Blog Post : Week Two

Image result for comics without dialogue

Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics explains the idea of a comics having their own "vocabulary". Can you "hear" the voice in the panel above?

Its loud, isn't it?
And chaotic?
Do you feel a sense of relief when you "read" the last frame?

McCloud further defines the way comics "speak" to us through images and " using the word icon to mean any image used to represent a person, place, thing or idea." ( McCloud pg 27)

A classmate used the image of the Harry Potter glasses. She goes on to say"the glasses and lightning bolt are representative of Harry himself, as well as what Harry stands for". To me, the Potter glasses icon resonate not only with readers of the series, but with anyone who is familiar with the movies, posters and advertisements that are associated with the series. The classes posts were diverse an unique.The examples of cultural icons are well thought out and thorough. I liked that there were so many differing types of icons--the dove, Superman,the Last Supper and Grumpy Cat, to name a few.

Like the comic above, the Harry Potter glasses make readers curious--you may wonder where the writer is going with these images.

McCloud goes on to say the "stripping down" ( McCloud pg 30) process that allows an image to express " ...it's essential "meaning", an artist can " amplify" that meaning in a way realistic art can't"
(McCloud pg 30)

My own initial post,as compared to the class, lacks the richness and attention to detail that many had. I was really underwhelmed by my own. The other bloggers were able to communicate excitement through their posts.Really, I could feel a lot of different emotions-humor (Grumpy Cat), peace ( Flying Dove) cultural pride and significance ( Chinese Dragon), pride ( Eagle ) and the power of woman hood ( We can do it!). Lastly, the Last Supper re-imagined is a particular favorite because it shows a welcoming table for all.

I enjoyed the different methods the class used to analyze and study .Overall, I think the class created blogs that a lot of different types of people would respond to, for different reasons. I'm looking forward to seeing what will be posted next!

McCloud, S Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art William Morrow 1993

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