Table of Contents
What is the Comic?
- The term Comic is an accepted loan from the English language (comic, that is, “funny”), which today we know as a synonym for a comic strip or even graphic novel.
- It is a form of artistic expression and a means of communication, consisting of a series of illustrations.
- We can read in a continuous sequence, allow the reader to compose a story of some kind.
- They frame it in vignettes, that is, in boxes whose form and style correspond to the narrative or thematic content inside.
- And also, they may or may not be supported by the written text or by signs and characters of the genre.
Fine Arts and Digital Format
- Similarly, it can be drawn on different paper types or even in digital format (Web comics).
- It is often the result of collaborations between various kinds: cartoonists, screenwriters, colorists, and designers.
- The same goes for its audience, which can be highly varied: there is a theme and comic style for practically all reading tastes, even the most artistically demanding.
- For this reason, the comic is considered today as the ninth art (of the Fine Arts recognized by the Academy).
- Finally, the term comic comes from comic books that were one of the first massive formats for producing this type of work.
Characteristics
The comic in its narrative marks the times:
- Present, past, and future, through its vignettes.
- Also, use flashback and flashforward to set the tempo.
- The analepsis (flashback) narratively alters the chronological sequence in history. It refers us to the past.
- Prolepsis (flashforward) is a jump forward in time, then returns to the present.
Elements
It uses verb-iconic language (verbal and iconic elements):
- It uses transfer texts to relay (passing from one time to another) or anchor (passing from one space to another).
- And also, it also uses diagonal texts (balloons) and onomatopoeia.
- It resorts to the use of specific codes:
- Bullets, balloons, movement indications, and gestural expressions
- It is a mass communication medium.
- Although social needs make it rather instructive, it intends to distract, which means that it seeks to leave teaching.
- In addition, you can read more helpful resources at beautikue
Comic Types
- There is no formal classification of comics, as even their vocabulary appears to be controversial.
- Some reject the term to find closely linked to the ephemeral and banal origin Cartoon teen, proposing more sophisticated terms like Art s ecumenical (Will Eisner).
- However, according to its publication format, it is usually spoken of:
1. Comic strips
- Whether they come inserted in the newspaper (they still do) or inside magazines, or even in compilation books of a specific artist.
- The comic strips respect the format that their name indicates.
- They are a strip of three or more vignettes in which a short narrative represents, often similar to the joke.
- Also, the gag or to the narration by installments, typical of the 19th century.
Comics or comic magazines - Printed on higher or lower quality paper, but usually in full color, professionally finished, and in mass print runs, these are the classic bullet point magazines.
- However, they are far from being just superheroes or extraordinary adventures.
2. Graphic novels
- It is a broad and diverse category, the most formal, cultured, and demanding artistic proposals fit.
- It is often for an informed public, willing to interpret them as a written or illustrated work of art.
Also Read: Best Games of 2017 – List of Top Best Games of 2017
