Understanding Comics

One of the topics approached in Understanding Comics by Scott Mccloud is cartoons, and how people relate to them. I really find the break down interesting, because when we do see exact replicas, or very detailed images of a person, we see only that person. However when we simplify more and more, the more we start to see ourselves, and we can relate with said simplified character. It allows a person to feel comfortable, and that they may have common ground with an abstract thought, much like the ones we have in our head from time to time. Cartoons feel like a form of storytelling, that doesn't only belong to the storyteller, but to the entire audience as well. Its a commonality with humanity, but also at the same time it is its own identity and being. Cartoons open up an in-between, where you can relate to a fake character that has real life problems.

The reason we can relate to the characters in comics, is because like most house ware appliances, we see ourselves in the simplicity of lines and shapes. We constantly see others for the detail they hold, but never ourselves. so when we see a made up character that is fairly simple in style and human likeness, we can easily put ourselves in their shoes.

Although the definition of comics is up in the air constantly, their messages are conveyed amongst the community very well, and has powerful messages through many genres.

Assignment#1 Gwhitman

The Arrival can tell a story without using dialogue in many ways. Many of the pictures in the book are very clear in terms of emotion, and how reactions can occur among characters during experiences.  The book depicts people  behaving in a very natural relatable way to very strange and un relatable things. I.e the shadowy tentacles, and cute monsters. The sequences of him trying to communicate with people in a foreign land is depicted in a way that anyone can understand, whether it's your first time at school, or traveling to a new land.
When making a comic, I feel its important to stick to writing what you know, in this case when things are purely visual I think you can still show and design an image to deliver a feeling you've experienced that others are bound to be able to relate to. We can gather moments in life, whether its immigrating or finding new living standards, or fear of failing, that most humans can relate to. Its the string of events and showing them in a similar way that can string nostalgia and have people share similar experiences. It also can come down to animation, and the exaggeration of movement. With exaggerated poses, the human mind can typically pick up on what is trying to be communicated, so long as they were brought up in a similar culture to the media that was released.
Overall The story is beautifully drawn, and conveys the story clearly without having a wry, from actual dialect, spoken. It uses everything from well drawn emotion, to shapes and values to give the mood and feeling to what is happening.