the readings on I think.

Week 13 - Superheroes

Ahhh the classic and what every person thinks of comic genre, Superhero. Bad guys, action scenes, and saving the world from destruction. Since I was young I have been a huge fan of Batman so when I saw that Arkham Asylum was on the list I was immediately attracted towards that and was the first thing that I read. The story and art of this comic is absolutely amazing. The depiction of each character is absolutely beautiful and I think my favorite character illustration is the Joker. I think it really captures his characteristics very well and  makes him out to be the super villain that he really is. An absolute freaking psycho. Love it.

Week 12 - Comics by Women

First off I'd like to say that I feel like this week of reading can in a sense fall under the stereotype category as well. I say this because I feel like yes, these comics are very different from the rest in how they are written and I see the point of having them separated from the other weeks for the class but I do not think that it should really matter who the comic was written by. I think that our world is changing very quickly to be much more progressive than the past and that many of these comics could easily have been written by men as well. Wow kind of went on a tangent.

Well as far as the readings go, I started off by reading Diary of a Dominatrix because how could that not be intriguing! Ha. Ok well wow, this comic was a unlike anything I have ever read. Like really that comic is way out there. I figured it was unfair to only read that of course so I also read This One Summer and that was really nice and cute. I wouldn't really say it was like feminine only but I would say that it had more girly or cutesy features throughout. I really liked it though and felt like it could definitely be like a short indie film or something similar to that.

Week 11 - Channel Zero

So Channel Zero. Hell yes. Normally I start these off talking about the story and my opinions on that but this comic's style is absolutely stunning. I literally fell in love with this comic just off the first couple pages before I even read it. I am really big into 3D design but as far as 2D styles go these dramatic graphic styles are some of my favorite. Bold lines, foreground background, texture, this comic is awesome.

As far as story goes I like this a lot. The way it depicts the world as a like this government controlling world is awesome and the way they show how Jennie is fighting back against the controller is a classic story line but works extremely well for this and supports the style. I think this a very very well done comic and probably on of my favorites I have read this whole semester. Awesome work.

Week 10 - Manga

Soooo not going to lie, I was not really too excited form this week of reading because in the past I haven't really been a big fan of anime and it always seemed kind of weird to me. I was not as upset once I read Battle Angel Alita. It was actually pretty interesting to me and the story was not as, I guess, childish as I thought it was going to be which was nice.

The art for Battle Angel Alita was nice too in certain parts. In volume 1 when they show like the skeleton and body being made I loved that illustration style but its the really like the massive eyes and stuff I'm not a huge fan of. I get why its done and that is kind of like traditional in that sense but I dont know why but those kind of things I really just don't like. Just a personal thing but I dont like those styles.

Week 9 - Ran Xerox

This weeks reading for me was... Interesting? I read Ran Xerox and it was very different to me from any comic I had read, not just for the for mature content but like in that is was just such a different story type. The way the story was written was like a classic find the girl kind of story but it was also so interesting in the way that it was written. I think that having Ran Xerox be a robot and selling drugs are a really cool twist on that kind of story. It makes it more appropriate for an older audience and brings in a different crowd of readers.

As far as the art goes Ran Xerox had an illustrative style that I really liked but you could definitely tell that it was dated a little bit now. It seemed straight out of the 80's to me and that makes sense I guess since it was written in 1978 and is futuristic in terms of story and content. I thought it was a good read though would definitely recommend to other comic readers.

Week 8 - Ugh Stereotypes

Stereotypes are a big issue with me personally. I think that stereotypes are hurtful and that all people should refrain from using them. HOWEVER. I understand the use of them in the past as a form of storytelling. As much as I disagree with this in reality, I see that stereotypes help to push stories sometimes even though I think that there should be ways around using them. Examples of what I think are stereotypes that are alright to use in my opinion are the ones that do not really affect the people like making objects appear certain ways to help make the story easier to understand. A good example of this is in the presentation pdf where it shows how you can distinguish between the good and bad of the story by how something is illustrated, the type of object it is, or even how something is held.

