Week One- (Rachel)

Does Varnum (2001) define the difference between cartoon, comics and graphic novel? According to Varnum, what distinguishes comics from other media?

Varnum states that ‘comic books, graphic novels, single-panel cartoons, wordless comics, animated cartoons and various other kinds of visual texts, bear resemblances to each one another. None of the members of the family shares one feature in with common with all the others, but any two share common features‘ (p 17.)  This makes it difficult to define the differences between the different genres.

Varnum points out the view of Frank Cioffi, explaining that in a comic the combination of the word with the image ‘cause discordances which disturb the reader.’  Playing between the gap between the word in the image.

When reading a comic there is a space where you wither process the reader processes either the picture or the words first, it is difficult to these both at the same time. In that gap there is room to throw out the reader expectations of what they will be presented visually or literally. The reader moves between them.

Cartoons, Varnum points, work in a ‘civilised partnership’.

Reference:

Varnum, R. & Gibbons, C. (Eds.). (2001). Introduction. In The Language of Comics: word and image (pp. ix-xix). Jackson: University Press of Mississippi

week one [rhian]

How and why are comics becoming more accepted as an art form? Can/should they be regarded as a literary genre?

Comics are mainly an art form. The reason they differ from more common literary forms such as novels and short stories is due to their illustrations. Comics differ from even that of a picture book as the illustrations in a picture book do not mark the passing of time and cannot stand on their own as a form of communication, unlike a comic illustration. The pictures in a comic not only accompanies the words, but also holds their own in the flow of the story. In fact, the pictures are the most important part of it, not just for their art but also as a way of telling the story through language, "when an image is combined with words as in a comic strip, the words become secondary, but the language of images remains primary." Varnum, R. & Gibbons, C.(2001).
Due to the importance of the pictures, people view comics are works of art, and sometimes disregard their literary potential. Where does the art stop and the literacy begin?
I believe that comics are interesting creations as they manage to uphold both forms of creativity and create an excellent example of each. I think that they should be considered as both an art form and as a literary genre as they both showcase artistic tendencies and tell a story through literary means.

References
Varnum, R. & Gibbons, C. (Ed.). (2001). The Language of Comics: word and image. Jackson: U Press of Mississippi.

How does Farr (1991) justify Tintin's appeal to adults? (Week 1)

I believe Tintin appeals to both adults as well as young people because Herge tells it from the point of view of a young adult who is none other than Tintin himself. He is often carried off into various adventures under certain events and circumstances. Many young people are fascinated by adventure stories and the age and portrayal of the character of Tintin also pulls adults into reading his stories. Adults are also pulled to Tintin because Herge incorporates many real-life events and references to history in his character's adventures, something which many adults will be familiar with. Also thanks to the depection of the character of Tintin "the child will be gripped by the excitement of Tintin, the comedy even farce. The adult will aditionally find political satire and parody, puns and prescience" (Farr. M. 1991, Tintin: the complete companion. pgs 8-9)