Meh. If graphic novels can be complex and developed, and kid's books can be complex and developed, what's stopping this graphic novel for kid's from bMeh. If graphic novels can be complex and developed, and kid's books can be complex and developed, what's stopping this graphic novel for kid's from being complex and developed?...more
I really appreciate that this book exists. It's nice that something was created to help people understand the language of comics, what they are, what I really appreciate that this book exists. It's nice that something was created to help people understand the language of comics, what they are, what they can be, what makes them special, and so forth.
That said, there are parts which are a little convoluted (Chapter 2, I'm looking at you), and there are parts that are a little dated by now (such as the chapter on color, which I think has come a long way since the early '90s, particularly due to the use of computers). But there are so many parts that articulate things that we as readers may have never realized we were doing (such as reading between the panels, as discussed in Chapter 3).
I think McCloud did a great job of including all kinds of comics, from Schultz to Spiegelman to Lee/Kirby to Otomo, without placing more value on one than another. I also liked the parallels he drew between comics and other art forms, although he emphasized visual arts far more than literature, which in some ways makes sense but I feel it neglects the fact that these are comic books. Even in Chapter 6, which was dedicated to how language and words combine to form comics, I did not notice any analysis of how comics stand up to other forms of literature. However, in the chapter dedicated to the artistic process, I thought what McCloud had to say on the subject was so perfectly universal to all art, including literature.
Overall, definitely an insightful read for anyone who enjoys "juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence."...more
In a sense, I like this book because it's Marvel's take on the JLA, set in the "real" world. It's nice to think about how people would actually react In a sense, I like this book because it's Marvel's take on the JLA, set in the "real" world. It's nice to think about how people would actually react to a bona fide superhero. I think that part is neat. But the story is a little slow, and not as cohesive as I think it could be. Further, the art is really inconsistent. I just find it intolerable. Overall, a bit meh....more
I selected this book based on the cover alone. I know, we aren't supposed to judge a book that way, but honestly, if the cover is that visually appealI selected this book based on the cover alone. I know, we aren't supposed to judge a book that way, but honestly, if the cover is that visually appealing, then I'm sure to like the art inside.
While Tomine stuck to very traditional panels for story progression, he used incredible detail within the panels to help tell his story. I like that the setting is well developed, and I appreciate the everyday detail put into the drawings. We get to see the protagonist Ben putting in his contacts, or pouring filtered water into a glass, etc.
The characterization is masterful. We get a very good sense of every character. Tomine doesn't worry about making Ben likable, instead he makes him believable, and in spite of his many unattractive qualities, sympathetic....more
This was the first selection for the graphic novel book club I joined. It's really excellent, a great introduction not only to Iranian culture but alsThis was the first selection for the graphic novel book club I joined. It's really excellent, a great introduction not only to Iranian culture but also to the graphic novel. We had a lot of people read it that prefer text only books, and I think they got a lot out of it. Satrapi's visuals are simple yet powerful. While the figures themselves aren't overly detailed, she uses composition to express so much. Notably, Marji as a character is impossible to dislike, and that helps a lot. I think we all fell in love a little bit reading it....more
Miss Michael
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