When I read the last question about if I had been stereotyped in my life it kind of struck me because as a white christian male in this world I am not really the subject for stereotypes. This is not completely true though and I know people who have stereotyped me and my family many times. My family is not like crazy wealthy or anything but are for sure well off and money is not a huge issue. People that know this tend to think that my family is snobby or selfish though and it changes how people see me and it can be hurtful. My parents are the most caring people I have literally ever met and do so much for others that they don't flaunt and when you hear things from people like, "Oh they probably just take everything for granted" it can be hurtful. I have been raised to always give back to those less fortunate and to never be boastful and respect everyone. My parents have built their business and lives around serving others and helping as much as they can whether it is their mission work and business in Uganda or even their work in Sarasota it is all focused on serving others to "enhance the lives of all we come in contact with" (excerpt from the mission statement of my fathers companies). With story telling I understand why they are there and how they can help to tell a story, but in real life I do not think that stereotypes should have a place.

In Class 04/19/16 - Authority

1. Are there any prominent symbols in the story? If so, what are they and how are they used?

I’m not sure if this sounds too easy, but I think they show that sex can be used as a powerful force and also a force of evil. In the 7th volume they talk about how they turned China into basically a rape camp and made it such a large and powerful country where they repopulated till they were a larger population. I think this actually can relate to how sex can be used still as like a powerful force over people in reality; maybe not turning the entire country into a rape camp, but still how it can take control over people and you can control people with sex.

2. What connections did you make with the story? Discuss the elements of the work with which you were able to connect.

Personally this story reminds me of the Watchmen in some aspects but as far as a personal connection with this story I kind of feel attached to Jenny Sparks. I feel like I just connect with her and it seems she’s the most stressed out and in control of the group and all of the situations that unfold with the terrorism attacks and fights. This character aspect I can relate to in that I feel like with groups I sometimes end up in control or leading and get stressed even though I prefer to be in charge rather than following others. 

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium would you use? What changes would you make?

As far as changes go to adapt this to another medium I feel like you would need to not have as many characters. The first place my mind goes is feature film but I feel like that’s too easy so the second place I go is animated film or shorts. I think that something like this could be very interesting as a 2D animated short and do well online and on places like Netflix where they actually have some animated tv shows like this. I think the stories are great and the fight scenes and point of view are all great, I just think it would be easier to follow as a short if there were less characters. 

Week 7 - Maus

This was not the first time that I have read Maus but I feel like it is something that can easily be read again every once in a while. Simply for the historical context and for what I personally believe is entertaining at least to read about, the Holocaust. I think that this novel serves as a historical literary icon in retaining information about what really happened to these people during World War II and it's use of the characters as animals rather than humans helps differ it from many others similar by throwing a curve ball and further exaggerating the story. Simply the whole idea of predator and prey, mouse and cat, is simply genius in explaining this Holocaust story.
     I think that this story is one of the reasons that graphic novels are legitimized today as real novels. Not to say that there aren't many others that also help this but I think that since so many people read this in high school and growing up because it is so well done definitely makes it different and iconic in the comic world. I really do like this novel and think so many aspects of it could be put into other graphic novels to make them better such as its great use of symbolism throughout as well as the way the narrators first person point of view switches between Vladek and Art. Great read.

Week 6 - Underground Comics

The underground comics I found to be kinda funny. To me it really seems that since they are not as wide spread as some of the other comics they really can kind of say whatever they want and seem to take advantage of that. I think it makes them just that much more interesting for it though, because if they really aren't restricted on what they can or can't say by publishers with things like swearing and just in general content for the stories then I think that these stories get really imaginative and strange but good!

   One of the good examples of this is Fat Freddy's Cat. To me its like they took Garfield and just made it for an adult audience. Literally in one of the comics the cat is hungry and looking all over the house for food but then decides to just eat the plants that are there (marijuana) and gets really high and passes out. This IS the context for a lot of the Garfield stories. I liked these overall though, very interesting to see this side of the comic world.

