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.