Week 13

This week we looked at how publishers reshaped the superhero comic market. In this time, there were new types of graphic novels adapting classic superhero stories for different kinds of adult storytelling. Specifically, I looked at Alan Moore's Watchman. I thought this graphic novel was a masterpiece. It was incredibly written. The graphic novel reflects on anxieties of historic and political events such as the Vietnam war, Watergate, and tension with the Soviet Union. The focus is on super heroes as a concept and the moral struggles between the characters. There are many clever symbols and icons throughout the graphic novel that make the work feel timeless. 

Week 12

For this week, we focused on comics by women. I was excited for this week's focus because I was looking forward to reading This One Summer by the Tamaki cousins. I really love Jullian Tamaki's work and had followed her for years. This read was super enjoyable and refreshing. It was beautiful and poetic. It presents the story of two teenage girls as almost a diary. It feels very nostalgic. This contrasts the harsh life lessons presented in the graphic novel. I thought the powerful mix of these two concepts made the graphic novel extremely memorable.

Week 11

This week I read Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli. I loved this comic because it broke so many "rules" or traditions that early comics had established. I thought the themes and subject was very complex and engaging. The art style was also very unique and suiting - very "futuristic." I thought the sophistication in the work definitely worked as a perfect example of comics as contemporary literature. I think this extreme contrast from super hero comics should be popularized for modern audiences so they can expand their views on the art form.

Week Ten: Manga

I read Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. I thought it was super interesting as the themes are very complex. I think The art and stylization was also very captivating and dramatic. I think there are many other works that follow the same stylistic guide: sharp angles, dramatic speech bubbles, etc. It was interesting to see the differences commonly noted between American and Japanese comics, but also the similarities. I think American comics are more influenced today more than ever by masterpieces created in Japan. 

Week 9

This week I read Persepolis. Overall, I really enjoyed this comic. The comic was created by Marjane Satrapi. It is a graphic autobiography depicting her childhood into her adolescence and adulthood. It deals with the year after the Iranian Revolution. The times are filled with turmoil and conflict. Young Marjane (or Marji) is learning about herself and her reality. I also really enjoyed the graphic visuals and stylization. I thought it was almost reminiscent of propaganda poster designs which felt suitable for the themes of the novel - dealing with politics, religion, etc.

Stereotypes

The use of stereotypes in comics, animation, and gaming narrative is a huge controversy and debate today. To me, stereotypes are a dying form of storytelling. It was very popular in film, comics, and other media while I was growing up. Stereotypes helped define the characters and created a false “diversity”.  For example, the stereotype/trope of "Damsel in Distress" is a huge controversy while it used to be an essential story element in early super hero comics and other media. In addition, there is more prominent "toxic masculinity" in these genres (as well as other films - especially before the 1990s). For example, Back to the Future was pointed out by Pop Culture Detective as having strong, consistent examples of toxic masculinity. Some examples included extreme violence and aggression.
In general, they show toxic and sexist behaviors towards other female characters.