Will Eisner - Week 5

When I first started Contract With God, I did not realize how sad it was going to be. It starts off at such a quick low and in the character development of Frimme Hersh you start feeling sad for him and what is going on with his life so fast. It really is written very well and the imagery used for each page works incredibly well with the writing. Each one of the stories in Contract With God was interesting though and they all had this feeling of sadness that you couldn’t help but feel for some characters and aspects of their lives. After the second one, when I got onto the third I was literally just like waiting for the sad part to come and feel bad for the character. It really is just written with such emotion.

            I think Eisner does a really good job though of mixing the two (story and imagery), but as bigger focus on the story. The imagery wouldn’t even be there if it weren’t for these stories so I think that fact that he just really nails you right in the heart with these stories the artwork just exemplifies the story that much more emotionally. Good work, Will Eisner for hitting the feels on this one.

Comic Books - Week 4

Comic Books. Superman, Batman, The Human Torch, etc. These are the stories and characters I believe people most closely associate comic books with and think about when even simply the word “comic” is spoken. I read a couple of these because honestly these are what most interest my in the comic and graphic narrative world. These are things that I personally grew up being seen turned into movies and I would always want to go see. Comic books with superheroes, I feel, is what most young boys are interested in and I think that this has a profound effect on what we read or even want to see in movies still today. For example I cant even comprehend how many of my friends want to go see that because they've "read the comics" or "seen some of the writing and stories before." The crazy unnatural characters, the fight scenes, and the good guy always winning over the bad evil character. How can you not want to hear about that?

Now, what I found interesting to me are the comics that I haven’t seen (basically any without superheroes). I read some of the other styles such as the Disney comics as well as the EC Comics. It’s interesting to me because I just don’t know why I never saw these. I think they’re just as engaging and good as the superhero comics, but I have never really read any of these.

Nemo, Krazy-Kat, & Charlie Brown - Week 3

“Nemo in Slumberland”

I found “Nemo in Slumberland” to be very strange but also very interesting. I’m not someone who has read many comics or graphic novels etc. but this one seemed very different than any of the comics strip style stories that I have ever seen. I really enjoy how every story starts and ends with him in bed and you find out he was dreaming so the consistency I think I enjoy but also enjoy how varied the adventures and dreams are that Nemo goes on. Also the clowns are all really creepy when they’re used.

“Krazy-Kat”

Now compared to Nemo this was an entirely different type of comic strip. Stripped down the core basics of some squiggled rough characters and words this comic I found to actually be pretty funny. I liked how they’re just short sweet and to the point with a little hook in the third or fourth box. If you don’t want to read a full narrative or just want a little laugh I think these are great. Some of the wording is a bit older fashioned I think but still all the “Krazy-Kat” comics are fairly easy to read and quite entertaining in my opinion.

“Peanuts”  

What’s not to love about “Peanuts” and Charlie Brown and the whole gang? This to me is one of the most classic comics of all time next to things like Batman, etc. I loved looking at the 1950s comics to see what the characters looked like from his first stories and to see how the characters haved changed and also what remained the same through all the years of “Peanuts”.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

    When I started The Arrival I was almost confused at first how it could be a whole story of just pictures. After reading the images and going page by page I was really impressed with how easy it actually is to just read this. As a motion designer we have to create storyboards quite often and this is like story boarding to me but without all the extra markings which are not even necessary. As you are reading through this story these images really capture the moods and feelings that are trying to be portrayed by the man as well as everyone and everything going on around him. You feel his sadness at certain times and you can sense his feeling of struggles and confusion as he goes to the new place. I really like how time passing is shown through this with using an object or environment and having it be changing slightly picture to picture with a lot of them on the page. I also found it interesting how they made the character show what he was looking for when he was asking for something, with using a book and drawing pictures because the people could not understand what he was trying to say because of a language barrier in the new land. The way the character is depicted through the story along with other characters like the old man in the factory help to tell the story with the way they are staged as well as with their facial expressions and reactions to things that were happening. I really enjoyed this piece and thought it was a great read.