How art and dialog go hand in hand...

I found this clip on the internet just randomly searching for something that screamed out, "Hey, we're making a statement." Pretty simple in design, this comic speaks volumes. After reading Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, I was able to understand that it is often the most simply constructed comics that make the biggest impact. In "In the Bleachers" by Ben Zaehringer, we see a sports fan becoming distracted by the constant influx of stadium workers attempting to sell product. I think most of us can agree that normally when we order a beverage, we expect to receive a cup containing some sort of liquid and a straw. In this case, the cup and straw are separate purchases. I believe that it is the artist's intention to make us aware of how commercial retailers will try and squeeze every dollar and dime out of us that they can by forcing us to make unnecessary separate transactions. As discussed by McCloud, it is clear that the artist's choice of few words is used to make the reader ponder his message, and leave a more resounding impact on the audience. The simplification of the characters allows the viewer the chance to picture himself in the scene, experiencing the stadium for themselves. In doing so, the comic is more relatable. Taking into consideration McCloud's picture plane, I would say that this comic fits somewhere right in the middle; putting importance both on the art and the dialog.
McCloud, Scott. The Invisible Art Understanding Comics. HarperCollins Publishers, 1994.
Zaehringer, Ben. “AZ Central.” AZ Central, 2016, http://comics.azcentral.com/slideshow?comic=bl.

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