Understanding Comics

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud was an interesting approach to a non fiction book made for the purpose of explaining the workings of comics or sequential art as a medium. I enjoyed the fact that he found away to simply explain comics by using exactly the item that he was trying to explain (a comic). I feel the reason I found that concept so enticing most likely spurs from the knowledge every student learns in middle school: you should never try to explain a concept or a definition using the same word, or I guess in this case, medium that you are trying to define. I believe, the fact that he managed to explain the inner workings of a comic using a comic helped make this book such a fun and compelling read. I feel much more knowledgeable about the medium of “comics” or “sequential art” after finishing this read.

McCloud is not stuck on defining the exact content of what a comic is. He pretty much avoided talking about one totally specific genre of comics. McCloud seemed mainly interested in discussing with the reader what comics potentially could be instead of what most people think of them as. Many people label comics as a children's form of cheap entertainment. Comics are not really considered an art form in the least, or at least weren't until very recently. McCloud tries to stress that comics are a viable medium compared to painting or a good novel.

One part that I particularly enjoyed was the section on bare bone shape. The statement that humans try to look for faces in everything was enthralling and also, in my belief, true. I feel that people look for faces in random objects to help relate to the world around you. You can take any object, and with the addition of a bulls eye symbol, make it into a face. The more basic and less recognizable the face the greater the amount of people that can relate to it.

This book was an excellent and creative way to explain a medium. It didn't drag on, it bombarded you with information without confusing or overwhelming you. I think Scott McCloud was very successful in his effort to define and explain the graphic narrative as a medium.