Where I started

I don't think anyone can grow unless he's loved exactly as he is now, appreciated for what he is rather than what he will be.

Fred Rogers

I realize now, that I started this course with a very cursory understanding of the worlds of comics and graphic novels. I knew a little bit about the popularity of Manga with high school/middle school girls—(but I was turned off by the images myself). I also knew a little about comic books---but again, I was not drawn to them because my perception was based mostly on images I found sexist and shallow.

I had never taken the time, as an adult, to read a comic book or a manga title. So, a willingness to overcome complete ignorance was the first step of the journey.

Trying to borrow or buy all the titles on the reading list took me further down the road. As I gathered the books, just looking at the covers I could see that there was huge variety here that I hadn’t known about. The only title I had read before was Persepolis. Obviously, there was much that I was unfamiliar with.

My classmates, however, didn’t all start with such limited experience. As I read through the discussions, seminars and other projects I realized comics and graphic novels had some well-versed and knowledgeable devotees. Reading their thoughts, opinions and comics-related experiences was another valuable aspect of my learning. I know that sharing my thoughts and impressions enhanced my learning, too. Manipulating and engaging with the material made me delve much deeper.

To be able to participate fully I needed to expand my vocabulary. To rectify this I have poured over Scott McCloud’s book Understanding Comics repeatedly. Reading a philosophic treatise in graphic novel format was a completely new experience. I found it hard to comment on the different chapters because I was highlighting every word! Understanding Comics was so full of new terms and concepts it was mind-boggling.In the Introduction, McCloud describes his intentions for the book in this way:

Although there is some history in it…it’s more of an examination of the ART- FORM of comics, what it’s capable of, how it works…how do we define comics, what are the basic elements of comics, how does the mind process the language of comics…I have a chapter on closure---all about what happens between the panels….there’s one on how time flows through comics, another on the interaction of words and pictures and storytelling. I even put together a new comprehensive theory of the creative process and its implications for art in general!!”.

Learning to think about comics as a unique and worthy art form has led me into new territory, and the teacher in me is eager to share my new knowledge.