- Week 1 -

- Do you think comics are children’s or adult genre/ media?

In my opinion, it is hard to say that comics are just children’s or adult’s genre and media. The characteristics of comics can attract a whole generation people. Thus, the comic, ‘Tintin’ is supported this sentence that it is purposed on all age groups. Farr explains (1991) that children and adult apprehend and understand the contents of comics according to their own level. Although the child will be controlled by the interesting and appealing from Tintin, the adult will think deeply that try to find political sarcasm, lampoon, witticism and foresight (Farr, 1991).

Comics are one of the genres that everyone can read and enjoy with their own ways. There is no fact that it is true or false. It can be understand and accept by your own ideas and imaginations. I think the discussion regarded the comic would be interesting, if other reader’s understanding and accepting ways are different from me.

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

Actually, I could not figure out the differences in Varnum’s writing. From Varnum’s text, I understand that a cartoon, comics and graphic novel are all interrelated. “Comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, single-panel cartoons, wordless comics, animated cartoons, and various other kinds of visual texts bear family resemblances to one another. None of the members of the family shares one feature in common with all the others, but any two share common features” (Varnum, 2001, p.17). The elements of a carton, comic and graphic novel could be formed more than one common feature.

Moreover, comics are distinguished from other media such as television and the internet. Varnum is also briefly supported about it. As Varnum (2001) states, although media and comics are consists of words and visuals, the only components of comics are images, texts and some particular forms like word balloons, zip ribbons and panel frames as well. In the field of media forms, comics are different with other general texts. I think specialized features and visual effects are functioned that people do not feel boring and make interesting to read.


References:

Farr, Michael. (1991). Tintin: the complete companion. London: John Murray.

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