The Graphic Novel and Comic Books

[Julien]

Originally Posted by wolfbittenpoet

I think Maus is the first book I did a report on in about third grade. I've read and reread it so many times. I found the whole way it was done impressive.

Comic books are the first books that I ever would read. Even with dyslexia I could work out things. Now unless if I'm tired or writing you'd never know.

Do you find simple black, white and grey art more powerful? Or color?

Is it true that the "Golden Age of Comics" is the pinnacle of the genre or truly a bygone age that allowed for further growth?

The use of color vs black and white is an interesting question. For me, I believe that each medium has its strengths for conveying the message of the content. It is the same question about color film vs black and white film. While some may consider b/w "old" I see it as having a rich context to read. In terms of graphic novels and comic books. I feel the author makes a decision to what would aid in the telling of the story. It could be said that b/w or color may enhance the story in a way that the other could not. Have you ever read 30 Days of Night? Ben Templesmith's artwork compliments the story told by Steven Niles well. The edginess of the prose and the panels heighten the suspense in the episodic novel.

[wolfbittenpoet]

I have read some of 30 Days of Night and I am impressed. With that series the art more then carries the storylines. It's been a while since I've given it a major look. I'll have to hit the library for it again. I find that superheroes seem to convey themselves better in color then in black and white. Perhaps because color is a vividity of life. Whereas antiheroes are better in black in white perhaps because of depth of soul.

[Julien]

Originally Posted by wolfbittenpoet

I have read some of 30 Days of Night and I am impressed. With that series the art more then carries the storylines. It's been a while since I've given it a major look. I'll have to hit the library for it again. I find that superheroes seem to convey themselves better in color then in black and white. Perhaps because color is a vividity of life. Whereas antiheroes are better in black in white perhaps because of depth of soul.

hi Poet,
I like what you wrote about color vs black/white imagery. I think that color does indeed express the vividness of life. Nicely written about b/w and the depth of soul. You should go more into this, I'd like to read what you think. Wow does that sound too teacherlike? Sorry about that.

[wolfbittenpoet]

Teacherlike hmm no never. I will get more into it after a bit of thought. I have similar feelings about film. But then I was going to be an English major until I realized that most of the stuff you read is rubbish and things that are called classics are quite frankly dribble with few exception. Give me Vonnegut, Kerouac and comic books anyday.

[Julien]

Originally Posted by wolfbittenpoet

Teacherlike hmm no never. I will get more into it after a bit of thought. I have similar feelings about film. But then I was going to be an English major until I realized that most of the stuff you read is rubbish and things that are called classics are quite frankly dribble with few exception. Give me Vonnegut, Kerouac and comic books anyday.

So you were going to be an English major. My background is in Film Studies, Women's/Gender Studies, and LGBT Studies all under the umbrella term of "Modern Studies". What other graphic novel or comic book to you enjoy? Have you ever read I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, either in graphic novel form or its original novel? I didn't care for the film of the same name, it strayed too far away from the source. The graphic novel is in black/white. It was adapted by Steven Niles of 30 Days of Night fame.

[wolfbittenpoet]

I like I am Legend both the original book and the adaptation. It is a book about the soul of humanity being terrorized by the masses in many ways. I also find that in trying to preserve humanity he dehumanizes himself. I like most continuities of Xmen and Wolverine. And I am a sucker for anything Neil Gaiman.

I think going back to the black and white and color debate that color is for me live and vividness of life because in so many of the comics it is explosive.With black and white the storyline and emotions it evokes move the story on as much as the art. In a way comics are like the movie The Wizard of Oz in Kansas you are dealing with the people and in Oz you are dealing with emotional quandries made real on an exorbirant scale. What else is a superhero fight but an outward showing on emotional conflicts.

[Julien]

I think going back to the black and white and color debate that color is for me live and vividness of life because in so many of the comics it is explosive.With black and white the storyline and emotions it evokes move the story on as much as the art. In a way comics are like the movie The Wizard of Oz in Kansas you are dealing with the people and in Oz you are dealing with emotional quandries made real on an exorbirant scale. What else is a superhero fight but an outward showing on emotional conflicts.[/QUOTE]

I like your reading of a classic film. The use of b/w and then color does show the "dreamlike" quality of Dorothy's nightmare. In that I mean the explosion of the color spectrum enhances her feelings and her own understanding for each of the people in her life. The life in b/w with the dustbowl atmosphere. Dusty and use of shadows and light also show emotions such as desire and fear. I believe that the emotions are apparent in the b/w sequences, but they are not "colored" by the turmoil of the storms on her horizon, if you let me combine the elements of her situation. The color representation in film such as this expands our understanding of the b/w sequence and also gets inside Dorothy's head and how she feels about the people around her.

Why do you think that graphic novels or comic books are popular for all ages? It is curious that a fantasy such as The Wizard of Oz continues to be shown in primetime for those young and old to discover or rediscover. I think that comic books or graphic novels offer us some of the same core values that is ours to explore.